Shadows of Sherlock Holmes (Wordsworth Classics)

A really delightful and well-edited anthology capturing *other* Victorian detectives (and more than a few master criminals). This collection is a great jumping-off point for further investigations into Victorian detective fiction. There are very few weak stories and the idiosyncratic nature of each make it a kind of antiquarian, literary yum cha.

Fans of Holmes and Conan-Doyle in particular should be aware that none of these writers are especially trying to emulate that scion; both prose and structure are different though not necessarily poorer for it. There are also (it is Victorian popular fiction, after all), more than a few shades of the supernatural - something I quite liked though hard-core Baker Street Irregulars may not like show more it.

On the whole though, this is one of the better Victorian anthologies floating around out there, and quite likely the best Wordsworth anthology. Do yourself a favour and pick up a bargain. show less

A collection of short stories written around the time of the Sherlock Holmes stories.

The introduction by David Stuart Davies is particularly worth reading because it sets Holmes in context of other detective stories, in context of Conan Doyle's life and trying to explain the effect of the Holmes stories on modern detective stories.

There is a reason why most of these characters are less well remembered than Holmes but most of the stories are worth a read if you like your crime stories.

Found all sorts of old favourites from my childhood holiday reading in here. A pleasure. My ratings policy means I couldn't have given this higher than a three, but that's because its on the mean side to leave room at the top for the gems that leave me quivering. This is a solid set of well-fashioned stories.

The Shadows of Sherlock Holmes is a fascinating collection of stories featuring detectives, criminal agents and debonair crooks from the golden age of crime fiction: a time when Sherlock Holmes was ensconced in his rooms at 221B Baker Street and London was permanently wreathed in a sinister fog. These gripping tales of mystery, suspense and clever puzzles are wonderfully entertaining and in them you will meet The Crime Doctor, Professor Augustus S.F.X. Van Dusen -- The Thinking Machine, Max Carrados -- the incredible blind detective, the repulsive but brilliant Skin o' My Teeth, and the natty, ingenious French sleuth Eugene Valmont. On the other side of the law, there are gentlemen crooks Raffles and Simon Carn -- the Prince of show more Swindlers. The stories include: The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe, The Stolen Cigar Case (a parody of Sherlock Holmes) by Bret Harte, The Swedish Match by Anton Chekhov, Nine Points of the Law by E.W. Hornung, The Ghost at Massingham Mansions by Ernest Bramah and The Great Pearl Mystery by Baroness Orczy. show less