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Dominic Selwood - Historian, barrister and author of the best-selling thriller 'The Sword of Moses'. His latest book 'Anatomy of a Nation: A History of British Identity in 50 Documents' is a masterful journey through time, exploring the documents that forged our national identity.   "An absolute belter of a Sherlock mystery! Packed with suspense,  international intrigue, secret societies, dead ends, rugged islands in the north sea, masterful deceptions, the cosy fireside at Baker Street, connoisseur tobaccos, and nail-biting shoot-outs. Through it, we are in the more than capable hands of the warm, faithful, resolute Watson.  And above it all towers Holmes:  ascetic, impetuous, unmanageable,...

Sherlock Holmes Society of London  This work is a significant achievement and clearly a labour of love. I am impressed at the quality of the research that has gone into it. Volume One, across six chapters, concerns itself with the creation of Holmes through to the films of the early 1930s. Predictably it begins with the origins of Holmes, covering the initial public reaction to the first novels and the later success of the short stories. Conan Doyle’s love/hate relationship with Holmes is spelt out succinctly, and an admirable job is done of explaining how the public sought a Holmesian ‘fix’...

The results are in and we have a new leader on the Top 25 - Will Murrary, with his Wild Adventures and also taking 3rd place with Volume 2. With Volume 3 also released in the last two weeks expect to see Will appearing several times in December. Chris Chan's charming sequel to Sherlock's Secretary comes in 2nd and lots of appearances for Paul D Gilbert's novels this month. Happy listening into the holidays and please remember to post ratings on Amazon for books you enjoy - it only takes a moment and makes a big difference for authors.  ...

Continuing the legacy of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle at his former home, Undershaw, this week saw the opening of a children’s library on site as part of the Undershaw School for children with special educational needs. It was particularly poignant that the two external guests represent links with both the local writing community and the character Sherlock Holmes. The children were treated to three readings by local author Claire Nicholas whose ‘Sunwood’ series of books is based in a local wood near Undershaw. Claire read from all three Sunwood books including the latest ‘Sunwood Magic At Christmas’. Claires books tell of...

David Marcum Paul Gilbert has amazingly been pulling Holmes pastiches from Watson’s Tin Dispatch Box since 2007, and he’s recovered a lot of them over the years, and they’re all quite good. He’s one of those pasticheurs that can be trusted to relate narratives about the TRUE Sherlock Holmes – the Canonical and traditional Holmes. One needn’t fear that Gilbert’s works will go off the cliff by presenting a broken defective sociopath set in the wrong century – or worse. This volume contains nine “Tales of Darkness” – six new and three previously published – and they’re all just right....