Thank Holmes It's Friday - Aug 29th - True-Crime Inspiration
Thanks Holmes, it's Friday! Did you know that today, August 29th, marks a historic date in the world of true crime and literary justice? In 1907, Arthur Conan Doyle began a relentless campaign to overturn a grave legal injustice in the Edalji Case.
On this very day, Doyle wrote a meticulous letter to a police official, demonstrating a command of detail that would have made Sherlock Holmes proud. He proved a man with poor eyesight could not have committed the crime he was imprisoned for, a true case of a writer turning detective. This real-life application of his skills, which exposed flaws in the legal system, is often cited as a key reason that led to the creation of the Court of Criminal Appeal in England that same year.
This was not a one-off. A similar call for justice pulled Doyle into another high-profile case. He became a passionate advocate for Oscar Slater, a man convicted of a brutal 1908 murder and sentenced to death. Conan Doyle, convinced of a miscarriage of justice, meticulously campaigned on Slater's behalf for years, culminating in the publication of his book, The Case of Oscar Slater, in 1912.
Inspired by these true stories of deduction and relentless advocacy, we’ve handpicked a selection of Sherlock Holmes books that brilliantly weave in true crimes and historical events. And the best part? You can enjoy our 3 for 2 offer on this thrilling, true-crime inspired collection! Just enter promo-code "true-crime" at checkout.
SHERLOCK HOLMES AND JACK THE RIPPER
What if Holmes had a hand in solving the Jack the Ripper case? How would he have navigated the murky waters of a political assassination, or uncovered the truth behind a sensational, high-profile murder? We have an entire sub-collection of books that places Holmes into the investigation of one of history's most infamous serial killers, including:
The Conan Doyle Notes: The Secret of Jack The Ripper - The unique angle of this book is its meta-fictional premise that Arthur Conan Doyle himself secretly deduced the Ripper's identity. This intriguing premise echoes Conan Doyle's own real-world detective work, where he applied his skills to a genuine injustice, proving a writer could turn detective to solve a real-world case.
Sherlock Holmes and The Unmasking of the Whitechapel Horror - This tale's unique angle is that it provides a final, historical answer that has long eluded real-world investigators. It tells the story of a definitive fifteen-year investigation that culminates in the unmasking, arrest, trial, and execution of the real Jack the Ripper, unlike other books that simply place Holmes in the midst of the investigation.
Sherlock Holmes and The Last Victim of Jack The Ripper - This novel, by Petr Macek, puts Holmes on the trail of the notorious killer in a direct confrontation with the real-world murders. The unique angle is its focus on this immediate and visceral pursuit of the killer, weaving Holmes into the historical events as they unfold.
Further Studies in Statecraft (now launching on Kickstarter) has The Ripper and his Master which is about Mycroft and the Ripper and explains precisely why Sherlock Holmes did not catch him.
SHERLOCK HOLMES AND TRUE CRIME INSPIRATIONS
Beyond The Ripper, the world of true crime continues to ignite new Sherlockian fiction! This broader collection plunges Holmes into the heart of history, reimagining real-world crimes and weaving them into the fabric of his greatest cases.
The Shadow Series - Tracy Revels masterfully blends historical figures and "true-crime" elements into her captivating series, often with a supernatural twist. Her short story contributions for the MX Collection also draw inspiration from a variety of real cases, including the chilling Murdaugh murders in South Carolina and the dark, unsolved Hinterkaifeck murders of 1922.
The Redacted Sherlock Holmes series - Orlando Pearson reimagines the Great Detective working behind the scenes to solve pivotal real-world crimes and historical cases. These are not merely mysteries set in a historical period; they are mysteries woven directly into the historical tapestry, where Holmes's deductions can alter the course of events. Experience Holmes tackling genuine cases, from political assassinations to high-profile scandals, in tales where his genius reshapes history itself.
Short Story Collections - Enjoy countless short stories where mystery, folklore, and true-crime collide? For example, in Paula Hammond's "The Cable Street Mummy" (from her Eliminate the Impossible collection), Holmes confronts a case rooted in the infamous medieval legend of Bleeding Heart. "Places don't get named Bleeding Heart Yard on a whim!" So begins a chilling journey into hidden London. What is the real secret of this gruesome spot and how does it connect to Lady Hatton's unsolved 'medieval murder' as whispered in chilling folklore?
GO DEEPER: REAL-LIFE CRIMES THAT INSPIRED THE CANON
For the true Sherlockian, explore the facts behind the fiction. These non-fiction works offer a gritty, real-life look at the Victorian crimes that inspired the greatest detective stories ever told.
Oscar Slater A Killer Exposed by Brenda Rossini - This compelling non-fiction book delves deep into the Oscar Slater case—a real-life legal injustice that Arthur Conan Doyle himself worked tirelessly to overturn. It's a fascinating look at the real-world "detective work" that inspired the Great Detective's creator.
The Criminal World of Sherlock Holmes by Kelvin Jones - This three-volume non-fiction series explores the early days of the CID, imagining how the nascent detective force grappled with the challenges of a rapidly changing Victorian London.
FREE AUDIO BOOKS FOR REVIEW
If you have a passion for REVIEWING AND SHARING your love for Sherlock Holmes books, we invite you to enjoy our complimentary audiobooks!
Our collection of audiobooks is ever-evolving, showcasing an array of new and diverse titles each week.
Just click the link below and here you'll find what's on offer along with a link to claim those titles which excite you. Feel free to come back as often as your heart desires and select as many titles as you wish. Remember, each code is valid for one week, so make sure to redeem it before embarking on your next literary adventure!
As before, you'll receive an email with your unique code, download link and instructions.
P.S. Missed any of our previous week's newsletters? Here's a handy link to the last few weeks.