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A review by mariellais
More Holmes for the Holidays by Anne Perry, Carol-Lynn Rössel Waugh, Edward D. Hoch, Bill Crider, Daniel Stashower, L.B. Breenwood, Loren D. Estleman, Jon Lellenberg, Carolyn Wheat, Jon L. Breen, Tanith Lee, Peter Lovesey, Barbara Paul, Martin H. Greenberg
3.0
Originally I was going to give this a lower rating, but then I read the last short story in this collection, “The Human Mystery” by Tanith Lee. I found it to be interesting enough to give this collection 3 stars. The other short stories are mostly forgettable and predictable.
Many of them rely on adding real historical figures - such as “The Adventure of the Naturalist’s Stock Pin” - which has Darwin as Sherlock Holmes’s client. I mention this story in particular because I found it to be the weakest of the bunch. The author seemed more focused on bringing up facts about Darwin’s life over weaving an interesting or believable mystery.
But as I said earlier, “The Human Mystery” was an interesting concept. I almost wish it was a full length novel so that some of the ideas could be explored more. Though I do feel that at times Tanith Lee didn't really get the voices of Holmes and Watson right. But overall I enjoyed it.
The idea of Holmes having to confront fanatic admirers of his is something I have seen brought up in one other pastiche, but I’ve never seen the culprit end up being the fanatic. I also liked how the author used Holmes’s views on women to cloud his judgment on the case.
So in the end I can’t really recommend this collection. “The Human Mystery” is the only short story that I will remember, and it is the only reason this collection recieved more than 2 stars from me. If you are looking for some Christmas inspired Holmes I'd recommend the original Holmes for the Holidays over this collection.
Many of them rely on adding real historical figures - such as “The Adventure of the Naturalist’s Stock Pin” - which has Darwin as Sherlock Holmes’s client. I mention this story in particular because I found it to be the weakest of the bunch. The author seemed more focused on bringing up facts about Darwin’s life over weaving an interesting or believable mystery.
But as I said earlier, “The Human Mystery” was an interesting concept. I almost wish it was a full length novel so that some of the ideas could be explored more. Though I do feel that at times Tanith Lee didn't really get the voices of Holmes and Watson right. But overall I enjoyed it.
So in the end I can’t really recommend this collection. “The Human Mystery” is the only short story that I will remember, and it is the only reason this collection recieved more than 2 stars from me. If you are looking for some Christmas inspired Holmes I'd recommend the original Holmes for the Holidays over this collection.