A review by impalalove
The Big Book of Sherlock Holmes Stories by Edmund Pearson, John Lescroart, J.M. Barrie, Christopher Morley, Anne Perry, E.F. Benson, R.C. Lehmann, David Stuart Davies, Poul Anderson, Kingsley Amis, Michael Moorcock, Gregory Breitman, Robert Barr, Jon Koons, Anthony Boucher, Hugh Kingsmill, Stuart M. Kaminsky, O. Henry, Anthony Armstrong, Vincent Starrett, Manly Wade Wellman, Julian Symons, Rick Boyer, Arthur Chapman, Barry Perowne, Logan Clendening, Stephen Leacock, June Thomson, Colin Dexter, Edward D. Hoch, John Lutz, Otto Penzler, Bill Crider, Daniel Stashower, A.A. Milne, Stuart Palmer, Anthony Burgess, A.B. Cox, Eustace H. Miles, Loren D. Estleman, H.F. Heard, Sam Benady, H.R.F. Keating, George F. Forrest, Robert L. Fish, Leslie S. Klinger, Kenneth Millar, S.C. Roberts, Dorothy B. Hughes, P.G. Wodehouse, Barry Day, Tanith Lee, John Kendrick Bangs, Carolyn Wells, Stephen King, Davis Grubb, Bret Harte, J.C. Masterman, August Derleth, James C. Iraldi, Donald Thomas, Stanley Rubinstein, Arthur Conan Doyle, Peter Tremayne, William O. Fuller, Frederic Dorr Steele, Peter Cannon, Bliss Austin, Neil Gaiman, Carol Buggé, Roy L. McCardell, Laurie R. King, Arthur Whitaker, William B. Kahn, Ring Lardner, Thomas Perry, Lyndsay Faye
3.0
The preface is the most interesting of the collection, particularly because it notes that some stories will overlap in categories, so don't take it to heart; and that funny stories may not necessarily be funny, but they were included for historical significance.
Eighty-three short stories in total, averaging 2.71 stars. I rounded up as a whole for the book. Definitely some standouts, not as many as I'd hoped.
Highlights:
- How Watson Learned the Trick - Arthur Conan Doyle - 4 stars (Watson learning some of Sherlock's tricks of the trade,).
- The Late Sherlock Holmes - James M. Barrie -4.5 stars (My strongest rating of the collection, it was a particularly fun read --)
-The Case of the Unseen Hand - Donald Thomas - 4 stars (This short study makes use of the, and examines the evidence proof against belief; which was an interesting read.)
-A Case of Mis-Identity - Colin Dexter -4 stars ()
Ratings for individual stories, for reference:
THE MASTER
1. The Field Bazaar - Arthur Conan Doyle -3
2. How Watson Learned the Trick - Arthur Conan Doyle -4
FAMILIAR (OFTEN REPRINTED)
1. The Unique 'Hamlet' - Vincent Starrett -4
2. The Stolen Cigar-Case - Bret Harte -3
3. The Case of the Man who was Wanted - Arthur Whitaker -3
4. The Adventure of the Two Collaborators - James M. Barrie -2
5. The Sleuths - O. Henry -4
6. Holmes and the Dasher - A.B. Cox -2
7. An Irreducible Detective Story - Stephen Leacock -2
8. The Doctor's Case - Stephen King -4
THE LITERATURE OF CRIME
1. The Brown Recluse - Davis Grubb -3
2. The Darkwater Hall Mystery - Kingsley Amis -3
3. The Case of the Gifted Amateur - J.C. Masterman -3
4. The Late Sherlock Holmes - James M. Barrie -4.5
5. Sherlock Holmes and the Drood Mystery - Edmund Pearson -2
6. The Rape of the Sherlock - A.A. Milne -2
7. From a Detective's Notebook - P.G. Wodehouse -3
8. The Ruby of Khitmandu - Hugh Kingsmill -3
9. The Adventure of the Remarkable Worm - August Derleth -2
10. The Enchanted Garden - H.F. Heard -3
11. A Study in Handwriting - Ring W. Lardner -3
12. The Case of Death and Honey - Neil Gaiman- 3
13. Murder to Music - Anthony Burgess -3
IN THE BEGINNING
1. An Evening with Sherlock Holmes - James M. Barrie -3
2. Detective Stories Gone Wrong: The Adventures of Sherlaw Kombs - Robert Barr -2
3. Sherlock Holmes vs. Conan Doyle - Anonymous -4
4. The Duke's Feather - R.C. Lehmann -2
5. The Sign of the '400' - Roy L. McCardell -3
HOLMESLESS
1. Codeine (7 per cent) - Christopher Morley -4
2. Mrs. Hudson's Case - Laurie R. King -4
3. The Final Problem - Bliss Austin -4
NOT OF THIS PLACE
1. The Adventure of the Bogle-Wolf - Anthony Boucher -3
2. The Martian Crown Jewels - Poul Anderson -4
3. Sherlock Among the Spirits - Anonymous -2
4. The Case of the Missing Partriarchs - Logan Clendening -3
5. The Devil and Sherlock Holmes - Loren D. Estleman -2
KEEPING THE MEMORY GREEN
1. The Strange Case of the Megatherium Thefts - S.C. Roberts -3
2. The Adventure of the Noble Husband - Peter Cannon -2
3. A Night with Sherlock Holmes - William O. Fueller -4
4. The Adventure of the Wooden Box - Leslie S. Klinger -2
5. The Case of the Unseen Hand - Donald Thomas -4
6. The Abandoned Brigantine - Sam Benady - 3
7. The Adventure of the Curious Canary - Barry Day -4
8. The Adventure of the Murdered Art Editor - Frederic Dorr Steele -2
9. The Darlington Substitution Scandal - David Stuart Davies -3
10. The Problem of the Purple Maculas - James C. Iraldi -4
YOU THINK THAT'S FUNNY?
1. The Adventure of the Second Swag - Robert Barr -4
2. Sheer Luck Again - Stanley Rubinstein -2
3. A Pragmatic Enigma - John Kendrick Bangs -3
4. Herlock Shomes At It Again - Anonymous -1
5. The Reigate Road Murder - Anthony Armstrong -1
6. The Succored Beauty - William B. Kahn -1
7. The Marriage of Sherlock Holmes - Gregory Breitman -1
8. The Return of Sherlock Holmes - E.F. Benson and Eustace H. Miles -1
9. The Unmasking of Sherlock Holmes - Arthur Chapman -2
10. The Adventure of the Diamond Necklace - George F. Forrest -3
11. The Adventure of the Ascot Tie - Robert L. Fish -2
CONTEMPORARY VICTORIANS
1. A Case of Mis-Identity - Colin Dexter -4
2. The Startling Events in the Electrified City - Thomas Perry -4
3. The Case of the Colonel Warburton's Madness - Lyndsay Faye -3
4. The Infernal Machine - John Lutz - 2
5. The Specter of Tullyfane Abbey - Peter Tremayne -2
6. The Adventure of the Agitated Actress - Daniel Stashower -3
7. The Adventure of the Dorset Street Lodge - Michael Moorcock -3
8. The Adventure of the Venomous Lizard - Bill Crider -2
9. The Case of the Friesland Outrage - June Thomson -3
10. The Strange Case of the Tongue-Tied Tenor - Carol Bugge -2
11. The Human Mystery - Tanith Lee -3
12. Hostage to Fortune - Anne Perry -3
13. The Adventure of the Missing Countess - Jon Koons -3
14. The Adventure of Zolnay, the Aerialist - Rick Boyer -2
15. The Adventure of the Giant Rat of Sumatra - John T. Lescroart -3
THE FOOTSTEPS OF A GIGANTIC AUTHOR
1. Did Sherlock Holmes meet Hercule? - Julian Symons -2
2. A Trifling Affair - H.R.F. Keating -2
3. Raffles: The Engima of the Admiral's Hat - Barry Perowne -3
4. Raffles on the Trail of the Hound - Barry Porowne -3
5. The Adventure of the Cipher in the Sand - Edward D. Hoch -2
6. The South Sea Soup Co. - Kenneth Millar -1
7. The Adventure of the Clothes-Line - Carolyn Wells -2
8. Sherlock Holmes and the Muffin - Dorothy B. Hughes -2
9. The Man from Capetown - Stuart M. Kaminsky -3
10. But Our Hero Was Not Dead - Manly Wade Wellman -2
11. The Adventure of the Marked Man - Stuart Palmer -2
Eighty-three short stories in total, averaging 2.71 stars. I rounded up as a whole for the book. Definitely some standouts, not as many as I'd hoped.
Highlights:
- How Watson Learned the Trick - Arthur Conan Doyle - 4 stars (Watson learning some of Sherlock's tricks of the trade,
Spoiler
but also proving that sometimes there's such a thing as a simple (and easier) answer- The Late Sherlock Holmes - James M. Barrie -4.5 stars (My strongest rating of the collection, it was a particularly fun read --
Spoiler
particularly when Watson is accused to have killed Sherlock!-The Case of the Unseen Hand - Donald Thomas - 4 stars (This short study makes use of the
Spoiler
Dreyfus Affair-A Case of Mis-Identity - Colin Dexter -4 stars (
Spoiler
That there's always another perspective to the crime.Ratings for individual stories, for reference:
Spoiler
THE MASTER
1. The Field Bazaar - Arthur Conan Doyle -3
2. How Watson Learned the Trick - Arthur Conan Doyle -4
FAMILIAR (OFTEN REPRINTED)
1. The Unique 'Hamlet' - Vincent Starrett -4
2. The Stolen Cigar-Case - Bret Harte -3
3. The Case of the Man who was Wanted - Arthur Whitaker -3
4. The Adventure of the Two Collaborators - James M. Barrie -2
5. The Sleuths - O. Henry -4
6. Holmes and the Dasher - A.B. Cox -2
7. An Irreducible Detective Story - Stephen Leacock -2
8. The Doctor's Case - Stephen King -4
THE LITERATURE OF CRIME
1. The Brown Recluse - Davis Grubb -3
2. The Darkwater Hall Mystery - Kingsley Amis -3
3. The Case of the Gifted Amateur - J.C. Masterman -3
4. The Late Sherlock Holmes - James M. Barrie -4.5
5. Sherlock Holmes and the Drood Mystery - Edmund Pearson -2
6. The Rape of the Sherlock - A.A. Milne -2
7. From a Detective's Notebook - P.G. Wodehouse -3
8. The Ruby of Khitmandu - Hugh Kingsmill -3
9. The Adventure of the Remarkable Worm - August Derleth -2
10. The Enchanted Garden - H.F. Heard -3
11. A Study in Handwriting - Ring W. Lardner -3
12. The Case of Death and Honey - Neil Gaiman- 3
13. Murder to Music - Anthony Burgess -3
IN THE BEGINNING
1. An Evening with Sherlock Holmes - James M. Barrie -3
2. Detective Stories Gone Wrong: The Adventures of Sherlaw Kombs - Robert Barr -2
3. Sherlock Holmes vs. Conan Doyle - Anonymous -4
4. The Duke's Feather - R.C. Lehmann -2
5. The Sign of the '400' - Roy L. McCardell -3
HOLMESLESS
1. Codeine (7 per cent) - Christopher Morley -4
2. Mrs. Hudson's Case - Laurie R. King -4
3. The Final Problem - Bliss Austin -4
NOT OF THIS PLACE
1. The Adventure of the Bogle-Wolf - Anthony Boucher -3
2. The Martian Crown Jewels - Poul Anderson -4
3. Sherlock Among the Spirits - Anonymous -2
4. The Case of the Missing Partriarchs - Logan Clendening -3
5. The Devil and Sherlock Holmes - Loren D. Estleman -2
KEEPING THE MEMORY GREEN
1. The Strange Case of the Megatherium Thefts - S.C. Roberts -3
2. The Adventure of the Noble Husband - Peter Cannon -2
3. A Night with Sherlock Holmes - William O. Fueller -4
4. The Adventure of the Wooden Box - Leslie S. Klinger -2
5. The Case of the Unseen Hand - Donald Thomas -4
6. The Abandoned Brigantine - Sam Benady - 3
7. The Adventure of the Curious Canary - Barry Day -4
8. The Adventure of the Murdered Art Editor - Frederic Dorr Steele -2
9. The Darlington Substitution Scandal - David Stuart Davies -3
10. The Problem of the Purple Maculas - James C. Iraldi -4
YOU THINK THAT'S FUNNY?
1. The Adventure of the Second Swag - Robert Barr -4
2. Sheer Luck Again - Stanley Rubinstein -2
3. A Pragmatic Enigma - John Kendrick Bangs -3
4. Herlock Shomes At It Again - Anonymous -1
5. The Reigate Road Murder - Anthony Armstrong -1
6. The Succored Beauty - William B. Kahn -1
7. The Marriage of Sherlock Holmes - Gregory Breitman -1
8. The Return of Sherlock Holmes - E.F. Benson and Eustace H. Miles -1
9. The Unmasking of Sherlock Holmes - Arthur Chapman -2
10. The Adventure of the Diamond Necklace - George F. Forrest -3
11. The Adventure of the Ascot Tie - Robert L. Fish -2
CONTEMPORARY VICTORIANS
1. A Case of Mis-Identity - Colin Dexter -4
2. The Startling Events in the Electrified City - Thomas Perry -4
3. The Case of the Colonel Warburton's Madness - Lyndsay Faye -3
4. The Infernal Machine - John Lutz - 2
5. The Specter of Tullyfane Abbey - Peter Tremayne -2
6. The Adventure of the Agitated Actress - Daniel Stashower -3
7. The Adventure of the Dorset Street Lodge - Michael Moorcock -3
8. The Adventure of the Venomous Lizard - Bill Crider -2
9. The Case of the Friesland Outrage - June Thomson -3
10. The Strange Case of the Tongue-Tied Tenor - Carol Bugge -2
11. The Human Mystery - Tanith Lee -3
12. Hostage to Fortune - Anne Perry -3
13. The Adventure of the Missing Countess - Jon Koons -3
14. The Adventure of Zolnay, the Aerialist - Rick Boyer -2
15. The Adventure of the Giant Rat of Sumatra - John T. Lescroart -3
THE FOOTSTEPS OF A GIGANTIC AUTHOR
1. Did Sherlock Holmes meet Hercule? - Julian Symons -2
2. A Trifling Affair - H.R.F. Keating -2
3. Raffles: The Engima of the Admiral's Hat - Barry Perowne -3
4. Raffles on the Trail of the Hound - Barry Porowne -3
5. The Adventure of the Cipher in the Sand - Edward D. Hoch -2
6. The South Sea Soup Co. - Kenneth Millar -1
7. The Adventure of the Clothes-Line - Carolyn Wells -2
8. Sherlock Holmes and the Muffin - Dorothy B. Hughes -2
9. The Man from Capetown - Stuart M. Kaminsky -3
10. But Our Hero Was Not Dead - Manly Wade Wellman -2
11. The Adventure of the Marked Man - Stuart Palmer -2