The Sherlockian

The Sherlockian alternates between two parallel narratives - one following Arthur Conan Doyle in London during 1900, and another tracking Harold White, a modern-day Sherlock Holmes scholar in 2010. Both storylines center on mysteries that connect to Doyle's missing diary from the months after he killed off Holmes at Reichenbach Falls. In the historical timeline, Doyle teams up with Bram Stoker to investigate a series of murders targeting suffragettes, while questioning his decision to end Holmes' story. The contemporary plot follows Harold as he searches for both the lost diary and the killer of a fellow Holmes expert who claimed to have found it. The dual mysteries intersect through documents, artifacts, and locations that span the century between them, creating a literary treasure hunt through the world of Holmes scholarship and Victorian London. Real historical figures and events mix with fictional elements in both timelines. The novel explores themes of authorship, fan culture, and the complex relationship between creators and their creations. It raises questions about the line between fiction and reality, and how stories can impact both their writers and readers across time.

Readers found the dual timeline structure engaging, with strong attention to historical details about Arthur Conan Doyle. Many noted the book works well for both mystery fans and Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts. Readers praised: - The research and portrayal of Conan Doyle's real life - The parallel mysteries in both timelines - Literary references and Holmes-related trivia - Fast pacing and readability Common criticisms: - Modern timeline less compelling than historical sections - Some found the present-day protagonist Harold White unrealistic - Plot resolutions felt rushed or unsatisfying - Historical accuracy issues noted by Holmes scholars Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (14,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (300+ reviews) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (400+ ratings) "The historical chapters shine while the modern sections drag," noted one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads user wrote: "Perfect for Holmes fans who want historical fiction with their mysteries."

The Seven-Per-Cent Solution by Nicholas Meyer A pastiche connecting Sherlock Holmes to Sigmund Freud blends historical figures with detective fiction in a literary mystery about addiction and deduction.

The Shadow of Reichenbach Falls by John R. King This reimagining of Holmes's fatal encounter with Moriarty weaves multiple timelines and introduces supernatural elements while exploring the gap in Holmes's chronicles.

The List of Seven by Mark Frost A young Arthur Conan Doyle teams up with a real-life Victorian spy to solve occult mysteries in London, mixing historical fiction with supernatural investigation.

The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl Literary figures Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and James Russell Lowell investigate murders based on Dante's Inferno in 19th-century Boston.

The Italian Secretary by Caleb Carr Mycroft Holmes summons his brother Sherlock to investigate murders at Holyrood Palace, connecting Victorian detective work with historical Scottish royal intrigue.

🔍 Author Graham Moore won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for "The Imitation Game" in 2015 📚 The book alternates between two timelines: Arthur Conan Doyle in 1893 and Harold White in 2010, both investigating different mysteries 🗂️ The "Baker Street Irregulars," featured in the book, is a real organization of Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts founded in 1934 📜 The missing diary of Arthur Conan Doyle, central to the plot, is actually missing in real life—the author disappeared for three months in 1900 🎭 Like the fictional Harold White in the novel, Graham Moore became the youngest member of the Baker Street Irregulars when he was inducted at age 28