The Adventure of the Peerless Peer

The Adventure of the Peerless Peer combines two iconic literary figures - Sherlock Holmes and Tarzan - in a unique crossover adventure. Published in 1974, the novel is presented as a recently discovered manuscript by Dr. John Watson, with Philip Jose Farmer serving as editor. The narrative follows Holmes and Watson on a mission to Africa at the behest of Mycroft Holmes. Their assignment involves tracking down the German spy Von Bork and preventing the deployment of a dangerous weapon. During their African expedition, they encounter and join forces with Lord Greystoke, better known as Tarzan. The book has an interesting publication history, with a 1984 version replacing Tarzan with Mowgli from The Jungle Book due to copyright restrictions. The original version was later reissued by Titan Books in 2011 as part of The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes series. The novel represents an early example of literary mashup fiction, exploring the potential of combining established characters from different fictional universes. This approach allows for examination of how these iconic characters' distinct methods and worldviews interact when faced with a common threat.

Readers describe this Sherlock Holmes/Tarzan crossover as a silly, playful adventure that doesn't take itself seriously. Fans appreciated: - The banter between Holmes and Watson - References to other literary characters of the era - Fast-paced action sequences - The absurd premise played straight Common criticisms: - Too much crude humor and sexual innuendo - Not faithful to either Holmes' or Tarzan's characterizations - Plot feels rushed and underdeveloped - Writing quality below Farmer's usual standards One reader noted "It reads like fan fiction written by a teenager who just discovered dirty jokes." Another called it "a fun romp if you can overlook the juvenile elements." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.3/5 (238 ratings) Amazon: 3.4/5 (21 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.1/5 (43 ratings) Most reviewers recommend it only for dedicated Farmer fans or those seeking a light, comedic take on these characters.

Anno Dracula by Kim Newman This alternate history novel combines Victorian literature characters with historical figures as Dracula becomes Queen Victoria's consort and rules England.

The List of Seven by Mark Frost Arthur Conan Doyle teams up with a British secret agent to battle occult conspiracies in Victorian England.

Time for Sherlock Holmes by David Dvorkin Sherlock Holmes travels through time to solve cases while encountering famous historical figures and events.

A Study in Sable by Mercedes Lackey In this magical reimagining of Holmes' world, psychic investigators work alongside the detective to solve supernatural mysteries in Victorian London.

The Revenge of Moriarty by John Gardner Professor Moriarty narrates his own story as he builds a criminal empire and matches wits with Sherlock Holmes in Victorian London.

🔍 The novel was published in 1974 under the pseudonym "John H. Watson, M.D.," maintaining the illusion of an authentic Sherlock Holmes manuscript. 🦁 Philip Jose Farmer wrote several other literary mashups, including crossovers between Tarzan and Doc Savage, creating an interconnected universe of classic pulp heroes. 📚 The book was temporarily pulled from publication due to copyright issues with the Edgar Rice Burroughs estate, making early editions particularly rare and collectible. 🎭 The story cleverly works around the fact that Sherlock Holmes and Tarzan existed in different time periods by setting the adventure during Holmes's retirement years as a beekeeper. 🌍 This wasn't the first time Holmes ventured to Africa in literature - Doyle's original story "The Adventure of the Three Gables" briefly mentioned Holmes's activities in Morocco.