A Three-Pipe Problem

A Three-Pipe Problem is a 1975 mystery novel that pays tribute to the Sherlock Holmes canon while placing its story in contemporary London. The book follows Sheridan Haynes, a television actor cast as Holmes in a new series. When Haynes begins filming the Holmes series, his longtime obsession with the detective character intensifies. He soon attempts to apply Holmes's methods to solve three murders that have stumped the London police. The novel balances elements of classic detective fiction with psychological character study as Haynes increasingly loses himself in the role of Holmes. The investigation becomes entangled with the television production, creating parallel narratives of performance and detection. The story examines themes of identity and obsession, questioning how fictional characters can shape and alter reality. Through its meta-fictional approach, the novel offers commentary on the enduring influence of literary icons and the blurred lines between acting and being.

Readers find this mystery novel entertaining but not exceptional. Many appreciate the Sherlock Holmes connections and the premise of an actor playing Holmes getting involved in real crimes. Several reviews note the authentic depictions of 1970s British television production. Readers liked: - The behind-the-scenes TV details - The clever Holmes references and parallels - The strong sense of time and place in 1970s London - The complex central mystery Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Underdeveloped secondary characters - Some find the ending unsatisfying - The protagonist can be unlikeable Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (142 ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (26 ratings) "A fun homage to Holmes but lacks the tight plotting of Doyle's stories" - Goodreads reviewer "Great TV industry details but the mystery itself is just okay" - Amazon reviewer "The actor-detective concept works better than expected" - LibraryThing review

Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L. Sayers A mystery novel set in an advertising agency combines detection with insider knowledge of the advertising world, echoing Symons' use of television production as a backdrop.

Act of Fear by Michael Collins This Edgar Award-winning novel features an unlikely detective in a media-centric setting who uncovers corruption beneath a glossy entertainment facade.

The Moving Target by Ross Macdonald The first Lew Archer novel presents a complex mystery involving California media figures and their secrets, sharing themes with Symons' exploration of television personalities.

Final Curtain by Ngaio Marsh Inspector Alleyn investigates murder among theater personalities, offering parallel insights into the entertainment world's dark corners.

Death of an Expert Witness by P. D. James Commander Adam Dalgliesh solves a murder in a professional setting while navigating workplace politics and personal rivalries similar to those in Symons' television studio setting.

🔍 The book's title refers to Sherlock Holmes's habit of using three pipes' worth of tobacco to solve his most challenging cases. 📺 Julian Symons wrote this novel in 1975, during a period when Sherlock Holmes was experiencing a surge in TV and film adaptations. ✒️ Symons was not just a crime writer but also a renowned literary critic who wrote "Bloody Murder" (1972), one of the most influential studies of crime fiction. 🎭 The protagonist's struggle between actor and detective parallels real-life cases of actors becoming overly identified with their roles, a phenomenon known as "character bleed." 🗝️ The book was nominated for the prestigious Crime Writers' Association's Gold Dagger Award and helped cement Symons's reputation as one of Britain's leading crime fiction authors.