Hi Terry - a nice piece! I am with you in all things related to Sherlock Holmes. I first discovered the canon when I was in my late teens and have reread it several times. I very much agree with you as well when it comes to Hemmingway. For me, reading through several of his works seemed much more of a chore than a joy. (And I am delighted that your prose is much more in the style of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's)!
I'd venture to say that your writing has a strong similarity to the Sherlock Holmes stories in at least one other way: "The Best Laid Plans" and sequels have a definite Watson-as-narrator-to-Angus'-Holmes-adventures vibe about them. That series isn't the only one of course -- The Great Gatsby springs to mind -- but I wonder if your love for those stories unconsciously influenced your choice of narrator for your first book?
I tried to read "The Seven-Per-Cent Solution" when I was 11 or so, and just found out it wasn't even written by Doyle... lol I delved into Agatha Christie at that point, and never got back to Sherlock Holmes (beyond movies and reboots and spin-offs). So I'll have to check those out! I'm assuming the first book is the first place to start?
Hmmm, you might be onto something there. Yes, I'd start with A Study in Scarlet just to get the backstory, but after that, I’d probably move on to the short stories, which I enjoy more than the novels, beginning with The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1892). Hope you enjoy them.
Not sure about the signing in thing as you already send the newsletter to my email. Isn't that signin enough? Never mind. Whatever. I have two of the Sherlock Holmes books you have--the two from Book of the Month Club many years ago. Love them!
A good friend of mine, journalist Peter Calamai, was a member of the Toronto Bootmakers, and often chided me for my lack of knowledge of all things Sherlockian. His Christmas newsletter to friends always had a sherlockian theme, reporting on the year's adventures of he and his wife Dame Mary (who was honoured by the queen for foiling a Moriarty plot, don't you know) It made for great reading and I do so miss him and the holiday note advising that the game is afoot.
Growing up about an hour from Dartmoor, The Hound of the Baskervilles always held an eery mystique for me. I still revisit it (and the other novels) regularly.
I have to admit an absence of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in my repertoire of literature read, Terry. That being said, I am willing to rectify that omission and will seek out Sir Art at the earliest moment available. Thank you, Sir.
I’m already a Substack subscriber beginning with Paul Wells and Kenneth Whyte and it seems Terry Fallis too. If I wasn’t already a subscriber I’d certainly sign up now.
I’m increasing amused at how our literary interests converge. Like you I’m not impressed with Hemingway’s writing but yet attracted to the persona. And like you I have a fascination for all things Holmesian. And not just Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original Sherlock collection but many following authors who have copied and extended the genre. My favourite of those is Nicholas Myer, ‘The Seven Percent Solution’.
But I suppose our real hero should not be the fictional Sherlock Holmes but the very real Arthur Conan Doyle. I got another insight into his character recently when I read Julian Barnes semi-biography of ACD in his book, ‘Arthur & George’.
Hi Terry - a nice piece! I am with you in all things related to Sherlock Holmes. I first discovered the canon when I was in my late teens and have reread it several times. I very much agree with you as well when it comes to Hemmingway. For me, reading through several of his works seemed much more of a chore than a joy. (And I am delighted that your prose is much more in the style of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's)!
Thanks, Monica. Glad to know you're also a Sherlock fan. Hope you're well.
I'd venture to say that your writing has a strong similarity to the Sherlock Holmes stories in at least one other way: "The Best Laid Plans" and sequels have a definite Watson-as-narrator-to-Angus'-Holmes-adventures vibe about them. That series isn't the only one of course -- The Great Gatsby springs to mind -- but I wonder if your love for those stories unconsciously influenced your choice of narrator for your first book?
I tried to read "The Seven-Per-Cent Solution" when I was 11 or so, and just found out it wasn't even written by Doyle... lol I delved into Agatha Christie at that point, and never got back to Sherlock Holmes (beyond movies and reboots and spin-offs). So I'll have to check those out! I'm assuming the first book is the first place to start?
Hmmm, you might be onto something there. Yes, I'd start with A Study in Scarlet just to get the backstory, but after that, I’d probably move on to the short stories, which I enjoy more than the novels, beginning with The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1892). Hope you enjoy them.
Awesome -- I'll do that! Thanks!
Not sure about the signing in thing as you already send the newsletter to my email. Isn't that signin enough? Never mind. Whatever. I have two of the Sherlock Holmes books you have--the two from Book of the Month Club many years ago. Love them!
A good friend of mine, journalist Peter Calamai, was a member of the Toronto Bootmakers, and often chided me for my lack of knowledge of all things Sherlockian. His Christmas newsletter to friends always had a sherlockian theme, reporting on the year's adventures of he and his wife Dame Mary (who was honoured by the queen for foiling a Moriarty plot, don't you know) It made for great reading and I do so miss him and the holiday note advising that the game is afoot.
Growing up about an hour from Dartmoor, The Hound of the Baskervilles always held an eery mystique for me. I still revisit it (and the other novels) regularly.
I have to admit an absence of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in my repertoire of literature read, Terry. That being said, I am willing to rectify that omission and will seek out Sir Art at the earliest moment available. Thank you, Sir.
I’m already a Substack subscriber beginning with Paul Wells and Kenneth Whyte and it seems Terry Fallis too. If I wasn’t already a subscriber I’d certainly sign up now.
I’m increasing amused at how our literary interests converge. Like you I’m not impressed with Hemingway’s writing but yet attracted to the persona. And like you I have a fascination for all things Holmesian. And not just Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original Sherlock collection but many following authors who have copied and extended the genre. My favourite of those is Nicholas Myer, ‘The Seven Percent Solution’.
But I suppose our real hero should not be the fictional Sherlock Holmes but the very real Arthur Conan Doyle. I got another insight into his character recently when I read Julian Barnes semi-biography of ACD in his book, ‘Arthur & George’.