The Whole Art of Detection

Starred review from January 2, 2017
Edgar-finalist Faye, whose debut, Dust and Shadow (2009), was one of the better novel-length pastiches pitting Sherlock Holmes against Jack the Ripper, presents pitch-perfect Watsonian narration in 13 of the 15 tales in this outstanding collection; the other two are told from Holmes’s perspective. The stories are divided into four chronological sections: the first predates the Holmes-Watson partnership; the second covers the period before Reichenbach; the third dates to after Holmes’ resurrection; and the fourth treats the pair’s later years sleuthing together. Most take Conan Doyle’s tantalizing references to untold tales as their starting point, as in “Notes Regarding the Disappearance of Mr. James Phillimore,” which deals with a man who vanished after returning home to retrieve his umbrella. All impressively add psychological depth to the friendship, plausibly exploring personal dynamics in the wake of traumas such as the loss of Watson’s wife and Holmes’s apparent return from the dead, in a way that will resonate especially with fans of the BBC’s Sherlock. Agent: Erin Malone, William Morris Endeavor.

Starred review from April 24, 2017
Actor Vance’s reading of Faye’s expertly rendered collection of “lost” Sherlock Holmes adventures is a delight for any fan of the Great Detective. Set in chronological order, the 15 stories compiled in this anthology cover Holmes from the beginning of his career, before taking up residence at 221B Baker Street, to the 20th century. Along the way he solves cases of theft, deceit, blackmail, and, of course, murder most foul. Vance impeccably captures the tone of these tales of crime and deduction. His characterizations are faultless: Watson sounds sincere, stalwart, and true. Vance keeps Holmes analytical, sardonic, and cool, for the most part, but does not miss any opportunity to show the more human side of the detective, something that is often lacking in other pastiches. But it is Vance’s ability to portray the strong friendship between the two that listeners will remember. A Mystery Press hardcover.