Someone once said that a book by a favored author was like a visit from a best friend. I wouldn't go quite that far, but I must admit, a "new" Sherlock Holmes story brings with it a familiarity and enjoyment that I experience from few others.
This time, it's another short story collection- The Return of Sherlock Holmes. In the last short story of the Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, Holmes and his arch-rival Moriarty square off at the Reichenbach Falls, and both (supposedly) perish. As the title implies, The Return of Sherlock Holmes has him come back. It turns out that Holmes didn't fall into that gorge as all believed; he had remained hidden for some years while Moriarty's chief henchmen fell victim to his crime-solving capabilities. Once the last had fallen, it was safe for Holmes to return, and reveal himself to Watson.
The Return of Sherlock Holmes is a collection of 13 short stories, the first of which explains Holmes' reappearance in society. They all follow the same basic structure- Holmes is summoned to determine what the police cannot. And, like previous writings, each tale manages to hold interest and build suspense in the space of a few pages. You can't go wrong with Sherlock Holmes.
Trivia: Conan Doyle very much wanted to be rid of the legendary character he created, which explains his decision to kill him off in 1893. Ten years passed, and the public clamoring for more was so great that Doyle relented and, in 1903, brought Holmes back. Read more about it here.
Rating: A
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