Posts Tagged ‘Sherlock Holmes’
New short story anthology FOR THE SAKE OF THE GAME just out
FOR THE SAKE OF THE GAME: STORIES INSPIRED BY THE SHERLOCK HOLMES CANON
Edited by Laurie R King and Leslie S Klinger.
Pegasus Crime, December 04 2018
‘A brand-new anthology of stories inspired by the Arthur Conan Doyle canon.
‘FOR THE SAKE OF THE GAME is the latest volume in the award-winning series from New York Times bestselling editors Laurie R King and Leslie S Klinger, with stories of Sherlock Holmes, Dr Watson, and friends in a variety of eras and forms. King and Klinger have a simple formula: ask some of the world’s greatest writers—regardless of genre—to be inspired by the stories of Arthur Conan Doyle.
‘The results are surprising and joyous. Some tales are pastiches, featuring the recognizable figures of Holmes and Watson; others step away in time or place to describe characters and stories influenced by the Holmes world. Some of the authors spin whimsical tales of fancy; others tell hard-core thrillers or puzzling mysteries. One beloved author writes a song; two others craft a melancholy graphic tale of insectoid analysis.
‘This is not a volume for readers who crave a steady diet of stories about Holmes and Watson on Baker Street. Rather, it is for the generations of readers who were themselves inspired by the classic tales, and who are prepared to let their imaginations roam freely.
‘A sensational follow-up to ECHOES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES (2016), IN THE COMPANY OF SHERLOCK HOLMES (2014), and A STUDY IN SHERLOCK (2011).’
Featuring Stories by: Peter S Beagle, Rhys Bowen, Reed Farrel Coleman, Jamie Freveletti, Alan Gordon, Gregg Hurwitz, Toni LP Kelner, William Kotzwinkle and Joe Servello, Harley Jane Kozak, DP Lyle, Weston Ochse, Zoë Sharp, Duane Swierczynski, and F Paul Wilson.
“Laurie R. King and Leslie Klinger continue to breathe new life into Sherlockian tales.”—LitHub
“Entertaining. This volume contains something for every fan of the Baker Street sleuth.”—Publishers Weekly
My own contribution, Hounded, is a modern retelling of THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES, in which Holmes and Watson play their parts—but so does Charlie Fox!
To buy, see the Anthologies page.
In the Footsteps of Sherlock Holmes
My introduction to crime, as I’ve probably mentioned before, was from the opposite direction to most readers. Not from the detective’s point of view, but the criminal’s. Simon Templar, known as The Saint, who was hero of numerous novels and short stories, as well as several TV and film incarnations. With a twinkle in his eye, he ran rings around the inept but dogged Inspector Claude Eustace Teal of Scotland Yard.
Ivor Dean (l) as Claude Eustace Teal and Roger Moore as Simon Templar, The Saint
Ironically perhaps, I moved from the works of Leslie Charteris to those of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, whose fictional hero also made the police look somewhat like dolts. Sherlock Holmes was no criminal, although he was known to ponder that he would have made an excellent one. I devoured every Sherlock Holmes story and novel, and taking great delight in the black-and-white movies with Basil Rathbone in the title role and Nigel Bruce as the slightly bumbling Doctor Watson—always to my mind an unfair portrayal.
Basil Rathbone (l) as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr Watson
The first consulting detective and famous occupant of 221B Baker Street never lacked for TV and movie outings, some taken more seriously than others. I was a particular fan of the version starring Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke. This adaptation did not shy away from Holmes’ cocaine use, and Watson was far closer to the stout companion of the novels.
Jeremy Brett (l) as Holmes and Edward Hardwicke as Watson
Those two versions of the Sherlock Holmes stories kept the characters in their original Edwardian setting—more or less. I seem to recall the Rathbone incarnation being stretched into wartime. But more recently there have been two very successful modern takes on the Baker Street detective which have approached things from very different angles.
To read the full post on Murder Is Everywhere, click here.
For The Sake of The Game: PW review
Nice review in Publishers Weekly for the new Sherlock Holmes anthology, FOR THE SAKE OF THE GAME. I have a Charlie Fox story included, which is my take on the HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES, called ‘Hounded’.
For the Sake of the Game: Stories Inspired by the Sherlock Holmes Canon
Edited by Laurie R. King and Leslie S. Klinger. Pegasus Crime, $25.95 (272p) ISBN 978-1-68177-879-2The Game is Afoot! Holmes-inspired anthology on the horizon
I’ve always been a huge Sherlock Holmes fan, so I was honoured to be invited to take part in this anthology, For The Sake of The Game, the latest volume in the award-winning series from New York Times bestselling editors, Laurie R King and Leslie S Klinger.
For the Sake of the Game boasts stories of Sherlock Holmes, Dr Watson, and friends in a variety of eras and forms. King and Klinger have a simple formula: ask some of the world’s greatest writers—regardless of genre—to be inspired by the stories of Arthur Conan Doyle.
“The results are surprising and joyous. Some tales are pastiches, featuring the recognizable figures of Holmes and Watson; others step away in time or place to describe characters and stories influenced by the Holmes world. Some of the authors spin whimsical tales of fancy; others tell hard-core thrillers or puzzling mysteries. One beloved author writes a song; two others craft a melancholy graphic tale of insectoid analysis.
“This is not a volume for readers who crave a steady diet of stories about Holmes and Watson on Baker Street. Rather, it is for the generations of readers who were themselves inspired by the classic tales, and who are prepared to let their imaginations roam freely.”
Featuring stories by Peter S. Beagle, Rhys Bowen, Reed Farrel Coleman, Jamie Freveletti, Alan Gordon, Gregg Hurwitz, Toni L. P. Kelner, William Kotzwinkle and Joe Servello, Harley Jane Kozak, D. P. Lyle, Weston Ochse, Zoë Sharp, Duane Swierczynski, and F. Paul Wilson.
The anthology, published by Pegasus Books, will be out on December 4th 2018 in the United States, and January 1st 2019 in the UK. It is currently available for preorder.