I was in the mood for some faux-Sherlock Holmes stories and picked up the first Solar Pons volume published in 1974 by Pinnacle Books. The original volume was published in 1945.
I enjoyed “The Adventure of the lat Mr.Faversham” who disappears in his house and cannot be found. This is a clever variation of a Locked Room mystery.
“The Adventure of the Retired Novelist” concerns a novelist who is lured from his house by a bogus group. When the novelist returns home, he immediately contacts Solar Pons to investigate the purpose of the charade.
Unless you’re a hard-core Sherlock Holmes fan who loathes pastiches, these Solar Pons stories will delight you! GRADE: B+
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
In Re: Solar Pons By Vincent Scarrlett — v
A Word From Dr. Lyndon Parker — x
The adventure of the frightened Baronet — 1
The adventure of the late Mr. Faversham — 28
The adventure of the black narcissus — 45
The adventure of the Norcross riddle — 60
The adventure of the retired novelist — 76
The adventure of the three red dwarfs — 90
The adventure of the Sotheby Salesman — 108
The adventure of the Purloined Peraipt — 137
The adventure of the limping man — 148
The adventure of the seven passengers — 174
The adventure of the lost holiday — 193
The adventure of the man with the broken face — 215
A big thumbs up from me.
Jerry, I have bought the Pinnacle volumes of Solar Pons stories back in the 1970s. I’ve read a couple of them. I also have some Solar Pons volumes by Basil Copper. And I bought the David Marcum Solar Pons collections that you recommended. Plenty to read and review in the months ahead!
I also picked up some of the Solar Pons books in the ’70s. I think I only read one of them, though.
Jeff, I have to be in the right mood to read Solar Pons stories. I’m surprised that the series was extended by Basil Copper and David Marcum. Obviously, Solar Pons has more fans than I thought.
I am trying to read more of the original Sherlock Holmes stories before tackling pastiches, but maybe I would enjoy these.
Tracy, Solar Pons has the same sensibilities as the Sherlock Holmes stories, only a little more quirky. You’ll enjoy them.
Copper iwas a good writer who perhaps got a little too wrapped up in continuing Derleth’s work…
Todd, I’m surprised by the longevity of the Solar Pons series and the efforts of Copper and Marcum to continue the series.