I enjoy a good Sherlock Holmes pastiche once in a while and William Meikle’s Sherlock Holmes: Revenant (2012) fits the bill. A conspiracy at the highest levels brings Holmes and Watson to Mycroft Holmes but before they can investigate, they’re the victims of a cunning frame.
Holmes and Watson narrowly escape getting arrested for murder and go on the run with Scotland Yard not far behind. The few clues they find lead Holmes and Watson to an alchemist in Scotland where they discover a more insidious plot that threatens the British Empire.
Are you a Sherlock Holmes fan? Do you enjoy Holmes pastiches? GRADE: B
Depending on the author’s talent, background, and respect for the characters and background, Sherlock Holmes pastiches can be pretty cool. But If I see that Holmes is about to have yet another encounter with Cthulhu, I am going to scream.
Jerry, your investigative powers are impressive. Supernatural aspects show up in SHERLOCK HOLMES: REVENANT.
I always prefer the original, but occasionally I will read one I like.
Jeff, I’ve read plenty of poor Sherlock Holmes pastiches, but SHERLOCK HOLMES: REVENANT is worth a look.
I’ve read most of the original Doyle Holmes stories and they were fun but never quite stuck with me the way the Professor Challenger tales did. I’ve only read a few pastiches but keep meaning to check out the Nick Meyer books from the seventies.
I’ve always been much more open to a good original Holmes movie of which there are a few. I’m very fond of the Billy Wilder film and the two Holmes-meets- Jack-the-Ripper films (“A Study in Terror” and “Murder By Decree”) were fun.
I can certainly see the appeal of a well-written pastiche but the end of the Doyle estate copyright and growing surge of POD hacks is certainly going to muddy the water (and let’s not even mention A.I. books…)
Byron, in my limited experience with Sherlock Holmes pastiches, I’d say about 30% are good, 30% are average, 40% suck.
I’ve read one or two, but I really am not a fan of a story relying on someone’s superior intelligence or listening to them them explain their technique in solving a crime. Although I liked THE RESIDENCE, for instance, the interludes of her telling how she figured things out was my least favorite part of it. I like the weary gumshoe/cop slowly chasing down clues with lots of atmosphere and character development. Like the Morse stories, for instance.
Patti, just by coincidence, I picked up a VHS set of Inspector Morse. I also have a stack of Morse stories waiting to be read. I’m hoping for some overlap between the VHS tapes and the books.
I reckon your percentages are accurate! My default position is pastiches are literary grave robbing but occasionally someone does a decent job, worthy of the source material!
Bob, while pastiches might be literary grave robbing, I’m inclined to go along if the ride is exciting!
I’m mildly enjoying the WATSON series on CBS, and have enjoyed the most recent BBC series, and mostly enjoyed HOUSE. The Meyer novels were decent, as I recall from going on half a century or so.
Todd, the Meyer pastiches were critical and publishing successes. Meyer’s recent pastiche was neither.
Not sorry it got by me, then!