I don't think I know enough about Sherlock Holmes for this book. It was well written and I'm sure well researched and filled with nods for Sherlock afficiandos, but I just didn't know enough about the chronology and minutiae of the series to be able to get the most out of it. Which made me sad because I loved Jane Steele.

Review "The whole art of detection, lost mysteries of Sherlock Holmes" by Lyndsay Faye

I received it for free from Netgalley, and was really very much impressed and pleased. Not knowing it wasn't a Conan Doyle's book.
The writing of the author is so similar than Sir Arthur's one, it is really astonishing! The dialogues, the atmosphere, the vocabulary, ... give you the feeling you are reading an undiscovered story of the great master.

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*4 Stars

I first came across Lyndsay Faye's work in 2012 after reading The Gods of Gotham, the first in her Timothy Wilde series, and completely fell in love. Her writing wrapped itself around me and fully transported me to mid-19th century New York City in a way that few historical fiction books can accomplish. Accurately capturing the dialogue of these classic characters is one of her strongest skills and sets her apart from other historical fiction authors. Her newest anthology is no exception, and I jumped at the chance to review this one.

The Whole Art of Deception is a collection of Faye's original short stories based upon the canon of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes mysteries. The anthology is broken into four sections: Before Baker Street, The Early Years, The Return, and The Later Years. This division allows the reader to really get a full perspective of Holmes' and Watson's characters, particularly the stories that take place before the two met when each solved mysteries on their own. I thought that the story An Empty House was quite heart-wrenching, but gives a powerful glimpse of Dr. Watson's profound grief after the death of his wife Mary.

Overall, the variety of stories presented was great! A handful of them were in the form of diary entries from both Holmes and Watson. The entries from Holmes were particularly insightful as they give a look into his mind's inner workings and how he views those around him, especially Watson. I gained a better understanding of the degree and strength of their friendship, which is an area at which Faye excels. While accurately mimicking Doyle's writing style, she manages to capture how much these two frustrate and irritate one another while still displaying how true their friendship really is. A story that stands out is a retelling of the Hound of the Baskervilles but from Sherlock's perspective as he is called away from the main action in the original. There are many little tidbits for those who are serious fans of Doyle's canon.

While I haven't read all of Arthur Conan Doyle books, I am a fan of the Sherlock Holmes character in his many different forms from tv to film to books with Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal being one of my favorites. His is the image I had in my head as I read through each story, and I think it helped increase my enjoyment overall. There was a good mixture of story composition types as some were longer and others were mere snippets while some stories were either complex or a more straight forward deduction. The simplicity of the stories really stood out to me though, in a positive way. Faye focuses more on the cases and character quality than trying to recreate a perfect, historically accurate setting that many times winds up bogging down a story with excessive details.

The anthology format makes this collection easy to pick up and put down at a leisurely pace without the feeling of fragmentation. Many of these stories have been published in other places, but it's nice to see all of them together and with the addition of two new tales. This one is highly recommended for fans of either Lyndsay Faye's previous works or fans of Sherlock Holmes.


*I received this book as an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lyndsay Faye never disappoints when channeling Doyle and creating wonderful additions to the Holmes and Watson Canon. I particularly enjoyed this anthology's timeline which includes stories taking place in different stages of Holmes' career and chronicles the friendship between the two men. The stories portray the growth of the deep friendship and we can see Holmes developing a genuine respect for the good Dr. Watson. By the conclusion of the final page the reader discovers that even the aloof Holmes, when writing in his own diaries, has become quite fond of having Watson around. Not being a long-time Sherlockian, I found the language and dialogue in these stories delightful which has sent me back to my copy of Doyle's original adventures.

This is a must read for lovers of Sherlock Holmes or for those looking for an introduction to the series. Faye has done a terrific job of pulling together the tales and writing in the voice of Conan Doyle. Others have tried this- and there are so many other books (and TV series) based on the characters- but seldom do they succeed this well. THanks to Netgalley for the ARC- this was a terrific read!

An exceptional collection of Sherlock stories, conceived and executed in an almost perfect Doyle style. Although, and this could get any reader kicked out of the Holmes fan club, I find this type of modern take on Strand style short stories to be much more entertaining - they give you all the flavor of Victoriana without the endless sentences, casual xenophobia, and bone deep misogyny but with a self-awareness that a person in 21st needs. Anyway, some great mysteries here and a fresh approach - especially in those excerpts from Holmes and Watson that fill in the blanks between the landmarks in the cannon (Mary's death, Baskerville, etc.) and are a bit more character driven. Highly recommended.

Faye has crafted a collection of short stories centered around Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. These stories cover the early years of Holmes' career, through his supposed death and return, all the way through to years after he has resumed his life in London.

I loved everything! The mysteries are fantastic and varied, and read just like the original canon stories do. Faye truly has a gift for capturing Doyle's spirit and voice within her takes on the tales.

I especially loved the more personal glimpses we get into Holmes' and Watson's hearts and heads. Holmes' return from the dead, and its emotional effects, is really examined here, in a beautiful way that is true to the original characters.

I absolutely loved this collection. I want to run out and own it right now so I can put it on my Sherlock Holmes' shelves. There was nothing I didn't like.

I highly recommend this book for any and all Holmes' fans.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this novel.

Loved it! I have been a Sherlock Holmes fan since reading my first story in 8th grade. I have since then collected Sherlock Holmes collections & enjoy reading & re-reading. I even play Sherlock Holmes computer games! I loved these new stories, they do Holmes justice. I am excited to see what's next from this author.

I am a serious Sir Arthur Conan Doyle fan, and the character of Sherlock Holmes holds something special to me as it reminds me of lazy Sundays with my Dad and Grandad watching the old Basil Rathbone stories. This in turn lead me to read as many stories as i can. This lead me to this book and author. This collection was great to read and the thrilling stories kept me engaged and the author does in capturing the style and language of the stories which cam from Doyle. I have never read this author before, but i am keen now to read her other Sherlock Holmes work because of this book

review on goodreads under the name kimothy

From Litsy:
Out today! Reading this book feels like Lyndsay Faye entered the fictional world of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson and observed them first hand throughout their careers. The camaraderie between Watson and Holmes is perfect and the stories are a delight to get lost in. Perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes, historical fiction, and well crafted sentences.

Goodreads and Twitter provided in links. Author's retweet also in links.

Growing up I loved watching any version of The Hound of the Baskerville’s that I could find, and as an adult I love watching Sherlock, and I loved reading The Adventure of the Speckled Band in school. This is the first time I have read a book with Sherlock Holmes in for many years.
This collection of short stories features never-seen-before cases of Sherlock Holmes. It was entertaining, funny and educational - there were a number of words peppered throughout whose meaning I had to look up.
The first tale in this collection was The Case of Colonel Warbuton’s Madness. It begins with the following words:
“My friend Mr Sherlock Holmes, while possessed of one of the most vigorous minds of our generation, and while capable of displaying tremendous feats of physical activity, when the situation required it, could nevertheless remain in his armchair perfectly motionless longer than any other human being I have ever encountered.”
The collection is full of information like this and observations made by Dr Watson on Sherlock Holmes and Vice versa. This book is essentially a study of a timeless friendship and provides numerous insights into the character of Sherlock Holmes. It made me think of the friendship portrayed so clearly in the TV series Sherlock.
“It has long since been a dictum of my internationally celebrated friend Sherlock Holmes that work is the best antidote to sorrow. As his biographer, therefore, I have been given occasion to wonder whether the almost superhuman effort he himself expends over his cases is relevant in this credo. When at work, he is an indefatigable automaton: dashing hither and thither consulting all relevant parties, weighing the value of data to hand provided by the police, and more often discovering clues everyone else has overlooked. When idle, however, he is a listless creature, hollow-eyed to a degree which ever causes me the deepest sympathetic consternation…so mournful does he appear when inactive that I shall never rule out the possibility of some tragedy having befallen my friend.”
The most touching moment for me was when Sherlock attempts to cheer Dr. Watson up when he is thinking about his dead wife Mary and Sherlock fears he is not the best person for the task.
“I wanted to contradict him, for he was egregiously wrong on two counts. First, he was not the worst person on earth to trust with confidences, for he never pitied the giver of them, only listened with focused impatience or silent sympathy, which is why such a hubbub of strangers continuously clattered up and down his staircase begging for his help. He was, in fact, the foremost keeper of confidences in London – and he create the profession no less. Second, be the person a mother, a brother, a sister, a friend or some other beloved ghost, I by 1897 knew him to be mistaken in suggesting he lacked for feeling entirely. “
It stays true to the portrayal of Sherlock Holmes as a dry, witty and sharp man who can come across as harsh and unfeeling but is surprisingly sentimental at times.
If you enjoy Sherlock Holmes cases then this is the book for you.

This is a collection of stories that covers Holmes's career. We see Holmes and Watson banter through various entertaining stories and mysteries and each chapter feels like a Cliffs Notes version of a longer novel yet still shows the fantastic ability they have in solving cases and baffling those around them.

I've never been a fanatical Sherlock Holmes fan, a lover of short stories OR historical fiction. So why would I pick this book up? Because it's Lyndsay freakin' Faye! After reading Jane Steele and being WOWed by it, I just had to get my hands on this. She has a way of really conveying the feel of the original stories and putting you right into that era with ease. Such a rare talent to have and she does this seamlessly. My favorite of this book is "The Adventures of the Honest Wife". For some reason this one just sat with me throughout the entire read. If you are a Sherlock Holmes fan, this is a must read!

"The Plot Thickens"
This is my always favourite dialogue.
Lyndsay Faye is a bestselling author has done a remarkable job with this book.
As a fan of evergreen Sherlock Holmes this was most enjoyable for me. This collection of Sherlock Holmes tales written by Lyndsay Faye captures Conan Doyle's style, characterizations, old-timey language, flowery descriptions, quirky mysteries, sly humor.....everything that defines the original chronicles.
I am very happy to read this. I recommend this to everyone.

These mysteries cover the whole span of Holmes' career. I enjoyed all the stories in the collection and could easily imagine Watson and Holmes speaking from these tales. They are told from both their view point starting with a mystery Watson had never been able to solve which occurred while he lived in California.
An entertaining book.

The Whole Art of Detection: Lost Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes

An Anthology by Lyndsay Faye

Arthur Conan Doyle’s great hero, Sherlock Holmes, came to us from a world much different from the one we inhabit. It was a place where honor, gentlemanly conduct, patriotism, and noblesse oblige meant something to men in polite society.

With Lyndsay Faye’s “The Whole Art of Detection; Lost Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes” we are given a new window into that time and community. Included are stories that span the great consulting detective’s life from “Before Baker Street” to “The Later Years.” Each “Mystery” has all the things you expect from a Sherlock Holmes story; acute observations, precise deductive reasoning, Watson’s loyalty and the foibles of a mind on the edge of dissolution. But there is more:. There is humor, sometimes a bit outrageous in nature; There is witty repartee between the two principals. You may even wink out a lovely quote, or two, that will highlight and accentuate Holmes’ well-known chauvinism, if you wish. And all of this accomplished without obscenity, profanity or even much in the way of bloodshed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this anthology and look forward to reading more of Ms. Faye‘s “Lost Mysteries . . .” But, be forewarned, this is a book that will not grab you by the throat; its flavors are more subtle and better fitted to a slow reading.

I received a digital copy of this novel from The Mysterious Press and NetGalley in exchange for this review.

Holmes fanatics rejoice! Finally there is a collection of stories that adequately celebrate, and imitate, the original.

I am always suspicious when approaching a book that carries on where the original left off. Death Comes to Pemberley, Rebecca’s Tale, The House of Silk, and The Oriental Casebook of Sherlock Holmes all failed with varying degrees of embarrassment. As a reader, I was left angry, disappointed and frustrated by those titles.

A fatal flaw in those and so many similar books is the temptation to somehow recreate a more formal past. Silk dresses and fancy mansions overshadow a good story with interesting characters.

I’ve often argued that what makes Holmes so good, and so evergreen, is the simplicity. The style of writing is not fanciful and the adventures are varied. The loss of a gem or a horse is found next to dictionary transcription and a quiet child in equal measure.

Please see full review at link provided.

The Whole Art of Detection is an anthology of "lost mysteries" penned by Lyndsay Faye and previously published, primarily in Strand Magazine. The stories cover the early years of the association of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson until 1902.

It has been years since I first read the original mysteries, decades actually. I am far from a purist and have read many Sherlock Holmes pastiches and enjoyed almost all of the movie and television versions available, particularly his most recent incarnation in the BBC version. The Sherlock Holmes who remains in my mind's eye, however, is Basil Rathbone, followed closely by Jeremy Brett. Faye's stories and language are very close to the original stories as I remember them. The same is true for Faye's first novel, Dust and Ashes, also a Holmes and Watson novel.

I am a huge fan of Lyndsay Faye's work. It is imaginative, daring, and extremely well-written. Anyone who can pull off a re-imagining of Jane Eyre as a serial killer has me as a fan for life (Jane Steele). I loved all of the stories in the collection, but most particularly those of the earliest years when Sherlock is establishing himself as a "consulting detective". The stories also portray the admiration and camaraderie that existed between Holmes and Dr. Watson that comes across as real and believable. The Whole Art of Detection is a collection that is perfect for bedtime reading and that is how I read it, savoring them one by one.

Thanks to NetGalley.com and Mysterious Press for early digital access in return for an honest review.

RATING- 5 Stars

What a great book. As a fan of the Holmes universe the author hit the language and feel perfectly. A thoroughly delightful book that any Sherlock Holmes fan would enjoy.

I'm a huge Sherlock Holmes fan and absolutely loved this collection of tales as told by author Lyndsay Faye. She totally captures the feel, sound, language and humor of the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories. I felt like I was reading a book by him!

Ms. Faye stays true to the characters, expanding on their quirks/eccentricities/humor and bringing Homes and Watson back to life.

I think the author did a fantastic job and highly recommend this book to mystery lovers, especially fans of Holmes/Watson. Ik forward to reading more from this author.

*I would like to thank Netgalley/the publisher/the author for the chance to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review*

I received an e-ARC of this collection of short stories through NetGalley and Grove Atlantic. Thank you.

I'm a real Sherlock Holmes fan and am almost always disappointed when I stray into the area of authors penning their own versions of the Holmes/Watson adventures. I'm very glad to say I found good entertainment value in this collection of 16 stories. The main problem I see for readers is, if you have followed the writings of Lyndsay Faye in her Holmes variations, you may have already have read some, most or all of the stories gathered here. I don't remember where I read it, but the first story was familiar to me. Luckily I had not seen any of the remaining stories. I especially liked two journal entries presented from the viewpoint of Sherlock. One was concerning the problem he was working on during the first week Dr. Watson was traveling to Baskerville Hall - it was nice to think this second criminal exercise might have been what kept Holmes from traveling with the party when they left for Dartmoor. The second journal entry was of particular interest because it gave me a view of how Holmes valued Watson from what can be considered his personal standpoint.

So here are the story titles and pertinent information presented in the Credits segment provided by the author. Most of the stories were published in The Strand magazine.

The Case of Colonel Warburton's Madness - 2009 (Appeared in Sherlock Holmes in America)
The Adventure of the Magical Menagerie - 2015
The Adventure of the Vintner's Codex - 2011
The Adventure of the Honest Wife - 2009
The Adventure of the Beggar's Feast - 2009 (previous title The Case of the Beggar's Feast.)
Memoranda Upon the Gaskell Blackmailing Dilemma -2013
The Lowther Park Mystery - 2011
An Empty House - 2014 - (Out of the Abyss)
The Adventure of the Memento Mori - 2012
Notes Regarding the Disappearance of Mr. James Phillimore - 2014
The Adventure of the Willow Basket -2015 (The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories volume II)
The Adventure of the Lightless Maiden - 2012
The Adventure of the Thames Tunnel
The Adventure of the Mad Baritone
Notes Upon the Diadem Club Affair - 2015 (published as Notes Upon the Diadem Club Affair, #47)