Dedicated Sherlock Holmes Online Bookstore

(March 12, 2014)

SHERLOCK: Ah! Finally.

MOLLY: “Finally” what?

BILL: Good news?

SHERLOCK: Oh, excellent news – the best.

(“His Last Vow”, Episode 3, Series 3, Sherlock, BBC – transcript from http://arianedevere.livejournal.com/67234.html)

Good news for Sherlockians! A dedicated Sherlock Holmes online bookstore! Can you imagine? A bookstore filled with nothing but Sherlock Holmes! How much better can it get?

The physical library is on Baker Street, of course, where else? Watsons Lounge at the Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes, 108 Baker Street – yes, I’ve been there, and it’s fantastic.

Now, however, Watson's Lounge, the bookstore, has gone online – so here we are: www.parkplazasherlockholmesbooks.com

People behind this? MX is a BIG player, as usual!

Thanks to Julie Aguilera at Rooster PR, here’s a picture and a copy of the press release with further details:

From left: Sharon Emecz, Co-Director, MX Publishing; Ramesh Costa, General Manager, Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes Hotel; Lorna Taylor, Corporate Partnerships manager, National Literacy Trust

Press Release: 

PARK PLAZA HELPS HOLMES FANS GET THEIR HIT

Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes hotel launches Sherlock Holmes themed online bookstore for World Book Day and raises funds for the National Literacy Trust

In celebration of World Book Day, the Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes Hotel is delighted to announce the launch of the all-new Watsons Lounge Bookshop; a dedicated online Sherlock Holmes themed bookstore: www.parkplazasherlockholmesbooks.com

In partnership with MX Publishing, one of the main publishers of Sherlock Holmes books in the UK, the Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes Hotel now provides a one stop shop for Holmes fans to get their fix of the written Sherlock-related word.

A further partnership, with the National Literacy Trust, means that those purchasing items from the bookshop are also helping to raise literacy among the UK's most disadvantaged communities, with 10% of all proceeds generated from the bookstore going to the charity.

The Watson’s Lounge online Bookshop offers a unique collection of Sherlock Holmes material including short stories, biographies, Sherlock Holmes themed travel guides and even children’s books, in addition to the more traditional novels recounting the adventures of the infamous detective.

A lot more than just a bookshop, visitors to the site will also benefit from special offers, pre-releases and signed first editions and will also find free samples of books, reviews, author interviews, exclusive events and much more.

“The launch of the Watson’s Lounge online bookstore is the first of a number of Sherlock Holmes themed initiatives and events planned for 2014, developed with the aim of engaging and providing added value for Park Plaza guests, local residents and Sherlock Holmes communities” says Ramesh Costa, new general manager of Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes Hotel. “We are delighted to have joined forces with the National Literacy Trust and hope that our Holmes related activity throughout the year will raise much needed funds for the important work they carry out.”

Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes is a four-star boutique hotel in the heart of London. Located on Baker Street, the hotel is near to popular destinations such as Madame Tussauds and the Sherlock Holmes Museum. Marylebone High Street and Oxford Street, some of the best shopping locations in the Capital, are just a few minutes’ walk.

For more information on Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes Hotel, please visit www.parkplaza.com/sherlockholmes

For more information on the National Literacy Trust, visit www.literacytrust.org.uk

-ENDS-

Large Posters by Vistaprint

(November 19, 2013)

Large Posters by Vistaprint

The Reichenbach Fall

(October 26, 2013)

From my diary: October 3-4, 2013 at Meiringen, Switzerland.

I had a Reichenbach fall. No, really. Literally. I actually fell.

Now, much as I’d like to say that I felt so overwhelmed, was so overcome by emotion at the sight of the Reichenbach falls, where my hero, Sherlock Holmes, fell to his “death” that my knees gave out and I fell – that would not be the truth. What really happened was that there were some slippery paths on the hike, and I simply slipped and fell.

But it is still “cool” to say that I had a “Reichenbach fall”, however humble it may have been compared to the Master.

Anyway, to begin at the beginning, I arrived at Meiringen on a train (from Zurich, via Luzern, where you have to change trains). The train from Luzern to Meiringen is what they call a “panorama coach” – it gives you a gorgeous view of the Swiss countryside all through the journey.

The wonderful, amazing people at Haslital Tourismus chalked out an itinerary for me (the full itinerary will be put up in the next e-magazine). I was met at the Meiringen station by my lovely tour guides – Anja and Hannes, who then took me on the Reichenbach Funicular.

The stop has a small gallery with some interesting Sherlock Holmes artefacts. Also, there is a Sherlock Holmes cut-out you can put your face in and photograph! We did, obviously.

Then began the hike. Probably the most strenuous thing I have done in my adult life. Fat, lazy, city-creature that I am, I stopped every two minutes, gasping for breath and wanting to take a break. Anja and Hannes were very, very kind and encouraging – and all the credit for my successful climb is owed to them.

The falls are beautiful. Breathtaking. And for us Sherlockians, emotional.

Words from “The Final Problem” flit through your mind as you look down at the forceful water and the abyss below. It is not difficult to imagine Sherlock and Moriarty tumbling down the walls, and then Sherlock climbing up. I can only imagine the amount of perseverance and strength it must have taken for him to make the climb.

The spot where Sherlock and Moriarty fell has been marked with a large white star, which is visible from the other side. There is a plaque, put up by The Bimetallic Question of Montreal and The Reichenbach Irregulars of Switzerland. There is also a wreath, put up by Deutsche Sherlock Holmes Gesellschaft (the German Sherlock Holmes Society).

It was on the way down from the “spot” that I had my little fall. Anja was kind enough to suggest that maybe my shoes were not as suited to a hike – and thus responsible for my fall, rather than my uncoordinated idiocy. Maybe my subconscious decided that I needed to take at least a small fall at Reichenbach to have something in common with Sherlock! Anyhow – a small incident, I escaped without a scratch and barely a bruise or two. What can I say except - Sherlock watches over me?

Anja and Hannes were super-careful after that, and helped me out wherever the grounds were slippery. They even changed the route and took the longer way down – which was a paved road, rather than the trail through the woods.
Hannes had to take our leave subsequently, and Anja took me to lunch at Aare Gorge. By then, it was time for another appointment for Anja, and exploring Aare Gorge would have meant walking a lot more (and I’d really had my quota for the day by then, and was itching to see the Sherlock Holmes statue and the museum) – so Anja very kindly drove me back to Meiringen.
I checked into Hotel Alpbach – the suggestion for which had come from a Swiss Sherlockian, through Ales, the President of the Czech Sherlock Holmes Society. It was a quaint little hotel – quite adorable, really. A stone’s throw away from the Sherlock Holmes Museum.

Of course, I dumped my luggage at the hotel and headed out to the Sherlock Holmes Museum.

The museum is built like a church – it is small, but quite nice.

It has an authentic replica of the living room of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson, a replica of Turner’s Falls of the Reichenbach – and many, many Sherlockian goodies. (Needless to say, I picked up a good few.)

Did you know that Sherlock Holmes is an honorary citizen of Meiringen? No, really. There’s a certificate and everything.

The statue of Sherlock Holmes at the centre of the town was made by John Doubleday – yes, the same sculptor who made the one outside the Baker Street tube station in London (which is where 221B Baker Street would have been).

It is said that all sixty canon stories have been incorporated in some obscure manner in the statue and its surroundings – and that this remains an unsolved problem.

(There is a contest for this as well – details in the next e-magazine.)

Just after the museum, there is Park Hotel du Sauvage – which was originally the Englischer Hof where Holmes and Watson stayed during their trip. Now modernised and refurbished, of course – but just like everything else in Meiringen – quaint.

Also, thanks to Olaf Maurer, the President of the Deutsche Sherlock Holmes Gesellschaft, who very kindly drew me a map for the Jeremy Brett walk – I got to see the place which was the Englischer Hof for Jeremy Brett and David Burke.

So, all in all – Meiringen is a must-visit on your Sherlock Holmes Pilgrimage list – and it is undoubtedly one of the loveliest places I have ever been to. It looks like a series of picture-perfect postcard images.

It is easy to imagine why Sherlock Holmes would choose to go to this beautiful place knowing death was imminent. The place literally exudes peace, serenity – and even if Sherlock was in the most melancholy of moods, he would feel better just walking through the town. And really, if you knew you were dying, wouldn’t you want to be in the most beautiful place you could think of so you would die happy?

There are many other things to do at Meringen as well – and thanks to Haslital, I did participate in some – but that did not relate to Sherlock Holmes (the activities are listed in the programme drawn up by Haslital). However, when we plan out the Sherlock Holmes Society of India’s visit to Meiringen, we can do the other “fun” activities as well. I really cannot adequately emphasise how gorgeous this place is.

We must go to Meiringen. Really. I certainly intend to return as soon as I can.

A Case of Mis-Identity

(September 26, 2013)

A story by the renowned Colin Dexter:

This was originally presented at the Annual Meet of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London in 1998 (or thereabouts). Bob Ellis, the Chairman of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London, had it privately printed for the SHSL for the members. He, very graciously, gave me a copy (which, in his own words, are very rare).

Sherlock Holmes: The Fireside Collection

(September 26, 2013)

From the very talented Dick Gillman - who, recently (as can be seen by the previous post) gave away one of his books for free to us!

You know what's interesting? Dick designs his covers himself - isn't that impressive? 

Here are the covers, and some of my favourite lines from his Sherlock Holmes series (Don't worry, there are absolutely no spoilers ahead - you can happily go and buy the books from Smashwords):

The Star of Bithur

The Duke’s carriage had been waiting at the door and Holmes had already climbed inside. “I say Holmes, that was a little abrupt!” Holmes was silent, he was not a man who was easily moved, but on this occasion he was. “I was humbled Watson” and he would say no more.

 The Birchwood Affair

“What is that, Holmes?” I enquired.

Holmes glanced across at me and continued playing. "I'm surprised you don't know Watson, its L'Inverno, Winter, I thought it quite apt."

“Hmpf...I would not say it was obvious.”

Holmes stopped playing. “What? You can't hear the thunder and lightening?” Springing from his chair he plunged into an energetic display of bowing.

“Ah, yes, I see” said I, waving my hand and hoping to end the tumult of sound now assaulting my ears.

The Cagliari Affair

For myself, I was staggered. Holmes had never mentioned this friendship and I had barely recovered my senses when I was introduced.

Holmes turned to me, saying "Let me introduce my friend and colleague, Dr John Watson."

The  ambassador almost leapt forward in his eagerness to shake my hand. "Ah, Dr Watson, I have heard so many good things about you from Sherlock.

The Bishop's Tie-Pin

Like a fool I replied, “Well, it does pain me sometimes, especially in the winter...” Holmes leaned towards me, one eyebrow raised, a mischievous look in his eyes. “...No! No! Absolutely not Holmes, I cannot be seen to enter such an establishment!”

The Rattle Jacks Affair

We had finished dinner and were just relaxing with a pipe of tobacco when a loud ringing of our door bell followed by raised voices caused Holmes to become instantly alert. A tumultuous staccato of footsteps on the stairs preceded our door flying open and two bedraggled figures hurtling into our rooms. Both were soaked to the skin and their entrance was swiftly followed by that of a clearly enraged Mrs Hudson.

An additional one (I just couldn't resist) - I firmly believe that the tear on Holmes cheek was not one of hers.

If you ask me what I liked best about the series - I'd say it would be the plentiful appearance of Mycroft. I adore Mycroft Holmes, and my favourites pastiches/adaptations are where he has significant roles. Mycroft is a magnificent character - powerful, enigmatic, brilliant. And he is the older, smarter brother of Sherlock Holmes, who worries about his little brother - constantly. I'd have put in more quotes from the series about Mycroft - but those would contain spoilers...and when you're looking forward to reading a story, the last thing you want someone to do is to reveal the essential plot elements.

You can buy the entire collection together, as well!

We'll have a detailed showcase feature on Dick's book (straight from the horse's mouth) in our next issue of Proceedings of the Pondicherry Lodge.

Meanwhile, enjoy the books - and remember to let Dick know how you liked them!

A couple of updates - an ebook, and a comic book! And some random thoughts...

(September 20, 2013)

Exactly what the title says. Here you go:

Update 1:

The lovely Richard (Dick) Gillman is the author of "Sherlock Holmes and The Birchwood Affair" available here. It is a lovely story - do read it up. Dick has also very kindly given us a coupon code that allows us to download this e-book for free. I've circulated this code to the SHSI members already. Do note that the code is only valid till mid next week.

Dick Gillman's e-book

Update 2:

A stunning new comic book - an adaptation of "The Final Problem" - by the supremely talented Czech artist Petr Kopl - can be found here. It will be out next month. I should be attending the launch in Prague - will update.

Petr Kopl's Czech adaptation of The Final Problem

That's about it for now.

A random thought on how Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson have changed over time - and style - from The Strand to the blog. Earlier adventures usually started off with Holmes and Watson relaxing in their rooms and a client coming in. For example, say, a female and injured client comes to them - maybe the wife of a peer, maybe someone Sherlock knows.

Earlier it would read something like (yes, yes, I am seeing Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke in my head now): "Looking over my notes, I find that I have not yet chronicled the case of Mrs/Lady [XYZ], which began in the most dramatic manner that I have witnessed of Holmes' cases. It was an unusually warm day in the April of [whatever year Dr. Watson felt like] and Holmes and I were content to relax in the comfort of our Baker Street room, when we heard some loud arguments from downstairs, and a moment later, our door burst open and a well-dressed lady rushed in. Holmes sprang from his chair, surprise evident on his usually imperturbable face. The lady staggered towards him, clutching her side, and with a cry of "Oh, Sherlock, you must help me! You simply must!", fell at his feet in a dead faint. Even as I helped Holmes carry her to the couch and treat the now visible bullet wound in her side, I was awash with curiosity. Holmes clearly recognised this woman and cared for her, even, as evident by his concern at her injury, and she had appealed to him in an intimate fashion, usually reserved for close friends and family."

Holmes and Watson - vintage

Now it would read (as a blog entry) something like (ooh, yes, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman - who else?): "Life with Sherlock is never boring. Now, Sherlock is not a bad-looking bloke, but it is not exactly everyday that he has pretty women falling at his feet. Yes, it actually happened the other day. Me and Sherlock were discussing the weather - well, Sherlock was complaining about the heat and I was trying to explain the concept of global warming to him (which he had apparently 'deleted'). Suddenly, we heard some shouting downstairs. I was halfway to the door when a rather attractive woman ran in, nearly crashing into me. Sherlock looked up and came over quickly. The woman turned to him, muttered "Lockie, I need you" and collapsed in his arms. Sherlock looked shocked, and...concerned. Clearly, he knew the woman. "Your medical kit, John," he ordered, holding up a bloodied hand."

Sherlock and John - modern

Hmm...now, that didn't sound too bad. Maybe I'll continue the story. :)

Test your Holmes Mania Quotient

(September 1, 2013)

Love Sherlock Holmes? Crazy about Sherlock Holmes? Test your score!

All Roads Lead to Holmes - Test your Holmes Mania Quotient

HMQ Answer Sheet