A series of short essays (usually very short) on various items or groups of note to be found throughout the Sherlock Holmes stories. They often give interesting tidbits of information that would have been known to Holmes' readers at the time, but have lost significance or today are unknown to the general public. Well researched, these brief essays are excellent for reading in between other things, lunch breaks, etc when you only have a little time to dip into a book.

I've requested this for research. I'm an aspiring novelist and from Asia and I thought it would be very helpful to read stuff in Victorian England. I might find what I read useful someday. it's just a bonus that the things featured in the essays are from Sherlock Holmes. I love this collection.
This is a very short book, a short collection of short essays. And to be honest, I think that's my only complaint about this book, the essays are too short. I know it's mentioned in the description that the essays here are short ones but still. It's like the writer gave me a taste of something she won't want me to have. hehe. I don't mean that in a bad way. I'm actually saying the essays are really good, I want more of them. Now, I'm planning to buy the other volumes written by this author, because they're really very informative.

I was given a copy by the publisher/author via Netgalley. Thank you.

This book is a collection of 24 short essays on the historical context of things mentioned in Sherlock Holmes stories. Each essay was inspired by a comment or incident in a Sherlock Holmes story, and we're told where the essay topic is mentioned. We're then given a brief history or background information on the topic. Sports were given a brief overview from origin to modern day, but other topics focused primarily on Victorian times. The footnotes show that most of the information was found online or in a small number of books about Victorian England, so you could look up much of this information for yourself if so motivated. However, it is an interesting and informative read.

Topics covered include Horse racing, Victorian Wedding Traditions, Boxing, Temperance Movement, Fencing, London Smog, Brain Fever, Turkish Baths, Circuses, The Port of Dundee, Lodging in Workhouses or Doss Houses, Vampires, Bradshaw’s Companion, Women Bicycling and Working, Vicars and Rectors, Public Houses, Microscopes and Magnifying Glasses, Governesses, Ciphers and Codes, Eton, Cambridge and Oxford, Principles of Disguise, Typewriters, Coffee and Tea.

Full disclosure, I haven’t read any of the Sherlock Holmes books yet. I have read books inspired by them and I watch the tv shoe Elementary but I have not read any of the actual Sherlock Holmes books yet.
So, I thought it would be interesting to read this book and learn about the timeframe that inspired parts of the storylines.

I did find this to be interesting. It is explains a lot of elements from the books that would have made sense at the time they were written but aren’t as clear now.

Some topics covered:
Circuses
Boxing
Education
Poverty
Governesses

This book is short and well written. For a history book, it is not the slightest bit dry. It’s an easy read and you will likely learn some interesting facts by reading the book.

I got to read an early edition from NetGalley.

I enjoyed the collection of short essays comprised within this second volume of The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes. Interesting tidbits and a variety of topics will interest any reader that wants to know more about life in Victorian England. My only problem is one that has lead me to wonder if there are more sources, besides Wikipedia (which is used numerously for multiple essays), that might be available for additional research into the topics discussed in this volume.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this work in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a collection of 24 short essays on the historical context of things mentioned in Sherlock Holmes stories. Each essay was inspired by a comment or incident in a Sherlock Holmes story, and we're told where the essay topic is mentioned. We're then given a brief history or background information on the topic. Sports were given a brief overview from origin to modern day, but other topics focused primarily on Victorian times. The footnotes show that most of the information was found online or in a small number of books about Victorian England, so you could look up much of this information for yourself if so motivated. However, it is an interesting and informative read.

Topics covered include Horse racing, Victorian Wedding Traditions, Boxing, Temperance Movement, Fencing, London Smog, Brain Fever, Turkish Baths, Circuses, The Port of Dundee, Lodging in Workhouses or Doss Houses, Vampires, Bradshaw’s Companion, Women Bicycling and Working, Vicars and Rectors, Public Houses, Microscopes and Magnifying Glasses, Governesses, Ciphers and Codes, Eton, Cambridge and Oxford, Principles of Disguise, Typewriters, Coffee and Tea.

This book basically takes one small item from a Holmes story and makes a small lecture out of it, but doesn’t really have anything to do with Sherlock. Each small entry feels like something out of the Sherlock Holmes Encyclopedia (which I proudly own) or wiki; in fact, according to the notes at the end of each chapter, some of the information down here is indeed gathered from Wikipedia.
Three of the first five essays cover sports.
While not putting down the research work that went into making each article, much more info could be found by a simple internet search. One can imagine the author never running out of topics in which to write these very short treatises, as only a mention in a Holmes story is required for inclusion.

" These short essays provide modern readers a better understanding of Victorian England and greater insight into the world of Sherlock Holmes."
I love this book, it is an excellent reference for anyone who likes historical fiction of the Victorian era. It is not just for Holmes fans (although I am one), it gives excellent insist into Victorian life from fencing to weddings and 'brain' fever to public houses! A little treasure trove of information.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions are all my own.

This book is the perfect companion to have within a hand's reach when one is reading Sherlock Holmes stories or novels set in the Victorian era. The author knows the material she discusses and she writes in a clear, comprehensible way.

A very good book for all those who are interested in the background of Sherlock Holmes era or just in the Victorian age.
Well written and documented, and fun to read.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC

This is a quick and entertaining read for anyone interested in the Victorian era, and it's a special treat for fans of Sherlock Holmes. Even if you think you know the Holmes canon from every angle, I think you might pick up on some nuances you'd overlooked after reading these essays.

I am a fan of Sherlock Holmes stories. I read Holmes stories from different authors. But my favourite is always Arthur Conan Doyle. This book has lots of informations and details about Victorian era. I really enjoyed reading it.

Fans of Sherlock Holmes and Watson (two of my favorite characters) will enjoy the added insight and factual details provided by Liese Sherwood-Fabre, PhD. The book is a quick read and enlightening, as well as entertaining! The essays elaborate on what we already know of the genius that is Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. #SherlockholmesFabre #NetGalley