The Worlds of Sherlock Holmes by Andrew Lycett offers a fascinating look into the cultural and scientific influences behind Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic detective, Sherlock Holmes. Lycett delves deep into the Victorian era’s obsession with detection, science, and even spiritualism, shedding light on how these elements shaped both Holmes’s character and his creator’s worldview. The book is rich with historical detail, making it an informative read for fans of Sherlock Holmes and those interested in the cultural context of the period.

However, the depth of research can sometimes make the book feel dense, and the narrative occasionally lacks the engaging flow needed to keep readers fully immersed. While Lycett provides a thorough exploration of Holmes’s world, some parts of the book veer too much into academic territory, which may not appeal to casual readers or those looking for more dynamic storytelling. Additionally, the focus on Conan Doyle’s personal interests, though insightful, sometimes overshadows the detective himself, making the balance between creator and creation uneven.

That said, The Worlds of Sherlock Holmes is a valuable resource for anyone eager to understand the broader world that influenced the creation of Sherlock Holmes, even if it occasionally sacrifices pace for detail. It’s an informative read, but one that might not captivate all readers to the same degree.

This is a biography of Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes, broken down by topic. The author started by covering the physical locations mentioned in the Sherlock Holmes stories, with a few details about and sometimes a picture of the real places. He also used illustrations taken from the stories. There were many quotes from the Holmes stories, so we often got more of what was in the book than new information about the place. We also got a bit about where Conan Doyle traveled during his life.

The next section focused on politics: mostly Doyle's views on current political issues during his life, but also how they were reflected in Holmes' views in the stories. The next section focused on science, starting with Darwin (evolution) and how that impacted Doyle's (and therefore Sherlock Holmes') views. The author also covered Holmes' scientific views and knowledge, as shown in the stories. Again, the focus seemed more on summarizing what the stories said about Holmes than comparing it to the real world forensics. The author also talked about Doyle's medical training and people that influenced his scientific views, some technological advances embraced by Doyle that weren't really mentioned in the stories, and Doyle's interest in the paranormal.

Next was about how crime was actually handled in the 1800s in England (as in, the founding of the police force and then the detective force), the emergence of crime fiction, Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories and how he solved crimes, and how he inspired future crime fiction. Then the author covered how Holmes has been portrayed in films and plays. Next was about how The Strand Magazine (which published the Holmes stories) came into being and how the stories were later published as various types of books as literacy increased and printing costs decreased. The next section was about the art and music of the time period, especially that mentioned in the Holmes stories and a bit about Doyle's artistic relatives. Then he covered sports, especially those engaged in by Holmes or Doyle. The final section was about the enduring interest people have had in Holmes. I guess I expected more of a historical background for the stories than a biography of a fictional character and his author.

A read worthy of adorning the home of every serious fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his famous Sherlock Holmes!

This book, simply put, is fantastic. I've been a fan of Sherlock Holmes for over 40 years and have read quite a few books comparable, in form, to this one but, honestly, none that were better. Beautifully illustrated, highly informative, well-organized and just a joy to pick up at any point and read. I think this would be a very valuable addition to anyone's personal Holmes library. Bravo. !!

Well done !!

"The Worlds of Sherlock Holmes" by Andrew Lycett is a captivating book that explores the fascinating universe of Sherlock Holmes and his creator, Arthur Conan Doyle. It delves into the Victorian and early 20th-century backdrop, where Sherlock Holmes became a renowned figure. Lycett uncovers the origins of Holmes' character and the intriguing influences on Conan Doyle. This book provides an accessible glimpse into the world of that era, marked by an interest in solving mysteries and exploring the paranormal. Lycett's writing is engaging and approachable, making it an ideal read for Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts and those curious about the mind behind this iconic detective.

An excellent overview of the world of Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle. Interesting and informative.

A fairly comprehensive guide about the character, his universe, his author, and some behind-the-scenes details that will delight enthusiasts. The book is in-depth, comprehensive, well-researched, and illustrated. It covers various aspects of the author and the character, providing numerous references that fans will be eager to delve into. A must-have!

Thank you Netgalley for the chance of reading this ARC!
This was a very interesting study that offers a futher and deeper understanding of the world of the most famous detective.
Perfect for Sherlock fans, this book explains the world in which Conan Doyle was inspired and influenced to create the detective and his companion, from the geographical aspect of London, to the culture cauldron of the time.
It was a lovely and enjoyable read and would recommend!

I enjoyed the historical perspective of the Sherlock Holmes universe and the way that the author structured this book to focus on the different “worlds” of Sherlock, namely the aspects of the Sherlock Holmes universe that were impacted and impactful to the real world. The illustrations and photos included in the book were delightful and the book was really well researched. A great book for all Sherlock Holmes and history fans alike. 4.5/5 stars.

If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes this book is a YES, YOU HAVE TO READ IT.

The World of Sherlock Holmes tells us everything that is behind one of the most famous detectives of all time (even today in 2023) and how his adaptations were both in theater, television, cinema and also the world behind it. this, the fans, the fanfics. And it's something incredible because you can tell that Andrew Lycett KNOWS A LOT.

Being able to learn more about a character that I have loved for many years, I loved it!

With images, illustrations, with small fragments of real life that transport us back and forth between what is real and what is fictional, this book manages to make us delve into what Sherlock Holmes is.

Throughout the course of the book we can see the different works in which Doyle introduced this interesting and very eccentric detective with examples of how he behaved, what he said and other things.

I think this book is a MUST in the libraries of all Holmes and Doyle fans, it would be great if it was translated into Spanish because it would have a lot of potential. I know!

Thanks Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion for the ARC I read on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.