An enjoyable Holmes inspired collection of short stories. Well plotted, entertaining.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Liese Sherwood-Fabre has written a series of novels under the title 'The Early Case Files of Sherlock Holmes' where she introduces a teenage Sherlock Holmes and are books that I have enjoyed reading.

Master of the Art of Detection, her collection of short stories bringing the adult Sherlock Holmes back in action does not live up to the mark. There are distinctive quirks to the adult Sherlock Holmes character and demeanor and I did not find them at all in these stories. Even the mystery element and crime solving was straightforward and anti-climatic.

Two of the stories 'The Return of Lady Frances Carfax' and 'The Curious Incident of the Howling Dog on Baker Street' are written as a follow up to two original stories 'The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax' (1911) and 'The Adventure of the Empty House' (1903). Since the original stories are also printed as a refresher to the sequels, the difference is clearly noticeable. The introduction of a feline/ canine detective duo in the last story was, however, interesting and fun.

I received an e-Arc of the book from the publisher BooksGoSocial and the author via NetGalley.

Rating: ⭐⭐💫

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

“Master of the Art of Detection” by Liese Sherwood-Fabre is a collection of short stories that pays homage to the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes.

This anthology not only stays true to the spirit of Arthur Conan Doyle’s original works but also introduces fresh and intriguing mysteries that challenge Holmes’ unparalleled deductive skills.
The collection features a series of cases that test Holmes’ abilities to their limits. 

The narratives are rich with secrets, deceptions, and cleverly planted clues that keep readers engaged and guessing until the end

Sherwood-Fabre’s stories are set within the familiar Victorian backdrop, yet they bring new life to the classic detective genre.

Sherwood-Fabre excels in her portrayal of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. Holmes is depicted with all his characteristic brilliance, eccentricity, and keen observational skills. Watson, as the loyal companion and chronicler, provides a grounded perspective that balances Holmes’ often aloof demeanor. The dynamic between the two is both respectful and endearing, capturing the essence of their partnership. The supporting characters in each story are well-crafted, adding depth and complexity to the mysteries.

Sherwood-Fabre’s writing is both evocative and precise, mirroring the style of Conan Doyle while adding her own unique flair. Her prose is rich with period detail, immersing readers in the Victorian era. The dialogue is sharp and true to the characters, enhancing the authenticity of the stories. The pacing is well-managed, with each tale unfolding methodically, allowing readers to savor the intricacies of the plot.

"Master of the Art of Detection” explores themes of justice, morality, and the human condition. Through Holmes’ investigations, Sherwood-Fabre delves into the darker aspects of society, from greed and corruption to the complexities of human relationships. The stories also highlight the importance of observation and critical thinking, celebrating the intellectual rigor that defines Holmes as a crime-solving genius.

"Master of the Art of Detection” is a delightful addition to the Sherlock Holmes canon. Liese Sherwood-Fabre has crafted a collection that honors the legacy of Conan Doyle while offering fresh and engaging mysteries. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Sherlock Holmes or new to the world of Victorian detective fiction, this anthology is sure to provide a satisfying and intellectually stimulating read.

I can't see why this was written. As Holmes pastiches go, this is not one of the better ones. So many inconsistencies and errors that one hardly knows where to begin. Considering the fact that the source material is still very much in print, it is a wonder why the author could not get these things right. She has Sherlock Holmes lighting a cigar. In all of the Holmes cannon - 58 short stories and 4 novels - Holmes has never smoked a cigar; he famously smokes a pipe. One wonders that her editors have not mentioned this to her. One cannot utilise a famous literary character, seek to emulate his stories, then completely change the character. She even managed to get the name of Dr Watson's wife wrong. Her name was Mary Morstan, not Marston. Unforgiveable errors. It makes one wonder whether she actually read the source material.

We see two stories from the original canon practically reproduced word-for-word, then carried on in a sequel written by Sherwood-Fabre. This format was not a particular success since the Lady Frances Carfax sequel was riddled with errors and inconsistencies, and the Empty House sequel was puerile in the extreme. It was more like a children's story than something intended for an adult audience.

The fact that this author has written Holmes pastiche stories in the past makes one wonder how she has gotten away with it for so long. Had I been a publisher, I wouldn't have touched this with a bargepole.

In this intriguing collection, Sherlock Holmes faces a series of challenging cases, each filled with secrets and deception. From a locked-room murder with a mysterious curse to the disappearance of Squire Northridge’s daughter, Holmes relies on his sharp observational skills to solve the puzzles. Whether uncovering treasure hunters or searching for a missing dog, these adventures put his legendary deductive powers to the ultimate test.

This was an easy, enjoyable read. The author, as she has in other books I’ve read, mimics the voice of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle very well. The mysteries she created for Holmes to solve were interesting and kept me guessing. I also appreciated the inclusion of certain original short stories to give a reference point for two stories that are either sequels or parallel to those stories.

Each one is an easy read. It didn’t take long to read. The atmosphere of each one was interesting and kept me interested.

I would recommend this to readers looking for Sherlock Holmes short stories.

I thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with an ARC copy of this book which I freely chose to review.
I am not an expert on Sherlock Holmes, although I enjoy his adventures, and I have not read one of his cases for a long time. I think the last one I had read before I came across this volume was a translation into Spanish, and that means I am not in the best of positions to compare these stories to the originals. Nonetheless, I can say that I enjoyed all the stories and I had a great time reading them.
The author is a well-known expert in the area and has written quite a few collections and novels featuring Sherlock Holmes and Watson, and if I am to judge by this collection of stories, they will delight those who enjoy his stories and would like to have access to more.
I particularly liked the way each story is prefaced by an explanation about that particular type of story or a reference to one of the original stories by Conan-Doyle, which are a joy to read and show the author's depth of knowledge. Although most of the stories are originals, there are a couple of times when she includes one of the original Holmes stories and connects them to her own story. (Those are, The Disappearance of Lord Boatswain, and The Adventure of the Empty House, this last one fairly well-known as it brought us Holmes back after his apparent death). The stories are fairly different, and apart from the last one, narrated in the typical style we are accustomed to, with Watson writing the story of one of Holmes’s adventures, some time after the fact. The last story, The Curious Incident of the Howling Dog on Baker Street is told from a pretty unusual point of view (and one that will delight pet owners) and is pretty funny.
I am not going to choose any favourites among the stories: some are more serious, and some are very light in tone, but all are entertaining and remain true to the characters and their interactions. (OK, if I were forced to, I would choose The Most Winning Woman, because it can be read as an interesting commentary about the lot of women in the society of the era apart from being an intriguing mystery). They are not too heavy on descriptions other than the details about the cases, and in that aspect, they are very close to the originals. I did not spot any anachronisms or evident mistakes in language that took me out of the story and ruined it for me, although I am not an expert in Victorian literature.
The actual book ends around the 90% mark, and the rest includes information about the author, some of her other books on the subject, and also a sample of one of her books on young Sherlock Holmes (which got me very intrigued, I must admit).
This is a book I recommend to readers of short stories, especially those who enjoy Sherlock Holmes and Victorian mysteries, and it is ideal for people who don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to their reading and prefer to read shorter pieces that can be easily picked up and put down, are easy to follow, and brief enough to be read in one sitting. I’ve discovered an author I will keep my eyes on and will try to catch up with more of her stories in the future, and I am sure I won’t be the only one.

I enjoyed the collection of Sherlock homes story . Some are new while others are the original one . Enjoyed the book . Truly Sherlock homes is the best deduction and mystery book. Something new in the book that I have not seen before is the additional characters Ezra and Cyril - four pawed detectives which was truly delite to read . A great read for Holmes fans.

1. The Adventure of Kisin's Curse - Holmes' presence is requested because of a death at the Explorations Club.
2. The Most Winning Woman - 1895 - A parcel arrives containing a death certificate and a letter from a Mrs Windom. Holmes' explanation involves a case from 1880 concerning murder and attempted murder.
3. The Adventure of the Missing Heiress - The daughter of Squire Northridge of Casterby estate has disappeared.
4. The Adventure of Lafitte's Missing Treasure - On receiving correspondence from Mrs West in New Orleans concerning a missing husband and buried pirate treasure Holmes investigates
5. The Disappearance of Lord Boatswain - A show and much loved Dog has reportedly gone missing.
6. The Disappeance of Lady Frances Carfax - Lady Frances was last seen at Lausanne and Watson is on his way to investigate
7. The Return of Lady Frances Carfax - Holmes has agreed to find Lady Frances' stolen jewels to help her poor financial situation. Holmes also has other plans.
8. The Adventure of the Empty House by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - 1894 - Dr Watson decides to investigate the death of Ronald Adair when he is confronted by an alive Holmes
9. The Curious Incident of the Howling Dog on Baker Street - How Cyril the cat and Ezra the dog, help Holmes is capturing Colonel Moran
An entertaining and well-written selection of short stories with the likeable and interesting Holmes and Watson characters.

‘Just that they appear to suit each other.’The Existence of Shadows


An absolutely delightful addition to the Sherlock Holmes canon including a canine and feline investigating duo that would be a great introduction of the great detective to a younger audience! Also included in this compilation of original novellas is the Arthur Conan Doyle story The Disappearance of Lady Carfax, published in the UK in The Strand Magazine in December 1911, and in the US in The American Magazine in the same month, and “The Empty House” published in 1903.

Collection of short stories working with Holmes's deduction methodology, some are original and some are new, but they all are very well written.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this compilation and immersed myself in the book for long periods,... However, nothing and nobody can beat Sherlock and his powers of deduction
Truly a good read five stars for me and a bow to Sherlock and co

I enjoyed this collection of Sherlock stories, the wit and qualities that make Holmes what he is were all there and made it an enjoyable; in a bite sized collection perfect for travel and times you need something quick and with a kick.

The test for me when someone writes in the style of an author to keep the legacy of a great detective alive and expanding, is their own enthusiasm and joy in that series.

Author Liese Sherwood-Fabre easily accomplishes this and writes of Sherlock Holmes as a treasured friend. It needs more than mimicry and methodically copying Conan Doyle’s style. Indeed it requires an emersion into the world of the masterful sleuth and an open invitation to the reader to share these created shadows and to return to this forgotten time.

In this collection, the stories lie within the familiar Holmes canon. They even explore additional insights and imaginings beyond some classic stories by including two original tales from Arthur Conan Doyle himself.

This is a clever literary exercise and similar to how many readers think beyond the extant writings, to muse what may happen next. However, it is a great risk as the reader came immediately compare the original with the imitation.

The writer passes this self-imposed teat for me.

It was a joy to return to the world of 221B Baker Street and re-read some classic Holmes, as well as enjoying the reflected stories beautifully crafted by this new author to me. I feel these new accounts imbued with Victorian London and populated by well-loved characters from Watson to Mrs Hudson and Mycroft to Lestrade have a genuine place alongside the classic works.

I believe books like this can only entice and excite readers new and old to revisit the original and all things Sherlock Holmes.

Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts may enjoy this collection of fan-fiction mysteries that challenge the famed detective’s brilliant mind. Each short adventure presents a puzzle box of clues and deceptions, testing Holmes’ legendary deductive abilities.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This is a collection of 9 short story mysteries set in the 1890s in England. This includes a couple originals by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, provided to offer the needed background for the new stories. The stories often filled in cases that were referred to by Holmes or Watson but never written by Doyle. As with most short mysteries, they were narrations of the clues and the solution (which is quickly uncovered) rather than a puzzle mystery to be solved. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend these enjoyable mysteries.

A fine addition to the Sherlockian canon, with an array of creative stories about the beloved detective and his sidekick Watson. I loved this collection and so will the many loyal Holmes' fans!

Short stories about Sherlock Holmes and Watson.  Plus a few originals as a reference for the new stories.  I loved this author's additions.  The first story seemed a bit rushed but the rest were wonderfully written.  My favorite story is The Adventure of Lafitte's Missing Treasure because pirate treasure.  My favorite additional characters are Ezra and Cyril - heartwarming and four pawed.  A great read for Holmes fans.

I would like to thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC.