General Review
Having been a fan of Faye’s work since she published Dust and Shadow, I expected to enjoy this book. What I did not expect was just how MUCH I enjoyed the book. Faye has a grasp of Watson and Holmes’ partnership that few authors manage to bring to life on the page in quite the same way. Here we see playful teasing, uproarious arguments, protectiveness and fondness, and a way of interacting that can only come about from decades of knowing each other.

The book is divided into four sections: Before Baker Street, in which Holmes or Watson tell a story to one another about a case they had before they met; The Early Years, which all take place before the Hiatus; The Return, which takes place in the immediate aftermath of the Hiatus; and The Later Years, which cover the years leading up to Holmes’ retirement.

Before Baker Street will bring to mind Gloria Scott and Musgrave Ritual. Even though either Holmes or Watson is absent from the mystery, however, they are very present within the story itself, either interjecting questions or asides, commenting on the action, or needing to take a break in order to adjust a blanket or eat some food. If one looks at Gloria Scott or Musgrave Ritual and misses Watson, then that shouldn’t be a concern here. He also presents his own case to Holmes, in a delightful turn of events.

The Early Years gives us four cases in which we explore the tentative beginnings to the friendship between Watson and Holmes. Faye is very aware that these stories take place before they were truly comrades-in-arms the way we think of them, and so she shows the gradual blossoming of their friendship as we go through. We are shown here vulnerable and deeply compassionate sides to Holmes, while Watson’s pawky humor comes through quite clearly, as well as his bravery and willingness to pursue justice. My favourite story in the entire collection, the Gaskell Blackmailing Dilemma, is in this section. This story takes place during HOUN, while Holmes is still in London, and is drawn entirely from Holmes’ journal entries… in which he rambles about Watson, rants about Watson, and worries about Watson. If you’ve ever wondered just how Holmes feels about Watson, or worried that he didn’t value the friendship, this story will put such fears to rest. It is a gem.

The Return, with most stories all taking place immediately after EMPT, focuses on the consequences of Holmes’ actions, and is possibly the bleakest of the four sections. The first story in the group is heart wrenching, with Mary Watson having just died and Watson not knowing what to do anymore. In the other stories, Holmes and Watson have to work through the emotional quandaries that arose from the Hiatus and, in The Willow Basket, we get to see just what Lestrade’s take on the whole thing is. Despite this being perhaps the saddest section, it is still immensely satisfying, and really gives weight to the Hiatus as a whole.

The Later Years feature your classic pastiches, with the focus truly being on the cases themselves. At this point, Holmes and Watson have largely sorted out any rocky patches in their friendship, and these are some of the years Watson claimed Holmes was at the height of his powers in Canon; the mysteries are, suitably, excellent.

Most of the stories in this collection feature an A plot, which focuses on the mysteries at hand, and a B plot, examining a facet of the relationship between Holmes and Watson. If the mysteries are at times predictable, it is the B plots that make this book a standout. It is an amazing collection, and you will want to have it on your shelf.

What About Our Watson?
The Watson that appears here is everything a good Watson should be: he’s loyal, he’s clever, he’s an excellent doctor, he’s brave and resolute, he’s funny, and he’s protective. The stories are told in a classic pastiche style, very reminiscent of Canon, but we are lucky here in that Watson isn’t edited out as much. He doesn’t come back into the story just to ask a question so that Holmes will explain something; instead, he is as much a part of the process of detective work as Holmes himself. His medical experience is featured heavily in these stories, in particular as Holmes’ doctor. Two stories, Colonel Warburton’s Madness and An Empty House feature Watson alone, with very little Holmes, and so we get experience a slightly difference view on him, unrelated to case work.

Perhaps the two best stories, however, for showcasing our Watson are the two stories that are drawn from Holmes’ notes. These are not done in the style of Lion’s Mane or Blanched Soldier, with Holmes attempting to write his own story. Instead, these are unfiltered, raw Holmes, straight from his journals, and so the Gaskell Blackmailing Dilemma and The Diadem Club Affair show us exactly how Holmes sees his friend, and, more importantly, gives us an unedited view on what Watson is truly like, without his authorial hand adjusting things. Watson is steadfast and gentle, brave and bullheaded, sarcastic and intelligent. It’s a brilliant portrayal, and immensely satisfying for a Watsonian.

You Might Like This If You Like:
Bert Coules radio dramas; friendship stories; the tin box mysteries with new plots; classic pastiche collections

Lyndsay Faye does a wonderful job of writing this book. I so enjoy mysteries and grew up watching Sherlock Holmes. This is great o get several mysteries in one place. I would highly recommend this book.

This book is written in 4 parts. Part one has 3 stories before Baker Street and these stories are good. It started going downhill after that, I did read the 4 stories in Part 2, but had to force myself to read them as I really wasn't enjoying them. Needless to say but I won't be finishing this book.

The Whole Art of Detection is a Sherlockian’s dream come true. Written in the style of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, this is a collection of fifteen stories purportedly from publications by Watson in The Strand, from his journal, and from Holmes’ diary. All are written by Lyndsay Faye, and most were originally published in the current version of The Strand Magazine.

These stories do not make for a quick read as the vocabulary and style harken back to an earlier time and also reflect the British setting. Most of the tales are excellent mysteries and the reader is amazed along with Watson at Sherlock’s powers of observation and deduction.

I enjoyed the camaraderie between Holmes and Watson as they comment for the reader on the predictability of the other. Although Holmes is often almost unforgivably disparaging of Watson, it is obvious that they value each other immensely. The book is divided into four parts in chronological sequence giving the reader a feel for the history of their relationship and how it deepens over time.

If you are a mystery lover, I suggest a visit to mysteriouspress.com. This company was founded in 1975 by the owner of The Mysterious Bookshop in New York City. They are digitizing classic mysteries with care and are publishing new mysteries such as The Whole Art of Detection at Grove Atlantic.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Grove Atlantic (The Mysterious Press) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Publication: Grove Atlantic--March 7, 2017

Memorable Lines:

I myself have on occasion found London a strain upon the senses during its darkest month and had cause to reflect that, for a man of my friend’s minutely pitched sensitivities, the bleakness of its icy Decembers must have been grating in the extremest degree.

Nothing is so desirable as that which is denied us.

Our temperaments were so wildly antithetical as to be perfectly matched.

What I seek cannot be found by traveling backward.

...every vein aquiver with the intoxication of the chase.

I was impressed both by the quality of the stories and the uncanny relaxed way the author had in expressing the characters as they should... Can't wait for it to get published so that I can put it on our shelves!!!