The Whole Art of Detection

by Lyndsay Faye

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.