Review: Further Encounters of Sherlock Holmes / Author: George Mann / Publisher: Titan / Release Date: February 28th
Further Encounters manages the rather remarkable feat of not containing an uninteresting story within its pages. This in part comes from the talent that editor George Mann has pulled together to do the job. Holmes veterans Andrew Lane, Guy Adams et al are sterling choices to give us more glimpses into the life of London’s greatest sleuth.
Our personal favourites (and understand that it is hard to single any story out) are The Adventure of the Professor’s Bequest and The Case of the Devil’s Door, written by Philip Purser-Hallard and James Goss respectively. The former tale is an interesting look into the life of the Moriarty family and serves as a reminder that even the most evil of us often have loved ones just the same. Unfortunately, the outcome of the latter will be instantly evident to anybody who has watched the most recent series of Sherlock. However, for those who haven’t, the solution is rather ingenious and will surprise them.
We will concede that sometimes the characterisation of Holmes can feel a little off (Watson is pretty universally well portrayed though) and one of the stories is downright mad (although this is not an isolated incident as a few more toe the line between rationality and the supernatural); a very jarring shift in tone for what is otherwise a down-to-earth book.
Based on the overall calibre of the stories, we’re giving this the same rating we gave the first book. Mann has done some excellent work here and we hope that there will be many more encounters to come.
