52 WEEKS – 52 SHERLOCK HOLMES NOVELS
Edited by Paul Bishop
Genius Book Publishing
359 pgs
Ever since his creation by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes has captured the imagination of thousands, perhaps millions, of readers and over the decades his popularity has only continued to grow. Editor Bishop, himself a Holmes devotee, sets about collecting a year’s worth of essays by today’s new pulp writers, each focusing on a particular Holmes pastiche he or she has come to love.
The range of these titles, some multi-book series, is wide indeed. From books starring Holmes to others focusing on his supporting cast such as brother Mycroft Holmes or his alluring lady Irene Adler. In each essay, the writers not only introduce us to the books, but also add fascinating tidbits concerning the authors’ approach and reasons for writing such iconic characters.
Scattered among these essays are five “intermissions” detailing related aspects of bringing Holmes and Watson to the world at large. This reviewer was humbled to contribute a short piece about publishing new Holmes adventures. In all, 52 WEEKS – 52 SHERLOCK HOLMES NOVELS is a rare treasure for any fan, with its diversity of only a small sampling of what is out there. That was Editor Bishop’s goal at the outset, and he’s achieved it wonderfully and highly recommended.
