The Mammoth Book of the Lost Chronicles of Sherlock Holmes

Starred review from February 10, 2014
In this collection of 12 pastiches, Smith (The Chronicles of Sherlock Holmes) again demonstrates his gift for crafting new exploits of the great detective that combine a pitch-perfect Watsonian narrative voice with clever plots that allow Holmes to demonstrate his deductive brilliance. The novella “The Adventure of the Willow Pool” is a high point. Set in the early days of the Baker Street partnership, it focuses on a military man who has returned from service in Afghanistan to his small Sussex community, only to find that he’s considered a pariah for an unknown reason. In “The Adventure of Kendal Terrace,” an insurance agent arrives home to find it occupied by strangers who deny knowing him or his wife, who has disappeared. Smith is adept at generating suspense, even in stories not dependent on violence. His traditional approach will appeal to readers who want period mysteries featuring characters Conan Doyle would have no trouble recognizing.