The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories Part XII: Some Untold Cases (1894-1902 edited by David Marcum, MX Publishing, 2018 trade paper, mystery, Holmes pastiche anthology.
This, and the volume preceding it, collect 33 of the many “untold tales” from the Holmes canon. I picked this one off the shelf for something to read when in the dumps about politics, Covid and wildfire smoke, and as hoped it pulled me, slowly, out of the deepest of my doldrums.
Here’s a nice summary from Goodreads:
“Part XII: 1894-1902 features contributions from C.H. Dye, David Marcum, Thomas Fortenberry, Daniel D. Victor, Nik Morton, Craig Janacek, S. Subramanian, Jim French, Robert Stapleton, Nick Cardillo, Paul D. Gilbert, Mike Hogan, Derrick Belanger, John Linwood Grant, Mark Mower, Jane Rubino, and Arthur Hall, and a poem by “Anon.”
34 new traditional Holmes adventures in two simultaneously published volumes (Parts XI and XII)
“Somewhere in the vaults of the bank of Cox and Co., at Charing Cross, there is a travel-worn and battered tin dispatch box with my name, John H. Watson, M.D., Late Indian Army, painted upon the lid. It is crammed with papers, nearly all of which are records of cases to illustrate the curious problems which Mr. Sherlock Holmes had at various times to examine…” – Dr. John H. Watson
So wrote Dr. Watson in “The Problem of Thor Bridge” – and ever since, Sherlockians have been bringing us new adventures from this legendary tin dispatch box. While his original Literary Agent only edited the pitifully few sixty stories that make up the original Canon, there have since been literally thousands of traditional adventures about the true Sherlock Holmes – and there will never be enough!
Throughout the original Holmes Canon, there were hints and teases of other intriguing cases – The Giant Rat of Sumatra… The Abernetty Tragedy… The Manor House Case. Watson mentions well over one-hundred of these, which have collectively come to be known as The Untold Cases. Now, the latest MX anthologies present thirty-four of those adventures in two simultaneously published volumes, with all royalties going to support the Stepping Stones School at Undershaw, one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s former homes.
Join us as we return to Baker Street and discover more authentic adventures of Sherlock Holmes, described by the estimable Dr. Watson as “the best and wisest… whom I have ever known.”
Each volume contains forwards by Lyndsay Faye, Roger Johnson, Melissa Grigsby, Steve Emecz, and David Marcum.”
I know Holmes pastiches aren’t for everyone, but these are good ones and I like them.
Tip the Wink 
I would probably need to be more familiar with the original stories to enjoy these. For some reason I have only read THE HOUND. Loved ENOLA HOLMES on Netflix though.
I don’t have Netflix streaming, so didn’t see that, but there was no character in the canon named “Enola”. You should read the original short stories.
I’m all for good Sherlock Holmes pastiches. The new Netflix ENOLA HOLMES is based on the Nancy Springer mystery. My review of the book can be found here: http://georgekelley.org/the-case-of-the-missing-marquess-by-nancy-springer/
I’ve read Springer’s fantasy, but not that one. The MX books are very good.
Nah. I’m in the “not for me” category. I read Joe Hill’s first book of short stories, 20th Century Ghosts, which wasn’t bad, though I found his later collections to be stronger. I have the Ed Hoch collection of Simon Ark stories ready to read, but have currently gone back to the complete collection of F. Scott Fitzgerald stories. I also read the second of Laurie Colwin’s collections, The Lone Pilgrim, which did not grab me as much as her first. I read another Peter Turnbull, False Knight, not his best but pretty good. There is rare bickering between Hennessey and Yellich in this one, as the former seems to be feeling his age and possible impending retirement more than usual. It’s the nasty tale of a piece of a woman’s leg found in a garbage bin, and the way they make fairly short work of discovering who she was and who killed her, with one nice twist towards the end.
Happy Yom Kippur, Jeff. Yes, I know you’re not a Holmes fan, not everyone is, but it’s comfort reading for me. I want to get back to Turnbull, but the library is exceptionally slow in providing them.
If I can get to the post office, I have a few set aside to send you. Read ’em, keep ’em or toss ’em. Will let you know if and when.
Wow, thanks! So far I’ve only read the first 2.
I am in the same position as Patti. I have only read one or two short stories and A Study in Scarlet. I had good intentions this year to read The Sign of Four and then The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, but a lot of my reading intentions got sidelined this year.
My opinion is the short stories are better than the novels.
I have read the complete canon but can only take the pastiches and parodies a few at a time. Of the authors you listed, I have heard of three of them — David Marcum, Nik Morton, and “anon.” I have read a lot of works by that third guy.
I’m not a fan of the – any – parodies. These pastiches are true to the original stories, same time period, primary characters and locations, no fantasy or weird elements. The straight goods.