You watched the Christmas special. You pulled out your DVD set and marathoned the first 3 seasons or watched them on Netflix. Maybe you stalked the internet for more Cumberbatch or Freeman goodness or went on a bit of a binge of their films and shows. But that only goes so far and now you need more. So where do you start? Here’s a little guide to help you get started.
Books:
Let’s begin with the YA and Middle Grade choices here.
The Young Sherlock Holmes Series by Andy Lane follows a teenage Sherlock Holmes before he met his Watson. There are something like six boos in the series thus far so if you’re looking for a substantial storyline this one is for you. The author, Andy Lane was also contributed to the Torchwood series of books, having written one of my favorites Slow Decay.
One of three books in a series, Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason is a paranormal steampunk addition to the Holmes fanon. It follows not Holmes but his niece, as well as the sister of author Bram Stoker. Which of course means that there are vampires involved.
The main character of this series by Ellie Marney is called James Mycroft. Mycroft as in Sherlock’s elder brother, James as in Moriarty, and the character is just a great mash up of all the personality traits of our favorite characters. But yes, he is very Sherlockian. And what do you know, set in Australia. And a female Watson? Yes, yes, yes.
Written by an author calling herself Irene Adler (yay), this is actually a middle grade Sherlock story I have not actually gotten my hands on yet. But I want it. My nerd brain is imagining a young Sherlock Holmes and has also supplied a teenage Remus Lupin to fulfill the roll of the other title character. No, that’s not what it is but let me dwell in that thought for a few more minutes. I’ve seen at least 3 or 4 books in this series so its a good one if you want a longer story ARC.
I’ve heard this book being called Sherlock meets Supernatural. I’ve also heard Doctor Who thrown in there somewhere as well. Honestly, I see nothing wrong with any of that. I mean, just think about that for a few minutes. So far there are 2 books and a novella featuring these characters and I can’t help but want more.
Oh hey 2016 Sherlock release! This book may not be out yet but it already has a place at the top of my 2016 tbr. It features Sherlock and John’s decendants, though part of me wonders who Sherlock was messing around with to create a kid. I mean, for real.
sherLOCK and MORIarty. Yep, exactly. And yes, Moriarty is a girl. I feel like I might have seen that somewhere before….hmmmm who could it be? As with most YA versions of the Sherlock story, the characters are teenagers. In high school. In London. And here they are crashing crime scenes, because why not?
Now, let’s take a quick look at some adult Sherlock stories.
The Mary Russell Series by Laurie R King- Sherlock has a wife!
Shadows Over Baker Street by Various- a bunch of Sherlock short stories with a Lovecraftian twist. Feature’s a story by Neil Gaiman.
The Sherlockian by Graham Moore
The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz- authorized by the Conan Doyle estate this book is considered actual Holmes canon.
A Study in Silk by Emma Jane Holloway- more steampunk Sherlockian relatives. Woot!
The Complete Sherlock Holmes- This leatherbound Barnes and Noble edition has every Conan Doyle Sherlock story within its pages. Why not get your hands on the original?
TV:
Forever- Only having one season, this show was an amazing addition to ABC’s lineup last year and didn’t get the love it deserved. The show was cancelled at the end of the first season, however the season gives an excellent and complete ending that won’t leave you pissed off. The show follows the immortal Henry Morgan who works in the morgue and helps the police solve crimes with Sherlock’s trademark deductive powers. It meshes history and mystery in an addicting series that I’m still hoping will get picked up somewhere else. The creator has released details of what would have happened in season two found here. He has stated that in the show’s canon, Morgan would have inspired Conan Doyle to write Holmes.
Elementary- I thought I was going to hate this show, I really did. But I was happy to find that it’s actually really good and I was a little bit in love with this version of Sherlock. He’s no Cumberbatch but Jonny Lee Miller is an excellent Sherlock Holmes that I’m enjoying much more than I ever thought I would.
House M.D.- Yes, this show is based on the Holmes character, are there still people who don’t know this. House = Holmes. Wilson = Watson. This is one of my favorite medical dramas of all time and they really take the acerbic part of the Holmes character and run with it.
Films:
RDJ’s Sherlock Holmes Films- If you’re a fan of Robert Downey Jr. then you’ll probably like these. A more physical rendition of Holmes, a lot of people have mixed feelings about them. While not my favorite, I still really enjoy these.
Young Sherlock Holmes- I remember loving this movie as a kid but I honestly don’t remember too much about it now as an adult. Still, I loved it and if you can find a copy give it a try.
The Great Mouse Detective- I adore Basil of Baker Street, a mouse living in the floor of the human Sherlock Holmes’ home. He and his other mouse companions go up against the evil Rattigan, the film’s Moriarty. Disney does the Sherlock story surprisingly well in this movie, though for some reason a lot of people forget its existence.
So if you need some more Sherlock in your life while we wait for season 4 to release, these are going to whet your appetite and give you some wonderful stories to experience.
What’s your favorite Sherlock retelling or adaptation? Share them in the comments so I can go check them out.
From my shelf to yours,
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