I loved Sena Jeter Naslund's Ahab's Wife and so eagerly picked up her novel, Sherlock in Love. She does the same thing in each novel - takes a small, one time reference in the master work and builds a whole story around it. For example, for Ahab's Wife, there is a mention by Melville in Moby Dick of Ahab having left a wife behind. For Sherlock in Love, she builds on a reference in Doyle's stories about Sherlock's Stradivarius violin being of particular value to him, because of the passion he felt for the person who left it to him.
The Sherlock novel is quite adventurous and compelling. Some of the style is stilted, as no one could replicate Doyle's fabulous style and wit. But Naslund does a compassionate portrait of Dr. Watson, now older, but no less an elegant gentleman and ladies-man as ever. Post-humunous Holmes still insults him, and he takes it with his usual good humor and respect for the man's genius. So in that sense, the joy of a great Sherlock Holmes novel is somewhat retained. There is certainly many a fog-covered evening in London to help set the stage for a mystery.
But what Naslund adds to the canvas is no less wonderful. She gives a new eloquence and understanding to the human side of both Watson and the remembered Holmes, who lives through his diary and Watson's notes from their past adventures. As the title suggests, it's a love story, but as befits a classic Holmes story, it's convoluted and multi-dimensional and includes layers of mystery and intrigue. I had my suspicions about "who dun it" - and was right - but that in no way impeded my enjoyment of watching the story unfold at rapid speed.
I recommend Sherlock in Love to any Holmes fan, or any fan of a great twist in the tale.
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