News — Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

First published in 1908, Wheels of Anarchy - The Story of An Assassin was written by Max Pemberton, a friend of Arthur Conan Doyle, from notes of another friend Bertram Fletcher Robinson. Fans of James Bond should take a look at this fascinating novel which makes Bond seem a little tame. Considering it was written at the turn of the last century, the subject of international terrorism is surprisingly modern. A recent review of the reprint is published in this month's District Messenger. "Robinson or Pemberton may have discussed the story with their friend Conan Doyle, but the narrator, Bruce...

In 2011 we finally have the irrefutable evidence behind the success of the Sherlock Holmes character and it was unveiled by Devon author and Holmes investigator, Paul R Spiring. In a local newspaper articles from the Herald Express and Western Morning News and in a BBC Wales radio interview Paul revealed how he came across the letters that prove that Arthur Conan Doyle had more than a little help with the key story that launched Holmes worldwide. Winding the clock back to the early 20th century and Arthur Conan Doyle had killed Holmes off and while the character had achieved...

The time that Arthur Conan Doyle spent in Devon was critical. It was only when he wrote 'The Hound of The Baskervilles' did Sherlock Holmes become a worldwide phenomenon. It was there, on Dartmoor that Conan Doyle got the inspiration for what was to become the most famous, and most important, crime fiction mystery of all time. Two leading Holmes historians Paul R. Spiring and Brian W. Pugh have teamed up with a Devonian historian Sandru Bhanji to create the definitive guide to Sherlock Holmes and Devon. Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes and Devon: A Complete Tour Guide & Companion (MX Publishing,15th June) contains detailed descriptions, background and even GPS co-ordinates for thirty key Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle sites across Devon.

To celebrate Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's birthday on the 22nd May, one of the world's most renown Sherlock Holmes historians Alistair Duncan appeared at Waterstones Croydon from 11am to sign copies of all three of his books - but in particular his latest book  'The Norwood Author' which is very much a local book for the store. Fans were treated to a rare bookstore appearance from Duncan who lives in South London Conan Doyle wrote many of his Sherlock Holmes stories while he was a resident in Norwood and many commentators feel that some of his best work came during...

Hats off to Molly Carr whose debut novel 'The Sign Of Fear' is a wonderful book that charts the adventures of Mrs.Watson, the wife of Dr.Watson and her sidekick Emily Fanshaw. With a supporting cast of Sherlock Holmes, Dr.Watson and Moriarty it is a great story and a fresh female approach to the Holmes canon.