Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine #10

This is the tenth issue of this periodical. I have not reviewed an issue since very early in the series, but this issue fully merits a review for Sherlockians.Features include an editorial, “From Watson’s Scrapbook,” “Screen of the Crime” film reviews and an “Ask Mrs. Hudson” column. There are two articles; “Eldritch, My Dear Watson” by Lenny Picker and “Sherlock Holmes and Science Fiction” by Amy H. Sturgis and there is also a “Classic Reprint” of The Field Bazaar,” one of the so-called “Apocrypha,” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In addition, there are a half dozen or more Sherlockian illustrations and cartoons.The true treasure of this issue is the nine Sherlockian tales included by a variety of authors. “The Adventure of the Docklands Apparition,” by Mark Wardecker, is a short story that tells of an elaborate plot created by a German spy to gather data on British agents by hiring British criminals. “The Problem of the Three Edwardian Pennies” is related to Dr. Watson by a journalist friend who saw Holmes provide a rational explanation for the sudden appearance of a ‘treasure trove’ of mysterious origin. The star of this collection is “The Curse of Edwin Booth,” a novella by Carole Buggè. In this tale, a younger Sherlock Holmes answers a classified ad for a ‘professional detective’ posted by Edwin Booth who feels he is being hunted by an assassin. The assassin turns out to be real and Holmes foils his plans. Holmes also receives a note from the assassin’s mentor, one James F. Moriarty, promising a future engagement. Ms. Buggè uses Edwin Booth as narrator, in place of Dr. Watson and Mr. Booth brings a strong personality to the role of amanuensis as well as a dark, tormented soul. This tale rivals many in the Canon.Fool’s Gold,” a short story by Martin Rosenstock, is another well-written piece. It tells of the murder of a fisherman who returned home early and, apparently, walked in on a robbery–in-progress at his home. It includes some interesting side features. Another short story, “The Adventure of the Lunatic’s Ball,” by Adam Beau McFarlane, Is quite gruesome. It postulates the cause of Dr. Jekyll’s transformation into Mr. Hyde was a disease and explains the spread as due to human intervention. “Muse with Seven Percent” is another short story, this time by Christian Endres. This tale is confusing and I’m still not quite sure what happened. “Simplicity Itself” is a short story by Zach Wentz. It is narrated by a cockney ‘delivery man’ who tells Holmes and Watson of his problems in making a shady delivery. It seems that Holmes and Watson know a bit more about the circumstances than seems possible, but Holmes manages to convince the man to go home and ‘mind his own business.’ “The Butler Did it” is a short parody by Herschel Cozine. Holmes is called to Barrington Manor by Chief Inspector Mudd of Scotland Yard to investigate the murder of Mr. Barrington. The investigation is brief. The final tale is “The Case of the Tarleton Murders” by Jack Grochot. This is the only formal attempt in the collection to tell one of the Untold Tales, this one cited in “The Musgrave Ritual.” The tale is imaginative and complex.All in all, this issue is well worth buying with so many tales and features in one publication.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, November, 2013