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When I was a kid, I loved Sherlock Holmes. I
devoured every novel and short story with a desperation that may have concerned
those around me. I always wanted Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson to be real, not
just creations from the mind of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. And yet, Holmes seemed
so cold and distant that it was hard to believe he was real. He seemed almost
one-dimensional, a device created so that a mystery could be solved.
Now, however, Mitch Cullin has created a well-rounded Holmes in his new novel.
In Cullin's work, Holmes is in his nineties, living out his last days as a
beekeeper, aware that his much-beloved mental abilities are beginning to abandon
him. Dr. Watson has died, and Holmes lives with only a maid and her son as
companions. When a young boy discovers a hidden manuscript, we begin to see
another side of Holmes's past: the affection he had for a woman he was
investigating. This narrative, intertwined with Holmes's present life, creates a
truly wonderful, full-blooded character.
Cullin's writing is lovely, and he manages to give Holmes depth without
sacrificing the emotional distance Doyle bestowed upon him. It is an excellent
read for anyone who could never get enough of Sherlock Holmes or for one who
just loves novels with well-defined characters.
Review by Julianne Ramsey, November 23, 2005
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