A Christmas Carol at 221B

This book was delivered in mid-December 2018, but didn’t read it immediately. I’ve collected thousands of traditional Holmes pastiches, and I buy every traditional Holmes pastiche that appears. Additionally, I receive new Holmes stories literally almost every day by email in my position as an editor of numerous Holmes anthologies. I bought this slim volume when I first saw it, but then went on my to-be-read pile, with no definite idea when I’d get to read it.However, on Christmas Eve 2018, with various other tasks complete, I was passing by my computer desk and saw it on top. Rather than pick up one of the many stories that I regularly read and edit on 8-1/2 x 11 paper with a red pen in hand, I grabbed this one, to read just for fun. (I also took a fresh sheet of paper with me, because I take notes regarding every Holmes story that I read, in order to add them to my ever-growing Holmes Chronology.)There have been several Holmes-meets-“A Christmas Carol” narratives over the years. There were a couple in “Holmes for the Holidays” and “More Holmes for the Holidays” in the 1990’s. Each of these very similar tales had Holmes and Watson meeting individuals, now elderly, who had been part of the original Scrooge narrative. Tiny Tim, for instance, or Scrooge’s nephew Fred. There have also been several Alternate Universe fictions that I don’t like where Holmes is visited by Three Ghosts on Christmas Eve.This story is the best of any of the intersections with Holmes and Scrooge that has been written, and it’s an incredible story in its own right. Holmes and Watson are having a quiet moment on December 24th, 1894, at the end of the very busy year when Holmes returned from his supposed death. In the temporary peace of Christmas Eve, Holmes relates a simple little case from 1877, when he was living in Montague Street, learning his craft as a consulting detective. His expertise is sought by the now-middle-aged Tim Cratchit. To say any more would spoil it, but this story is perfect. Holmes and Watson are exactly right, the narrative follows correct chronological ideas laid down by Baring-Gould, and it reminds everyone of what happened at the very end of “A Christmas Carol”, and not just the rest of the story which is what most everyone recalls.I read hundreds of Holmes stories each year, literally, and I’m very militant about the fact that they should be traditional and correct. This story checks every box.Mr. Mann: I wish to encourage you to write more of them, as you have definitely tapped into The Great Watsonian Oversoul. And I’d also like to encourage you to track me down regarding submitting a story to “The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories”, which I created and edit, or for one of the other Holmes volumes that I edit. I don’t want to put my email address here – and I’m not sure if Amazon would let me – but I’m on Facebook, and my email address is in various editor forewords of books that I edit, and other Sherlockians can point you my way. Please consider writing more of these, and get in touch. Merry Christmas, and thanks for such a great little adventure!

I confess, when I realized I was paying $5.50 for a 21-page novella, I really felt like I was probably being cheated. Then I read the book. Yes, it's worth it. This is an absolutely charming, and spot-on Holmes pastiche. One of the problems I generally find with modern attempts to write Sherlock Holmes stories is that... well, they come from a modern mind with modern sensibilities. They miss the tone of Conan Doyle. This completely nails it. It sounds as if it could have been written by Doyle himself. It has just the right feel, and is a delightful little Christmas tale. It's a fine "sequel" (and a logical one) to "A Christmas Carol." Of course, for Holmes enthusiasts, I will say that there is no real mystery to be solved (or rather, it gets solved very quickly), but as a Holmes "memoir," it works. Buy it, read it, pass it to a friend.

I'm a big fan of both Sherlock Holmes and "A Christmas Carol" so the idea of a crossover was intriguing. The book, more of a pamphlet really, was much too short. Even though it had many references to both the "Carol" and to Sherlock Holmes, I would have preferred something that went a bit deeper. The storyline was thin. The book, or short story, could have been a home run, instead it was a double at best. Nonetheless, it is the best attempt at a sequel of sorts to "A Christmas Carol" that I have yet read. Any fan of either Ebeneezer Scrooge or Sherlock Holmes/ Dr. Watson will probably be happy with the attempt, if not totally with the outcome.

A wonderful short story combining two great literary characters Sherlock Holmes and Ebenezer Scrooge. I enjoyed reading about the young Holmes and the results of Scrooge’s generosity through the years.

This is not a book -- it is less than a booklet! 21 pages. My bad that I didn't notice this when I ordered. I haven't read it yet but it does not justify the cost no matter what. I belongs in a book of short stories -- very short stories. I am disappointed.

well written, with an authentic feel. i didn't realize when i bought it, it was only 21 pages. Maybe Mann should write more and publish it as part of a collection.

being kind with 3 stars I am a Sherlock fan this should have advetised as what it was,a pamphlet.

Pleasurable reading.