My Dear Holmes

First published in 1951, My Dear Holmes is a biography of Sherlock Holmes, which originated from the author's re-reading of the Sherlock Holmes stories to his daughter, supplies answers to mysteries such as when was Holmes born? Which was his university? How many times was Watson married and in what years? Why did he leave Baker Street without a word of explanation in 1896? Why did the two Moriarty brothers have the same Christian name? Why were there apparently different cases all known as "the Second Stain"? The author takes the sixty cases narrated by Watson, many of which are undated, deduces the year in each case, and weaves the whole into a single continuous story, with the intention of filling the gaps in our knowledge of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. To those who are partial to the London of gaslight, hansom cabs, feather boas and income tax at one shilling and twopence in the pound, this book can be recommended.