The Improbable Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

By: John Joseph Adams - editor

Narrated by: Simon Vance, Anne Flosnik

Length: 21 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

A modern short-story collection featuring the great detective. Stories included:

"A Sherlockiana Primer", © 2009 by Christopher Roden
"The Horror of the Many Faces", © 2003 by Tim Lebbon
"The Case of the Bloodless Sock", © 2001 by Anne Perry
"The Adventure of the Other Detective", © 2003 by Bradley H. Sinor
"A Scandal in Montreal", © 2008 by Edward D. Hoch
"The Adventure of the Field Theorems"; © 1995 Vonda N. McIntyre
"The Adventure of the Death-Fetch", © 1994 by Darrell Schweitzer
"The Shocking Affair of the Dutch Steamship Friesland", © 2005 by Mary Robinette Kowal
"The Adventure of the Mummy's Curse", © 2006 by H. Paul Jeffers
"The Things That Shall Come Upon Them", © 2008 by Barbara Roden
"Murder to Music", © 1989 by Anthony Burgess
"The Adventure of the Inertial Adjustor", © 1997 Stephen Baxter
"Mrs. Hudson's Case", © 1997 Laurie R. King
"The Singular Habits of Wasps", © 1994 by Geoffrey A. Landis
"The Affair of the 46th Birthday"; © 2009 by Amy Myers
"The Specter of Tullyfane Abbey", © 2001 by Peter Tremayne
"The Vale of the White Horse"; © 2003 by Sharyn McCrumb
"The Adventure of the Dorset Street Lodger", © 1993 by Michael Moorcock
"The Adventure of the Lost World", © 2004 by Dominic Green
"The Adventure of the Antiquarian's Niece"; © 2003 by Barbara Hambly
"Dynamics of a Hanging", © 2005 by Tony Pi
"Merridew of Abominable Memory" © 2008 by Monkeybrain, Inc.
"Commonplaces" © 2008-2009 by Naomi Novik
"The Adventure of the Pirates of Devil's Cape", © 2009 by Rob Rogers
"The Adventure of the Green Skull", © 2008 by Mark Valentine
"The Human Mystery", © 1999 by Tanith Lee
"A Study in Emerald", © 2003 by Neil Gaiman
"You See But You Do Not Observe", © 1995 by Robert J. Sawyer.

©2010 John Joseph Adams (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"For the most part, this volume of short Sherlock Holmes pastiches - a mix of straightforward imitations and parodies - delivers on its goal of presenting the best of such work from the last 30 years....Barbara Roden's "The Things That Shall Come Upon Them" riffs cleverly on M.R. James's "Casting the Runes". Perhaps the highlight is Peter Tremayne's "The Specter of Tullyfane Abbey", which offers a plausible explanation for a classic untold tale in which a man disappears from the face of the earth after returning home to fetch an umbrella." ( Publishers Weekly)

Very good if you're not too dear about holmes

Let's face it, certain stories in this series are particularly non-canon. And there are even a few that are almost insulting in their cavalier creative lisence with the characters. However, even those stories I've mentioned above aren't without a certain amusement for someone who can take a little ribbing about being a Holmes fanatic. Just remember that not everyone is as reverant as a devoted fan and shouldn't have to be to enjoy spinning these characters into new stories that give us more chances to see them in action. As long as you're prepared to take this series of shorts as just that, a series of short stories and not an attempt to revamp or in any way challenge the Arthur Conan Doyle versions of our heroes, you'll find it, over all, a very satisfying listen.

Fun and interesting

this an excellent collection of short stories that take Sherlock and Watson on some interesting and strange adventures.

not all of highest quality

there are some good stories here, of note are the Tanith Lee, the Burgess, even the Gaiman though I'm not normally a fan of his. And the very last story is a little classic in it's own right. But overall, though the authors may love Sherlock, I felt not many had the tone right nor the overall feel of Sherlock and so many left me disappointed or unimpressed. Take your chance, but I'd be tempted to listen to only the ones I mention, those I would listen to again, the others, not so much.

Sherlock Holmes is Sherlock holmes at his best

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

the stories in the book are ones i have never red before in any connon doil collection collection

What did you like best about this story?

most of the stories are ritten by authors other then arther connon doile

What does Simon Vance and Anne Flosnik bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

good british accense

Any additional comments?

a very very good yarn

Hood stories, disjointed listening experience

The majority of the stories were quite good and I enjoyed the collection overall. As with all collections, there are some stories you just aren't going to like. The change in voice performer was quite jarring at times, to the point itbtook me out of the story. The consistant voice at the beginning of each helped, but grouping the stories by voice actor would have made my listening experience better.

Most excellent anthology of Holmes pastiches.

Marvelous Sherlockian tales written by preeminent authors and impeccably performed. As the author of "Sherlock Holmes: My Life" I can attest with authority and enthusiasm to the true spirit of Holmes portrayed in these tales.

Four Cheers!

I believe any fan that enjoys the exploits of Holmes and Watson will find this the next best thing to Conan Doyle himself! Enjoy!!

Elementary!

Fantastic new stories.
Very enjoyable for any Sherlock Holmes fan.
Well thought out by Master Author's and executed by Master Narrators.
Thank you all.
The Game Is A Foot!!

Sherlock without Conan Doyle

This turned out to be great fun! I bought it with reservations, because some "Sherlock by another author" books and stories are definitely not successes. But this is a great collection, generally respectful to the original but with much imagination thrown in. The narrators are wonderful.
Highly recommended when you're looking for something a little different - and something that comes in small, separate doses. Especially good for in the car!

Weird stories

Not quite what I expected from a Sherlock Holmes series, interesting twists on an old storyline, great narration caught the era exactly.