The Lost Sherlock Holmes Story?

By: Anonymous

Narrated by: Simon Vance

It is a short vignette featuring the world's greatest detective and his sidekick - but is it truly a "lost" Sherlock Holmes story? Listen for yourself and decide....

In 1904 the Scottish town of Selkirk held a three-day event to raise funds to replace a wooden bridge destroyed in a flood two years earlier. As part of the event, the organizers sold a story collection called The Book o' the Brig. Most of the stories were written by locals - but one stood out because it starred Holmes and Watson.

It wasn't until 2015 that an 80-year-old Selkirk resident named Walter Elliot, who long owned a copy of the book, leafed through it and came upon the previously unpublished story. His discovery of "Sherlock Holmes: Discovering the Border Burghs and, by Deduction, the Brig Bazaar" caused quite a stir.

But was the story truly written by Conan Doyle? What's known is that the renowned author enjoyed visiting the area in and around Selkirk. And his name appears in the book, indicating that he was the opening presenter on the Saturday of the fundraising event. But Holmes experts have their doubts, since there is no mention of the story in Conan Doyle's papers, and the style of writing doesn't ring true. So the mystery may never be solved. But it is a fact that the fundraising effort succeeded - and a brand-new iron bridge was built.

Public Domain (P)2015 Audible Inc.

Better Left Buried

One of the most terrible narrations I have ever heard. A grand wast of time.

What a pleasant homage!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Lost Sherlock Holmes Story? to be better than the print version?

This free treat from Audible Inc is well worth the download. If you have spent any time at all with Dr Watson's details of the adventures he shared with his peculiar friend, you will appreciate this contemporaneous homage to them both. Sir Arthur would scarce blink an eye, had he known, that such a fan would lend the logician to a cause such as restoring an historic and practical edifice. I throw down my 10 shillings for the supportive work metaphorically, in appreciation.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Lost Sherlock Holmes Story??

Simon Vance gives voice to the echo of Holmes and Watson in a very comfortable way. The surprise is, as always, in the revelation.

Which scene was your favorite?

Imagining the political engagement, or disengagement, of Holmes and Watson.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

For a good cause, all fame is employed.

Any additional comments?

A pleasant 8 minutes.

Lost Story??

Is there anything you would change about this book?

No, but really, Is this a Conan Doyle story? to quote, Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth."

Would you be willing to try another book from Anonymous? Why or why not?

yes, provided it's a mystery

Did The Lost Sherlock Holmes Story? inspire you to do anything?

listen to more of Simon Vance!

A Parody?

This struck me as a parody, an affectionate, humorous parody of the character of Sherlock Holmes in particular, and, of course, the series in general. Might Conan Doyle, for the sake of the fundraiser, have contributed this short piece, a seeming parody of his Sherlock Holmes stories and novels, to the collection?

The story itself is so short that I really only find it satisfying if I think of it as a quick skit intended to poke fun at the Sherlock Holmes series. Kindly fun in my opinion. So yes, I find it plausible that Conan Doyle might've written this, but that is only speculation of course.

Simon Vance's narration was spot on and contributed to the fun of the piece.

A Taste of Sherlock Holmes

I enjoyed this little tidbit of a story. It realistically captured the familiar banter that I so love between Holmes and Watson. The narration was excellent too. The solved mysteries were a bit underwhelming, but the wordplay more than made up for this.

Very self centered

Rather too quick to deduction and too slick for my tastes. Well read but went by so fast I hardly had time to understand it all. The poetry was recited quickly too.

Doesn't seem like the real thing

However it was a good attempt if a bit winded...

Audible required a minimum of a certain number of words so here they are...

Not essential, unless you're a completionist

It's a fun enough little story, written in the "Sherlock" style, though I can certainly see how there are doubts about its authenticity (the author as much as admits it in the introduction). Very political, a "timely" piece for when and where it was originally published.
The casual or even mildly-invested Sherlock fan won't find anything particularly useful here, but if you're a Sherlock completionist, then by all means read/listen on :-)

not worth it really

sorry, but though i am a sherlock fan i didn't think this was worth worrying about. It is so slight a piece there's not much else to say, except that it was a freebie at the time.

Well...it's odd

I'm not sure it's a true Holmes tale. A bit more humorous than most of the tales. You can almost hear the mirth.