The Game Is Afoot: Parodies, Pastiches and Ponderings of Sherlock Holmes

by Marvin Kaye

Book Overview

This long awaited volume finally brings to light several cases of the world's most renowned detective originally suppressed to avoid causing scandal and embarrassment to the Crown, to public figures, or to Sherlock Holmes himself. Now, finally, the truth is revealed about Holmes' exploits involving such figures as Ida Tarbell, Consuelo Vanderbilt, P.G. Wodehouse, and James McNeil Whistler. Related by diverse hands, including Watson, Inspector Lestrade, and Holmes himself, detailing untold incidents involving the Titanic, Holmes' rematch with Irene Adler, the childhoods of both Holmes and Watson, and one unfortunate result of Holmes' facility with disguise, this cornucopia of Sherlockiana will delight fans young and not-so-young.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312104685
• ISBN13: 9780312104689
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 1.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.8" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Very Good

As a serious Sherlockian, I loved this collection of bits and pieces which adds to the cannon very nicely. While some of the serious essays can be a bit dry, the collection of new stories and parodies more than makes up for that. Many of the parodies made me laugh out loud, causing more than one person to turn to look at me in surprise. This book will be going to a place of honor next to my complete collection of Doyle's original cannon work on the great detective.

A mixed bag...

...mostly interesting, occasionally excellent or pedestrian. I found the editor's own essay tedious. Overall good fun.

Jolly Good! Except.....

I enjoyed this anthology immensly. Some of the pastiches Mr. Kaye included were among the best Neo-Sherlocking I've ever read (I particularly enjoyed "The Unmasking Of Sherlock Holmes" by Arthur Chapman.) and I agree with most of his opinions on The Canon. But who does he think he is calling the brilliant performance of Jeremy Brett as Holmes an "outrage and an abomination"?! He also says he will not mention the Brett series in his Holmesian catalogue. You just did Marv!