The Riddle of Foxwood Grange - A New Sherlock Holmes Mystery

Here is a pleasing and continually interesting adventure of Holmes and Watson in the country. It would spoil things for me to say too much about the mystery Holmes must unravel, but suffice it to say it involves a merciless killer whose motives and identity seem completely hidden, a strange poem prominently displayed in a library, and a strange set of movable blocks inset into a wall, each block bearing a letter of the alphabet and a number. Is there any connection between these three mysteries focused on Foxwood Grange? Dennis O. Smith has been contributing Sherlockian short stories for many years to the vast pastiche literature, but I believe this is his first novel-length publication. He does a good job with the Watsonian style, and with the aloof personality of Holmes.

Fun story, fits pretty well into the Holmes universe. My primary complaint with Denis O Smith's Sherlock Holmes stories is that they tend to end rather abruptly, and I would prefer just a few paragraphs to wrap up the story and the principal characters outcomes at the very end.

This author captures Holmes and Watson perfectly. The best accounts I have read. Look forward to more of his work.

Was not very well thought out. Way too easy to figure out. And I really didn't like Sherlock Holmes attitude. He was not Sherlock Holmes to me

Really enjoyed this very entertaining.

ok read

I’ve been collecting pastiches for a long time – 41 years now – and I always want more. Give me traditional stories – none of this Alternate Universe stuff. Set it in the correct time period. Holmes should be a hero, not a broken mess or a murderer, and Watson shouldn’t be an idiot or a caretaker or someone just there to give a comical double-take.From the first time that I discovered Denis Smith’s stories, in the form of individually published chapbooks in the 1990’s, I knew that he was the real deal. This was someone that had found one of Watson’s Tin Dispatch Boxes – and surely Watson hid a bunch of them all over the place! – and Mr. Smith was presenting the stories for publication the way Watson intended, without grafting on his own agendas, turning Holmes in to some objectionable sociopath, or a slob, or an addict. This was Holmes the way he was in the original Canon, and the way he should be now.I collected Mr. Smith’s other Holmes narratives as they appeared over the years – in collections from Calabash Press and in Sherlock Magazine and The Strand, and later a couple of really fine omnibus editions. And now he brings us the first book-length adventure that he’s edited from Watson’s notes, once again living up to his own very high standards.This story starts in fine form – a client visits Baker Street and tells his strange tale. Things progress to Foxwood Grange, where strange things have been occurring. We – through Watson’s eyes – meet the neighbors and get to walk the countryside, getting to know our surroundings. In addition to the immediate crimes, we are shown an ancient puzzle. Suddenly events tumble toward the fascinating conclusion, and we realize that, in a masterful performance, we had the clues right there in front of us all along, but it took Sherlock Holmes to figure it out.Once again Mr. Smith presents a tour de force, and I cannot wait to read his next effort.

When Sherlock Holmes and Watson receive a request to meet a stranger for lunch at the Great Western Hotel at Paddington Station, they find themselves with another mystery. Someone has been spying on Farringdon Blake, a distinguished journalist, but Mr. Blake has no idea why or whom. Sherlock agrees to take the case, starting with the man following Blake around London during his weekly trip to town. But when the lead in London grows cold, Sherlock and Watson pay a visit to Foxwood Grange, Blake’s home, for further investigating. Foxwood Grange is a 300 year old Elizabethan mansion with an interesting and mysterious background all its own.I have been a Sherlock Holmes fan since I was about twelve years old, when I first read “A Study in Scarlet” and “The Speckled Band.” Since then I have read all of the Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but until now I have never read one written by another author.This novel, like Doyle’s, is recounted by Holmes’ friend and roommate, Dr. Watson. The tone in which Watson recounts this tale is very similar in style and voice as the Doyle tales. Obviously being written by a different author, it is not a perfect match, but I was able to believe that these two were the same Sherlock and Watson from the originals.This story starts with Sherlock and Watson together. Since the story is told by Watson, when they are separated you only end up with Watson’s side of the story. Because of this, this story had Watson doing most of the investigating, as though he was the primary detective. I’m not sure how this made me feel.I also was unsure about how Sherlock came off as more secretive than he was in the Doyle novels, to me.The mystery itself doesn’t become apparent until the very end. Well, the four mysteries are not revealed until the very end when Sherlock explains everything. I must admit though that I was not surprised by the outcome, except for one little part.I would recommend this novel to fans of Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, as I feel that author did a good job.I won my copy of this novel on Goodreads Firstreads and have received permission from the publishers at MX Publishing to use an image of the cover artwork above.stephanietiner.weebly.com

This really is a first-class read. The brief opening chapter is as perfect an imitation of a typical Conan Doyle-style opening chapter as could be imagined. Then, after some surprising events in London, the setting moves to the Oxfordshire countryside, where the atmosphere of a pleasant English summer is very well done. The characters are varied and interesting, and the mystery is both engrossing and baffling.Hanging on the wall in the library of Foxwood Grange is a curious old moral "poem", dating from the eighteenth century. The story concerning this poem, which Holmes and Watson hear from Holmes's client, is fascinating in itself, but could it also possibly play a part of some kind in the mystery? If so, what? Highly recommended!

As a big fan of Holmes, I have read a lot of pastiches after reading and re-reading the original canon.This is one of the best. I found the plot interesting and it reads very well.I did find in parts near the end of the book that the dialogue was somewhat cumbersome and I got the impression the author was trying to flesh the book out a little. There was also one too many characters which didn't need to be included.All and all, however, this is a great read and I couldn't recommend it higher for a fan of Holmes.

One for us ' Sherlockian Purists'

An excellent story by the author in the very style of the original canon. Very enjoyable and can recommend it to all.

Kept me guessing till the end. I have read most of Conan Doyle's books and this could have been written by the great man himself. Thoroughly recommended!

Excellent story line true to the spirit of the original concept.Enthralling storytelling - gripping to the end.Exceptional cerebral analysis of motive, events and storyline.Only a few ( but necessary) ‘ red herrings’.

very good read - this man knows how to tell a tale