As a scientist, Sherlock Holmes would have certainly been familiar with the famous dictum attributed to Nature abhors a vacuum.

In that same vein, fans of the Great Detective must look at 1885 and 1886 and see a somewhat similar void. Conan Doyle set no cases during those years; in fact, if you believe Doyle, Holmes and Watson remained inactive for a period of some 30 months. Given the expenses of everyday life, it’s difficult to imagine Holmes moonlighting as a hansom driver (a job he would have been eminently suited for, given his intimate knowledge of London’s streets and byways) or Watson, putting in extra hours at the clinic.

Obviously, they were working on various cases, including a number that were withheld for various reasons. However, we have reached out to Sherlockians around the globe and asked them to review carefully any correspondence with Dr. Watson which may have come into their possession.

As you might expect, they unearthed a plethora of stories which occurred in 1885 and ‘86. We have culled through them with an eye towards selecting not only those cases which showcase the amazing deductive abilities of the Great Detective but those which offer insights into his unique personality as well as those highlighting the relationship between Holmes and his Boswell.

Having said that, know that once again, “The game is afoot!”

Enjoy!

1885 Stories

Jan – The Adventure of the Lock Hospital – Katy Darby

Feb – The Burning Mania – Gustavo Bondoni

March – The Adventure of the Damaged Tomb – George Gardner

April – The Light of Liberty – Paul Hiscock

May -- The Return of the Buckinghamshire Baronet -- Hassan Akram

June – The Faulty Gallows – David Marcum

July – A Brick through a Window – Victoria Weisfeld

August -- The Mystery of the Cloven Cord – George Jacobs

September – The Six-Fingered Handprint – Shelby Phoenix

Oct – The Adventure of the Hands of Glory – David Cisler

Nov – Tracks Across Canada – Kevin Thornton

Dec – Tracks Across America – Kevin Thornton

PLUS TWO BONUS STORIES!!!

March – An Appointment with the Hangman – Mike Adamson

March – The Japanese Village Mystery – D.J. Tyrer