Sherlock Holmes first appeared in Arthur Conan Doyle's 1887 novel A Study in Scarlet—and he hasn't left the scene yet. He's been delighting readers and listeners for close to 140 years, yet Doyle's detective stories, in which Holmes solves case after case with a combination of careful observation, sharp intellect, and logical reasoning, never seem to get old. In fact, there have been so many Sherlock Holmes retellings over the years that it would be impossible to list them all. In the century and a half since Holmes solved his first case, authors, comic creators, screenwriters, playwrights, and other artists have reimagined him in hundreds of different ways.
Whether you're a die-hard Sherlock Holmes fan looking for the best new retellings or a mystery lover who enjoys a good detective story but can't be bothered with Victorian London, there's a Holmes story for you. We've collected 10 of the best Holmes reinventions for your listening pleasure. You'll find stories starring a female Sherlock Holmes, modern Sherlock Holmes retellings, Sherlock Holmes YA retellings, a mystery set on Jupiter, a series inspired by Lovecraftian horror, and more.
In this Audible Original series, Sherlock Holmes's infamous nemesis Professor James Moriarty takes center stage—and he's not the villain you'd expect. The audio show reimagines Moriarty as a brilliant scientist wrongly accused of murder, desperate to prove his innocence. He's just made the most incredible discovery of his life—a mathematical formula with the power to tell the future—when he's found at the scene of a brutal murder. Dominic Monaghan (The Lord of the Rings, Lost) gives a riveting performance as Moriarty, and he's joined by an all-star cast who bring the many other familiar characters to life.
The last two decades have seen some incredible Holmes retellings starring women sleuths who were either on the periphery in the original stories or simply not present at all. An example of the latter, Nancy Springer's Enola Holmes series is one of the best. Enola, Holmes's 14-year old sister, may not be as famous as her brother, but she's just as smart and insightful. In the first book, The Case of the Missing Marquess, she traverses London in search of her missing mother. Further adventures see her solving murders, kidnappings, and more.
From Edgar Award-winning author Laurie R. King comes another fantastic series starring an unforgettable female sleuth—this time, a reinvention of an existing Holmes character. The adventures of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes begin in 1915. Sherlock Holmes is retired and living a quiet life perusing the study of honeybees—that is, until a spirited, orphaned teenager arrives on his doorstep. Mary's powers of deduction are a match for his own, and soon Holmes takes her on as his pupil. Over the course of 17 audiobooks (and counting), Mary and Sherlock face many challenges, both in the cases they take on and in their personal relationship.
This retelling series, written by NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and screenwriter Anna Waterhouse, stars Sherlock Holmes's older brother. Mycroft Holmes has just graduated from Cambridge University and is settling into a position with the British government when his best friend confides that he's received some worrying reports from his home country of Trinidad. Mycroft's fiancée, also from Trinidad, immediately sets off for the island—and when Mycroft follows, he gets caught up in a tangle of extremely dangerous webs.
If you're looking for a brilliant Holmes retelling that turns the original on its head while remaining true to its spirit, you're going to want to delve into the world of Charlotte Holmes. Sherry Thomas reimagines Sherlock as Charlotte, a young woman whose sharp mind and fierce determination have gotten her kicked out of London society. So, when several murders cast suspicion her family, she takes matters into her own hands. Using the name Sherlock Holmes to disguise her identity, she sets out to clear the family name. Charlotte is a heroine for the ages—smart, assured, witty, and full of heart.
If you're in the mood for a Holmesian mystery in a speculative setting, this Black, queer Holmes retelling is the one for you. Set in a dystopian future in which America is embroiled in the New Civil War, it follows Dr. Janet Watson, who's been discharged from her position as an army doctor after a severe injury. Back in the capital with nowhere to live, she meets the mysterious and intriguing Sara Holmes, who offers her a place to live—and the chance to help solve a mystery that could change the future of the country.
Fans of horror and fantasy who've often longed for a bit more paranormal to challenge their favorite detective will be delighted with James Lovegrove's dark, Lovecraftian retellings. The first installment finds Sherlock Holmes tracking the source of a mysterious fog, seemingly full of shadowy monsters that are driving ordinary citizens to their deaths. In future adventures, he and Watson face countless sinister dangers, from ancient curses to bloodthirsty ghosts.
Sherlock Holmes is known for his powers of deduction. Warlock Holmes is, well, not. In this hilarious and irreverent series of retellings, G.S. Denning recasts Holmes as a clueless man who's periodically possessed by demons. He doesn't know the first thing about how to solve a case. He just does what the demons tell him to and hopes it all works out. Denning sticks very close to the original stories, turning moments of Holmes's brilliance into moments of utter absurdity. This is a silly, joyful, and highly entertaining ode to the world Arthur Conan Doyle created.
Who says a Holmesian mystery has to take place on Earth? This cozy, Holmes-inspired sci-fi novella is set on Jupiter. When a man goes missing, Investigator Mossa tracks a series of clues to the planet's university town, home of her ex-girlfriend Pleiti, who studies the long-vanished ecosystems of Earth in the hopes humans may be able to return home one day. Together, Mossa and Pleiti set out to solve the mystery—and maybe mend their relationship along the way.
This wildly fun and delightfully weird riff on Holmes and Watson unfolds in a fantasy world where reality is complicated and doesn't always make much sense. Ms. Shaharazad Haas is a sorceress with a fierce temper and a reputation for getting mixed up in dark and dangerous mysteries. Captain John Wyndham is a soldier who's just returned from fighting a war in a parallel universe. In need of somewhere to live, the Captain takes up residence with Ms. Haas. He finds her antics a bit dismaying but allows himself to get tangled up in them just the same. Alexis Hall's signature wit and hilarity is on full display in this queer fantasy romp.
The latest installment of Audible’s blockbuster addition to the Sherlock Holmes universe, Moriarty: The Silent Order features Dame Helen Mirren in a deliciously villainous performance, with Dominic Monaghan (Moriarty) and Phil LaMarr (Holmes) returning to their leading roles. The all-star cast’s performances, paired with a meticulously crafted sound design, make for a truly electrifying audio experience. You’ve been warned: The game is once again afoot.
