For the Sake of the Game

Stories Inspired by the Sherlock Holmes Canon

By: Laurie R. King - editor, Leslie S. Klinger - editor, Peter S. Beagle, F. Paul Wilson, Harley Jane Kozak, Alan Gordon, Rhys Bowen, Reed Farrel Coleman, Toni L. P. Kelner, William Kotzwinkle, Joe Servello

Narrated by: Grover Gardner, Simon Vance, Derek Perkins, Julie McKay, James Langton, Marisa Calin, Ralph Lister, Suzanne Elise Freeman

In a sensational follow-up to Echoes of Sherlock Holmes and In the Company of Sherlock Holmes, a brand-new anthology of stories inspired by the Arthur Conan Doyle canon.

For the Sake of the Game is the latest volume in the award-winning series from New York Times best-selling editors Laurie R. King and Leslie S. Klinger, with stories of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, and friends in a variety of eras and forms. King and Klinger have a simple formula: Ask some of the world's greatest writers-regardless of genre - to be inspired by the stories of Arthur Conan Doyle.

The results are surprising and joyous. Some tales are pastiches, featuring the recognizable figures of Holmes and Watson; others step away in time or place to describe characters and stories influenced by the Holmes world. Some of the authors spin whimsical tales of fancy; others tell hardcore thrillers or puzzling mysteries. One beloved author writes a song; two others craft a melancholy tale of insectoid analysis.

This is not a volume for listeners who crave a steady diet of stories about Holmes and Watson on Baker Street. Rather, it is for the generations of people who were themselves inspired by the classic tales, and who are prepared to let their imaginations roam freely.

Features stories by Peter S. Beagle, Rhys Bowen, Reed Farrel Coleman, Jamie Freveletti, Alan Gordon, Gregg Hurwitz, Toni L. P. Kelner, William Kotzwinkle and Joe Servello, Harley Jane Kozak, D. P. Lyle, Weston Ochse, Zoe Sharp, Duane Swierczynski, and F. Paul Wilson

Full cast of narrators: Grover Gardner, Simon Vance, Derek Perkins, Julie McKay, James Langton, Marisa Calin, Ralph Lister, Suzanne Elise Freeman, James Patrick Cronin, Andrew Eiden, Scott Brick, Emily Sutton-Smith, Keith Szarabajka, and Justine Eyre.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018 Peter S. Beagle, Rhys Bowen, Reed Farrel Coleman, Jamie Freveletti, Alan Gordon, Gregg Hurwitz, Toni L. P. Kelner, William Kotzwinkle and Joe Servello, Harley Jane Kozak, D. P. Lyle, Weston Ochse, Zoe Sharp, Duane Swierczynski, and F. Paul Wilson (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Varied

Both the style of the subjects and the skill of the narrators vary quite a bit. No matter your taste, you are likely to enjoy a couple of stories thoroughly and find a couple a complete waste of your time.

My biggest disappointment: one of the stories in the table of contents (The Case of the Naked Butterfly) is missing. Select that story, and you get only the first few seconds of the next story.

Mostly excellent

I enjoyed them all except the one that was rather vulgar. I skipped it entirely.

Sherlock?

I liked seeing the different way the authors viewed Sherlock and that each story was read by the writer. I found it very enjoyable.

good for small homes fan

enjoyed 85% of stories. varied stories varied narrators. enjoyable take on genre I enjoy.

Short stories for Holmes fans!

For me, perfect bedtime reading! Stories are concise, smart and imaginative. Obviously written by Holmes fans FOR Holmes fans!

An odd mix of choices

My favorite is The Case of the Missing Case which featured both young Holmes and Mycroft. I found myself enjoying all the stories up until Buy the Bullet - this one has nothing to do with Sherlock Holmes and is not even a detective story. The stories after this also feels out of place though I don’t mind them so much. The last one, Hounded, is a rewrite of The Hounds of Baskerville and it’s quite nice. Narrators goes from really good to not bad. All in all, I’m happy to get this free :)

Falls Short

A compilation of short stories with a Sherlock Holmes themed. Either in his original era or the present. Some even a rewrite of the original each trying to leverage the Sherlock fame. A few were actually interested and intriguing others were a struggle to listen and one so just had to skip all together because all the author could write was profanity. I’m glad I didn’t pay for this.

Alias

Listening to this book I find 3 narrators that also narrates other genres. What I don't get is why they use different names....Especially if one of those "alias" pretends that he's so protective of his privacy! Patrick James Cronin is one of the narrators in this book. I recognised his voice instantly. He works under the alias "Joe Arden" with Romance narrations! In social media "Joe" is so stressed about his identity not being discovered....Then why use your real name in other genres??!! Don't you think we can hear it's the same person?!

I was ecstatic to realise who "Joe Arden" really is! He's been like this mistery guy for years. Getting us all hot & bothered in his romance narrations......James Patrick Cronin does not dissapoint :)

Very uneven collection but all good narration

Good for free - included in Audible Prime

The first and last stories were my favorite.

The best stories include Sherlock Holmes while the less than great barely mention him

Enjoyable

I enjoyed these stories. Of course you need to have read the original Conan Doyle first. But these stories give an alternate ending to many of my favorites. I will definitely listen again.