The Whole Art of Detection

Lost Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes

By: Lyndsay Faye

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Internationally best-selling author Lyndsay Faye became enamored with tales of Sherlock Holmes and his esteemed biographer, Dr. John Watson, as a child and later began spinning these quintessential characters into her own works of fiction - from her acclaimed debut novel, Dust and Shadow, which pitted the famous detective against Jack the Ripper, to a series of short stories for the Strand Magazine, whose predecessor published the very first Sherlock Holmes short story in 1891.

In "The Lowther Park Mystery", the unsociable Holmes is forced to attend a garden party at the request of his politician brother and improvises a bit of theater to foil a conspiracy against the government. "The Adventure of the Thames Tunnel" brings to Holmes' attention the baffling murder of a jewel thief in the middle of an underground railway passage. With Holmes and Watson encountering all manner of ungrateful relatives, phony psychologists, wronged wives, plaid-garbed villains, and even a peculiar species of deadly red leech, The Whole Art of Detection is a must-listen for Sherlockians and any fan of historical crime fiction with a modern sensibility.

©2017 Lyndsay Faye (P)2017 HighBridge, a Division of Recorded Books

Marvelous!

Don't feel like writing a long review: just will say this. The stories are all excellent, the writing true to Arthur Conan Doyle's style and the language of the day, and Holmes and Watson are excellently characterized. If I didn't know better, I'd swear Conan Doyle penned them himself; I can offer no higher praise as a Holmes fan then that.

Yay! More Sherlock!

I've listened to all the original Sherlock Holmes stories, and most all of the "new" stories by other authors, and I enjoyed this one more than most. Simon Vance, as always, does an excellent job and adds to the story with his perfect narration. I really like the small glimpses into the private life of Holmes and Watson, but most of all, the mysteries are at the forefront and they are great. Thank you so much for these stories!

Wonderful style, but ultimately unsatisfying

I really wanted to like this book, as I have enjoyed everything I have read by Lyndsay Faye. At best, the author has a lovely dry wit and a wonderful year for Victorian prose. At worst, the book is a series of sketches which never really add up to a satisfying product. I did enjoy her characterization of the relationship between Holmes and Watson; her talent for character is evident in her later writings. I gather this is an anthology of previously published stories from various sources, and the lack of continuity shows. I would skip this one and encourage the reader to try her other books, particularly the excellent Jane Steele and the Gods of Gotham series.

Great fun

Excellent performance by Mr. Vance. Language is perfect---Holmes-era language reminds me how much has been lost, compared to our current American English vernacular. True to the spirit of Conan Doyle, while providing richer emotional and psychological shading. Well done 😁.

Holmes and Watson fleshed out!

Like so many, I love Holmes and Watson, listen and re-read the "canon" at regular intervals, test pastiches written by better folk than I, and in general, crave more.

Crave more what? More of the intriguing characters. Not just more copies of the cases, but more insights into the characters first penned by the imagination of Sir Arthur, himself. More insights into junky, OCD Holmes and stout, stalwart war hero Watson.

To my immense satisfaction, Lindsay Faye has done an excellent job fleshing out the people behind these famous fiction characters without, for the most part, diminishing the figures Sir Arthur created.

I have also read Ms. Faye's, "Dust and Shadow". Another fully satisfying Holmes experience.

Final word, I hope Ms. Faye will write more!

She captures the spirit of Sherlock Holmes...

...and Dr. John Watson perfectly. This group of Sherlock Holmes short mysteries by Lindsay Faye could well have been written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself. I'm not a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes but he does set the standard for the intellectually driven classic detective. Simon Vance's narration is superb.

Delicious writing!

Over the years I have devoured all the Sherlock Holmes stories. What a surprise to find Lyndsay Faye and her remarkable style of not only matching but in my opinion, surpassing the style of Doyle.
What fun to read new, deliciously written stories of Holmes and Dr. Watson.
Here, here!
Michael, Tucson, AZ

Preeminent Perfection

What made the experience of listening to The Whole Art of Detection the most enjoyable?

A combination of masterful emulation of the Sherlock Holmes genre, in every detail worthy of Arthur Conan Doyle, with preeminent narrative performance worthy of any stage for presentation of the English language.

What other book might you compare The Whole Art of Detection to and why?

The original works of Arthur Conan Doyle are simulated, if not surpassed, with eloquent attention to detail in story telling as well as to the rendering of the psychological personae of Holmes, Watson and principal characters, scenery, staging, and logical stratagems employed by the penultimate consulting detective.

Which scene was your favorite?

Every story is uniquely evocative of scenes equally intriguing and compelling as those told by Arthur Conan Doyle in the original tales.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Enthralled and enraptured!

Any additional comments?

I am a life long student of the works of Arthur Conan Doyle and the author of the book "Sherlock Holmes: My Life". I believe this book to be the ultimate Sherlock Holmes pastiche and recommend it wholeheartedly to any reader!

Authentic in every aspect.

Brilliant homage to Sherlock Holmes in style, cunning, and deliberate portrayal of his inner workings.

not that bad

was better than I expected. I can say that try really need to cut down on the use of quit the room. I wouldn't say it was anywhere near the standards of Arthur Conan Doyle though.