"I have all the facts in my journal, and the public shall know them." [STUD]
It is unknown
if the first to attempt to decrypt this recently rediscovered secret diary
was by Mycroft's younger brother, Sherlock Holmes. One wonders if Sherlock
may have succeeded, but finding so much of it was devoted to his impecunious existence, discontinued his efforts.
If you have ever
wondered what a day in Mycroft Holmes' life was like, this well written and
pleasant read is for you. At work, Mycroft suffers from the attentions of an
overly interested cleaning lady and interacts with his eccentric coworkers. In
those times, as in these, he worries about the new administration and
the security of his employment. He even faces a cut in his pay.
Mycroft is a benefactor
to his financially insolvent younger brother, and worries about Sherlock's future in
his chosen profession. As to his unique profession, Sherlock refers to his
calling as a "trade" in an attempt to irritate his older brother. They interacted often
before Sherlock established himself, with Sherlock irritating members of
Mycroft's Diogenes Club in various ways. Their short stints of rooming together
do not go well. Their shared deductive powers are in the background as they
discuss Sherlock's prospects, their different approaches to money, and become
embroiled in the antics of their extended family. Given the colorful Holmes family
members, it is understandable that Sherlock would not desire to see them included in Dr.
Watson's tales.
The diary
progresses irregularly through events from 1880 to 1888, skipping weeks, then
months, then years. Thankful Mycroft chose to record the events that occurred during
the period of Sherlock Holmes' life prior to meeting Dr. John H. Watson. We
find out about where Sherlock was living, his financial situation and the
events leading to his finding digs in Baker Street. Mycroft offers some
details of Sherlock's cases, but never enough to offer solutions to their disputed dates. Later, Mycroft puts pen to journal to record the
first publication of A Study in Scarlet, and documents his
meeting Dr. Watson, both informally and formally.
S.F. Bennett
shares The Secret Diary of Mycroft Holmes with us so that we can learn about both Mycroft and Sherlock.
Mycroft's insights about his life and his younger brother are enlightening and
entertaining. Mycroft's observations and his proof that Sherlock has found
a friend in Dr. Watson will be enjoyable to all devoted fans.
--
--
0 comments:
Post a Comment