Wow! Just wow! Purported in the preface to be a hidden manuscript of Dr. Watson’s, this nearly 500-page story moved swiftly, held my interest throughout, and was so close to the actual Holmes canon that I almost believed the preface.

Set soon after his Baskerville success, Holmes is begged by a young woman visitor to investigate some strange occurrences at the Scottish castle where she lives and the large whiskey distillery nearby owned by the family. Surprisingly, at least to Watson, Holmes refuses to take the case. Almost immediately, an unsuccessful assassination attempt is made on Holmes’ life, and the would-be assassin turns out to be a former college classmate.

Before long, Holmes’ brother, Mycroft, asks him to discover and neutralize the suspected danger to a wine research scientist who may be on the verge of discovering a cure to a plant disease that is destroying French vineyards—a possible plot concocted by Scottish distillers. While there, a bomb explodes, nearly killing the detectives and the scientist—and reintroduces Holmes to Jean Vidocq, a French detective and longtime rival. Surprisingly, and rather deftly, the author brings all of these seemingly disparate story lines together at the aforementioned Scottish castle and distillery.

What I particularly enjoyed, other than the smooth, true-to-the-Conan Doyle writing style, was the introduction of Holmes’ school days and his interaction with other young men which made him into the adult he eventually became. Similarly, the author provides more background information about Watson’s military experience and the effect it had upon him.

All in all, a tour de force and highly recommended to readers, whether Holmes fans or not.