The Sherlock Holmes Report Volume 1: The Siam Question
By Timothy Francis Sheil
First published by Camden House 1999
603 pages
ISBN: 0953816001
Reviewed by Charles Prepolec
To begin, I must comment on the physical nature of the book
itself. This is a rare and fine example of quality book design. Clearly a good
deal of thought and attention was given to the overall form of this
publication. A rather muted dark blue dustjacket covers a full leatherette
binding with a gilt stamped floral design on the front panel. A very nice touch
when compared to the usual publishers’ output; which generally exhibits the
aesthetic creativity of a, less than well planned, cardboard box! More
importantly the book is bound in such a manner that it can be laid flat without
causing the binding to crack, a necessary feature as the book is over 600 pages
in length and weighs in at about 4 1/2 pounds. I only mention all of this as it
is so rare these days to see such thoughtfulness applied by the publishing
trade. I am genuinely impressed with this Camden House publication, which
incidentally was formed by the author.
The story itself is yet another pastiche that explores the
doings of Sherlock Holmes during that intriguing period known as the Great
Hiatus. Clearly the remarks made by Holmes to Watson, explaining his activities
after his supposed death, offer a great temptation to the writer who wishes to
legitimately place Holmes on foreign soil.
"I travelled for two years in Tibet, therefore, and
amused myself by visiting Lhasa and spending some days with the head Lama. You
may have read of the remarkable explorations of a Norwegian named Sigerson, but
I am sure that it never occurred to you that you were receiving news of your
friend. I then passed through Persia, looked in at Mecca, and paid a short but
interesting visit to the Khalifa at Khartoum, the results of which I have
communicated to the Foreign Office."
- The Empty House
That description is essentially the basis for the current
volume and the forthcoming second volume as well, which is to be published as
The Holmes Report Vol. 2 - The Egypt Question. A second quotation is also a
contributor to the contents of the present volume. It is made by Mycroft
Holmes:
"In the present state of Siam it is most awkward that I
should be away from the office."
- The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans
It is this statement which gives the author (a resident of
Thailand) an excuse to bring Siam into the narrative. A thin reason, but one
that helps to authenticate the major plot points. Happily, it all hangs
together rather well.
The story opens on April 6, 1894, the morning after Colonel
Moran's botched attempt on Holmes' life. A letter is received from Moriarty's
brother and Holmes is called in on a rather too grisly and graphically
presented murder case. In the midst of all this, Mycroft calls Holmes and
Watson in to a meeting. During the course of the meeting, it is revealed that
Sherlock had spent his time during the hiatus, in the service of Her Majesty's
Government, under specific directions from Mycroft. Fortunately for the reader,
Holmes had a companion during his travels who kept extremely detailed journals
of their doings. The companion was the French detective Francois Le Villard,
who is casually mentioned in 'The Sign of Four' as having translated some of
Holmes' monographs into the French language. Mycroft's commission for Watson is
to draft the journals into a cohesive and confidential report for the
Government. Thus the stage is set for the dual narratives that make up the
book. As Holmes investigates the current murder case, Watson reviews Le
Villard's journals. Needless to say, both stories are strongly connected. The
use of Le Villard as companion is a good device. He is presented as talented
young Frenchman with an interest in rock climbing, which is the reasoning for
his being chosen to assist Holmes on his penetration into mountainous Tibet. By
using him as the filter through which we, the readers, view Holmes, the author
has cleverly managed the feat of describing Holmes in uncharacteristic
situations without having to contort Watson's inimitable style. The minor
behavioral differences noticeable in Holmes can be attributed to Le Villard's
observational ability rather than being regarded as deviations from Watson's
own writings, and so manages to maintain a very high degree of credibility.
Incidentally, this is a lesson that more writers of pastiches should learn.
The first third of the book (Part One) deals with our heroes’
journey to and adventures within Tibet, which makes up the first of four
journals written by Le Villard. Much is made of the political 'Great Game',
which is all handled rather convincingly and deals with Russian and Chinese
influence in the region. The tone of the entire book is grounded in this sort
of 'real world' sensibility. It does take away from the usual 'always 1895'
fantasy world that we are all accustomed to, but does make for a more, for lack
of better terms, gritty and realistic read. Unfortunately, the purpose for
visiting Lhasa is thin at best, and doesn't seem worth the trouble. As our
heroes leave Tibet, moving towards Turkistan, they manage to sabotage a Russian
weapons factory and become involved with a great little
save-the-princess-bride-from-slavers scenario. A few minor adventures ensue,
but the first journal ends in the Spring of 1892, just as Holmes and Le Villard
are about to head off to Mecca. The journals continue with the fourth volume, which
takes place in Siam in 1893, leaving a one-year gap, and two missing journals.
The gap is to be filled in the second book of The Holmes Report - The Egypt
Question.
Meanwhile, back in 1894 London, we have Holmes and Watson
pursuing the now escaped Colonel Moran and investigating what appears to be a
resurgence of the Moriarty gang.
The remaining two thirds of the book (Part Two) takes up Le
Villard's fourth journal and the narrative of happenings in Siam. The author
clearly has a strong interest in Siamese history and culture, as he spends much
more time in this setting than in Tibet. A very rich and detailed picture of
the Siamese backdrop is presented to the reader. Much of the political nature
of this section deals with Siam's attempts at maintaining independence in the
face of French and British colonial expansion. The subplots abound here and
became quite complex as Holmes is faced with protecting the Leading Adviser
from assassination threats, the unexpected reappearance of Irene Adler and
Godfrey Norton and Le Villard's romantic entanglements. During all this, Holmes
has time to learn something of the art of Thai boxing (kickboxing) and manages
to get a tattoo as well. Airguns, bombs and a hunt for the Great Mogul diamond
also figure in the narrative. Sounds faintly ridiculous, but the author weaves
it all together in a fairly interesting manner. All this is also tied into the
doings of Moran and a world conspiracy involving the Moriarty gang. At the
centre of all the intrigue is the rather pathetic figure of Godfrey Norton. We
are clearly in deep waters here...
From Siam, Holmes returns to London on the heels of Godfrey
Norton, which brings us full circle to the beginning of the book. At this point all the loose subplots are
drawn together in a somewhat more traditional fashion. Watson is once again the
primary voice and all is revealed…but not by me!
After investing in 603 pages of story, I can say that the
book is a worthwhile read. A very different sort of pastiche that has me
looking forward to the publication of the second book. My only real complaints
are about the previously mentioned lack of good reasoning behind the Tibet
sequences and the somewhat overwritten style of the author. Frankly, a stronger
hand in the editing stage would have been welcome to this reader. Still, a
fantastic book for a first time author, and a wonderful addition to the
pastiche shelf.
Note: Sadly, as of 2016 a second volume has never been published.
Highly Recommended!
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