Blurb:
The Art of Sherlock Holmes-USA Edition 1 is truly unique. While there have been literally hundreds of Holmes pastiches written before our first volume, The Art of Sherlock Homes-West Palm Beach, there had never been a volume where Holmes short stories were interpreted by such accomplished artists.
In this first USA edition, thirteen world-class artists who live and create in the United States have each had a story assigned to them – specifically dependent on the particular talent of each artist. Whether the interpretations be from the forms of surrealist, contemporary, realist, digital, minimalist, symbolism, or an amalgam of various forms, each piece of art created is unique, hypnotic, mesmerizing and unforgettable. Each created specifically to express the essence of each incredible Holmes story.
The thirteen stories herein range from the impossibly baffling (except for Holmes) to the humorous, paranormal, or simply intellectually intricate. You’re presented with murder, theft, treason, betrayal, love, loss and greed. All the ingredients to make delicious Holmes meals of mystery. But please remember, art is in the eye of the beholder. So we hope you’ll appreciate each creation for what it is: an inimitable interpretation of a truly unique Holmes story.
For those of you who get lost in abstract art, our abstract artists have provided an explanation of what their art means in relation to the story they’ve interpreted.
The Art of Sherlock Holmes books are curated by Phil Growick, himself a renowned Holmes author.
Book Information:
Pages
208
Publisher
MX Publishing (24 October 2019)
ISBN (hardcover – standard edition)
9781787054714
ISBN (hardcover – special edition)
0781787054707
Purchase Links
Amazon US | MX Site | Amazon UK
My Review
Another great collaboration of artists and authors in a common goal to share in a love of Sherlock Holmes. Once more I loved every single art piece used in association with the stories. They breathe color and life into the world of Holmes, and I enjoyed the stories as well. There were a few rather amusing stories, some involving the Circus, but at the heart of every story there was Watson and Holmes. [Or in one case or two, mostly Watson, and who can say that isn’t appropriate given his loyal chronicling of our masterful sleuth?]
It’s a quick read in the best of ways, 13 stories that while done by 13 different authors flow seamlessly together, taking you from one adventure to the next.
At the start of each story there is the art, and it is a wonderful tool to put you in the right mood/mindset for the story about to be unfurled.
I was impressed how many authors, yet again as I reviewed the last ‘Art of Sherlock’ book, were able to capture the true heart of Doyle’s writing. Watson is most faithfully written in each of the stories, as is Holmes, and I was rather glad that the authors achieved this while giving us new adventures of the duo.
There were a couple of stories that had me in the end giving this 3.5 rather than a full 4 cups of coffee, but the majority of the stories were brilliant and without fault, there were just a couple of nuances in two of the stories that I was rather distracted by. On the whole though I would definitely recommend this to any fan of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. But I also did have such a deep affection for other of the stories, especially ‘Circus Belle.’
The art was hands down the best part and I could go through and flip through those pictures all day they’re just so much fun to look at and vary so much in style.
Thank you to Caroline and MX Publishing for a chance to read this in exchange for my honest review as part of the blog tour.
The Art
About Phil Growick
Phil Growick ran one of the world’s leading executive search firms in the advertising industry. Phil’s network in the creative world is unparalleled which is perfect for artist acquisition. Now living in West Palm, Phil is heavily involved in the local art community and as a two-time Sherlock Holmes novelist came up with the concept of combining two of his passions – art and Holmes.
“You’re presented with murder, theft, treason, betrayal, love, loss and greed. All the ingredients to make a delicious Holmes meal of mystery: inimitable interpretations of truly unique Holmes stories.”
Author Links
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
About MX Publishing
MX is the world’s largest Sherlock Holmes publisher. The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories is the world’s largest new Sherlock stories collection with twelve bestselling volumes in the last four years – with three more volumes due in May 2019. Over 100 authors have taken part in the anthology including NY Times best sellers Lee Child, Jonathan Kellerman, Lyndsay Faye and Bonnie MacBird.
The collection raises money for the Stepping Stones School ( a school for children with learning disabilities) at Undershaw, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s former home which carries the Estate’s Conan Doyle Seal. The collection has overwhelming support from leading Sherlockians worldwide. MX are in a perfect position to bring the best in Holmes fiction and the Sherlock fan base to the project.
MX’ other project is the Happy Life Children’s Home in Nairobi, Kenya. Twinned with Stepping Stones, Happy Life has saved the lives of over 600 abandoned babies in the last two decades. The project has expanded to include a school and paediatric hospital.
MX Links
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Art of Sherlock Holmes Instagram
The Rest of the Tour
Author & Artists List
- The Vampire of The Lyceum
Artist Alex Arshanky
Authors Charles Veley and Anna Elliott
Conan Doyle Estate Link – https://shop.conandoyleestate.com/products/16-the-vampire-of-the-lyceum
The Adventure of the Pharoh’s Tablet
Artist Aaron Schwartz
Author Robert Perret
Conan Doyle Estate:
https://shop.conandoyleestate.com/products/17-the-adventure-of-the-pharoh-s-tablet
- The Adventure of The Missing Link
Artist Bruce Helander
Author David Marcum
Conan Doyle Estate – https://shop.conandoyleestate.com/products/18-the-adventure-of-the-missing-link
- The Case of the Cuneiform Suicide Note
Artists Jeffrey and Michael Bisaillion
Author Mark Mower
- The Adventure of The Gypsy Girl
Artist Niz
Author Tony Reynolds
- The Adventure of The Inn On The Marsh
Artist Rafael Glückstern Gardos
Author Denis Smith
- Sherlock Holmes and The Adventure of The Tainted Cannister
Artist Angela Fegan
Author Tom Turley
- The Mystery of The Scarab Earrings
Artist Jhina Alvarado
Author Thomas Fortenberry
- The Adventure of Vittoria, The Circus Belle
Artist Andrea Perez Bessin
Author Tracy Revels
- The Woman Returns
Artist Christina Major
Author Richard Paolinelli
- Vigor The Hammersmith Wonder
Artist Diego Perez
Author Mike Hogan
The Ghost of Dorset House
Artist Krystal Sutton
Author Tim Symonds
Sherlock Holmes and A Brush With Death
Artist Alexander Yulish
Author Dick Gillman
I didn’t read the review because the Write Reads is doing a tour for a Sherlock short story book and I can’t imagine there are many and so maybe this is it? But wanted to come show support. 🙂
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Aww thanks, and I’ll have to keep an eye out for the Write Reads tour to support you and the others!
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The artwork looks absolutely gorgeous in this book 😀 I love books with lovely illustrations and artwork. At first I thought it was artwork for 13 of his original stories but it does sound like these ones are like… retellings or spin offs? In that case, it would be a pretty cool collection and I am glad you enjoyed it.
Olivia-S @ Olivia’s Catastrophe
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