Book Review: Sherlock Unlocked
Sherlock Unlocked is quite a delightful read. With the resurgence of Sherlock Holmes over the past decade, it stands to reason that more than one author would try their hand at presenting an encyclopedia of specifically Holmesian trivia. Author Daniel Smith manages to do so with an unusually engaging style that makes a nonfiction compendium avoid the trap of dullness or the feeling of repetition.
Of particular prominence is Smith’s presentation of excellent context for the Victorian world around Holmes, not just specific details from the Canon itself. These explanations are presented in bite-sized chunks that can expand the reader’s knowledge without straying into abstract dullness.
For the hardcore Holmesian, many of the facts presented will be revisits rather than new discoveries, but even for the most knowledgeable, there’s value in having a resource that organizes and presents the information in a light research-friendly way. For newer or less absorbed Holmesians, the book could serve as a helpful introduction to the context of the Canon.
A few things to note: In several cases, opinion is woven into the fabric of the book. The entertaining writing style brings with it a peppering of the author’s interpretive opinions, rather than simply sticking to the facts. Smith tends to let the reader know when he’s speculating, and this not necessarily a problem, more of something of which to be aware going into the book. More unfortunately, in my view, Smith presents the attic find of the Holmes story in 2015 as a newly-discovered work by Doyle, when the story has credibly been disproved as having actually been written by Doyle.
A book like Sherlock Unlocked can help provoke a reader to deeper thought about Holmes and his world. For the casual fan, digestible pieces of new information can help expand understanding and enjoyment, while the more devoted aficionado may find value in grappling with Smith’s more idiosyncratic interpretations and feel empowered to consider their own conclusions about the Canon’s many obscurities.
Light enough to enjoy, but with more in-depth information than the average encyclopedia, Sherlock Unlocked is not a perfect book, but it is one that many Holmesians are likely to find entertaining and contextually informative.
Amy Thomas is a book reviewer, freelance essayist, and author of The Detective and The Woman mystery novel series featuring Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler, published by MX Publishing. She holds a degree in professional communication and is an avid knitter, geek, and grammar nerd. Amy blogs about Sherlock Holmes at Girlmeetssherlock.wordpress.