ON THE TRAIL OF SHERLOCK HOLMES

Dr John H. Watson writes in September 1917: 'Holmes and I sat in companiable silence for some time after we finished our excellent meal at Simpson's in the Strand. The Beef Wellington, named in honour of our greatest ever military man, was sublime.' On 22nd May 1859, Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh, to Charles, a chronically addicted alcoholic, and Mary who was fond of books and a wonderful storyteller. He was later to tell a firm friend Bram Stoker that he produced and illustrated his first book of adventures at the age of six. March 1886 was significant as this is when he began writing 'A Study In Scarlet' which introduced the world to Sherlock Holmes and John Watson courtesy of Beeton's Christmas Annual. We may have been introduced to the magic of the greatest of English detectives by reading the books or seeing the hundreds of films and TV shows. Now this unique book offers a detailed itinerary or actually 'walking' Sherlock Holmes beginning of course at Baker Street. The series of walks takes in the well-known as well as the more obscure locations of London, plus a gallery of unforgettable characters, and each walk details location and the story in which it features. Associated literary and historical information, social interest and events in Conan Doyle's life are added. A chapter then explores Holmes' adventures in the rest of the UK and 45 black and white original photographs accompany the text. We walk along Northumberland Avenue, up the Strand, Fleet Street and on to St Paul's, Oxford and Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus and into the Haymarket, Holborn and Covent Garden, Westminster and Victoria, Trafalgar Square, Pall Mall and Mayfair and the City and the East End. There is a timeline of stories and notable actors who have played Holmes over the years. 141pp, many maps.