With Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle prefigured some forensic techniques that wouldn’t be used for decades. E. O. Heinrich did it in real life. He pioneered a nonexistent field of criminology through innovation, imagination and dogged methodologies.
January 6 has come to be known as Sherlock Holmes’s birthday. Considering Holmes’s line of work, the “Epiphany” is as fitting a day as any other.
My friends and family will probably say, “What makes you not pick up a book?” It’s true — I am incredibly drawn to them. A whole world exists in such a small footprint. But there are a few things that make a book irresistible to me.
Holmes fanatics rejoice! Finally there is a collection of stories that adequately celebrate, and imitate, the original. I will gladly grab my coat and trusty service revolver, and follow wherever Faye wishes to lead me.
Biographer, editor and man of letters Michael Sims agreed to let me pick his brain about Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes, a fascination we share. Sims was a distinguished speaker at the Baker Street Irregulars annual gathering in 2011. Sims’ newest book, Arthur and Sherlock, comes out January 24. Q: Did you read Sherlock Holmes…