Book Review: "The Mysterious World of Sherlock Holmes" by Bruce Wexler

The Mysterious World of Sherlock Holmes: The Illustrated Guide to the Famous Cases, Infamous Adversaries, and Ingenious Methods of the Great Detective by Bruce Wexler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Amazon Book Description

Over a century since his first appearance in print, Sherlock Holmes remains an iconic figure today. This unique companion is a collector's dream, allowing fans to delve into the criminal environment of foggy, gas-lit Victorian London--the world of the all-time greatest detective. The book brings to life the elements of Holmes's success, the crime scene of his day, his history in film and television, and the present-day Holmes legacy. Featured throughout are famous figures such as Holmes's faithful sidekick, Dr. Watson; his nemesis, Professor Moriarity; and Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 

Filled with more than 150 images--many of the works by the great original illustrators of Conan Doyle's stories--this volume presents an excellent mix of information to satisfy legions of Holmes collectors, mystery fans, and historians fascinated by a bygone era.


Despite the atrocious job that the editors did in catching typographical errors, the marvelous illustrations made for a great book that looked into the life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his literary and medical career. One of the great aspects of this book was that so much of the characters of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John H. Watson were explored against the actual geographic and historic landscape of that time period. That this character of fiction has been depicted by more actors than any other and that "The Hound of the Baskervilles" has been adapted to stage and screen more than any other work of fiction in history is a testament to the worldwide love and obsession with this fictional character. The last paragraph of the book makes such a powerful statement:
"It is worth remembering that even apocryphal Holmesian "entertainments" owe their existence to Conan Doyle's characters, and the fascination that they continue to exert. It is extraordinary that the literary ensemble he created back in the 1880s remains so instantly recognizable. Incredible too, that Conan Doyle's undisputed contribution to so many cultural forms is enjoyed by millions who will never open one of his published works." - Page 191