REGARDING SHERLOCK
Regarding Sherlock is an annotated bibliography that explores the literary legacy of the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes. The project includes the original stories by Arthur Conan Doyle as well as later works inspired by Holmes and the tradition of detective fiction he helped shape. It also incorporates juvenile and young adult literature influenced by the character’s themes of mystery, deduction, and investigation.
BOOKS
A study in Charlotte: a Charlotte Holmes novel
Femme fatale: an Irene Adler novel
Summary: Holmes and Watson live forever… well, through their great-grandchildren. At a Connecticut boarding school, Jamie Watson and Charlotte Holmes, descendants of the legendary crime-solving duo, are thrown together in an unexpected partnership. Jamie has always been fascinated by Charlotte, but she’s as brilliant and unpredictable as her famous ancestor, and she makes it clear she’s not interested in friendship. When a fellow student with ties to both dies under suspicious circumstances, echoing one of the most chilling Sherlock Holmes cases, Jamie and Charlotte are forced to work together.
Summary: This story follows Irene Adler, an American woman and former opera singer who becomes a clever detective. Known as the only woman ever to outwit Sherlock Holmes, Irene has spent years solving mysteries across Europe while carefully hiding the secrets of her past, even from her husband, Godfrey Norton, and her close friend Nell Huxleigh. When the journalist Nellie Bly sends word that Irene’s mother is in danger, Irene returns to America. As mysterious murders unfold in New York, she races to uncover the truth about her family all while hoping Sherlock Holmes doesn’t discover the secrets she has tried so hard to protect. This book is great for the Sherlock fan (or emerging fan) that wishes that Irene appeared in more than just Conan Doyle’s short story “A Scandal in Bohemia”.
Author: Brittany Cavallaro
Citation: Cavallaro, B. (2016). A study in Charlotte: a Charlotte Holmes novel. Katherine Tegen Books.
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Author: Carole Nelson Douglas
Citation: Douglas, C. N. (2003). Femme fatale: an Irene Adler novel. Forge.
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Sherlock Holmes: The Novels
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Summary: The four Sherlock Holmes novels follow the detective Sherlock Holmes and his companion Dr. John Watson as they solve complex mysteries using logic and deduction. In A Study in Scarlet, Watson first meets Holmes and witnesses his investigative methods while they solve a revenge-driven murder. In The Sign of the Four, Holmes investigates a missing father and a hidden treasure linked to India. The Hound of the Baskervilles centers on a supposed supernatural curse haunting the Baskerville family. Finally, in The Valley of Fear, Holmes solves a mysterious murder connected to a dangerous secret society and a man’s hidden past. Together, the novels helped establish Holmes as a model for modern fictional detectives.
Summary: In The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson investigate a terrifying legend surrounding the Baskerville family. When rumors spread of a monstrous hound haunting the misty moors near the Baskerville estate, Watson travels to protect the new heir while Holmes works behind the scenes to uncover the truth. This graphic novel version helps readers visualize the mystery and see how many fans imagine the famous detective and his world.
Author: Ian Edginton
Citation: Edington, I. (2009). The Hound of the Baskervilles. Sterling Pub.
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Author: Arthur Conan Doyle
Citation: Doyle, A. C. (2015). Sherlock Holmes: the novels. Penguin Books.
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Moriarty: A Novel
Knave of Diamonds: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes
Summary: Sherlock Holmes is dead! After the apparent deaths of Sherlock Holmes and his greatest enemy, Professor James Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls, a new danger begins to rise in London. An American detective named Frederick Chase and Scotland Yard inspector Athelney Jones investigate the criminal empire Moriarty left behind. As they search for answers, they discover that an even more dangerous villain may be taking control of London’s underworld. The story follows their investigation as they race to uncover the truth and stop a powerful new threat. Perfect for readers who want to explore the cat-and-mouse thriller that Moriarty delivers.
Summary: Knave of Diamonds follows the married sleuths Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. When Mary’s mysterious Uncle Jake unexpectedly returns and questions arise about one of her early books, what seems like a literary curiosity quickly turns into a dangerous puzzle. Together, Russell and Holmes must untangle secrets from Mary’s past before they lead to serious trouble. This book expands the story of Holmes including a romantic relationship of two intellects.
Author: Anthony Horowitz
Citation: Horowitz, A. (2015). Moriarty. Harper Perennial.
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Author: Laurie R. King
Citation: King, L. R. (2025). Knave of diamonds: a novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. Bantam.
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The Downward Spiral
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Summary: In this story of a “boy meets future arch-nemesis”, Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty work together to solve the mystery of James’s father’s death as we meet the young men at Bakersville Academy. The story is told from the point of view of James Moriarty’s younger sister, Moira Moriarty, and reimagines the future hero (young Holmes) and villain (young Moriarty), adding new layers to James and his siblings. Crafted for middle school readers, the story also sparks the curiosity of fans of all ages.
Summary: Sherlock Holmes and his trusted partner, Dr. Watson, embark on five exciting mysteries: A Scandal in Bohemia, The Red-Headed League, The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, The Greek Interpreter, and The Adventure of the Six Napoleons. Complete with illustrations, this book offers a wonderful introduction to the famous detective. The adaptation preserves the heart of the original stories while using language that is accessible and engaging for younger readers.
Author: Ridley Pearson
Citation: Pearson, R. (2017). The downward spiral. Harper.
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Author: Chris Sasaki
Citation: Sasaki, C., & Doyle, A. C. (2022). The adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Union Square Kids.
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A Study in Scarlet Women
Summary: With her inquisitive mind, Charlotte Holmes has never felt comfortable with the demureness expected of women in upper-class society. Still, she never imagined she would become a social outcast, forced to make her own way through the streets of London. When three mysterious deaths cast suspicion on her father and sister, Charlotte is determined to uncover the truth and clear her family’s name. Under the assumed name Sherlock Holmes, Charlotte must outwit a hidden mastermind and challenge society’s expectations. This story is a fantastic addition to the genre of Sherlock-inspired mysteries, a reimagining with an observant woman protagonist.
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Author: Sherry Thomas
Citation: Thomas, S. (2016). A study in scarlet women. Berkley Books.
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MULTIMEDIA
Watson
Elementary
Summary: A year after the death of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson returns to his medical career, reopening a clinic dedicated to treating rare diseases after a long absence from both his wife and his profession. As he rebuilds his life, Watson assembles a team of specialists, each chosen for unique abilities that gradually reveal themselves. While he works to solve complex medical mysteries and save patients, it becomes clear that his past is not finished with him yet. The series is perfect for fans who prefer Watson’s perspective over Holmes’s.
Summary: Dr. Joan Watson is hired as a sober companion to the brilliant but troubled detective Sherlock Holmes after his move to New York. What begins as supervision slowly grows into a deep partnership as the two work with the New York City Police Department to solve complex cases. Along the way, their friendship becomes the heart of the series. Fans get to see a rawer and more vulnerable Holmes, one who is battling addiction and learning to grow beyond it. This series offers a different, more human portrayal than the one seen in Sherlock (the BBC adaptation).
Citation: Chestnut, M., Sweeny, C., Teng, L. (Executive Producer). (2025–2026). Watson [TV series]. Action This Day; CBS Studios; Kapital Entertainment.
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Citation: Doherty, R., Timberman, S., Tracey, J. (Executive Producer). (2012–2019). Elementary [TV series]. CBS Studios; Hill of Beans Productions; Timberman/Beverly Productions.
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Sherlock Holmes
Summary: This action-mystery film follows the famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal partner Dr. John Watson as they investigate a series of seemingly supernatural crimes in London. After the execution of the occult-obsessed nobleman Lord Henry Blackwood, he appears to return from the grave and continue his deadly plans. Holmes and Watson race to uncover the truth behind the apparent resurrection, using logic and deduction to reveal the real conspiracy. Their investigation leads them into a dangerous plot involving secret societies and political power, where Holmes must prove that the terrifying events have rational explanations before Blackwood’s scheme plunges the country into chaos. The film presents a flashier version of Sherlock Holmes that captures the attention of fans and critics alike.
Citation: Ritchie, G. (Director). (2009). Sherlock Holmes [Film]. Warner Brothers.
I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere
Summary: I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere is a website and long-running podcast dedicated to the world of Sherlock Holmes and the community of fans who study and celebrate the famous detective. The site shares podcast episodes, interviews, and discussions about Holmes stories, adaptations, scholarships, and Sherlockian societies around the world. It serves as a gathering place for both new readers and longtime fans who enjoy exploring the mysteries, history, and culture surrounding Holmes. Through conversations with authors, scholars, and enthusiasts, the podcast highlights how the stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle continue to inspire readers and create a lively global community of “Sherlockians.”
Sherlock Holmes Short Stories The Adventure of the Speckled Band: Part 1
Summary: In The Adventure of the Speckled Band by Arthur Conan Doyle, a young woman asks Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson to investigate the mysterious death of her sister, who died after whispering the strange words “the speckled band.” As Holmes uncovers the truth inside the family’s eerie countryside home, the case reveals one of the detective’s most chilling and clever solutions. A podcast listen of this story is a wonderful way to experience it, especially since it’s often argued to be one of the very best Holmes stories, even by its author himself, Arthur Conan Doyle.
Citation: Hugh, B. (Host). (n.d.). The Adventure of the Speckled Band: Part 1 [Audio podcast episode]. In Sherlock Holmes short stories. Noiser. https://www.noiser.com/sherlock-holmes-short-stories .
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Sherlock
Summary:Set in modern-day London, the series follows brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal partner Dr. John Watson as they solve complex crimes using sharp observation and deduction. Inspired by the classic works of Arthur Conan Doyle, the show adapts many of the original Sherlock Holmes stories while placing them in a modern setting. The characters aim to stay true to how they are depicted in the novels, making the series an engaging and accessible choice for anyone wanting to take a deeper dive into the world of Sherlock Holmes.
Citation: Vertue, S. (Executive Producer). (2010–2017). Sherlock [TV series]. BBC Wales.
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