The Best In Show 2015. At the end of each year I will review the Holmes/Watson books read and pick one I will designate as best in show. This is out of at least 20 books. This year there were several authors competing for the top spot. Mr Copeland emerged as the winner because of something he does probably better than all but a very few competing writers. Let me explain.
Many writers will attempt to place their Holmes/Watson story within the realm of existing history. Thus writers have them interacting with Oscar Wilde, Winston Churchill, Bram Stoker, Dr Jekyll, Martians (no kidding), Dracula, Frankenstein and many others. What happens too frequently is a writer will forget that the story, not the background, is the important thing. Periodically a writer will get carried away to the extent that the hapless reader wonders where the story went.
Mr. Copeland’s treatment of settings and environments is, at least to my mind, as good as it gets. You may also count on a taut, focused plot that will keep you turning the pages as quickly as you can. Older readers like myself get a kick at some of the sly allusions and references he will thrown into a story. One case mentioned, the Giant Rat of Sumatra, where Holmes and Watson dealt with Rodents of Unusual Size. Oh, my–although nicely done.
So Mr Copeland rules the roost for 2015. I have another of his stories standing by but held it off for the new year to avoid his competing with himself so to speak. So, Mr Copeland, you rule the roost. Here’s hoping you are quickly closing in on the circumstances where you will derive your income solely from your writings.
Drstatz – January 6, 2016