David Ruffle's Sherlock Holmes/Lyme Regis Blog: June 2012

What can you find here? Reviews of new and not quite so new Sherlock Holmes novels and collections. Interviews with authors, link to blogs worth following, links to where you can purchase my books and some reviews of my work garnered from Amazon sites. Plus a few scary pics of me and a link to various Lyme Regis videos on YouTube...see what we do here and how....and indeed why!!! Next to the Lyme Regis Video Bar is a Jeremy Brett as Holmes Video Bar and now a Ross K Video Bar. And stories and poems galore in the archives.

Sunday, 10 June 2012

Murder At The Lodore Falls

Charlotte Smith's 'Murder At The Lodore Falls' took me by surprise a little. Let me explain; I met Charlotte in 2009 during a Sherlock Holmes 'get-together' and a lovely warm-hearted person she was ( and presumably still is!) so the description of the violence meted out to various characters in her novella came out of the blue. The violence is stark, uncompromising and affecting, but offers a counterpoint to the friendship on display, notably of course that of Holmes and Watson. The main story is plausible and exciting and Charlotte has done a great job in recreating the atmosphere of the originals, even allowing for the fact that these accounts are not narrated by Watson. Life in Baker Street is portrayed with great skill and love and as we all know, 'no one writes of Holmes without love'. Charlotte is not alone in her belief in the strong bond that connects Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John H Watson and the scenes of the two men together in these three stories are very touching.
Miss Smith.....can we have more please?

Thursday, 7 June 2012

End Peace

With the publication of Holmes and Watson: End Peace today I felt a few more words of explanation may be necessary. Virtually every mention of the book that I have seen is coupled with the word 'controversy', now I am sure I have never been controverial in my life so perhaps I should bask and delight in it. To my mind, I have taken themes that have been used before and remarked upon by others and given them my own twist......and I stand by the fact there is nothing in End Peace that is at odds with the Holmesian Canon. I see that the only 'daring' thing is to have produced a novella which is all dialogue apart from the opening and closing paragraphs; I had in my mind something cinematic where the camera creeps in ( think of the roving, searching camera in the opening of Citizen Kane) observes the action then pulls back at the story's conclusion. Some may wonder why there is no mention of Lyme Regis or Watson's love, Beatrice. This is a stand-alone story which references the canon freely, to reference my other works would have negated the effect I wanted or wished for. Sherlock Holmes and the Scarborough Affair shows no such reticence and name-checks Lyme and its inhabitants (the Lyme Regis novella number three is underway too!).

I suppose with 'End Peace' I wanted to try something different, a serious piece which stands or falls on its own merits without being bolstered or otherwise by short pieces, poems and humour (although there is humour in it, at least I should say that I attempted to inject some humour into the proceedings). Whether I succeded or not I leave for others to judge.

Holmes and Watson: End Peace is available in more places and formats than you can shake a stick at. Enjoy.

Friday, 1 June 2012

Lyme Lit

Why Sherlock Holmes? Why Lyme Regis?

Why not? It's a perfect location for a Holmes adventure. Simple, short answers To expand: Lyme’s literary connections are fairly well known and include Sir Francis Palgrave; GKChesterton who holidayed in the town and stayed at the Three Cups,Beatrix Potter, and JRR Tolkien who visited Lyme when a youth and later returned many times with his wife and children. PG Wodehouse set some of the plot of ,‘Love Among the Chickens’ in a thinly disguised Lyme and Geoffrey Household set a major part of his most well known novel,‘Rogue Male’ in and around Lyme Regis. John Fowles’s highly acclaimed novel, ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’ was set, written and later filmed in Lyme. John Fowles was a resident of the town and
became the curator of the museum. The literary tradition of Lyme has not died away; more recently, Colin Dexter set the opening of one of his Inspector Morse novels in Lyme, having Morse as a guest in the Bay
Hotel on Marine Parade. Tracy Chevalier, the bestselling novelist, set a recent novel in the town, ‘Remarkable Creatures,’ dealing with aspects of Mary Anning’s life. This tradition shows no sign of abating. New writers pop up each year, new novels are set here each year. In ther town at the present time are the renowned writers and illustrators, Graham Oakley ( the 'Church Mice' series) and Rikey Austin. Lyme's literary heritage and splendid history is celebrated far and wide, not least by the town itself. Lyme Regis is a small town in size and in population (which has scarcely tripled in five hundred years). It has nowhere to go, but equally, nothing to prove. It is static, yet ever-changing and evolving. It lives in the present, yet rejoices in and celebrates its past.

Some Reviews

For 'Lyme Regis Trials'.
I shall miss reading of the adventures and mysteries that both Holmes and Watson encounter in Lyme Regis. It has been a joy to read them. The Lyme Regis Trilogy has its spot on my bookshelf and justly deserves the praise it has received. Lyme Regis also now has a special place amongst the many stories written of Sherlock Holmes. It would not surprise me if it were mentioned in another Sherlock Holmes story. However I hope that it will not be the last of the Sherlock Holmes stories we are gifted with from David Ruffle. I hope there will be tales to come! Until then the Game will always remain afoot.
David Ruffle completes his `Lyme Regis trilogy' with "Sherlock Holmes and the Lyme Regis Trials". The title refers in part to the difficulties overcome by the pioneer palaeontologist Mary Anning, a poorly educated woman in a world dominated by men, but principally to top-secret naval trials, which lead to espionage and murder. This pleasant volume is completed by a distinctly off-beat account of the case of the Grosvenor Square furniture van.
This is reportedly the last in this series of Sherlock Holmes tales set in Lyme Regis. The plot, such as it is, is in many ways secondary to the author's love for his characters, most of whom we have encountered before. Watson is now married to Mrs Heidler and Holmes is newly retired, but they congregate in Lyme once more, for different reasons. Submarines, shaggy dogs, a ghost, an unprovoked attack, naval secrets all play their part in this entertaining tale and the dialogue, particularly between Holmes and Watson, is authentic sounding with no wrong notes. The novella is followed by a short piece based on five words written by Watson: 'the Grosvenor Square furniture van'. From this the author has created a minor classic, a story of haunting and possession. It's a pity if it really is the end of this series, I will miss those Lyme locals and Lyme Regis itself.
For 'Sherlock Holmes and the Missing Snowman'.
Move over adult Sherlock Holmes fans, the younger set now get their own version of our favourite intrepid detective, Sherlock Holmes. Written in a gentle yet classical Holmes style, Holmes does what he does best, solve a mystery for a young girl whose snowman has mysteriously vanished. Would definitely recommend this book for children of Sherlock Holmes fans as it's bound to be a classic. The manner in which Holmes solves the mystery should spark the imagination of a younger reader and lead to thoughtful discussion. Just how did Holmes solve the mystery? Discover it yourself in the pages of this well written book. Lovely illustrations much in keeping with the gentle style of the story round out the book nicely.
This richly-illustrated children's book is a delightful story of a little girl who had lost her snowman. Naturally, she and her mother visit the famous detective Mr Sherlock Holmes at his lodgings at 221b Baker Street.
This is a wonderful book that a parent and child can read together and is just long enough for a bedtime story.It is well written and beautifully illustrated and would be a perfect entry level to further adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
For 'End Peace':
The interchange is set in a delicate and moving framework which contains a mystery in itself. Indeed, the setting is so moving that I was almost in tears at the end of the book. For anyone who has read the canon, and wishes to know more about the characters, this is a good starting point. Maybe none of Ruffle's ideas is stunningly original (a point he admits in his introduction), but each is beautifully introduced, explained and presented.
Yes, in Holmes and Watson End Peace, the book is only dialogue. Do I believe Mr. Ruffle was able to pull of a book in just that fashion? Most certainly. I feel he did a fantastic job in just the right amount of conversation between Holmes, Watson, and the nurses. I feel that the pacing of when he would switch between the scenes was also just the right amount of time.
This book is well worth its weight in gold. It is fun, mysterious, emotionally captivating, full of twists and did I mention it's 100% dialogue! No filler, no fluff, just the words of our beloved Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John Watson. Well done Mr. Ruffle, well done...
Overall I give this book 5/5 stars. It is original without breaking from the original feel of the characters. David Ruffle did an amazing job of showing these two characters that I have come to love so much. I definitely will be reading more of his books. Like I said before if you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes I would highly recommend this book to you, you will not be sorry you read it. Great job David, I look forward to reading more of your works in the future!! :)
Firstly, it's a short novel,a novella really and as has been intimated in previous reviews consists entirely of dialogue; between Holmes and Watson and further exhanges between the nursing staff who come alive in spite of the brevity of their appearances. The dialogue has to stand on its own and it does......it's authentic sounding and not forced in any way. Our two old friends discuss the past and the future with one or two relevations saved up for the end. Nothing is out of place or out of character and full marks to the author for coming away from the Lyme Regis pastiche series and doing something different and something which few have attempted, presenting a Holmesian novella stripped down to dialogue only.
David Ruffle follows his entertaining volumes "Sherlock Holmes & the Lyme Regis Horror" and "Sherlock Holmes & the Lyme Regis Legacy" with this sweet, sad novella called "Holmes & Watson: End Peace" - the punning title doesn't really do it justice. Nearly fifteen years after his "last quiet talk" with Sherlock Holmes, Dr Watson lies motionless in a hospital bed, conversing with a visitor only he can sense. The narrative consists entirely of dialogue - a bold and remarkably successful choice.
For 'Legacy':
Once again Holmes and Watson head to the lovely Lyme Regis, which John shows a particular affection for. Here they become intrigued by recent murders which show a remarkable resemblance to their previous cases. One of my favourite Holmes mysteries "The Hound of the Baskervilles" takes the limelight with a fantastic new spin. Inspector Lestrade joins them and the case, which also features Mycoft, is a story of danger, suspense and romance, with no small amount of humour. The novella was my favourite but oddly I also enjoyed the vision of Lyme Regis so wonderfully painted and laced with historical facts and figures. It's a great read.
Sherlock Holmes and the Lyme Regis Legacy is well conceived by a man who clearly loves both Sherlock Holmes and the town of Lyme Regis. In its pages, we encounter once again the voice of the Watson we know and love.
David Ruffle has done a superb job of setting the atmosphere for this most exciting Sherlock Holmes adventure. The atmosphere shifts from sunny Lyme Regis and it's history to a stormy cliffhanging conclusion. The Legacy holds close to the Doyle Canon but the atmospheric passages are Ruffle's own. Gosh, I liked this one! In addition, there are a number of shorter pieces ranging from the nonsensical to the quietly somber, very nice indeed.
The title story is quite interesting and draws its villain from deep in Holmes' past. Mycroft and Inspector Lestrade put in appearances and Dr. Watson pursues his second (or is she his third?) wife. Other old acquaintances make appearances, if only fleeting ones and Lyme Regis provides a colorful and interesting background. This is an interesting collection of stories, constructed around a colorful and interesting place. It is well worth the time it takes to read and it evokes pictures of times long past and people worth knowing. The collection ends with "A Brief History of Lyme Regis" and a pair of laudatory poems.
For 'Horror'
Suspense and creepy moments, cool deductions and the supernatural, friendship and love, humour and deep thoughts -
A lovely little pastiche with heart and humour. It also benefits from an excellent Watsonian voice. A familiar subject for pastiches but none the less enjoyable for that. An excellent novella.
This is a wonderful story, written with care and love for Holmes and Watson. It's only a short novella and I polished it off in two evenings but if left me wanted more. Hopefully there will be more stories to come. Holmes and Watson live on...
This is a gem of a book. It keeps faithfully to the spirit of Doyle's stories and to the style of Watson. It also highlights the eccentricity of behavior that so characterizes Holmes, replete with his odd sleuthing habits, his mystery he likes to keep about how his deductions are evolving, his odd social mannerisms; and highlights Watson's complementary personality found in his down-to-earth demeanor, social politeness, and overt humanity. The way Watson and Holmes interact also stays true to the vein of Doyle, and shows them as true loyal friends respectful of each other's qualities brought to a case. The romance stirred is very realistic adds a great extra dimension. This book is highly recommended, it's an addictive story with a charming locale, supernatural tinges, and gives us just one more taste of that Sherlockian flavor so missed once the canon is exhausted. Loved it!