With over 25,000 books and stories published, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes, is one of the most prolific characters of all time. I myself am a published playwright with one of my plays starring Mr. Holmes.

ECHOES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES is subtitled “Stories Inspired by the Holmes Canon.”  Editors Laurie R. King and Leslie S. Klinger are responsible for putting this collection together, and their Holmes pedigree is impressive. Each is a member of the Baker Street Irregulars, as well as an Edgar Award winner. King has penned the impressive Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series, and she and Klinger published a predecessor to this current collection, IN THE COMPANY OF SHERLOCK HOLMES.

"ECHOES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES is a winner for fans of classic mysteries and a complete joy for Holmes fanatics like myself."

Since the subtitle indicates that these stories are “inspired” by Holmes, the reader should be prepared for anything. I can safely say that many of them took risks and put together both straightforward Holmes fiction and some more imaginative tales that merely bear resemblance to Doyle's fictional hero. This is actually the third collection dedicated to Holmes but the first in which the editors allowed the writers to be as creative as possible while they simply stood back in awe. These stories prove that sometimes echoes take on a life of their own.

There are many worthy tales here, and the lineup of contributors is quite impressive. I am going to highlight a handful of them in this review, but readers are encouraged to jump right in as every story is interesting in its own way. One of the most inventive short tales is the opener by the great British author John Connolly, "Holmes On the Range." It introduces us to the Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository and imagines a place where fictional characters can come to life. Holmes and Watson step directly out of Doyle's tales and into the Library, where librarian Mr. Headley is forced to deal with them.

Fans of vintage Holmes will appreciate the many homages and touches to our deerstalker hat-wearing sleuth, like in Dana Cameron's "Where There Is Honey" when Holmes cries out to Watson, "[T]he game is afoot!" In David Morrell's "The Spiritualist," Arthur Conan Doyle is a main character who is suffering from horrible nightmares. He also has been haunted by debunkers who are attacking him for his claims of having seen actual faeries --- a true story. Imagine Doyle's surprise when he is joined by his own fictional character, Sherlock Holmes himself, who aids in defending him.

Not all of the stories are typewritten. Tony Lee and Bevis Musson put together a comic book strip story entitled "Mrs. Hudson Investigates" that allows Holmes' faithful housekeeper to step into the sleuthing spotlight. The great Anne Perry also tells a tale about Doyle but with a twist. In "Raffa," the title character is a stuffed giraffe…or could it represent something more?

I could go on and on talking about the A-list authors who used their talents in the mission of composing some terrific Sherlock Holmes-inspired work. ECHOES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES is a winner for fans of classic mysteries and a complete joy for Holmes fanatics like myself.