“Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets” is an anthology of Sherlock Holmes short stories compiled by David Thomas Moore. It was published in 2014 (October) and it consists of 14 short stories with very different versions of Holmes and Watson.

I must first say that I am not a fan of short stories. I find that they are simply too short!

In this case I did find the collection interesting. Most of the stores I was sad to see end so quickly. I have read all of the original Holmes stores written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and I found these to be complimentary of those original works. I give this a 4 out of 5.

My book reviews are also posted on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com).

This is an anthology that Moore put together with the common theme of stories about Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. What sets these stories aside from other books with Holmes/Watson stories, is that he let the writer pick the era or alternate history timeline that they wished.

So stories are based anywhere from the ‘normal’ Victorian era that we are used to from the Conan Doyle stories to the future. Some stories are steampunk in character and others transport Holmes/Watson to modern day America or England. In one story people have one special power such as being impervious to weapons or the ability to fly. In another our detectives live in a constructed matrix base on the world of the Conan Doyle stories.

But my favorites were those that changed the genders of one or the other or both of the detectives. Some made them male lovers, others female lovers, and/or heterosexual lovers. Making the male lovers was not such a far reach, because that’s the way many people of our time look at men living together, though it was quiet normal in Victorian times.

My personal favorite was the one in which Mrs. Hudson is the true genius of the story and Holmes and Watson answer to her, though they don’t realize it.

All-in-all a fine idea, well edited and presented.

Zeb Kantrowitz zworstblog.blogspot.com

The imaginative stories about Sherlock Holmes and his down-to-earth counterpart, Doctor Watson, make for compelling reading. The familiar characters are given dramatically different interpretations from what Arthur Conan Doyle envisioned -- he probably never thought to make Sherlock a woman, or a teenage girl. The only strike against this volume is some stories end too soon; you want these versions of the characters to hang around longer.

LOVED this book. As a fan of Sherlock Holmes, I enjoyed seeing him and Dr. Watson in alternate scenarios. Probably my favorite story was where they helped an accused witch. Recommended for all lovers of Holmes & Watson!

Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets: An Anthology of Holmesian Tales Across Time and Space Edited by David Thomas Moore

* Provided by NetGalley for Review

5 out of 5 gnomes

There were no duds in this awesome collection of a myriad of stories about Sherlock Holmes. This book looks at Sherlock Holmes in just about every way imaginable. Most of these will have you wanting a whole book about the characters you’ve just read. If you’re anything like me you’ll be adding these authors to your TBR (To Be Read) List as you make your way through these stories.

The Adventure of the Speckled Bandana was one of those stories that really surprised me with its resolution. I adore the lore that was mixed together to make up this story.

The Lantern Men is one truly creepy Holmes story. It’s awesome but like I said before pretty darn creepy. The solution to the mystery lets you see the horrible and long history of a town.

A Woman’s Place was such a great look at how important Mrs. Hudson is. I love everything about this story and it’s surprising yet awesome twist on Sherlock.

The Small World of 221 B was so interesting and I don’t want to give anything away about it except to say that it really reminded me of an episode of The Twilight Zone.

All the Single Ladies is a fantastic look at a woman Sherlock Holmes. I liked the mix of humor, character, and the mystery of who the real killer was. This story also had some of my favorite quotes/lines.

With such a wide array of stories about Holmes in this anthology there truly is something for everyone. If you’re a fan of Sherlock Holmes then I highly recommend that you check out this anthology ASAP.

A bit hit and miss but on the whole a thoroughly enjoyable collection stories depicting the many faces of Holmes.