Has anyone read...

[iq_two]

Has anyone read the Irene Adler books by Caroline Nelson Douglas? I like to think about what would happen if the Irene Adler from that series and Mary Russell met. If you haven't read them, the first book in the series is Goodnight, Mr. Holmes.

[vicki]

Hi, iq two!

I haven't read the Irene Adler books, but I've long been curious about them. That sounds like a really cool series-crossing! It would be very interesting to see how Adler and Russell would react to one another. I'd also love to see more of Lord Peter Wimsey in the Russells (he made a brief, uncredited appearance in A Letter of Mary) and maybe a Russell-crossing with the Amelia Peabody series. That would rock!

Can you tell us more about the Adler series? When in relation to Adler's appearance in the Holmes stories does the series take place? How is Adler portrayed by Douglas?

[Strawberry Curls]

Hi, iq two! It would be very interesting to see how Adler and Russell would react to one another. I'd also love to see more of Lord Peter Wimsey in the Russells (he made a brief, uncredited appearance in A Letter of Mary) and maybe a Russell-crossing with the Amelia Peabody series. That would rock!

Ahhhh, sounds like fodder for the fanfiction writer. Why not try writing a story yourself? Unlike professional writers we are not bound by the copyright laws. Didn't Ms. King get into a wee bit of trouble with Sayer's estate over the "uncredited appearance" in LETT?

[vicki]

I enjoy reading fanfic from time to time, but I'm trying to channel my limited writing energy into some original stuff. I did once try my hand at a fanfic piece based on His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman, but I just could never get rid of the feeling that I had on an ill-fitting suit. It's too bad, as I had some fun ideas. But I think you have to go with what works for you, so in my case, I'll just enjoy fanfic from the reader's side. :)

I heard something to that effect about the Sayers estate, but nothing definite. If it's true, I think that was a big misstep on their part--one look at that scene and they should have been on the phone not to complain, but rather to ask LRK to continue the Wimsey series. (Not taking anything from Jill Paton Walsh, but I think LRK could do better). And if anything, that reference has probably made them a lot of money, as people like me--who read it and became curious about Lord Peter. went out and bought a copy of everything in the entire Wimsey seires. As much as I appreciate and revere copyright protection, I also think copyright owners can be short-sighted at times.

[Strawberry Curls]

But I think you have to go with what works for you, so in my case, I'll just enjoy fanfic from the reader's side. :)

I completely understand, it is just some of us can't wait for another book so we try to write what we want to read.

I heard something to that effect about the Sayers estate, but nothing definite. If it's true, I think that was a big misstep on their part--one look at that scene and they should have been on the phone not to complain, but rather to ask LRK to continue the Wimsey series. (Not taking anything from Jill Paton Walsh, but I think LRK could do better).

I had read the entire Lord Peter series decades before, but when I read Ms. Kings scenes with the "Peter" character I was floored. It made me go back and reread several of the Wimsey series and I enjoyed them even more.

[iq_two]

Hi, iq two!

I haven't read the Irene Adler books, but I've long been curious about them. That sounds like a really cool series-crossing! It would be very interesting to see how Adler and Russell would react to one another. I'd also love to see more of Lord Peter Wimsey in the Russells (he made a brief, uncredited appearance in A Letter of Mary) and maybe a Russell-crossing with the Amelia Peabody series. That would rock!

Can you tell us more about the Adler series? When in relation to Adler's appearance in the Holmes stories does the series take place? How is Adler portrayed by Douglas?


The first book in the Adler series takes place before and during the events in A Scandal in Bohemia, but from Irene Adler's point of view, well actually from the POV of Irene's friend Nell. The rest of the books take place afterwards and some interesect with other Holmes stories, although with a twist.
Douglas portrays Irene as an intelligent woman who does not care about convention or fitting into society. Also, the book is narrated by Irene's friend Nell Huxleigh, an overly proper parson's daughter and the complete opposite of Irene. Douglas also does a good job of fitting Irene's husband, Godfrey Norton, into the books without changing Irene's chracter. The series is very good and if you haven't read it, you should.

[nkk1969]

Hi iq two,

I read some of the CND books years ago. I enjoyed the ones I read (GOODNIGHT, MR. HOLMES is the only one I can remember by name). How many are there, and what are the titles?

Vicki,

It's funny you should mention crossing Russell with the Amelia Peabody series. I often wondered if Dorothy Ruskin could have been a friend of the Emersons. She sure sounds like the type of person Amelia would like.

Nikki

[iq_two]

There are eight, and the titles are (as far as I know since several have been retitled): Goodnight, Mr. Holmes, Irene at Large, The Adventuress, Another Scandal in Bohemia (or Irene's Last Waltz), Chapel Noir, Castle Rouge, Femme Fatale, and Spider Dance.

Also, beware that Chapel Noir ends in an extreme cliffhanger that is continued in Castle Rouge, so have it ready to read as soon as you finish, I almost died in anticipation waiting for the library to get it in.

[nkk1969]

I almost died in anticipation waiting for the library to get it in.

I know exactly what you mean. It's awful to be left hanging in the middle of a series like that. It seems to happen to me all the time. Thanks for the heads up!

Nikki

[Carlina]

You know Vicky that would be sooo coooollllllll...a crossover over with Amelia Peabody...dang and I can see Holmes totally being attracted to Peabody too...*fangirl squee*

Holmes on a camel...*another fangirl squee*

Actually that would be an interesting mystery and book!!! Those minds coming together...my gosh... *the archaeologist in Carlina begins to go wild*

[Strawberry Curls]

This is so interesting...I am working with a new writer of fan fiction. She has developed an idea for a story and has started writing it in the past weeks with a crossover between Emerson and Peabody and Russell and Holmes. Small world...

[Carlina]

This is so interesting...I am working with a new writer of fan fiction. She has developed an idea for a story and has started writing it in the past weeks with a crossover between Emerson and Peabody and Russell and Holmes. Small world...

That will be delicious...absolutely delicious *whispers Watson*.

The Irene Adler books...well there's been some discussion about those over at holmesian.net...I hear that are rather annoying since Irene just has to meet every real person that was alive then....and she's the ultimate MAry-Sue...Irene and Holmes are also apart so Irene is married to Godfrey Norton. Holmes kinda comes off as a poor lovesick sod...This is just word of mouth. I have not read the books...but Irene Adler as a know it all really...and she does everything perfect...flawless.. *shudders*

Once again this is word of mouth from holmesians that have read it....it convinced me to avoid them like the plague.

There is also Erasing Sherlock for those of you that just want well written Holmes smut...with a time travel element...and sex in the broom cupboard with the housemaid and in other odd locations in Holmes' rooms. You know Holmes had a thing for house maids...will post pals review if you wish...

[Kerry]

This is so interesting...I am working with a new writer of fan fiction. She has developed an idea for a story and has started writing it in the past weeks with a crossover between Emerson and Peabody and Russell and Holmes. Small world...

This kind of boggles my mind -- and is very intriguing. Thinking about the characters proper, I can see some interesting possibilities. But I have a hard time thinking about the characters absent the voices of the authors who created them -- and those are very different indeed! I'm having a hard time seeing how the King-voiced Russell would put up with the Peters-voiced-Peabody for more than about a microsecond, although I expect she'd like the Manuscript M-voiced Ramses, Nefret, David, et al. just fine. Oddly, I can see Holmes and Emerson getting along quite well, no matter who's "voicing" them.

Will you keep us posted?

[Strawberry Curls]

Certainly. She has never written anything before but has the passion to try. When it is completed it will be posted into the stories file at "Letters of Mary" which can only be accessed by members. FYI

If you are at all interested in pastiche there are some very strong writers posting quite extraordinary pieces. The site isn't just for writers, but for anyone who enjoys reading Russell/Holmes fics. It is never dull with the drabble challenges going on constantly.

[vicki]

Re: the Irene Adler books--I think I'll try the first one and see what the deal is. I think it'll be hard for me to see Holmes really interested in anyone but Russell, but she may not have even been born when these books were set, anyway. The "Mary Sue" term gets lobbed around a lot, but I actually like a lot of the books it get lobbed at, hehehehe!

It sounds like a cool piece, Strawberry. Let us know when that's up on LoM, if you can.

[Strawberry Curls]

It sounds like a cool piece, Strawberry. Let us know when that's up on LoM, if you can.

I will be happy to, Vicki, but don't start holding your breath. As I said she is a brand new writer, and it will be an action/adventure piece, needless to say. That is why she asked for my help as that is primarily what I write. My first story, which is over on The Hive, took me almost three months to write, but I was working alone and didn't get any help until it went to editing. Having readers, proofers and some really good editors helps tremendously with the process.

[AtypicalSororityGirl]

i read "irene at large" and i really liked it. haven't read the others though. how did you like them?

[Quill]

Good heavens, I'm not the only one who's contemplated a Peabody/Russell cross. Frankly, I think Russell and Ramses would take one look at each other and realize that there was no way they would ever get along! But Russell and Nefret might manage quite well.

Amelia would drive Holmes absolutely wild, though. *snicker* Might be fun just to watch the carnage!

Oddly enough, these two series are the only mysteries I read. Possibly it's the authors' vocabularies.

[Strawberry Curls]

Amelia would drive Holmes absolutely wild, though. *snicker* Might be fun just to watch the carnage!

I agree with you entirely, but I must hold my tongue. This will be the writer's take on the interaction not mine. I am looking forward to seeing what she does with it though.

[Quill]

I agree with you entirely, but I must hold my tongue. This will be the writer's take on the interaction not mine. I am looking forward to seeing what she does with it though.

Oh, of course--a good beta may suggest when something is going astray, but does not guide the tale! ;) Part of the--hmm--challenge, to my mind, is that Amelia and Emerson are really caricatures--not overly so, but just that small bit exaggerated. Ramses and Nefret, not so much, though they're almost too good to be true, if you know what I mean. Holmes and Russell are brilliant, but they're real. Relatively speaking, of course.

It's interesting to note that both couples call their beloveds by their last names...

[Strawberry Curls]

Holmes and Russell are brilliant, but they're real. Relatively speaking, of course.
It's interesting to note that both couples call their beloveds by their last names...


Relatively speaking...? Well, I think of them as real and speak of them as real, which drives my husband nuts. He has read the books through MOOR and keeps telling me, "they are only fictional characters, why do you insist on talking about them as if they are real?" Poor man, just doesn't get the game.

Yes, I have always thought the use of last names in both sets of characters was a nod to Canon and the Watson/Holmes exchanges.

[Smurrey]

Has anyone read Barbara Michael's (aka Elizabeth Peters) book Other Worlds? It has Sire Arthur Conan Doyle, Nandor Fodor, and Amelia P. Emerson challenging each other to solve little "puzzles." It isn't my favorite of her books, but obviously she, Ms. Michaels, was wondering what would happen if you got Sherlock with Peabody, as well. ;)

[Elizabeth Chase]

I enjoyed the Irene Adler books although Nell is awfully hard to take, but she did start to loosen up in the later books IIRC. I've read all but the last.

I don't recall Holmes being exactly 'lovelorn' but Irene definitely doesn't like him at all! She's quite happy with her husband, as she should be. In spite of the Baring-Gould 'biography' and LRK's 'lost, lovely son' (or is that lovely, lost son?) I don't buy the Holmes/Adler romance. It's just uncharacteristic of the canon Holmes, but that's just my opinion for the little that it's worth.

The Peabody/Emerson stories are among my favorites too. After publishing a book every year for awhile there hasn't been a new one for two years. Do you suppose Peters has stopped writing them? She is getting on in years. . . .

Actually I was collecting the Peters books at the same time I was Russell's and because there was one Peters book that was OOP I started reading BEEK instead. (I prefer having all the published books of a series at hand before I start reading them -- in order of course. So call me compulsive. :rolleyes:) Peabody/Emerson, regardless of how much I liked them, have taken second place in my affections ever since. :)

[Elizabeth]

Elizabeth Chase, I do agree that in the first IA books Nell is quite annoying. By the end of the series she reminded me not a little of Amelia Peabody herself. :)

Smurrey, I've never heard of Other Worlds but will now be on the lookout for it! Many thanks.