The Women in His Life

Sherlock Holmes and women could be the subject of a rather hefty tome. Women figure in all 60 tales, to greater or lesser degree, and more often than not they are pivotal.

Until I (or you) get the time to write that book, I found a list of 12 women in his life that might interest you as it did me. It's one of a number of lists of 12 contained in The Baker Street Dozen, edited by Pj Doyle and E.W. McDiarmid in 1987. The volume is an anthology of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 13 favorite Sherlock Holmes stories, each accompanied by an essay, plus the aforementioned lists.

Here, then, are 12 women in the life of Sherlock Holmes, chosen by Pj Doyle and E.W. McDiarmid, along with identifications where that might be helpful.

1. Irene Adler
2. Mrs. Hudson
3. His grandmother
4. Queen Victoria
5. Mary Morstan (Watson)
6. Effie Munro, "The Yellow Face"
7. Miss Violet Smith, "The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist"
8. Maud Bellamy, "The Adventure of the Lion's Mane"
9. Violet Hunter, "The Adventure of the Copper Beeches"
10. Agatha, "The Adventure of Charles August Milverton" -- Holmes's fiancee!
11. Violet de Merville, "The Adventure of the Illustrious Client"
12. Hilda Trelawney Hope, "The Adventure of the Second Stain"

There's a charming bunch of Violets in that list! Who is your favorite woman in the Canon?