My Next Sherlockian Adventure

With a friend in Edinburgh

It’s been a wonderful year for me, and I’m excited to announce the latest: Wessex Press will publish my Sherlock Holmes novel The Villa of the Doomed early in 2018 under its Gasogene Books label.

A little more than a year ago, I had no interest in writing a novel-length Sherlock Holmes pastiche, which I define as a book written in the style of Dr. Watson. But my friend Steven Doyle, co-owner of Wessex along with Mark Gagan, asked me to consider it. I did so, taking a temporary break from my Sebastian McCabe – Jeff Cody mysteries published by MX Publishing.

What I came up with – I hope – is a book that Arthur Conan Doyle could have written. I’ll flesh out a little more what I mean by that when the book comes out. But this is what Mark and Steve wrote in offering me a contract for the book: 

We are particularly pleased that it is a traditional Sherlock Holmes adventure. It should stand out against the latest crop of “SH meets Jack the Ripper, Zombies, historical figures and literary characters” books.

And here is what the eminent Roger Johnson, BSI, ASH, editor of the Sherlock Holmes Journal for the Sherlock Holmes Society of London, thought about it: 

Dan Andriacco is well established as a formidable detective story writer and (no great surprise) as a formidable Sherlockian. It was only a matter of time before he turned his hand to a full-length and full-blooded exploit of the sage of Baker Street – and what a cracker it is! Shortly after the Queen’s death brings an end to the Victorian era, Sherlock Holmes is invited to investigate an apparent vendetta against a young woman in Surrey .  . . Rumours of ghosts and occult rituals add an extra frisson to the atmosphere of mystery and suspense as the screw gradually, remorselessly tightens. And as a nice bonus we meet an old friend, the one police detective who is undeniably on the same level as Holmes himself. Capital!

I’m looking forward to seeing what you think about it! Coming in January!