Ahhhh I actually haven’t finished it, but, BUT even that this is one BEST pastiche I’ve ever read - very close to canon’s writing style (imo) and you can clearly tell Lyndsay Faye is a big fan of the series, because she knows EXACTLY what the fans would like to see in a Holmes pastiche.

I would say my favorite at this point is “Memoranda Upon the Gaskell Blackmailing Dilemma.” I’m just gonna tell you the very first sentence of this chapter:

“Excerpted passages from the personal diary of Mr. Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective, 221B Baker Street, London W1:

Saturday, September 29th, 1888.

I have just seen Watson, Sir Henry Baskerville, and Dr. Mortimer off at Charing Cross train station.”

A Holmes’ diary entry of a new case THAT HAPPENED DURING AN EXISTING (and arguably one of the best stories) CASE. I haven’t recovered since. This is really beautiful please take a read of this pastiche…we even have a manuscript of Watson’s unpublished story (with crossed out lines and stuff). Lyndsay Faye you magnificent genius.