The Sherlock Effect

Christopher Sherlock Webster always blamed his Holmes-obsessed father for burdening him with an embarrassing middle name. He spent his school days desperately trying to live it down.

But after his old man prematurely dies, Christopher finds that he has somehow inherited the very same obsession...

Teaming up with Mo Rennie, a marketing-conscious pal, he starts up an agency called Baskerville's, which specialises in the application of rigorous Holmesian method.

Here are five bizarre adventures from the files - a sumptuous feast upon which the gastronome of crime may gorge.

- A young beautician is stalked by a haunting stranger through the narrow streets of Cambridge. Yet he possesses love letters from the girl, ostensibly in her handwriting. How come?

- A science journalist disappears while investigating UFO sightings in Wiltshire. But is the explanation earthly or supernatural?

- When a pornographer receives death threats online he arranges protection 24/7. Will it work?

- A pop diva's boyfriend is kidnapped twice by animal rights extremists. Should  the ransom be paid again?

- Everything in the garden seems rosy when a millionaire widower meets Miss Perfect through a dating agency. But the lady soon starts to behave oddly. Should the wedding plans be shelved?

Reviews:

"I enjoyed 'The Sherlock Effect' and thought it original and well-written. An important factor for me in reading anything is the compulsion to go on reading, and I felt that."

RUTH RENDELL

"The most ingenious part of your paperback is, of course, the central idea of a character named after Sherlock Holmes who decides to set up a detective agency on much the same lines as-the original genius, and even in a similar room. I think that this inspiration offers interesting possibilities."

P.D. JAMES

"I love the idea of present day crimes being solved with some of Holmes's deductive methods. Story lines are terrific."

R.D. WINGFIELD

"Its premise is delightful and its accounts of its latter-day Holmes have not a little of Conan Doyle's wonderful story-telling power."

H.R.F. KEATING

"It is a tremendous read."

STEPHEN FRY

"Several authors have written of present-day detectives putting the principles of Sherlock Holmes into practice. Raymond Kay Lyon comes pretty near the top with The Sherlock Effect. Christopher Sherlock Webster follows the destiny of his middle name, setting up The Baskerville Agency, just off Baker Street. These are thoroughly modern cases, featuring rock music, animal rights, UFOs, a pornographer, a stalker and more. A very enjoyable read."

The Sherlock Holmes Society of London

"Sherlock Holmes is alive and well…! Hopefully, there will be more."

The Weekender

“If you are into Sherlock Holmes and are looking for more cases, then this book is a must read.”

Book Mitra

"So easy to read and so satisfying."

Daphne Sharpe - Educator

"A clever, original, and wildly clever take on Holmes that manages to breathe new life into the classic."

Christopher Havens - Educator

"A great and entertaining book for fans of Sherlock Holmes."

Jennifer Muller - Reviewer

"The Sherlock Effect is a homage to Conan Doyle that he would be proud to acknowledge. Five stars."

Stephenie Sasse - Reviewer

"I absolutely loved this book. A perfect book for Sherlock fans and people who love a cozy mystery."

On The Shelf

“It’s fun to draw parallels with a Holmesian world, but I believe that this book does also stand on its own as a strong collection of mystery short stories.”

A Bookish Musician

“A fine Holmesian diversion.”

Joel Smith – Reviewer

“The stories are terrific, a bit quirky as you would expect from the Holmesian style, and each builds on the other with regard to the character and relationship of Christopher and Mo. Delightful and well written.”

Love Books

“Very entertaining, recommended for fans and non fans of Sherlock Holmes. This book did not disappoint.”

Lee Mariott-Dowding – Reviewer

“The Sherlock Effect is a fun, quick read, with a nod to Doyle but without attempting to be an imitation of his work. Well worth a read!”

Joanne Jeal (Reviewer)

“Cleverly written… This is an enjoyable read with a good concept.”

Julie Hosford (Reviewer)

“The book is a page turner.”

Gifta Alvina (Reviewer)

“I would recommend this as a contemporary twist on a good old classic.”

Claire Ogden (Reviewer)

“The Sherlock Effect return is just elementary…”

Bury Free Press

“A great modern take on Sherlock Holmes.”

Touch My Spine

“Set in modern times, but with a nod to the past, I really enjoyed it.”

Leyla Johnson (Reviewer)

“A very good traditional mystery. Well written, good plot, with well described characters.”

Anna Maria Giacomasso (Reviewer)

“Hope there'll be another collection soon as this was most interesting.”

Patricia Bello (Reviewer)

“This is a selection of solid mystery stories in the grand old English tradition, even down to uncanny happenings and things that go bump in the night. They don’t lean too far towards nostalgia or intellectual obscurity, nor do they feel like a pastiche of the original Sherlock stories. A pleasant afternoon’s entertainment.”

Murder Mayhem and More

“This was such a delight to read. I truly enjoyed this foray into Lyon's masterpiece.”

Brandi Welch (Reviewer)