Includes bibliographical references.

Introduction: The life and adventures of Sherlock Holmes / Mike Ashley -- Part I: Early years. The bothersome business of the Dutch nativity / Derek Wilson -- The affray at the Kildare Street Club / Peter Tremayne -- Part II: The 1880s. The case of the incumbent invalid / Claire Griffen -- The adventure of Vittoria, the Circus Belle / Edward D. Hoch -- The Darlington substitution scandal / David Stuart Davies -- The adventure of the suspect servant / Barbara Roden -- The adventure of the Amateur Mendicant Society / John Gregory Betancourt -- The adventure of the silver buckle / Denis O. Smith -- The case of the sporting squire / Guy N. Smith -- The vanishing of the Atkinsons / Eric Brown -- The adventure of the fallen star / Simon Clark -- Part III: The 1890s. The adventure of the Dorset Street lodger / Michel Moorcock -- The mystery of the Addleton curse / Barrie Roberts -- The Adventure of the Parisian gentleman / Robert Weinberg & Lois H. Gresh -- The adventure of the inertial adjustor / Stephen Baxter -- The adventure of the truth of God / Peter Crowther -- The adventure of the persecuted painter / Basil Copper -- The adventure of the suffering ruler / H.R.F. Keating -- The repulsive story of the red leech / David Langford -- The adventure of the Grace Chalice / Roger Johnson -- The adventure of the faithful retainer / Amy Myers -- Part IV: The final years. The case of the suicidal lawyer / Martin Edwards -- The legacy of Rachel Howells / Michael Doyle -- The adventure of the Bulgarian diplomat / Zakaria Erzinçlioglu -- The enigma of the Warwickshire vortex / F. Gwynplaine MacIntyre -- The case of the last battle / L.B. Greenwood.