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Best 2021 Sherlock Holmes Books, Movies, DVDs, & More
By Randall Stock, November 28, 2021 (History)
Sherlock Holmes is more popular than ever, which means there are lots of new books, movies, and Sherlockiana. The reviews and recommendations below can help you focus on the best ones from 2021. If you're just getting started with Holmes, see the Top 10 Choices for New Fans. This site also reviews newer Sherlockian items to consider.
New in 2021: Top Holmes Items
| Category | # of Items |
|---|---|
| 2021 Holmes Fiction | 7 |
| 2021 Holmes DVDs, Movies, and Related | 4 |
| 2021 Books About Holmes & Conan Doyle | 5 |
Newer Recommended Sherlockiana and the Best Holmes books, DVDs, & Blu-Ray from other years
Best 2021 Sherlock Holmes Books – Fiction
The year's best fictional Holmes books published in 2021. Listed in order by author, see also About the Choices and E-books.
Prices as of November 2021; subject to change.
Sherlock Holmes and the Crusader's Curse by Stuart Douglas
A search for a cursed ruby and missing paintings turns into a murder investigation at an isolated manor house. As in his prior pastiche The Albino's Treasure, Douglas creates interesting characters with both strengths and flaws. He excels with the Holmes-Watson relationship. The mystery itself is a bit weak and relies on some coincidences, but there are some good deductions and decent plot twists. This fast-paced adventure set in Victorian England kept me reading through the night. ($14.95 SRP; Amazon US listing $14.95)
A Study in Crimson by Robert J. Harris
Holmes investigates a killer in 1942 London who is repeating Jack the Ripper's murders. Like the Rathbone movies, Harris updates the Canon with a 50ish Holmes during WWII. He gives Holmes and Watson plausible backstories, and Holmes makes some good deductions. The novel recounts several other cases that are entertaining but diminish the suspense and momentum of the Crimson Jack killings. See Dust and Shadow for the classic 1880s Holmes vs. the Ripper story. A Study in Crimson provides an intriguing mix of elements from Holmes stories, Rathbone movies, and Ripper history. ($25.95 SRP; Amazon US listing $20.34)
Castle Shade by Laurie R. King
Holmes and Mary Russell, his much younger wife, go to Transylvania in 1925 to help Queen Victoria's granddaughter with a problem that might involve a vampire. King's fluid style is always appealing, and Holmes plays a bigger role in this story than in some recent volumes in her long-running Mary Russell series. Her use of historical figures is also better than in some of her recent books. It should satisfy most Holmes/Russell fans, especially if they have an interest in vampires. Series newcomers should start with The Beekeeper's Apprentice for its background on Russell and Holmes. ($28.00 SRP; Amazon US listing $20.49)
In League With Sherlock Holmes by Laurie R. King and Leslie S. Klinger (eds.)
Like prior books in this series, bestselling authors write short stories "inspired" by Holmes. Only a few stories actually include Holmes, and several have almost no connection to him. Brad Parks offers a hilarious send-up of Irene Adler and the Jersey shore. A woman discovers the truth about her ancestor in Tess Gerritsen's spin on the Holmes mythos. Although the heroines of Joe and Kasey Lansdale's story investigate the supernatural, they have echoes of Holmes and Watson. Martin Edwards provides a delightful and very clever satire on Sherlockian scholarship. While some stories may not be to your taste, the overall quality is good and a few are excellent. ($25.95 SRP; Amazon US listing $17.59)
Sherlock Holmes and The Eye of Heka by David Marcum
Holmes and Watson investigate the theft of a mysterious idol that might lead to the downfall of the British Empire. Marcum's strength comes from his knowledge of the Canon and chronology. He also does a fine job of weaving in pieces from various Canonical tales. However, the "save the world" plot seems like some of the less plausible James Bond movies. Marcum's short stories like Tangled Skeins are stronger, and while parts of the Eye of Heka are quite good, it would be better at half the length. ($16.95 SRP; Amazon US listing $16.95)
Golden Age Detective Stories by Otto Penzler (ed.)
BSI and crime fiction expert Otto Penzler presents 14 stories by many of the best authors from the American Golden Age of detective fiction. Stories by Clayton Rawson, Patrick Quentin, Cornell Woolrich and Mary Roberts Rinehart are excellent, and seven others get a grade of at least "A-". Penzler provides interesting introductions to each story. While these are not Holmes tales, this book is a great way to sample first-rate detective stories and discover mystery authors and detectives to add to your reading list. ($15.95 SRP; Amazon US listing $12.37)
Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer
When Sherlock Holmes is depressed, his much younger sister Enola intervenes, and they investigate the suspicious death of an Earl's wife. The Enola Holmes series is lots of fun for both young adults and long-time Sherlockians. This latest story can be read on its own and involves Sherlock more than the first in the series, The Missing Marquess. Springer's depiction of a 15-year old from the 1880s blends historical reality with modern sensibility in a quick read that's very enjoyable. ($17.99 SRP; Amazon US listing $15.05)
See also the current Year's Best Holmes fiction and the Best Holmes fiction from other years for more excellent choices.
Or search just this website using Google for other reviews of authors or book titles:
Best 2021 Sherlock Holmes DVDs, Blu-ray Movies, and Related
The year's best DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, videos, movie-related and audio items released in 2021. See also About the Choices.
Prices as of November 2021; subject to change.
Sherlock Holmes and the Great Escape (DVD)
Holmes chases a burglar and a kidnapper in this action-filled animated Chinese movie, now dubbed into English along with optional English subtitles. Although mostly a movie for kids, it includes some good science-based deductions and allusions to other Holmes movies, especially the Robert Downey Sherlock Holmes series. The animation itself is nothing special. Overall it is a fun 84 minutes and worth watching once. Be sure to view the post-credits scene. ($19.98 SRP; Amazon US listing $11.99)
Sherlock in the Seventies by Derham Groves
The 1970s brought a major revival of interest in Sherlock Holmes. His on-screen appearances included Canonical adaptations, pastiches, comedies, parodies, and more. Groves discusses nine films in depth, and offers extended references to several others. At times it reads like a deep dive into Wikipedia and IMDB, but he does include some new interviews with casts and crews. His chapters on the Seven-Per-Cent Solution, Holmes's Smarter Brother, and Murder by Decree are especially good. It includes some photos as well as illustrations by Groves. ($15.00 SRP; Amazon US listing $15.00)
Young Sherlock Holmes Starring Nicholas Rowe (DVD)
A young Watson meets Holmes at school, and they investigate a series of apparent suicides in an adventure that borrows from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom as well as other movies. Chris Columbus wrote the screenplay, and later directed two Harry Potter movies, parts of which feel very much like Young Sherlock. A solid movie with an engaging cast, high quality production values, and some strong scenes, it never quite jumps from good to outstanding. While the DVD is not a new release, 2021 has been a slow year for Holmes on screen, and at under $10, Young Sherlock deserves a second look. ($9.98 SRP; Amazon US listing $7.99)
Far From Holmes by Nicko Vaughan
Holmes on screen can be a very mixed bag, with a few gems and some seriously bad or weird adaptations. Vaughn focuses on 15 of the latter, and her biting sarcasm and humor is far more entertaining than the TV show or movie itself. A little of this goes a long way. Read the book intermittently, a chapter at a time, and be prepared for the occasional typo. Most of her comments involve the plot and production quality, but at times she provides some historical context and additional information. ($17.84 SRP; Amazon US listing $17.84)
See also the current Year's Best Holmes DVDs & movies and the Best Holmes movies from other years for more excellent choices.
Or search just this website using Google for other reviews of movie/TV material:
Best 2021 Books About Holmes & Conan Doyle
The year's best books about Holmes or Conan Doyle published in 2021. Listed in order by author, see also About the Choices and E-books.
Prices as of November 2021; subject to change.
Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Switzerland by Marcus Geisser, Guy Marriott, and Michael A. Meer (eds.)
The first book published by the Reichenbach Irregulars of Switzerland is a real winner. It offers both Sherlockian and Doylean papers from the society's conferences. Aspects of "The Final Problem" and "The Empty House" are major themes, but we also hear about Brigadier Gerard and The Stark-Munro Letters. Many of the chapters reflect the casual spoken-word style of a presentation. This large format paperback is nicely enhanced with grayscale photos. ($31.90 SRP; Amazon US listing $31.90)
Sherlock Holmes in 221 Objects by Cathy Miranker and Glen Miranker
This is without question the finest catalogue of rare Sherlockiana ever produced. You can enjoy the more 200 color photos on their own, or delve into the fascinating backstories for each item. The 9x12 hardcover allows for large detailed photos while still being comfortable to hold and read. Some will treasure its beauty, others its reference value, but everyone interested in Holmes should have a copy. While it's a January 2022 publication, this is so unique that I needed to highlight it now. See my longer review. ($80.00 SRP; Amazon US listing $60.00)
Corporals, Colonels and Commissionaires by Michael J. Quigley and Marsha Pollak (eds.)
Even if you have no interest in the military, this volume will expand your understanding of the Holmes stories and many of its characters. The main 16 essays cover a wide range of military-related Sherlockian topics, including both traditional scholarship and "playing the game." While I especially enjoyed chapters by Stashower, Goldfarb, Kegley and Boström, almost all of the essays are very good indeed. ($39.95 SRP; not on Amazon; see BSI website)
This August and Scholarly Body by Nicholas Utechin (ed.)
The Sherlock Holmes Society of London celebrates its 70th anniversary with this lavishly illustrated booklet that you don't want to miss. Part reference work and part anecdotal history, it includes a record of the Society's meetings, excursions and publications. Utechin revises his excellent history of the group's origins from the 2018 BSJ Christmas Annual, and adds a short history of the Sherlock Holmes Journal. Reminiscences by the Society's leaders are especially interesting. ($25.00 SRP including shipping; not on Amazon, see SHSL website)
The Staunton Tragedy by Michael F. Whelan (ed.)
Americans puzzled by the rugby references in "The Missing Three-Quarter" will find answers in the latest BSI Manuscript series volume. As usual, it reproduces the story's original manuscript with a transcription and bibliographic annotations, and explores the history of its writing and its eventual gift to the British people. Other essays delve into telegrams, medical matters, dramatizations of the tale, and much more. ($39.95 SRP; not on Amazon; see BSI website)
See also the current Year's Best Books About Holmes & Doyle and the Best Books About Holmes & Doyle from other years for more fine choices.
Or search just this website using Google for other reviews of authors or book titles:
This site first published its "Best of Year" reviews and recommendations in 2009. See the current Year's Best Sherlock Holmes books and movies and the Other Years' Best Sherlock Holmes books and DVDs. People just getting started with Holmes should see the best choices for new Sherlockians.
This page's 2021 list was first posted on October 28, 2021. New information for one item was added on November 28, 2021.
About Kindle and Other E-books
A Kindle version of most of these books is available, but I don't list the e-book or its price unless it's hard to find on Amazon. Typically the Kindle Edition will be listed in the Formats box to the right of a book's cover photo.
When a book is available in both print and e-text, I review the print edition.
Return to Holmes Fiction or to Books About Holmes & Doyle.
My choices are based on 30+ years of reading and collecting Sherlockiana. I'm a member of the Baker Street Irregulars, have written numerous Sherlockian articles, and have spoken about Conan Doyle rarities for conferences at Harvard and the University of Minnesota.
I limited the number of items in order to make this list easier and faster for people to use. Items released near the end of 2021 may not be on this list, so be sure to check my 2022 recommendations as well. And see these details on my selection process and criteria.
In most cases I've given both the U.S. suggested retail price (SRP) and the price at Amazon as of November 2021; those prices are of course subject to change.
The 10 Best Gifts for New Sherlock Holmes Fans
The Current Year's Best Sherlock Holmes books and DVDs / Blu-ray
Best Sherlock Holmes books and DVDs / Blu-ray from prior years
The 10 Best Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes Movies and DVDs
The Best Sherlock Holmes Stories
The Top 10 Quotes from the Sherlock Holmes stories
Other Top 10 Lists for Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle
Vers. 2.1bx-RN Original work
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Randall Stock. All Rights Reserved.