Author: Chris Wilson

The fact that there’s a Sherlock Holmes anti-Mormon controversy came as a surprise. (It’s probably a surprise to you, too.) As far as I knew, all Sherlock Holmes stories took place in England … or at least Europe! Then I learned that part of the plot in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s A Study in Scarlet… Continue reading Ever Hear of the Sherlock Holmes Anti-Mormon Controversy?

Who was Fergus Hume? And why was his Victorian debut novel, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab, so popular worldwide? If you are a fan of Victorian-era detective novels (and I’m guessing you probably are if you’re reading this blog), you may already know the answer to the question “Who was Fergus Hume?” That’s because… Continue reading Who Was Fergus Hume?

Curiosity is an important part of the intrigue behind any detective novel. But when a story takes place somewhere exotic (and often far away), curiosity often skyrockets. Fergus Hume’s hansom cab mystery – published in 1886 – is a good example. Set in the state of Victoria in southeastern Australia, The Mystery of a Hansom… Continue reading Hansom Cab Mystery ‘Down Under’ – A Victorian Sensation

Ask almost anyone if they’ve read a Victorian detective story, and you’re likely to hear them mention Sherlock Holmes. I know that’s true for me. I still remember watching the 1939 version of The Hound of the Baskervilles on TV when I was young – the movie featuring Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes … in… Continue reading Why the Victorian Detective Story Is So Popular