Personae Dramatis in ludis Sherlociensibus
Author: Gary L. Heiselberg
Type of Book: Reference Price
Item#: Bk/PersP (paperback)
US$ 35.00 (paperback)

BEATEN'S CHRISTMAS ANNUAL: 2011
A collection of wit and wisdom by many distinguished SOBs
Price: US$12.50

Bk/Beat11

Beaten's Christmas Annual: 2011

In London’s infamous East End, a ritualistic serial killer is slaughtering women.  The police are baffled, the media is in a frenzy, and people the world over are captivated by this fiend known as Jack the Ripper.

Only a short distance away, the Great Detective has finally succumbed to an addiction to the wicked mixture of morphine and cocaine.  Dr. John Watson and Irene Adler venture into Whitechapel alone to try and lure the Ripper out of hiding using themselves as bait.

As the forces of good and evil battle to the death, London’s greatest champion, the immortal Sherlock Holmes, will rise one final time in her defense. 

Soft cover; 350 pages

WHITECHAPEL: THE FINAL STAND of SHERLOCK HOLMES
Author: Bernard J. Schaffer
Price: US$ 12.99

Bk/W

Whitechapel: The Final Stand of Sherlock Holmes

William Gillette was one of the world's premier actors and playwrights for half a century. As a dramatist he sought complete realism in his sets, dialogue and performance. As an actor he perfected the strong, silent hero persona and put forth the actor’s personality as his most important asset. He also left us the image of Sherlock Holmes and created the template for mysteries on both stage and screen. Yet he is all but forgotten today while less successful playwrights are well remembered. This biography brings him back to life and unveils his enormous successes and accomplishments, as well as a brilliant mind, a sharp wit and bountiful heart that made him beloved as well as admired. To our personal knowledge (because the author is a personal friend) the scholarship and diligence poured into this book has taken Henry over 10 years to complete. We have been awaiting this most comprehensive book since we first met Henry at the Sherlock Holmes/William Gillette Conference in Tryon, NC about a decade ago. We are delighted to see it come to press and are most pleased to be able to offer it to our friends and customers. It is a substantial volume of over 700 pages replete with numerous graphics and photos - many collected by author Zecher and not previously published. We might add the additional piece of information that Henry is a terrific writer. As we told Henry in a recent e-mail, it is a truly remarkable work. The bookshelf of every Sherlock Holmes fan and theater buff in the world will be incomplete until it contains a copy of William Gillette, America's Sherlock Holmes. We do recommend this book to your attention.



Henry Zecher showed his popular slide program on William Gillette in the Visitors Center at the Gillette Castle in Connecticut, after which he signed books for eager buyers. Pictured with Henry (on your right) are Tyke and Teddie Niver, who impersonate the Gillettes at the castle and in their program, "Sherlock Holmes - An Evening With the Gillettes."

William Gillette, America's Sherlock Holmes
by
Henry Zecher
Hard cover with dust jacket; Item number Bk/GZH; Price US$34.99
Soft cover; Item number Bk/GZS; US$23.99

Bk/GZH

William Gillette, America's Sherlock Holmes - Hard Cover

It has been our experience that our customers generally do not look to us for books that are not strictly devoted to Sherlock Holmes, but we believe that everybody loves Harry Potter - therefore, we are pleased and honored to be able to offer this remarkable volume to you :
"Harry Potter On Location"

Harry Potter on Location (deluxe edition)
by
J. P. Sperati
Price: US$22.00

Bk/POLd

Harry Potter on Location - deluxe edition

Harry Potter on Location
is also available in a standard edition.
The standard edition is as described above, except the photos are printed in black and white.

Bk/POLs

Harry Potter on Location - standard edition

New From England's Famous
The Irregular Special Press
In the Dead of Winter
by
Abbey Pen Baker

     Myrl Adler Norton was, by all accounts, one of the most remarkable women of the twentieth century.    The daughter of the acclaimed opera singer Irene Adler, she was a respected professor of logic at Smith College as well as one of the most famous consulting detectives of all time. The books of her exploits, written by her lifelong friend and confidante Faye Martin Tullis, are among the most popular in the history of detective literature.
      Now, with this previously undiscovered manuscript, the true story behind the meeting of these two friends and their first case comes to light. In 1918, while a student at Smith College, Faye first encountered Myrl, an enigmatic figure with an interesting past. When a local actress is found dead amid bizarre circumstances, Myrl takes an interest in the murder, and the two travel to Brattleboro, Vermont, to investigate. There they uncover a twisted conspiracy, one far more dangerous than simple murder - and learn the truth about Myrl's real father, the world's most famous consulting detective.
      This is a revised edition of the best selling St. Martin's Press 1994 publication (now out of print). This adventure sets the scene for the next Myrl Adler Norton mystery, Death at the Round Table, to be released exclusively by The Irregular Special Press in late 2010.

---

Reviews for this Publication
Laurie R. King “The Great Detective as a woman? Yes, with all the quirks, foibles, and misanthropy, all the genius, and all the darkness that runs through that remarkable mind. I look forward to more of Myrl Adler and her faithful Watson.”
Sena Jeter Naslund “Abby Pen Baker successfully creates a new world where a young woman detective embodies an equal amount of courage, curiosity, determination, and brains ... An exciting plot, a refreshing main character, and precise and evocative language combine to offer us a fine read.”
      Kirkus Reviews "Baker juggles her large cast and their secrets dexterously ... Recommended for readers who aren't sick of the centenary glut of Holmes pastiches, and even for those who are."
Zammi in their 5 star Amazon review entitled "A fantastic time in reading . . .Her writing style is believable, fun and I found myself reading non stop. Trust me when I tell you, that had I not loved this book I wouldn't be writing this now. A great read!
      An anonymous customer in their 5 star Amazon review "Ingenious, thoughtful, page-turner' wrote ... This book is a tour-de-force in technique. Pen Baker has mastered Conan Doyle's voice perfectly. If you believe in your heart that Sherlock lives, you can believe that this book was written by his daughter!"

In the Dead of Winter
by
Abbey Pen Baker
Item# Bk/DOW
Price: US$18.95

Dead of Winter

The name "David Hammer" is well known among Sherlockians, and it should be; David is one of the most prolific Sherlockian authors in the world with more than two-dozen titles to his credit. Many people who know him through his Sherlockian activities, don't know that David's "day job" is as an attorney.We would hesitate to call his most recent book, FOR THE RECORD: MY NAME IS HAMMER, an autobiography, for it isn't, but it is autobiographical. It contains dozens of brief, interesting, amusing, and true-life anecdotes arising from his life as a practicing attorney in Dubuque. Among his other great yarns is the one in which the defense of his client included the observation ". . . if I had been so fortunate that Mrs B. had been my mistress, I would . . .", but you have to read the book to find out what he would have done. If you have loved Mr. Hammer's books over the years (and who hasn't) you'll love getting to know David Hammer as a lawyer through his insights and humor. Soft cover, 160 pages.
Real David Hammer fans might also be interested in the neat David Hammer Mug we made for him a few months ago.

For those who might not know, Midsomer Murders is a British TV series. The mixture of classic "whodunnit," bizarre characters, storylines that often have a twist (or sting) in the tail as well as a troupe of very talented actors has brought the series a loyal fan-following around the globe. Now, our friend, Antony Richards, has brought to publication this "guide book" to various locations, in the English countryside, which provided settings important to episodes of Midsomer Murders.

     The majority of the pretty villages that make up the fictional Midsomer county are, in reality, strewn over four counties – Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire. Here for the first time is a comprehensive guide to the gorgeous locations used in filming the series. From Aldbury to Windsor, this book, published in conjunction with the Midsomer Murders Society, surveys over one hundred of these picturesque locations, complete with filming anecdotes. However, it concentrates primarily on the historical aspects of each site, most of which are now open to the public and worth visits in their own right. The guide is fully indexed by geographical location and episode. Midsomer Murders on Location is extensively illustrated and contains maps to assist the readers in planning their own visit. 90 pages, soft cover, perfect binding, 100+ photographs of mansions, cottages, castles, pubs, etc., (complete with maps) all lying in the towns and villages of Midsomer county. The authors have provided striking descriptions and colorful histories of each location. (Note: The location photos in the Midsomer Murders on Location book are printed in B&W)
       This book is a must for all Midsomer Murders enthusiasts as well as being a fascinating guide for anyone interested in visiting (whether in fact, or only vicariously) some of Britain's finest countryside locations . We are informed that the book is fully endorsed by Bentley Productions.

Midsomer Murders on Location
Edited by Antony Richards
Item#: Bk/MMOL
Price: US$14.50

A Hansom cab driver in Melbourne, Australia takes a gentleman passenger on board but unfortunately the passenger is discovered to be dead on arrival! How could a person travelling on his own in the back of a cab have been chloroformed to death? That is the mystery that will hold you, the reader, from page one right through to the end. It is this puzzle too that has made this book one of the most successful crime stories ever to have been published. It has been described in one reference book as one of the most successful crime stories of all time. It sold well over a million copies and has appeared in at least twelve different languages. Includes an excellent introduction by H.R.F. Keating who has himself published over 32 novels. The Sunday Times described The Mystery of a Hansom Cab as: "One of the best 100 Crime Stories of all time." Now back in print by popular demand is this new, easy to read version with a Stunning new cover illustration by Nikki Sims.
Soft cover; a massive 308 pages, perfect binding.

The Mystery of a Hansom Cab
by Fergus Hume with an introduction by H. R. F. Keating
Item#: Bk/Hansom
Price: US$ 18.50

Another Great Sherlockian Travel Book from David Hammer

A Deep Game: The Travelers' Companion to the London of Sherlock Holmes

Whether you explore London from your armchair or on foot, there is no more comprehensive, engrossing and entertaining "guidebook" than David Hammer's A Deep Game: The Travelers' Guide to the London of Sherlock Holmes! Part guidebook and part travelogue, this book provides a systematic exploration of London in search of all things canonical associated with that great metropolis. Mr. Hammer's investigations lead him to find, identify, and share with the reader, numerous actual locations important to Mr. Holmes during his career as The World's First Consulting Detective. Where was Holmes's favorite restaurant? Where was the home of "The Worst Man in London?" Where did Holmes and Watson first meet? You have read of all these places, but now you can actually visit, and often see (for the book is profusely illustrated), the actual locations of these legendary places. The Travelers' Guide to the London of Sherlock Holmes puts you in the scene along with Holmes and Watson. A fascinating read whether you are actually going to London or just wish you were!

Title of Book: A Deep Game: The Travelers' Companion to the London of Sherlock Holmes
Author: David Hammer
Item#: BK/TComp
Price: US$22.95

Sorry, sold out but we are trying to get more copies.

This is more than a "quiz book;" it contains a wealth of "the finer points" of Sherlockian information for the neophyte and aficionado alike. Kathleen Kaska is also the author of What's Your Agatha Christie I.Q.? and The Alfred Hitchcock Triviography and Quiz Book. In her Sherlock Holmes Triviography and Quiz Book, Ms. Kaska presents a comprehensive collecion of fun and challenging triva about the adventures of Holmes and Watson, as well as Professor Moriarty and scores of other characters contained in the Canon. She also illuminates details of Sir Arthur's own experiences and how they contributedto his literary work, e.g., the night Sir Arthur and Oscar Wilde met at a party and how a challenge resulted in Sir Arthur's Sign of Four and Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Grey. This is a wonderful source of fascinating information as well as fun collection of mind teaser for all Sherlock Holmes aficionados. Softback, perfect binding, 210 pages, (there are even a few crossword puzzles!). It has been a while since we have been able to get copies of this book - we are glad to be able to offer it again.

The Sherlock Holmes Triviography and Quiz Book
Item#: Bk/SHT&Q
Price: US$10.95

Sorry, temporarily out of stock

 

 

 

In case you missed getting The Sign of Four in your Klinger Sherlock Holmes Reference Library, or, if you just want a superbly anotated version of The Sign of Four, we find that we do have a few individal copies of Klinger's SIGN remaining in stock.

Sherlock Holmes Reference Library: The Sign of Four by Les Klinger
Item#:Bk/KlingerSign
Price: US$19.95

Mr. Hammer has had something of an obsession. That is, to go on quests to locate as many actual geographical places as possible associated with Mr. Holmes and his life. In this, the first of his famous "Sherlockian travel books," he guides the reader to canonical locations in England. Mr. Hammer says, "This particular quest has taken this fortunate writer through many English counties and into holmes, cottages and castles alike. It is a tribute to "our blessed Sherlock" that his name has been a sufficient talisman to cause strangers to open their doors and permit an aging devotee to trespass over their grounds and intrude upon their privacy. . . What follows (in the book) is an attempt to locate and identify the geographical verities of the Canon; a literary pilgrimage sufficient unto itself for any Holmesian, but yielding rather surprising results." 254 pages, soft cover, an amazing array of photographs, illustrations, and maps.

The Game is Afoot
by
David Hammer
Item#:Bk/Afoot
Price: US$24.00

For most of us, here in the American Colonies, this is likely to be the most useful of Mr. Hammer's famous "Sherlockian travel books." This is because he guides us to locations which we are most likely actually to visit. In this book Mr. Hammer guides us to geographical locations here in North America which are associated with, or logically derived from, the canonical writings. He divides his book unto five different sections, i.e., The American East (e.g., Buffalo, Cleveland), The American South (e.g., Col. Openshaw's Florida), American Midwest (e.g., Chicago, the Baskervilles of Iowa), The American West (e.g., Salt Lake City, and even the late John Bennett Shaw's New Mexican manure pile dedicated to Prof. Moriarty!), and several Canadian locations (e.g., Toronto and Halifax). 397 pages, hardbound, copious photographs (including a panoramic view of Moriarty, NM!). A great book for the Sherlockian traveller (either actual or vicarious!).

To Play the Game
by
David Hammer
Item#: Bk/Play
Price: US$ 36.00

David, the author, told us, "This is a bettersweet book as it is the conclusion of my search for English sites which were familiar to the celebrated detective and the good doctor. This title, The Worth of the Game, contains a certain accuracy for, like Neil Gibson (THOR), I have tried to play the game for all it is worth, although not as successfully as did "the gold king." In this volume, the peripatetic Mr. Hammer takes the reader along as he visits more than two-dozen additional British locations familiar to fans of The Canon including Whitehall, the location of the great river race (SIGN), a castle of a "certain gracious lady," the Bar of Gold, and there is even a chapter entitled, "A Coffin for Lady Carfax." 371 pages, soft cover, hundreds of photos of British canonical locations, maps and diagrams.

The Worth of the Game
by
David Hammer
Item#:Bk/Game
Price:US$24.00

Michael Harrison's Immortal Sleuth
Published by David Hammer

Michael Harrison (1907-1991) is a legend in the Sherlockian world. This book, written just shortly before Mr. Harrison's death, is not only a true classic of Sherlockian literature, but it is truly delightful reading. Here's a sample of Mr. Harrison's prose taken from his own introduction to Immortal Sleuth: " I have subtitled this . . . book, 'Sherlockian Musings and Memories.' That 'Memories' is, I think, not likely to call for any explanation: in eighty years, I have had, praise Heaven!, more than my fair share of passing through truly memorable times, and meeting many memorable people. Age alone . . . will fill the cup of Memory to overflowing - so that of the 'Memories' in this book, I have been able to give but the smallest part of my huge store. . ." But that "smallest part" is a fantastic exploration of Sherlockian history and "folklore" through which the author conducts the reader in a most delightful manner. 211 pages, hard cover, numerous photos and other graphics. A true classic not to be in print long.

Studies in Scarlet
by
Many Eminent Sherlockians
edited and published by
David Hammer

The collection of musings in this volume were contributed in 1988 - the centennial of the publication of A Study in Scarlet; the novel in which Sherlock Holmes was introduced to the world. There has rarely, if ever, been a collection of insigtful examinations of a canonical work, and/or event, such as contained in this volume! Sherlockian legends such as Michael Harrison, Michael Hardwick, John Bennett Shaw, Kiyoshi Tanaka, Philip Schreffler, John Lellenberg, and even David Hammer, himself, as well as others, delve into the nature of this landmark publication and the effect the introduction of the character, Sherlock Holmes, had on the subsequent course of human events. In Mr. Lellenberg's chapter entitled, "The Original MSS," the author even includes some reproductions of Doyle's original manuscripts complete with some very interesting editorial changes inserted by Sir Arthur, himself. 195 pages, soft cover, perfect binding, many pictures and graphics

Studies in Scarlet
by
Many Eminent Sherlockians
Item#: Bk/SIS
Price: $US22.00

22.00

David Hammer, the publisher, claims to have received a letter "on old fashioned stationery" from a woman "in her late nineties," identified only as a lady who had been friends with such legendary progenitors of our Sherlockian hobby as Vincent Starrett, Rex Stout, Christopher Morley, and Edgar Smith. The unidentified writer of this mysterious epistle said, ". . . in my late ninetiesI began to write on my old Remington some observations about Mr Holmes. I did this because I believe that Mr. Holmes, while mighty, was not infallible, and too manyof the younger generation are crediting him with the frightening quality of omniscience. (I believe) that a towering mythical hero of any kid is a dangerous one, and there is more than enough in Holmes, the human, to legitimately admire." The editor-publisher further tells us, "This book is written for those who have fun with the detective, and those who are solemn and self-serious should not read it . . ." (and even might find it heretical!). 93 pages, soft cover, perfect binding, art by Jeff Decker.