The Detective, the Woman and the Winking Tree: A Novel of Sherlock Holmes

This is the second novel by this author about Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler. As you may fear, it is a love story. It is not, however, a story about the love between Sherlock and Irene, rather it is the story of many loves, some healthy and some not so fine. The author has chosen as her mystery the Untold Tale of “...Mr. James Phillimore who, stepping back into his own house to get his umbrella, was never more seen in this world,” as cited in “The Problem of Thor Bridge.” Several years have passed since the events of The Detective and the Woman, and Irene has purchased Holmes’ cottage in Fulworth where she is raising bees. On the day of a prominent local wedding the disappearance of Mr. Phillimore upset the town and has remained unsolved by the police, so Irene has sent a vaguely explanatory note to Holmes, which he interprets as a “Summons.” He arrived more than a week after the event and jumped into the mystery with both feet.This is an exquisitely crafted novel. The mystery is complex and motives are even more convoluted. The characters are intense and lovingly portrayed and the various love stories are detailed in great depth. Irene and Sherlock may not be accused of having a ‘relationship,’ but it is clear that their earlier adventure left them in a state of being ‘friends’ and even co-operators. Each has a strong appreciation for the talents and mind of the other, but romance does not enter the picture. This couple are at the stage of beginning to understand and to trust one another, far from being in love. The various lovers in this tale each go their own ways and each expresses their love differently. Even the police inspector acts out his love and admiration for an esteemed colleague.The author bundles reality under layers of symbols, so that all experiences occur at several levels. As an example, Holmes watches the bees and muses on “the elaborate dance the makes up the life of the hive.” Biologists have named the activity of bees returning to the hive from nectar sources a “schwangletanze,” or a “wiggle dance,” which directs other bees to the location of the source. Themes are repeated at several levels all through the book, as the various lovers deal with their passions in a variety of ways. There is no need to say that the explanations and outcomes are all completely unexpected. As in her earlier novel, the author has written alternate chapters from the viewpoint if Irene and then from that of Sherlock.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, May, 2013