12 Best Sherlock Holmes Fiction Books and Retellings

Sherlock Holmes Fiction Retellings

Holmes and Watson have always been the perfect sleuth team, so it’s no wonder they have inspired so many Sherlock Holmes fiction stories and retellings.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is beyond genius for inventing this dynamic duo and I’m forever grateful that my dad forced his copy into my hands one snowy day. I’ve been reading the canon and Sherlock Holmes retellings inspired ever since.

I watch the movie and TV show adaptations all the time, but it’s the literary spin-offs and remakes that get me excited. I have my dad to thank for introducing me to the Laurie King and Bakers Street series you see below.

I have Bookstagram to thank for most of the other finds!  There are contemporary series, YA picks, female Sherlocks, and more!

If you are a Sherlock Holmes die-hard fan like me, I invite you to take a look at this round-up of Sherlock Holmes Fiction. I can pretty much guarantee you’ll find something worth reading.

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The Best Sherlock Holmes Fiction

House of Silk

The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s estate is more than 125 years old and yet this is the first book they authorized in all that time to be written about Sherlock Holmes. And their waiting paid off!

Anthony Horowitz brings Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson back to life in this story in a way that evokes Sir Arthur’s writing style. In it, an art dealer comes to Holmes claiming a criminal is stalking him and later that day, he is robbed.

But that is just the tip of the iceberg. The case includes murdered children, an opium den, and Holmes accused of murder. I was transported to Dr. Watson’s London and felt as if I was reading a canon story. This is easily one of the best Sherlock Holmes fiction stories in existence.

beekeepersapprentice

The BeeKeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King

This one is for all the Sherlock fans out there. It takes place after the classic canon ends with the introduction of the retired Holmes and his new neighbor – Mary Russell. I adore this historical mystery book series, as does my dad who is a mystery reader exclusively.

When an American Senator’s daughter is kidnapped, Holmes and his protege are called to help Scotland Yard with the case. This is one of my favorite detective books and my favorite Sherlock Holmes retelling!

Modern Sherlock Holmes Retellings

The Baker Street Letters

The Baker Street Letters by Michael Robertson

The first in a series of modern Sherlock Holmes retellings, this story is about Nigel and Reggie, brothers that own a law firm at 221b Baker Street in present-day London. When they receive a letter from a young girl in LA, they suddenly get involved in solving mysteries.

I love the spin on Sherlock and the way Nigel and Reggie work together to solve the case.

The Sherlockian

The Sherlockian by Graham Moore

This modern Sherlock Holmes fiction book is also historical fiction because it’s a dual-timeline adventure. It’s less about Sherlock than it is about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In the 2010 narrative, Harold is trying to find the killer of a man who had the missing diary of Sir Arthur.

Meanwhile, in the 1901 narrative that overlaps the missing diary years, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is seeking a murderer of his own. It was a cleverly done mystery novel I think Holmes himself would enjoy.

Historical Sherlock Holmes Fiction

The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes

The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes by Leonard Goldberg

This is the first in a series of Sherlock Holmes fiction set in 1914 and stars Sherlock’s daughter! Joanna Blalock is a nurse whose keen observational skills are required by an elderly Dr. Watson and his handsome son.

Together, the three set off to solve a case of missing treasure and murder. The game is once again afoot in this delightful rendition that continues Sherlock’s legacy.

A Study in Scarlet Women

A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas

Sherry Thomas delivers a masterful new take on Sherlock Holmes with this mystery series featuring a lady detective using Sherlock as an alias.

The series set-up on this one lays the groundwork for why Charlotte Holmes left home, became a detective, and met Mrs. Watson. And, of course, there is a mystery about numerous deaths to be solved as well.

I loved the layer of deception Charlotte needs to have to keep her identity a mystery in an era where women weren’t valued for their minds. This is one of the detective books where there is some social commentary as well.

Young Adult Sherlock Holmes Fiction

The Strange Case of the Alchemist Daughter

The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter by Theodora Gross

It’s no wonder this book won an Audie Award in 2018, it’s one of the most unique Sherlock Holmes retellings I’ve ever read. It melds together the stories of Dr. Jekyll, Frankenstein, and Sherlock all in one!

Penniless after her mother’s death, Mary Jekyll is set on a mysterious path to hunt down Mr. Hyde but finds his daughter instead. Soon she’s roped Sherlock and Watson into her quest to uncover a secret society. Along the way, she meets the female creations of the mad scientists of the world.

This YA Fantasy retelling is so unique. it’s unlike any other Sherlock Holmes books on this list.

a study in charlotte

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

I enjoyed the first book in the Charlotte Holmes Trilogy. I’ve mentioned before that I am a big Sherlock Holmes fan. This Sherlock Holmes retelling differs from the others because it occurs in modern times.

The central characters are the teenage descendants of Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson. I love detective books that take a different look at a favorite character.

The adolescent angle leaves room for error in Holmes’ deductive reasoning skills. Watson is also a more fleshed-out character who has deductive reasoning skills of his own. This classic retelling wraps up nicely and the characters solve the mystery leaving enough open ends to allow for a sequel.

This is one of my favorite mystery books set in High school.

Middle Grade Sherlock Holmes Retellings

shelby holmes

The Great Shelby Holmes by Elizabeth Eulberg

If you are a Sherlock Holmes fan, you can get your kid started on their journey with this modern Sherlock Holmes retelling. In this one, 6th grader Shelby is a detective in her Harlem neighborhood.

She doesn’t have many friends until John Watson moves in downstairs. Soon the duo are working together to solve a dog napping case. It’s one of our favorite children’s mystery book series.

Enola Holmes case of the missing marquess

Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer

Now a hit Netflix movie, Enola Holmes has taken the world by storm. She is the youngest Holmes child and she’s trying to come into her own as a detective in Victorian England.

In this debut mystery book for kids, Enlola steps out of her brother’s shadow and solves some mysteries of her own.

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12 Best Sherlock Holmes Fiction Books and Retellings 16

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One Comment

  1. Please don’t forget the excellent Irene Adler series by Carole Nelson Douglas. I don’t know why these books have fallen thru the cracks whenever people mention Sherlock Holmes pastiches or books in the Sherlockaverse, but they are great!