Here is a short book that will appeal to Sherlockians and to all readers (including would-be writers) interested in popular literature. This collection of fourteen essays, subtitled “How Conan Doyle Turned the Trick,” discusses Sir Arthur’s talents in terms of readability, humour, atmosphere, character analysis, etc. The author, Charles Press of East Lansing, Michigan, offers a number of reasons why Sir Arthur’s tales were so popular in his own day and remain so popular in ours. Highly readable.
Bibliography, index. 5.5" x 8.25", 132 pages. Four-colour illustrated cover.
ISBN 1-55246-580-2 $20.00