Sherlock's Holmes's great friend Dr. Watson was usually happy to chronicle the cases of the master detective. But occasionally he struck out alone. And solved a mystery on his own.
Patrick Mercer tells the story of Sherlock Holmes's great friend Watson's formative years in the Army. It is a must-read for fans of Holmes, and for anyone who enjoys historical military fiction.
Doctor Watson's War:
Afghanistan. 1880. A bloodied but unbowed young medic must fight in a war that will test both his courage and conscience to its very limits. Despite his own wound, despite the howling tribesman hounding his every step back to the walls of Kandahar, he will not forsake the injured soldiers and victims of battle who he has sworn to treat and protect.
The most difficult to save of all though is Alisha Kahn, the beautiful and enigmatic fighting queen - shot down as she led the Afghans against the British and brought to the dressing station by Private 'Posh' Williams, the gentleman ranker. Her warrior brothers want to save her, whilst the retreating troops can see no reason why she should live.
The terror and nobility of the events fought across blood-soaked desert sands – culminating in the Battle of Maiwand - will scar and inspire Doctor John H. Watson forever.
Doctor Watson's Charge:
The enigmatic army officer Captain JAC Smethwick is a veteran of the The Charge of the Light Brigade. But when he visits Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson he has more on his mind than the conflict in the Crimea. There is a mystery surrounding the death of his former employer, Lord Cardigan. Smethwick believes that the man responsible for his death is none other than the former Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli.
Holmes sends Watson off to Deene Park, Lord Cardigan's estate, to investigate and question the victim's widow - the colourful and flirtatious Adeline de Horsey. But Watson starts to uncover an altogether more sinister and complex conspiracy. And rather than unmask the murderer, Watson may become his next victim. The game's afoot - but who is the hunter and who will be the prey?
Doctor Watson's Bout:
The British boxing champion Ezekial Shaw has been knifed to death. Yet the world's greatest consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, seems indifferent towards the case. Doctor Watson is intrigued, however, and starts an investigation of his own. But his line of questioning soon causes him to cross paths with a certain Colonel Moriarty. And it leads him into an affair with a possible suspect - Amelia, the sensual and seductive wife of Ezekial Shaw.
Yet as he gets closer to the mysterious truth, the boxing underworld stands in his way. And to keep the truth hidden, plans are made to murder the investigator. Before the case is solved, Watson will have to fight his way out of tighter corner than any he ever found himself in with Holmes.
Doctor Watson's Terror:
1882. The Irish Republican Brotherhood (the Fenians) are fighting for independence from the UK. As Doctor Watson is walking back towards Parliament Square, two carriages collide in a serious accident. He rushes to help – and simultaneously a novel dynamite device is discovered outside the Home Office and defused before it can go off.
During a subsequent visit to Sherlock Holmes, Watson receives a telegram from the Royal Irish Constabulary, asking him to visit Ireland, and the two earlier incidents start to seem related. Once in Ireland, Watson and his own sidekick Bowler, find themselves embroiled in an assassination plot and are kidnapped by Fenian rebels. Can the two Englishmen escape from the rebel gang in time to prevent further murders?
Doctor Watson's Battle:
Sherlock Holmes, along with Doctor John Watson and, his friend and one time orderly, Bowler are working on a case involving two chemistry students from Belgrade. However, investigations have to be put on hold as the trio are to attend the Regimental Fete in Colchester.
There is much discussion about Watson’s latest amour, Mrs Daisy Lynch, a widow, and sister of Right Honourable, Major Nicholas Stomark MP. Stomark, also known as Scamper, turned tail from the conflict in Afghanistan when everyone else was attacking, although he doesn’t seem to remember it like that.
Due to Princess Charlotte’s attendance at the Regimental Fete, a special display is called for, the re-enactment of the denouement of Maiwand in Helmand.
Dressed in costume, Watson and Bowler are roped in, together with the enthusiastic Scamper and Helena Lynch, Daisy’s sister-in-law. Helena is well known for her exploits and drug use, and being part of the Stomark circle.
During the re-enactment a fatal accident occurs. But was it really an accident? So follows another case for Sherlock and Watson. But, things are not as easy to resolve as at first thought. Is there a murderer on the loose? And can the pair catch him in time...?
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