My mum and dad had a small collection of books on the dresser in the living room when I was growing up. I’m pretty sure one of those books was a Reader’s Digest edition of the Sherlock Holmes short stories. I can remember quiet afternoons spent curled up with that book, lost in the world of 221B Baker Street. It was my first introduction to the genius of Holmes and the loyalty of Watson, and it’s a memory that has stayed with me ever since.
Years later, those stories (and Jeremy Brett’s rendition of Holmes in the ITV series) would inspire my own work. Now, as I prepare to release the first Atticus Priest short story – The Mystery of the Missing Pages – I find myself reflecting on the influence of Arthur Conan Doyle, the enduring appeal of Holmes and Watson, and the joy of creating my own spin on the classic detective duo.
Conan Doyle created Holmes in the late 19th century, introducing him to the world in A Study in Scarlet in 1887. The character was inspired by Dr. Joseph Bell, one of Doyle’s professors at the University of Edinburgh, who was known for his powers of observation and deduction. Holmes quickly became a literary sensation, with readers captivated by his brilliant mind, eccentric personality, and knack for solving the unsolvable.
Doyle’s stories were originally published in magazines, most notably The Strand, where they reached a wide audience. Each installment left readers eagerly awaiting the next, cementing Holmes as one of the most iconic characters in literary history. Despite Doyle’s occasional frustration with his creation — he famously killed off Holmes in “The Final Problem” before public demand forced his return — the detective has endured for over a century, inspiring countless adaptations and reinterpretations.
What makes Holmes so timeless? For me, it’s the combination of his razor-sharp intellect, his ability to see what others overlook, and his unwavering dedication to uncovering the truth. But it’s also his flaws — his aloofness, his addiction to stimulation, and his occasional arrogance — that make him human. Paired with Dr. Watson’s warmth, Holmes becomes not just a detective, but a character you root for.
Reading Doyle’s stories as a child sparked a lifelong love of detective fiction. From Agatha Christie to Raymond Chandler, I devoured mysteries of all kinds. But it was Holmes who left the deepest mark. I was fascinated by his methods, his ability to see patterns where others saw chaos, and his knack for making the impossible seem simple. The stories taught me that every detail matters and that the best mysteries aren’t just puzzles — they’re windows into human nature.
When I began writing my own detective stories, I often found myself returning to the lessons I’d learned from Doyle. My protagonist, Atticus Priest, isn’t Holmes — he’s very much his own man — but he shares a similar brilliance and a relentless drive to uncover the truth. Like Holmes, Atticus doesn’t always play by the rules, but he has a strong moral compass and a deep respect for justice.
The idea for writing short stories featuring Atticus came from two places: my love of Doyle’s original stories and my desire to explore Atticus in a new format. Short stories are a different beast from novels. They require precision, economy, and a focus on a single, compelling idea. In many ways, they’re the perfect medium for a detective like Atticus, whose cases often hinge on a single clue or insight.
When I decided to create these stories, I knew I wanted to pay homage to Doyle while making them distinctly my own. The tone, the structure, and the interplay between Atticus and his assistant, Jez Hardwicke, are all inspired by Holmes and Watson, but the setting and cases are thoroughly modern. These stories take place in the Salisbury and Winchester areas, grounding them in the rich history and character of the English countryside.
The first short story in the series, which will be released just before Christmas, was a joy to write. My wife tells me that my best stuff is usually written quickly, and I finished the 10,000 words in the story during long trains ride to and from Suffolk. It combines many of the elements I love in a good mystery: a seemingly impossible crime, a cast of intriguing suspects, and a resolution that (I hope) will surprise readers. But it also gave me the chance to explore Atticus and Jeremy’s dynamic in a more intimate way. Writing from Jeremy’s perspective — much like Watson narrates Holmes’s adventures — allowed me to add a layer of warmth and humour to the story.
One of the challenges, and joys, of writing this story was finding the balance between paying tribute to Doyle and creating something fresh. I wanted readers to feel the echoes of Holmes and Watson, but I also wanted the story to stand on its own. Atticus isn’t Holmes, and Jez isn’t Watson, but their partnership has its own unique charm and energy. I think readers will enjoy seeing how their relationship develops over the course of these stories.
The Mystery of the Missing Pages will be available just before Christmas in both ebook and audio formats. It’s a perfect read (or listen) for a cosy winter evening, whether you’re a longtime fan of Atticus or new to the series. The story is designed to be a self-contained mystery, so you don’t need to have read the novels to enjoy it — though, of course, I hope it inspires you to dive into the rest of the series!
This first short story is just the beginning. I have plans for more adventures featuring Atticus and Jez, each inspired in some way by the classic Holmes tales. These stories will explore a range of mysteries, from thefts and disappearances to more unusual puzzles.
Thank goodness for that old compendium. Without them, I might never have discovered my love of detective fiction — or the joy of creating mysteries of my own.
