Young Sherlock falls for Galway’s charms in latest adventure
He’s been all over the world, although rarely putting down roots in one place for too long – but all of that changed when young Sherlock Holmes discovered the delights of Galway!
Recently returned from the Orient, the fledgling sleuth finds himself in the City of Tribes in Knife Edge, Andrew Lane’s latest book in the Young Sherlock Holmes series.
It’s unusual for Sherlock to stay in one place for so long – especially in this series of books – but, like many before him, the dashing detective fell for the charms of the rugged west.
The story differs from earlier books in the series as it doesn’t contain any real historical events or characters and it’s not set in a foreign or exotic location; “well if you’re British anyway – if you’re living in the Republic of Korea then Ireland is probably as unusual as the surface of Mars,” said Mr Lane.
After writing five books based on real historical events in various locations, Mr Lane felt it was time to settle down and stay in one place for a while, choosing Galway, “a small town with plenty of character”, as the location.
“I thought it was probably about time to set something in a more ‘invented’ location and to let [Sherlock Holmes] spend some time there rather than keep moving around,” he said.
“So, although Galway is real and I spent several very pleasant days there soaking up the atmosphere, I have taken several liberties with its geography.”
One such liberty is the invention of Cloon Ard Castle, where much of the plot is based. This imaginary castle is located “out along the coast road in an area known as Salthill”, according to Sherlock’s brother, Mycroft.
From the moment he steps onto Galway soil at Spanish Arch, Sherlock’s stay in the West of Ireland is filled with gripping adventure and thrilling mystery. Subject to Mycroft’s quizzical mission of contacting the dead, Sherlock ends up in an ancient Irish castle near Salthill, where something very sinister is afoot.
Mycroft is in Galway to investigate a psychic who claims he can communicate with dead spies and is offering his services to the highest bidder. But somebody – or something – seems to be trying to silence the psychic. What follows is a mystery that only one as genius as Sherlock Holmes can solve.
Knife Edge is a thrilling tale of adventure, allowing the reader to picture Lane’s Sherlock Holmes standing by the sea or stepping off a ship at the Spanish Arch.
Andrew Lane, an author, journalist and lifelong Sherlock Holmes fan, truly brings the spirit of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s character to life, reinventing the world’s most famous and loved detective as a teenage boy.