While I tend to shy away from Holmes/Ripper novels (a great conundrum to Holmes fans why the great detective did not address that case), The Last Sherlock Holmes Story by Michael Dibdin was a stellar explanation of the truth behind those strange and terrifying events.
Prefaced, in traditional fashion, by the editors of the long-lost but recently found Watsonian manuscript, the tale is in Watson’s own voice rather than that of Arthur Conan Doyle, the writer of the known Holmes tales. Watson’s true narrative pays homage to the Canon by being scrupulously correct in its dates and references. However, the fiend behind the Whitechapel killings is nothing like what Watson originally thought: a primitive, brutal psychopath. No, Watson gradually begins to suspect that Holmes suffers from a dissociative personality disorder, brought about by his addiction to cocaine.
The writing is beautifully authentic, creating the atmosphere of an original Holmes story with grace and ease. The references to Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson, Mrs. Watson, former cases, and of course Moriarty lend the tale its familiarity; but the chilling truth, withheld until the end of the story, reveals a very different confrontation at Reichenbach Falls. It is dark, oh so very dark, and absolutely delightful.
I don’t know how I’d never heard of The Last Sherlock Holmes Story before. Holmes fans will love it. I certainly did.
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