Welcome to 223B Baker Street

The debut of Sherlock Holmes in the pages of The Strand

magazine introduced one of fiction’s most memorable heroes. Arthur Conan Doyle’s spellbinding tales of mystery and detection, along with Holmes’ deep friendship with Doctor Watson, touched the hearts of fans worldwide, and inspired imitations, parodies, songs, art, even erotica, that continues to this very day.

“Sherlock Holmes Great War Parodies and Pastiches II: 1915-1919” collects 37 pieces — short stories, poems, and cartoons — all published during the opening years of Conan Doyle’s literary career. Also included are much of the original art and more than 300 footnotes identifying obscure words, historical figures, and events that readers were familiar with at the time.

Peschel Press’ 223B Casebook series — named because they’re “next door” to the original stories — is dedicated to publishing the fanfiction created by amateur and professional writers during Conan Doyle’s lifetime. Each book covers an era, publication, or writer, and includes lively mini-essays containing insights into the work, Conan Doyle, and those who were inspired by him.

A lifelong fan of mysteries, and Sherlock Holmes in particular,

Bill Peschel is a former award-winning journalist living in Hershey. He is the annotator of novels by Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers, publisher of the three-volume Rugeley Poisoner series, and author of “Writers Gone Wild” (Penguin).