Baker Street Irregulars: New Excerpt

Baker Street Irregulars, edited by Michael A. Ventrella and Jonathan Maberry, features thirteen authors—including Gail Z. Martin, David Gerrold, and Jonathan Maberry—who come together to pen short stories innovating Sherlock Holmes, adapting and revolutionizing the iconic character (available March 21, 2017).

Read an excerpt from Baker Street Irregulars, then make sure to sign in and comment below for a chance to win a copy of this wonderful Sherlock-inspired anthology!

Sherlock Holmes is one of the most iconic and lasting figures in literature. His feats of detection are legendary, and he continues to capture audiences today in stories, movies, and on TV. In this new anthology, Baker Street Irregulars, authors present the celebrated detective in more than a dozen wildly entertaining new ways. In Ryk Spoor’s thrilling “The Adventures of a Reluctant Detective,” Sherlock is a re-creation in a holodeck. In Hildy Silverman’s mesmerizing ”A Scandal in the Bloodline,” Sherlock is a vampire. Heidi McLaughlin sends Sherlock back to college, while Beth Patterson, in the charming “Code Cracker,” turns him into a parrot. The settings range from Russia in the near-future to a reality show, from a dystopian world to an orchestra. Without losing the very qualities that make Sherlock so illustrious a character, these authors spin new webs of mystery around their own singular riff on one of fiction’s truly singular characters.

“Delta Phi”

by Heidi McLaughlin

The knock on my door startles me. I sit anxiously, waiting to see if it happens again. It’s not often that people come to visit me and I’d rather not get excited by the prospect only to find out that it’s a student bumping their way down the hall, inadvertently hitting my door. I focus my attention instead on the crime scene report I downloaded from the local police server. I’ve been hacking into their system since I arrived in Burlington, Vermont, and quickly started offering them subtle clues to solve their petty crime cases. As morbid as it is, I’m waiting for a murder to occur so I can hone my craft in the field of investigation. Of course, being a college student, my work is never credited.

Ron Smith is the local police chief. He considers me a thorn in his side. He’s not a fan of me, especially when my eighteen-year-old self discovers inconsistencies in his police work. More accurately, when my dorm was pranked as part of the Delta Phi fraternity initiation, his responding officer couldn’t find the offenders, stating that the evidence was inconclusive. The fact that Delta Phi was pasted to the outside wall by way of wet toilet paper apparently wasn’t a big enough clue. I bested the police department when I showed them the handprints left behind matched those of one Roger Stallworth, the center for our basketball team, who has the largest hands on campus.

The knock sounds again, but this time it’s louder and more defined against the metal door. Closing my laptop and sliding the investigation report into my file cabinet, away from the prying eyes of whoever lurks outside, I open the door with luster, acting calm and collected as if I have visitors every day. The person on the other side of the concrete box that I reside in doesn’t need to know otherwise.

“Lock Holmes?” she questions. I nod, but stand still against the doorjamb, preventing her from entering. My name is Sherlock, but I go by Lock. It’s more hip and easier to play off with my hippie parents. My mother, in all her peace-loving ways, couldn’t decide on a name for me, and ended up combining my grandmother’s name, Sheryl, with the nickname of Lock for the tiny tuft of hair I was born with. Sadly, my father never disagreed and forever branded me with the eccentric name that throughout childhood labeled me as an outsider.

The lady in front of me, dressed in a pinstriped suit, is nervous even though she’s trying to maintain a professional look. She forgot her watch this morning when she dressed. The tan line indicates that she wore it all summer, not caring about sunblock or the odd white block of skin she’d leave showing if she were to forget it, like today. The imprint left on her skin says she wears a women’s Timex—cheap and easily found in every discount store in America.

“I’m Professor MacAfee. Chief Smith suggested I come to you for some help.” Her dark hair rests on her shoulders and is curled forward, giving onlookers the illusion that she’s younger than she presents. She hides the gray hairs easily from those who aren’t paying attention. I rack my brain, trying to recall exactly who she is. My photographic memory never fails—her image reminds me that she’s head of Ecological Agriculture.

Professor MacAfee looks to her right and then left—watching for someone to come down the hall, perhaps? I could step aside and let her into my sanctuary, but I’m cautious. There’s a reason I room by myself—it’s easier than dealing with odd looks and minimizes comments being made behind my back. In boarding school, I couldn’t escape the mandatory requirement that I room with someone. For years my name was whispered among my peers as they talked about how different and observant I am, as if knowing your surroundings is a crime. For college, I forged my own path and made sure my roommate application was filled out meticulously so I could room by myself. It’s laughable how the administration never asked for my medical records when I stated I was allergic to everything.

“May I come in?”
 

Copyright © 2017 Michael A. Ventrella & Jonathan Maberry.

Comment below for a chance to win a copy of Baker Street Irregulars, edited by Michael A. Ventrella & Jonathan Maberry!

To enter, make sure you're a registered member of the site and simply leave a comment below.

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Baker Street Irregulars Comment Sweepstakes: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.  A purchase does not improve your chances of winning.  Sweepstakes open to legal residents of 50 United States, D.C., and Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18 years or older as of the date of entry.  To enter, complete the “Post a Comment” entry at https://www.criminalelement.com/stories/2017/03/baker-street-irregulars-new-excerpt-comment-sweepstakes beginning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) March 20, 2017. Sweepstakes ends 9:59 a.m. ET March 27, 2017. Void outside the United States and Canada and where prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules here. Sponsor: Macmillan, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010.

 

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Michael A. Ventrella writes witty adventures and edits two major anthologies: Tales of Fortannis and Baker Street Irregulars (co-edited with NY Times Bestselling author Jonathan Maberry)

His short stories have appeared in various collections as well.

Jonathan Maberry is a New York Times bestselling and five-time Bram Stoker Award-winning author, anthology editor, comic book writer, magazine feature writer, playwright, content creator and writing teacher/lecturer. He was named one of the Today’s Top Ten Horror Writers. His books have been sold to more than two-dozen countries.

Comments

  1. John Quiring

    Interesting line-up of authors. Count me in as interested!

  2. Joyce Benzing

    Like to try a new take on Holmes!

  3. Gordon Bingham

    Love me some Holmseian pastiches…

  4. James Joyce

    Ah! The “Unoffical Force”!

    Sign me up.

  5. M W

    Count me in.

  6. Theresa

    can’t wait to read this book!!! So many great authors!
    thanks for the chance!

  7. RickC

    Can’t wait to read this!

  8. Muriel Smitherman

    Love Holmes!

  9. MaryC

    Love Sherlock Holmes!

  10. Jeffrey Malis

    Looking forward to reading these stories… Thank you for the excerpt and the entry opportunity!

  11. Jeffrey Malis

    Looking forward to reading these stories… Thank you for the excerpt and the entry opportunity!

  12. Karen Mikusak

    Would love to win!

  13. Janine Gober

    This is a book that I would love to read!

  14. johnna smith

    Would love to read this title!!

  15. Jodi Scott

    Love this series!!

  16. Susanne Troop

    Count me in! Love to read!

  17. Susanne Troop

    Count me in! Love to read!

  18. Anne Kennedy

    Hippy parents who chose their child’s name lackadaisically couldn’t be further from the original Sherlick’s heritage. An auspicious introduction to what promises to be an engaging anthology.

  19. Bill Horton

    Intriguing, Promises to be a very eclectic read.

  20. Theresa Clarke

    I’ve been a Holmes fan for years – this sounds like awesome fun!

  21. Portia Asher

    I’m a Sherlock afficianado…this would be a treat!

  22. ellie lewis

    Captivating and wonderful.Thanks.

  23. Pearl Berger

    Any Sherlock is great.

  24. Rebecca Brothers

    Sounds like it could be fun.

  25. Rebecca Brothers

    Sounds like it could be fun.

  26. aremcy

    Looking forward to reading the entire book. A free copy would be most welcome.

  27. pearl berger

    This would be a real treasure.

  28. Michael Carter

    Great!
    Please enter me in this sweepstakes.
    Thanks —

  29. LawrenceJohnPatrickDoyle

    I’d like to read the rest of the Sherlock the hacker story.

  30. susan beamon

    Sherlock Holmes seems to be a blueprint that many authors have made interesting modifications to. I would like to see these alterations to the myth.

  31. Janice

    Interesting. Would love to read.

  32. Kathleen Costa

    What a marvelous story… I love everything Sherlock Holmes in all of its incarnations.

  33. Lori P

    Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so they way. I’m sure it’s demonstrated here in the very best sense!

  34. John OBrien

    Alternate history is a favorite genre – are alternate versions of a fictional historical detective a sub-genre? Whatever the answer is, I enjoy these type of stories and look forward to more.

  35. Sharon Haas

    Count me in for anything Sherlock!

  36. Dan Carr

    That sounds fun!

  37. Barbara Bibel

    Fun! Can’t wait to read it.

  38. Katie Barron

    Sounds good

  39. TAMMY CUEVAS

    I have to have a copy of this. I love Sherlock Holmes!

  40. Joanne Mielczarski

    Sign me up to win a copy, please.

  41. Karl Stenger

    I would love to read the book.

  42. Kris Kaminski

    the game is afoot!

  43. Kris Kaminski

    the game is afoot!

  44. Mary Ann Woods

    Love the short story collections!

  45. jean olaughlin

    Sounds like a great read!

  46. Janice Blasklo

    The excerpt, was very entertaining and had me hoping to read more. I do enjoy reading but not everything will hold my attention long enough for me to finish the book.

  47. jgdozier

    Need some more Holmes in my life!

  48. Kevin McKernan

    Sounds great

  49. Christine Edgar

    Would love this book! Thanks for the chance.

  50. Christine Edgar

    Would love this book! Thanks for the chance.

  51. Elizabeth Brodeur

    Would love to read these stories

  52. Joyce Redman

    modern take on Sherlock Holmes is always interesting.

  53. Joyce Redman

    modern take on Sherlock Holmes is always interesting.

  54. Erin Hartshorn

    Wonderful list of authors, and the excerpt is fun. “Lock,” indeed.

  55. John Smith

    Why all the repeated comments? Glitch or impatience?

  56. Daniel Morrell

    sounds like a fun one

  57. lasvegasnv

    fun

  58. pat murphy

    Hope to win !

  59. Pat Murphy

    Looks good. Always like the pastisches.

  60. Deb Philippon

    Been a fan of Sherlock Holmes, like, forever. Wish me luck!

  61. Terrie

    Sounds like a book I would love to read!

  62. Rudy Wright

    I love the Sherlock renaissance.

  63. Catherine Myers

    Huge Fan

  64. Desmond Warzel

    Count me in, please!

  65. Cat

    Can’t wait to read more.

  66. Karen Barnett

    Fascinating – love to win and read.

  67. Dale Crawford

    I try to read almost anything that even mentions Sherlock, count me in!

  68. OYODLER

    I LOVED IT A SHERLOCK HOLMES FAN SINCE AGE 18.I WANT A FREE COPY

  69. accontests6

    Awesome!

  70. johnDM

    easy hand sell to Holmes fans

  71. rickel bart

    count me in

  72. Laurent Latulippe

    Sounds like a fun read.

  73. Andrew Gordon

    count me in

  74. Barbara Lima

    Poor girl, stuck with that name!

  75. Jean Dickinson

    I have enjoyed TV series featuring Holmes & Watson (“Elementary” and PBS excellent “Sherlock”) and look forward to the 13 authors in anthology “BakerStreetIrregulars”

  76. Kyle Johnicker

    Holmes is such a great character and universe to build around.

  77. Mary Lauff-Thompson

    Love short mystery stories!

  78. Shannon Baas

    I would like this.

  79. roy gruss

    Love this

  80. Marty Crosson

    So I skim the article, thinking there’s nothing new anyone can do with Sherlock Holmes. Then I get to ‘vampire’ and ‘parrot.’ Could be trying too hard for novelty or could be interesting — not sure at this point.

  81. Alison Almquist

    I want to read it right now.

  82. zabby

    This looks very entertaining!

  83. Anastasia

    I’d love to read some Sherlock stories! 🙂

  84. Sandra Slack

    Sherlock Holmes was always a favorite, would like to see the new take on it.

  85. L Peters

    love the original Sherlock Holmes. this should be a fun read. thanks

  86. HESTER MAYO

    Would love to win this book!

  87. vicki wurgler

    short mystery stories sounds great

  88. Tammy Z Evans

    This sounds interesting, I would definitely like to read this.

  89. Beth Talmage

    It seems Sherlock is endlessly inspiring.

  90. Mike Rogers

    Love it!

  91. Sally Schmidt

    Very enjoyable post, thanks.

  92. Jane Schwarz

    Thank you for this sampling, great read. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

  93. Richard Hicks

    Would love to read this

  94. Jane Wright

    Can never get too much Sherlock, a great book.

  95. Cheryl Greenleaf

    Sounds great!

  96. JAMES LYNAM

    I love to read any thing related to Sherlock. Send it.

  97. bill norris

    I love all things Sherlock and would love to read some new stuff.

  98. Penny Snyder

    Would love to read this!!~

  99. Penny Snyder

    Would love to read this!!~

  100. Cameron Swinko

    Looks like a fun book

  101. Tracey Concannon

    Can’t go wrong with Holmes!

  102. Susan Smoaks

    thank you for the chance to win!

  103. Kim Keithline

    sounds great sign me up

  104. Stephanie Liske

    pick me..

  105. John Judge

    Thanks for the chance

  106. Paula Strickland

    You have the best giveaways!

  107. Tricha Leary

    thanks for this great chance

  108. Linda Peters

    would love this, thanks

  109. Linda Peters

    would love this, thanks

  110. Lily

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

  111. Heather Cowley

    I think this would be an interesting read! Love Sherlock stories!

  112. Denise Sachs

    This sounds great.

  113. Rosalind Lopez

    This would be a mystery right up my alley of interest.

  114. Barbara Lima

    This young person deals well with serious afflictions.

  115. Pamela Musialak

    I want this book, hope I got it 🙂

Comments are closed.