The popularity of Sherlock Holmes has spawned not just numerous pastiches of Holmes stories, but a few stories and series using some of the major characters in the series. A couple of authors have done series starring Moriarty, there have been some stories staring Watson, and even a series using Mycroft.
So it stands to reason that “The Woman” who bested Holmes would also be used: Irene Adler.
Irene Adler appeared in “A Scandal in Bohemia,” and was an opera singer originally from America. Referred to as an “adventuress,” she had been involved with the King of Bohemia. About to get married, he asked Holmes to obtain papers she had that would prove embarrassing for him on his impending marriage. She got the best of the situation, and many fans probably think there may have been feelings for Irene by Holmes. Some authors have Irene and Holmes being lovers, and even having a child. One theory is the child becomes the detective Nero Wolfe!
Carole Nelson Douglas wrote a series a novels starring Irene. Holmes shows up in all of them, and she has setup a sort of counterpart to Holmes and Watson with the character of Penelope “Nell” Huxleigh. She is Irene’s best friend and biographer, and is also a vicar’s daughter. So while Irene is a bit “liberated,” Nell is more constrained, almost annoyingly so.
The series consists of:
- Good Night, Mr. Holmes (1990)
- Good Morning Irene (1991), retitled The Adventuress
- Irene at Large (1992), retitled A Soul of Steel
- Irene’s Last Waltz (1994) retitled Another Scandal in Bohemia
- Chapel Noir (2001)
- Castle Rouge (2002)
- Femme Fatale (2003)
- Spider Dance (2004)
I read the first four several years ago and recall that I really enjoyed them. The first one actually is set before the Holmes short story, and shows her early involvement with the King. These four have Irene solving various crimes, usually outwitting Holmes in all of them. Several historical characters also appear in these works.
Then I recently discovered that four additional ones were written and I got them. I found them twice as large as the previous ones. And I started to read the next one, Chapel Noir, with Irene and Nell, along with a disguised Nelly Blythe working to solve a mystery at a Paris brothel. But I couldn’t get half way before I put it down. The story just seemed to drag. I’ll probably try again. Maybe in the hiatus the author changed how she writes. I don’t know. The work just didn’t move long, more a social commentary than a mystery/adventure story.
But do check out the first four at least. They are still available.
