The Three Locks: Book 4 (A Sherlock Holmes Adventure)

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Cambridge had opened its doors to Catholics in 1871 but the “Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith” felt it would be a “mortal sin” for Catholics to attend, because of the influences of liberalism and scepticism prevalent in the teaching at both Oxford and Cambridge. Wealthier Catholics, wishing their sons (sadly, both universities only admitted males) to obtain the intellectual and social benefits of an Oxbridge education, objected loudly. The ban was lifted in 1895, but only provided a Catholic chaplaincy was established. The one in Cambridge was founded in 1896, well after the time of this story, and is called Fisher House. Also you are always introduced to female characters that the author would have us believe that they have bested Holmes. This is no different. Whilst I can appreciate there must always be good characters and these would be. As advanced as we are now on the subject of women’s agency and suitability for almost all sports, the quote above still pertains to the portrayal of the bombshell “lady archer” in today’s modern cinema, exemplified below in Wonder Woman.

The brougham, (rhymes with “room” or “roam”) was a horse-drawn carriage with four wheels, invented by Lord Brougham circa 1838-9. It had an enclosed carriage and a window in the front, giving the passengers more light and a partial view. It usually seated only two, although larger ones, as pictured, may have had two fold-away seats in the front corners. It would be an expensive item for any family. Presumably the Wyndhams had this type for themselves and their two daughters. Many Victorian ladies carried a “reticule”, an often beaded, sometimes fringed purse with a drawstring opening or sometimes a metal clasp. Although they were typically smallish, they ranged in size from very tiny, perhaps for a handkerchief, to quite large. Madame Borelli’s had to be large enough to carry her gruesome evidence for Holmes’s inspection. Perhaps it matches one of those in this illustration:The author uses Victorian Society to show us how men had so much control over the women in the lives, foe example Madam Borelli designs all of her husbands illusions bet he takes all the credit for them and often abuses he for his faults. It is also shown how a young girl is nothing without a man and the lengths one must go to to like their own life. Please be aware that bikes and pedestrians have two way access to the drive so please remain wary when driving around corners and hills and allow space for bikes and walkers to pass. The story is filled with colorful, memorable characters. The atmosphere of the year, with the oppressive heat, is excellent as well. The writing is reminiscent of Doyle's work, as I mentioned before. My only concern would be that I didn't realize that this is the fourth in a series. There are details that obviously come from earlier books that influence choices, such as Watson's mother drowning, and that Watson had a twin sister, Rose, who...also drowned. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it was unexpected. Note: the below will contain minimal spoilers - I have avoided referencing entire plots or naming characters, but do talk about both in vaguer terms. This is the fourth in this really good series which is written so cleverly in the style and spirit of the original Conan Doyle books. The author captures the lead characters perfectly with the long suffering Mrs Hudson putting up with a great deal! There’s a lot going on in this one with parallel investigations which works really well. I really like the magic show element especially as this was a very popular form of entertainment in Victorian times. Of course, Holmes brings his own marvellously individual and observant eye to the proceedings. The storytelling is lively, colourful and atmospheric, it’s amusing in places especially the repartee between Holmes and Watson. The late Victorian era is depicted extremely well and I like how it includes a couple of female characters who, though very unpleasant, show the beginning of the trend of ‘bold women’ who want freedom and independence from the restraints of society’s expectations. There is quite a plethora of unpleasant, rude, imperious and arrogant characters but they do provide for interesting storytelling.

There are now a number of Catholic churches in the Cambridge area, and Google Maps reveals the following in the present day:

Be inspired

One might expect that the still youthful (35) Watson and his card-playing cronies would to prefer holiday at the more fashionable and cooler seaside resorts such as Brighton or Bristol rather than Bath, a more staid and traditional spa getaway. He must have gone for the games. Thanks to the passion for “Orientalism”, these tables were all the rage in Victorian sitting rooms during the last two decades of the 19th century. You’ll see them in nearly every Holmes representation on film. There would very naturally have been one at 221B. Here’s a very fine example, offered by FirstDibs at an exorbitant price. If Lamb — who was barely described other than a few gay digs — hadn’t stumbled into the deacon’s room during that very narrow window that one night, everything would’ve worked out fine. So what did Holmes & Watson do? Aside from solve a murder of opportunity and passion that was mostly unrelated to the story, not much. All that preamble? Meant absolutely nothing towards the conclusion. In the end, all of this equated to a big let-down in terms of Holmes doing Holmsey things to get his man. The Clubs right to fish is exercised from the towpaths only and the offside bank where accessible legitimately by the public. One famous soother, Godfrey's Cordial, was employed by adults. This cordial contained ginger, rectified spirits of wine, oil of sassafras, tincture of opium and Venice treacle—the last being a combination of drugs used in the Middle Ages for the plague which contained opium.