A Prehistoric Problem

Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle finds himself drawn into the mysteries of the Lost World in my new story, Doyle’s Dinosaur, inspired by his first Professor Challenger adventure.

Since becoming a Sherlockian pasticheur, I have learnt to play the Game, treating Holmes and Watson as a part of history, assisted by their literary agent Conan Doyle. In Doyle’s Dinosaur, I consider the possibility that The Lost World is similarly a part of the Great Tapestry, and ask what was Conan Doyle’s involvement with Professor Challenger’s great expedition?

There was so much more to Conan Doyle than his work on the Sherlock Holmes stories. Steel True, Blade Straight gives us a chance to explore some of his other works, and learn more about his family and his own fascinating life, both through academic essays and more whimsical pieces like my own. Previous volumes of Steel True, Blade Straight are also still available, and the 2022 edition includes my award-winning poem, The Ascent.

The 2024/2025 edition of Steel True, Blade Straight is available for pre-order now through Kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/belangerbooks/steel-true-blade-straight-and-pontine-dossier-2024-5-editions. Proceeds from the campaign will be donated to The Beacon Society which provides resources for teachers, librarians, children’s museums, and children’s theatres to bring the magic of Sherlock Holmes to life.