Reviewed by Jess
TITLE: Alchemy
AUTHOR: Marie S. Crosswell
PUBLISHER: Less Than Three Press
LENGTH: 61 pages
RELEASE DATE: June 20, 2018
BLURB:
When someone starts killing London’s homeless, Sherlock Holmes sets out to solve the series of grisly murders, taking her best friend and business partner Jane Watson along for the ride. The killer makes it clear he has a vendetta against Sherlock, and as she pursues him, she discovers there’s more to the case than meets the eye.
While struggling to identify the murderer, Sherlock’s close friendship with DI Lestrade reaches a crossroads, and she faces an unprecedented challenge: romance.
REVIEW:
I’ll admit, I was initially a little suspicious of this story. A lesbian retelling of Sherlock Holmes stories in so few words? How will it set itself apart? After the first few pages, I couldn’t imagine seeing an alternate version of the modern Holmes and Watson we know and love from BBC’s Sherlock. But I was immediately drawn into the simple yet compelling mystery, the strong characterizations, and the unique romantic dynamic between Sherlock and DI Lestrade.
I quickly fell in love with this modern, female Sherlock Holmes. Comparisons to current adaptations are bound to happen, but she really sets herself apart. She’s not quite as chilly is Cumberbatch’s portrayal or eccentric as RDJ’s version—she’s a pensive, angry, and deeply perceptive version that intersects all former portrayal of the famous detective in the best ways possible. Also, I was a little surprised that the romance is not between Sherlock and Watson (who is also a lesbian woman in this story)—it’s between Sherlock and DI Lestrade, who has only previously had relationships with men. I think this is a great choice that sets the story apart from the norm. The two women make an excellent match in intelligence, temperament, and problem-solving styles.
Many people who enjoy classic “Sherlock Holmes” stories are often disappointed when Sherlock appears to be a much more sexual creature in his modern adaptations. The Conan Doyle stories feature Holmes with female companions, but his romantic interests are limited. This modern version of Sherlock is really excellent in that Sherlock is confident in both her asexuality and the strength of her romantic love. Romances with asexual characters are rare enough, and non-dramatic ones involving an asexual character and an allosexual character are practically non-existent. Sherlock and Lestrade just fit, and it makes for a lovely relationship.
As far as a mystery story goes, this one keeps it simple but keeps the action steady. The plot involving dead bodies with Sherlock’s name gruesomely carved into their skin is chilling, and it doesn’t take long to connect them to one of Sherlock’s classic villainous archenemies. The villain in question very closely follows modern adaptations, making him one of the duller characters in the story, but Sherlock’s interactions with him are still intense.
If you’re on the fence about this one, I say go for it. It impressed me as both a romance and a modern Sherlock Holmes retelling.
RATING: 
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