Playing Sherlock

Piecing Together the Life of Francine Morris Swift

Before Christmas, I was contacted by Wessex Press about my interest in writing a biography of Francine Morris Swift, the founder of the Crew of the Barque Lone Star (Dallas's Sherlock Holmes scion) for a book about early Sherlock Holmes leaders. I took the assignment, not knowing that I would have to become my own version of Sherlock Holmes.

With little information about her online, I had to follow scattered clues in some old documents and reach out to those who knew her to piece together the details of her fascinating life. I found her family's listing in the 1940 Census, identifying where she lived at age one (Greenville, Texas), and used that information to search the local paper for clues into her early life. One of my big finds: a picture of her at age 18, preparing to head off to college in 1956 (don't you just love the gloves?). Several online obituaries provided additional clues to both her contributions as well as different events in her life (such as her marriage to Wayne Swift in 1975.)

I had other support along the way. Steve Mason, the current leader of the Crew of the Barque Lone Star, had researched the scion's origins and provided me with copies of some of Francine’s prolific correspondence between friends. These shed light on her involvement with the Crew of the Barque Lone Star, her work with another scion (the Sublibrarians), her early years in Washington, DC, and her connections with Sherlockian legends John Bennett Shaw and Peter Blau.

Others who had known her shared memories and stories to fill in additional gaps. One even brought copies of some materials to the BSI dinner for me. Francine's good friend Peter Blau (an icon in the BSI world) suffered innumerable emails from me as I sought to confirm different events in her life.

In the end, I was able to piece together her fascinating life, and I can only hope I did her story justice. I was sorry I never had a chance to meet Francine. I found her funny, inventive, and a deep Sherlockian scholar. It was an adventure tracking down Francine’s story, but just like Holmes himself, I couldn’t resist the challenge.

I'll let you know when the book will be available from Wessex Press. I can't wait to read about all those presented in the book.

Kickstarter for "Into the Fire" is Now Live!

The Kickstarter for "Sherlock Holmes: Into the Fire" is live until March 18.

Each story provides either a sequel to an original Conan Doyle tale from Round the Fire or rewrites the story into a new Sherlock Holmes adventure, thrusting the Great Detective into worlds of mystery, adventure, and gothic horror. 

Only available during the Kickstarter is a special 2-volume edition that includes the original Conan Doyle story and the sequel or rewrite. My story "The Black Diamond Brotherhood" appears in Volume 1.

Get your pledge in here.

Now in Audio!

"Master of the Art of Detection" is now available as an audiobook through Amazon and Audible!

Get your copy now of the book Publisher's Weekly called "a solid collection of stories featuring Doyle’s detective." If you enjoy matching wits with the world’s greatest consulting detective, you’ll love listening to these cases again and again as you sharpen your own skills.

Get your copy for only $4.99 through Amazonand Audible.

Giveaways and Book Fairs

Fresh Fiction's Spring Fling Giveaway

Check out these authors' giveaways through Fresh Fiction! Lots of books and other goodies offered by 32 authors (each with their own giveaway!). You can Spring into Sleuthing in my contest with an exclusive eBoxSet of "The Early Case Files of Sherlock Holmes!" Contest runs March 10 - March 23. You can enter them all here. 

ULTIMATE CRIME FICTION PRIZE PACK

Enter to win the ultimate Crime Fiction Prize Pack! The Grand Prize consists of ten books and an autographed copy of Michael Connelly's book The Waiting. First prize winner gets copies of the ten books.

Giveaway ends March 20. Enter now here.

New Serial Story:

The Beast of Baker Street

My local Sherlock Holmes scion publishes an anthology each year. This year's theme is "Rejected Sherlock," stories that the Strand Magazine did not publish, for whatever reason. I'll be sharing my story, a work-in-progress, over the next few newsletters. Because it's a work in progress, if you catch any errors, or have comments about the piece, please email me at liese@liesesherwoodfabre.com.

Now, Part I.....

I have penned the following account to be shared only after the death of the famed detective Sherlock Holmes to explain his sudden retirement to Sussex at the age of forty-nine. While still in his prime, a series of events (as I describe below) forced him to leave the city for a rural life away from stress and—more importantly—a much less dense population. I feel compelled to explain the true events as both a warning to others as well as offering a resolution for a series of mysterious crimes committed during 1890, which some attributed to the return of Jack the Ripper. While some might condemn me for my complicity, I viewed my primary role as Holmes’ physician—and friend. His continued work produced far greater benefits than any punishment to be meted out to a man who had no control over his actions.

To begin, I must share what truly happened on the moors surrounding Baskerville Hall. As I first described it in my previous writings, the howls of the spectral hound echoed through the dense fog that clung to the ancient grounds. In my published record, the hound, in pursuit of Henry Baskerville, passed Holmes, Lestrade, and myself as we lay in wait. We followed that horrible creature and Holmes shot it before it was able to harm Baskerville.

In truth, as the beast bounded from the moors toward Henry Baskerville, Holmes shouted at it, and it turned its attention to my friend. Before any of us could aim our weapons, it fell upon Holmes. The two rolled on the ground. Lestrade and I pointed our weapons at the two but remained immobile, fearing we might hit the wrong target. A muffled explosion made us both jump, uprooting us from our spots. Rushing forward, we pulled the inert body of the dog off my friend, now covered in blood.

With quick movements, I examined him, seeking any wounds needing treatment. I discovered a bite mark on his neck. While deep, it was not fatal, having missed any major arteries. The blood had come primarily from the dog that now lay panting in his death throes.

After placing a temporary bandage on the wound and helping Holmes to stand, we watched the animal give a final death rattle. As it lay there, a transformation occurred. The hair receded into the body, the limbs reshaped themselves, and the head became that of a man’s. A hound no longer lay at our feet. Instead, a naked man lay before us, a hole in his chest. 

Despite never having professed any particular belief or religion to us, Lestrade surprised me by crossing himself and muttering. “Lord, have mercy.”

I continued to stare, sharing his sentiment. As a trained physician, I had seen events that might be called miracles—men walking after being pronounced paralyzed, those in comas regaining consciousness, and even a patient who described the events of his operation despite having received chloroform. This, however, was a different ilk. A dog did not turn into a man—or vice versa. 

Finally, I turned to Holmes, to learn his explanation.

In a hoarse whisper, he said, "What we have witnessed is a manifestation of the supernatural."

“No,” I said, shaking my head, “you have never put any stock in such ideas. Do you recall what you told Dr. Mortimer? ‘Ghosts need not apply?’ Are you saying now—”

“If you will recall, I also have said, ‘When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.’ What we have witnessed is a case of lycanthropy.”

“Stuff and nonsense,” I said, anger welling within me. “This isn’t the Middle Ages where they burn witches or bury people with stakes in their hearts. We live in an enlightened age where science and logic prevail, and you are among its greatest proponents. There is no such thing as werewolves.”

“Sabine Baring-Gould might have something to say about that. His treatise, The Book of Were-Wolves, provides some insights into both the legend, its origins, and other aspects of this ‘curse.’ My fear, at the moment, involves the panic that would ensue if word of this case should come to public attention. We need to keep this information to ourselves.”

Lestrade stared down at the corpse before us. “I’m not going to my superiors with a tale of a werewolf stalking these parts. The way I see it, this man attacked you, and you shot him in self-defense. The noise attracted the hound, and Holmes shot it, but it ran off. Probably drowned in moors’ bogs. That’s how I’m writing my report.” He turned his attention to me. “And I would suggest the same to you.”

To Be Continued....

If you'd like to submit a rejected story of your own, here are the instructions from the scion's newsletter, contact me and I'll share the address of where to send it.

The links again:

Kickstarter for Into the Fire here.

Master of the Art of Detection at Amazon

Master of the Art of Detection at Audible

Spring Fling: here

Ultimate Crime Fiction Prize Package here

If your email begins caspic*********, email me at liese@liesesherwoodfabre.com for your $5 Amazon (or Apple) gift card.

Happy April!

Liese

P.S. I recently contacted all subscribers who had not opened my email in several months about their interest in continuing to receive my newsletter. Many of you responded you did! (Thanks!) If you don't, please feel free to use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.