“A Study in Emerald” is an interesting alternate universe story in which the world of Sherlock Holmes and the HP Lovecraft Cthulhu Mythos combine.
Image may be NSFW.
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The version of the story that is available online at Neil Gaiman's site features ads throughout that are about other stories, such as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The artwork is creative and fits nicely with the narrative.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
The narrator of the story tells of his friend, a famous and respected detective in a society made “perfect” by the return and rule of the Old Ones. But all is not well. One of the royal family has been murdered, his green blood splattered across a room, with an ominous message written in the royal's gore.
As the story continues, the detective and narrator easily discover who the murderers are. However, catching them is not so simple. It turns out that they are just as smart, if not smarter, than the detective and the narrator.
Now a lot has been said on this story in the ten years since it was originally published. One of the bigger surprises is that the detective is not Sherlock Holmes. Instead, Holmes is one of the murderers. And this makes sense, that in a world where the Old Ones could be considered good and just, that Holmes would be the villain.
This turn was a bit surprising, but was well thought-out. Sherlock Holmes as a serial killer on a mission of justice. Who knew? Dexter would be proud.
There's far more to the story than meets the eye, but in order to find out, those that haven't read the story should. For those that are familiar with “A Study in Emerald,” FEARNET would like to know what your take is on the tale. What are some of your favorite Sherlock Holmes adaptations? What are some of your favorite Neil Gaiman stories?
Nancy O. Greene started writing at the age of nine. Her short story collection, Portraits in the Dark, received a brief mention in The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror 2007. Other works have appeared or will appear in ChiZine; Lovecraft eZine; Cemetery Dance; Tales of Blood and Roses; Haunted: 11 Tales of Ghostly Horror; Shroud Publishing's The Terror at Miskatonic Falls; Dark Recesses; Flames Rising; Smile, Hon, You're in Baltimore! and others. She has a BA in Cinematic Arts (Critical Studies) and a minor in English (Creative Writing) from the University of Southern California, and is a former Fellow of Film Independent's Project: Involve.
