Story Profile: “Merridew of Abominable Memory”
As stated in earlier posts, The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories is a series of original mysteries by an assortment of authors. The proceeds from the sales of the books goes to the Stepping Stones School which teaches students with special needs. The Stepping Stones School is based in one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s homes.
Some volumes in the series have a theme, and in the books released this November, the connecting theme is “Untold Cases.” In the original Sherlock Holmes Canon, the characters often refer to investigations that have never been committed to paper, such as “The Giant Rat of Sumatra.” Sometimes Dr. Watson explains that the cases were so politically sensitive that the details can never be revealed due to national security, every so often Holmes hasn’t told his friend about certain events, and on occasion it appears that the good doctor never got around to putting these tales to paper.
One instance of an untold story is a fleeting reference to “Merridew of abominable memory.” What does that mean? Many readers have interpreted those words as saying that Merridew was a vile man whose terrible actions bring up horrific recollections in those unfortunate enough to know him. I looked at those four words and approached them in a very different manner. What if Merridew’s memory was impaired? What if he had a form of amnesia that came from a terrible attack? And what might have caused him to be assaulted in such a violent manner?
I took these thoughts, and expanded them into a story…
The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories: Some More Untold Cases Part XXII: 1887-1897 is available for sale now from Amazon.com and MX Publishing in both hardcover and paperback.
–Chris Chan
Chris Chan’s first book, Sherlock & Irene: The Secret Truth Behind “A Scandal in Bohemia” was released on August 27thfrom MX Publishing, and is available for sale at Amazon.com and the MX Publishing website, as well as at Book Depository (with free worldwide shipping there). It is also available in a Kindle edition.
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