Having killed off Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle began a new series of tales on a very different theme. Brigadier Gerard is an officer in Napoleon's army—ecklessly brave, engagingly openhearted, and unshakable, if not a little absurd, in his devotion to the enigmatic Emperor. The Brigadier's wonderful comic adventures, long established in the affections of Conan Doyle's admirers as second only to those of the incomparable Holmes, are sure to find new devotees among the ardent fans of such writers as Patrick O'Brian and George MacDonald Fraser.

Holmes and Watson’s exploits during the Great Hiatus are revealed in a series of short stories and novellas. These adventures include how they separately helped stop the Moriarities from starting a world war and using a legendary stone to destroy London. Also revealed are the facts behind the Giant Rat of Sumatra and Holmes’s encounter with Jack the Ripper.

Here, two areas of mystery are linked: the exploits of Sherlock Holmes and the secrets of master escapologist, Harry Houdini. Doctor Watson's collaborator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, finds himself drawn into the world of the fake psychics and Houdini is anxious for Holmes to unmask the perpetrators who prey on the innocent believers. Holmes's investigations lead him to some surprising locations, including a Ruritanian castle.

This volume contains ones of the sets of linked short stories that Conan Doyle centred on his character of Brigadier Gerard, and six short stories featuring Sherlock Holmes. The other is also available in a volume from CSP.

"This enhanced 75th Anniversary Edition adds scholarly commentary and appreciation to a complete facsimile of the rare, 1933 original edition."--Jacket copy.