The Ardlamont Mystery: The Real-Life Story Behind the Creation of Sherlock Holmes

Description

The Ardlamont murder trial, which took place in Edinburgh's High Court in December 1893, was the culmination of one of the most intriguing criminal cases in British legal history. But perhaps more remarkable than that was that it brought together the two principal real-life inspirations behind the creation of the world's favourite fictional consulting detective: Sherlock Holmes. Joseph Bell and Henry Littlejohn were Professors of Medicine at Edinburgh University. As educators, medical trailblazers and social reformers, the two friends were pioneers in the emerging world of forensic science, and both were called as expert witnesses at the Ardlamont murder trial. Under their tutelage had been a young student named Arthur Conan Doyle. He had served as an assistant to Bell, where he was able to scrutinise at first-hand Bell's remarkable deductive powers. In fact, Conan Doyle went on to say of Bell: 'It is most certainly to you that I owe Sherlock Holmes . . .' Author Daniel Smith, using original trial transcripts, contemporary newspaper reports, personal papers and other archive material, represents and re-examines evidence of the Ardlamont case, coming to his own conclusion as to just what happened in 1893. This intriguing book also details the story of the trial itself and the parts played by Bell and Littlejohn as they opened the door to a pivotal period in the development of criminal investigation and forensic science, as well as providing an insight into the genesis of one of our greatest cultural icons.

Daniel Smith is a non-fiction author and editor who has written across a range of subjects, including politics, economics and social history. He is the author of the 'How to Think Like ...' series for Michael O'Mara Books, which has been published in 20 languages and sold over 413,000 copies worldwide. He is also a long-time contributor to The Statesman's Yearbook , the geo-political guide to the world that celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2013. He lives in London.

Daniel Smith's book provides an enthralling real-life murder mystery that also sheds new light on the creation of fiction's most famous detective * Daily Mail * Sherlockians and true crime buffs alike will be intrigued * Publishers Weekly * Fascinating and expertly written: a true murder story that brings the real background of Sherlock Holmes and his creator strikingly to life * Andrew Lycett, author of Conan Doyle: The Man Who Created Sherlock Holmes * The fictional Sherlock Holmes was born in a world of Victorian crime and mysteries. The sensational Ardlamont murder trial in 1893 was one of those inspirations... Daniel Smith does a wonderful job [of] recreating the trial in all its twists and complexities, a case worthy of Sherlock himself * Paul French, winner of the Edgar and Dagger awards for true crime writing and author of City of Devi * Sheer delight. A Victorian murder mystery to rival the best of Conan Doyle * Barry Turner, Classic Crime critic, Daily Mail * A gripping read * The Sherlock Holmes Journal *