I'm enjoying the book (soon to be a major motion picture) immensely. An older Sherlock Holmes living in Sussex Down tending to his bees is not a new concept. The talented Laurie R. King has written about it in her wonderful Sherlock Holmes/Mary Russell series. It was originally conceived by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself. After popular demand brought the great detective back to life, Doyle would later have Dr. John Watson mention in passing of Holmes's retirement in Sussex in later stories.
In fact, THE LION'S MANE takes place during Holmes's life in Sussex. It is the only Sherlock Holmes story I am aware of that is written from Holmes's perspective.
And it's a decent tale to boot.
On a side note, PG Wodehouse would do the same with his Jeeves series having one tale told from Jeeves's perspective. Jeeves would also confess a fatherly fondness for Bertie Wooster and not just tolerating him.
But I digress...
I am enjoying Mitch Cullin's take on a 93 year old Sherlock Holmes who is dealing with his one great mind beginning to diminish with age. Not just sticking to his surroundings in Sussex, the story concerns a previous case as well as Holmes traveling to Japan post-World War II.
It deals with Holmes as though he continued to live beyond the era of hansom carriages and gaslight. It also has Holmes giving his opinions about films made about his adventures with Dr. Watson and how Watson is portrayed in films.
I'm looking forward to seeing the film treatment starring Sir Ian McKellan when it is released (as pictured above) and I cannot think of a better choice for Holmes. Either John Hurt or the Late John Neville or Peter O'Toole would have been admirable choices as well. Hurt still being with us would have been my second choice in the title role.
I highly recommend you pick up the book. It's a really great read!!
The clip from the movie looks pretty good too:
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