Gay Sherlock Holmes

Slash Classics: Absurdly Simple by Irene Elder

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 23:40:00 +0000

📘 Title: Absurdly Simple

✍️ Author: Irene Elder

📅 Published: 1990s, Sacrilege!

📖 Length: Novelette

🧠 Themes: First time, blackmail, emotional tension

🎩 Canon references: Heavy

🌈 Queer Read: Explicit Holmes/Watson

⭐ Notable for: Angst, period-modern tone balance, legacy in early slash

💬 Review: First in my series revisiting "slash classics" is Absurdly Simple by Irene Elder, originally published on the website Sacrilege! in the 1990s. It’s roughly the length of a long short story or novelette.

In Part One, Watson grows increasingly concerned about Holmes, who is clearly over-stressed and agitated by a mysterious blackmail case. Holmes refuses to share details, citing client confidentiality, and Watson—despite his best efforts—cannot deduce who the victim is or what scandal might be involved.

In Part Two, Holmes provides just enough information for Watson to solve the mystery himself, leading to a mutual revelation—and a clever resolution to the blackmail threat.

The story strikes a compelling balance between period-appropriate style and modern sensibility, laced with references to canon. While the theme of “first time” romance became common in slash fiction, Absurdly Simple stands out for its attention to emotional detail, tension, and character depth. It’s widely considered a best-in-class example of early Holmes/Watson slash.

Absurdly Simple is also one of three stories analyzed in Juliana Dias Bastos’s 2024 monograph “Sherlock/Watson: Slash Fiction as Queer Translation” (review upcoming).

Dyad #22

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 20:19:00 +0000

Dyad #22 is a 198-page comb-bound, letter-sized, one-column zine released in 2003. It contains 8 stories, one of which is Holmes/Watson. (This zine is 13% H/W)

Bohemia Blue is a 14-page story written by Cynara. It is an unusual, sad story. The H/W relationship ebbs and flows as an added layer to a series of the original ACD stories. Unusually, with a degree of bisexuality on both sides (although less so or H) and a downbeat conclusion.

OFFTOPIC: A Baker Street Wedding (novel, m/f)

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 21:54:00 +0000

A BAKER STREET WEDDING (Amazon Affiliate link) begins like a combination of an English cozy and a decades-old mystery novel series like the Saint, the Toff, or especially the Baron (in the later stories when the eponymous hero was happily married). The tone is light, clever turns of phrase abound, and author Michael Robertson only occasionally over-eggs the pudding.

The opening scene in flashback is especially charming, and the mystery, as Laura and Reggie embark on it, has elements of interest. Towards the end, the story takes a peculiar turn as both protagonists are replaced by supporting characters, including a coyly described version of Holmes himself. It may not be my best decision to jump into a series with the sixth installment. If I had a more extended history with these characters, I might have been less disappointed with their ultimate lack of agency, the rather hand-wavy explanation of the sinister goings-on, and borderline deus ex machina resolution.

On the whole, this book was extremely entertaining to read, but ultimately less than the sum of its parts. Its strengths are charm, wit, and a modernized version of ye olde pulp-paperback page-turning prose. But despite the review clip's promises, I doubt Conan Doyle would be overly impressed, as his emphasis was more often on a tightly written mystery than lovable characters with adorable foibles who--left to their own devices--would have been effortlessly murdered by the villains and their inexplicably loyal and committed henchmen. (8/10)

VIOLIN OF THE NIGHT by Natasha Rosegold

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 01:39:00 +0000

VIOLIN OF THE NIGHT (Amazon Affiliate Link) is a reasonably plausible short story tracking the development of an intimate relationship between Holmes and Watson to their first sexual encounter. However, rather than reaching any conclusion, it terminates with a "to be continued." The price is $3.99, and you would need to spend another $2.99 on a sequel (DESIRE IN THE DARKNESS) published two days later--almost seven dollars for what is, altogether, still a short story.

I don't think so.

A CASE OF DOMESTIC PILFERING

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 00:20:00 +0000

A CASE OF DOMESTIC PILFERING has a plot roughly in the form of a Victorian farce. Holmes and Watson, and original characters Guy, Max and Madeleine are involved in untangling the criss-crossed paths of stolen war office plans and (possibly fake) diamonds.

Unfortunately, I found Max, and especially Guy, banal and unpleasant characters. They aren’t virtuous, they aren’t clever, and their mannerisms are cloying. The plot while sound, lacks humor, and depends on some unlikely events. Even Holmes comes out of it looking like his famous intellect is sputtering somewhat.

While an interesting exercise in Holmes x Watson + OC x OC is ultimately = much ado about nothing. If you like shallow Victorian sophisticates swanning around with green carnations and bickering, you may love this. If you hate head-hopping and deus ex machina, not so much.

Sherlock's World by Ann J McClellan

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 00:16:00 +0000

I was actually rather disappointed by this book. While the tone is densely academic, the structure and coverage seems undisciplined. For example, why are a few specific stories covered in such depth? Neither objective more qualitative reasons are given for their selection or any specific reason why they are chosen as representative, examples of important themes, or… anything? This is a big fandom there needs to be a reason other than whim to choose only a handful of works to focus on in each chapter.

In chapter three the authors also choose and describe one theory of why “straight” women (a questionable assumption-slash-stereotype) write homoerotic fan-works, but does not mention the many others or give a reason for picking this one. Nor is the later discussion of specific works based substantially on this theory. Or any other obvious framework. Qualitative research has developed well beyond the narrative essay but this book is essential just one enormous narrative essay, with a structure and path of the prose determined seemingly based on the author’s personal enthusiasms and implicit biases.

As a person with a non-academic interest in this subject, but plenty of familiarity with scholarly works and assessing theses – I found little in the way of original contributions. It is a fair summary of the subject but what does it contribute beyond that? It is written too inaccessibly to be a book to introduce people to these ideas for the first time, but is unlikely to reveal anything new to readers already somewhat au fait with JohnLock. Ultimately SHERLOCK’S WORLD describes much but illuminates little.

Review copy courtesy of Netgalley, 3/5

Dyad #6

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 23:43:00 +0000

Dyad #6 is a 158 page comb-bound, letter-sized, one-column zine released in 1991. It contains 15 stories, on3 of which is Holmes/Watson. (This zine is 7% H/W)

Other Things in Life Than Tea is a 6-page story written by Robbie. It is a Holmes POV first time story--a fairly classic, if overly melodramatic, example of the type.

"Miss Sherlock" Airing in US on HBO Go on Sept 1

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Fri, 31 Aug 2018 16:07:00 +0000

More on this once I get a chance to see it!

‘Miss Sherlock’ Premieres on HBO Go on September 1st'

Improbable Press

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Sun, 15 May 2016 06:11:00 +0000

Improbable Press describe themselves as "new publishing imprint, specialising in Sherlock Holmes romance and erotica."

New GSH Anthology Seeking Submissions

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 16:36:00 +0000

From their website: "In 2011, Lethe Press queered the Sherlock Holmes canon with A Study in Lavender, and now we’re putting together a new collection on the theme, A Scandal In Gomorrah."

You can see my review of the previous anthology here. This anthology will be edited by Matt Bright. The theme jumps of from the previous anthology but has a wider scope: " I’d love to see stories that transpose the time, setting or genre; gender-queering or –swapping; metafiction; stories that explore the myriad iterations and pop-culture associations of Sherlock: television/radio/cinema adaptations, animal detectives, iconography, ‘shipping’, fanfiction, imitations, art…"

The Countess of Morcar's Blue Carbuncle (The Hidden Files of Dr. John H. Watson Book 1) bu Sophia Sophia

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 22:52:00 +0000

The Countess of Morcar's Blue Carbuncle (The Hidden Files of Dr. John H. Watson Book 1) by Sophia Sophia is basically a short story that smooshes together a rushed summary of the Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle (BLUE) with a single rather lackluster sex scene.

Sherlock-sploitation for sure, but not even an enjoyably smutty and gratuitous example of it. (I have nothing much against 'sploitation, but it should go damn-the-torpedoes full kitch. What is the point of restrained and tasteful 'sploitation?).

Upcoming review: Sherlock the Demon Hunter

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 23:46:00 +0000

Sherlock: the Musical (#3)

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 01:59:00 +0000

Court Speaks on Public Domain Issue

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 18:16:00 +0000

So a court has finally called the Doyle estate on their crap and said all of the Sherlock Holmes characters are in the public domain. Only the specific stories published after 1923 are still under copyright. And if you ask me it is about bloody time.

Andrew Scott

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 03:30:00 +0000

Andrew Scott (Moriarty in BBC's Sherlock) has been speaking recently about being gay. "It's just a fact," he says.

Shercock

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 04:20:00 +0000

Shercock by Alice Sanders is a short erotic story clearly based on the BBC TV series Sherlock. In the fan-fiction world this kind of story is pretty common: take two or more characters, and describe them having sex.

For a story of this type it is pretty well written. And erotic fan-fiction is pretty well tolerated by many rights holders. However this author has decided to use a photograph of the actor in costume on the cover, load the story on kindle, and charge money for it. In my opinion this is very ill-advised.

Seeking Reviewers for Non-English Language Works

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Sat, 14 Sep 2013 00:50:00 +0000

I am seeking reviewers for gay Sherlock Holmes works in languages other that English.

What I need:
A 100-200 word review of the work in the language it was written in (e.g. Chinese or Japanese language) and a translation of the review into English. I require non-exclusive perpetual rights to post the review on this blog.

What I Will Provide:
I will buy the doujinshi or other non-English work and have it shipped to you. I will pay $10 (US) via paypal for the completed review.

Requirements:
The work must be on the subject of "gay Sherlock Holmes", because that is what this blog is about.

Examples:

Ebay Sherlock doujinshi

If you are interested please email me at veinglory at gmail.com with the name of the title you wish to review and your mailing address.

Fragments

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Sat, 14 Sep 2013 00:37:00 +0000

Fragments -- a BBC Sherlock Fanbook/doujinshi

Fragments is a 20 page stapled, A5 comic released in 2011. It is mainly in Chinese language. This is a cute collection but at $19, steeply priced even for a doujinshi.

My Ears are Burning

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 20:38:00 +0000

I came across this excerpt from Sherlock Holmes for the 21st Century: Essays on New Adaptations by Lynnette Porter (specifically from the essay "The Nobel Bachelor and the Crooked Man" by Carlen Lavigne):

"...according to the plainly titled and admirably thorough Gay Sherlock Holmes blog, the two characters (in their various novel/television/film incarnations) have publicly been the subjects of gay erotic imagining for some time..."

Of course he did

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 03:06:00 +0000

Benedict Cumberbatch missed Comic-con to officiate a gay wedding for his friend Seth Cummings.

Rip Off Twice Over?

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Sun, 12 May 2013 23:29:00 +0000

I first noticed Pulptastic's Sherlock Holmes stories for the blatant rip of the movies poster used on the cover. Then I read an Amazon review stating the stories are a blatant rip of public domain stories about other detective, and not a very thorough one at that.

And I agree with that review when they say: "...give credit to R. Austin Freeman, who actually produced 99.9% of these stories, instead of showing the names of Arthur Conan Doyle and John H. Watson on the covers and copyright pages."

NPH Sherlock

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Thu, 09 May 2013 01:21:00 +0000

Neil Patrick Harris as Sherlock Holmes

The Adventures of Shakespeare and Watson

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Wed, 08 May 2013 01:20:00 +0000

The Adventures of Shakespeare and Watson is a comedy web serial that will apparently hit some gay material, at least according to Bleeding Cool writer Hannah Means-Shannon: "It’s also an easily developed idea that Watson, finding himself in a more liberal era, might find every opportunity to acknowledge that he is gay..."

Kissing Sherlock Holmes

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 03:18:00 +0000

In Kissing Sherlock Holmes (by TD McKinney and Terry Wylis) Watson is surprised to find that Sherlock Holmes is engaged, and wants to practice the amorous arts to better romance his fiance. There follows a story of mutual exploration with a slash aesthetic (quite a bit of sex and a few small servings of angst)

I suppose everyone has a slightly different version of Holmes and Watson in their head. This version is certainly charming, but Holmes seems perhaps a little too easy going and considerate when it comes to Watson and not all that sharp when it comes to the investigation.

The plot centers upon Holmes being engaged to a women as an excuse to be in her father’s household to investigate a very serious crime (she, meanwhile, believes the engagement to be genuine). Both men take part in leading ladies on like complete cads and I was fairly sure I knew who the villain was within twenty pages.

Nevertheless the story becomes very engaging as the lives and loves of various characters come into play. The villain’s reasons were rather more nuanced than I expected. And Holmes ends the story a little more true to his usual just-slightly-sociopathic form. The style is easy to ready but the use of American phrasing (like “gotten”) is sometimes a tad jarring.

Overall this is an enjoyable and entertaining story, although more in terms of being a slash romance than a Sherlock Holmes pastiche.

I [HEART] Leslie Klinger

noreply@blogger.com (veinglory) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 20:20:00 +0000

You may have seen me bitching on this blog about the Conan Doyle estate and how they insist Sherlock Holmes is still under both copyright and trademark.

Leslie Klinger has stepped up to take one for the team and challenge this in court. He wants the court to make it 100% clear that any Sherlock Holmes works first published prior to 1923 are in the public domain.

Kudos.

See also: