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Count Negretto Sylvius is a Sherlock Holmes pastiche novel by Francis London. It has been available since October 2023 as part of the *First Collection* via Tolino Media (ISBN 978-3-7579-7739-9 , also available on Google Play). The story is inspired by the canonical mention of Count Negretto Sylvius in *The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone*, and reimagines the narrative from Watson’s perspective—providing Watson with an active and investigative role rather than just passive observation.
Plot[]
Holmes is summoned to Flensburg by the blind engineer von Herder, whose plans for the legendary "Windpistol" have been stolen. Although German police obstruct Holmes's formal involvement, he tracks the thief back to London. There, the Mazarin Stone is stolen—but Holmes cleverly manipulates the thief when the criminal unexpectedly appears at 221B Baker Street. Using a combination of rhetorical finesse and technical ingenuity, Holmes regains possession of the stone.
Characters[]
Canonical[]
- Sherlock Holmes
- Dr. John H. Watson
- Inspector Youghal
- Count Negretto Sylvius
- Von Herder
- Billy
Mentioned Canonical Figures[]
- Baron Dowson
- Ilkey Sanders
- Minnie Warrender
- Mrs. Hudson
- Ronald Adair
- Colonel Sebastian Moran
- Stapleton
- Straubenzee
- Tavernier
- Van Seddar
Original to this Story (Pastiche)[]
- James Kendrew
- Giuseppe Trevisani
Mentioned in Pastiche Universe[]
- Frederick Bagot Lunt
- Bellew Lee
Mentioned Canonical Cases[]
- *The Empty House* – referenced as Holmes's past encounter with von Herder.
- *The Illustrious Client* – Holmes notes intense personal threats in both stories; the two cases are separated by about a month.
- *The Retired Colour Merchant* – Chronologically related, addresses police frustration with Holmes's interference in criminal investigations.
- *The Hound of the Baskervilles* and *The Resident Patient* – Watson mentions the villain Stapleton and Sutton in passing, tying into broader canonical continuity.
Notes[]
- Francis London places the theft of the Mazarin Stone in October 1902, although Conan Doyle left the original date unspecified.
- A notable line spoken by Lord Cantlemere in the original—"Every man finds his limitations, Mr. Holmes, but at least it cures us of the weakness of self-satisfaction."—is cleverly repurposed in this story, with Holmes quoting it in interaction with Lord Cantlemere himself.
- The contrast between Holmes's mastermind and Lord Cantlemere’s more measured personality adds emotional depth to the conclusion.
Audio Adaptation[]
- 2022: Dramatized reading as part of the *Sherlock Holmes Chronicles* by WinterZeit, featuring Till Hagen and Tom Jacobs.