For the Love of Science of Sherlock

The Clews Review

The Science of Sherlock Holmes, a new book that relays the early history of forensic science – while examining some of the most famous murder cases in criminal history and the impact of the fictional detective on the promulgation of scientific investigative techniques – is a shining example of excellence, an A.

I have fallen in love with this book. Author E.J. Wagner’s absolute command of the facts, crisp summaries of the most famous cases, her irony and subtle sarcasm -- I am very, very impressed. And in this genre, I am a hanging judge.

To be honest, I had reservations when I first heard about this book. Sure, there was plenty of excited murmuring among the die-hards in the Holmesian set. But many recent historic crime titles that took on topics of broad scope flunked the quiz (here’s one stunning example of an author who butchered a promising premise).

But E.J. Wagner does not disappoint. If the book contains any factual errors, I was hard-pressed to spot a one of them. In Wagner’s quite capable hands, the science, the real mysteries, and the fiction are woven together seamlessly. Wagner fills her early history of forensic science with larger-than-life characters and bizarre murder cases, from “the dark delights of the Borden mystery” to the famous Dreyfus affair, Charles Bravo case, Dr. Crippen, Hauptmann, Jack the Ripper, the Tichborne scandal, Constance Kent, and so on. Many of the interesting cases she mentions are new even to me. And she relays these stories in delightful prose -- I was often reminded of the crisp wit of my all-time favorite crime writer Edmund L. Pearson, and few other authors have ever so reminded me. 

She also explains the earliest advances in forensic science -- but doesn’t leave out such faux pas as phrenology. And there’s Sherlock Holmes in large doses. It’s no wonder the book has received glowing review after glowing review after glowing review.   

A huge bibliography of Holmes titles and classic true crime books adds even more value to this book. I can’t remember ever seeing such a comprehensive bibliography of the best historic crime titles. It would suffice as a “must get” list for a librarian looking to build a respectable collection of the all-time best in true crime. (I plan to photocopy it and give it to my husband in lieu of a Christmas list.)

Anyone with the remotest interest in Holmes, true crime, history, or science would enjoy The Science of Sherlock Holmes. Anyone who wants to write historical mysteries ought to memorize it before putting one word on paper. And anyone who finishes it may well be inspired to reread Conan Doyle with a whole new appreciation for the logician and his role in the development of the incredible systems of crime detection existing today.

For more from E.J., see her website at http://www.forensic.to/webhome/ejwagner/.