Author Lorie Lewis Ham and the Importance of Sherlock Holmes

Lorie and I have been friends for some years, though we seldom see each other in the wild because I live in southern California and she lives in the Central Valley. But the mystery writing world, being what it is, connects us in all sorts of ways. She is the creator and has been running her Kings River Life online magazine for yonks, reaching out to authors everywhere…and for the local doings in the Central Valley. Today, we are brought together by our interest in Mister Holmes. Take it away, Lorie!

Generally, I share some of my own interests with my main characters when I write a book. With my first series, I shared my love of Frank Sinatra. With my latest series, The Tower District Mysteries featuring Roxi Carlucci, I share many things, but one of the most important is my love of Sherlock Holmes.

Sherlock Holmes played a very significant role in my discovery of a love of mysteries. Up until my mid-teens, I was reading horse books and Star Trek novels. But one day, my little brother Christopher introduced me to Sherlock Holmes. Then everything changed! Holmes sparked my love of mysteries—a love that has not only continued throughout my life but also led me to write mysteries. I have always wanted to be a writer, and I tried writing all sorts of stories, including a Star Trek book. But nothing ever clicked for me until I decided to try writing mysteries. I even took a writing class from a local published author in my early twenties, and when she kept trying to get me to write romances, I told her that every time I tried, someone died, lol. I was meant to write mysteries.

Holmes has continued to be a love and a passion of mine, and I have very strong feelings about his portrayal on the screen. For me, Jeremy Brett is the best actor to ever play a classic version of Holmes, and Benedict Cumberbatch the best and most accurate updated version of Holmes. The important thing to me is that any portrayal must stay true to the character. I can’t stand the Robert Downey Jr. portrayal where they are trying to turn Holmes into an action hero—sure he can box, but he battles evil with his mind. Holmes is not only brilliant, but also very flawed. It’s those flaws that make him more human and relatable, along with his friendship with Watson. I am not sure if it was the mysteries themselves or the character that drew me to Holmes, and that keeps me a passionate fan. Either way, Sherlock Holmes will always be my favorite mystery character.

I haven’t explored in my books yet why Sherlock Holmes is important to Roxi, just that he is. Here is a short excerpt from the first few pages of the first book in the series, One of Us, that provides a glimpse into just how important. Roxi is packing up her life and moving to the Tower District in Fresno, CA, to live with her cousin, Stephen.

We grabbed my suitcases and laptop and tossed them into Stephen’s small trunk. I put my well-worn copy of The Once and Future King into my purple messenger bag with Scooby Doo on the flap, put my Excalibur replica sword and my collectible set of Sherlock Holmes on his backseat, then took Merlin in his travel carrier and slid into the front seat. I almost laughed—so much could be said about me by what I’d just brought out to the car.

The things she chose to put in the car with her to keep safe when she had to move, were the things that were most important to her, which included Sherlock Holmes. I may have to explore in future books exactly why Holmes is important to her, but I imagine that he may have been her introduction to mysteries as well, and I can see the friendship and sort of found family in the stories appealing to her, too.

Lorie’s Sherlock shelf.

Holmes has been important to me during so many different stages of my life. He brought me to mysteries as a teen. Benedict’s Holmes was there to give me an escape when I lost my best friend. And the stories in all their forms have provided me with enjoyment ever since I picked up that first book. I shared my love of Holmes with my kids, and now can’t wait to share it with my grandson! Whether I am drawn more to his brilliance or his flaws, I do not know. I just know that he is, and always has been, very important to me—and now to Roxi as well.

As to portrayals of Holmes, I must give a nod to Sherlock and Daughter on the CW this season. David Thewlis may portray this somewhat older Holmes with a bit more of a softer side than we generally see, but it is done well and is believable. Not a Brett or Cumberbatch, but enjoyable, and it doesn’t have me yelling at the TV screen saying “That’s not Holmes!” lol.

Who is your favorite Sherlock Holmes? And what brought you to the books and stories?

Universal Buy Link for Book 1, One of Us: https://books2read.com/u/mlgrEq

Universal Buy Link for Book 2, One of You: https://books2read.com/u/m0eWAy

Bio:

Lorie Lewis Ham lives in Reedley, California and has been writing ever since she was a child. Her first song and poem were published when she was 13, and she has gone on to publish many articles, short stories, and poems throughout the years, as well as write for a local newspaper, and publish 7 mystery novels. For the past 15 years, Lorie has been the editor-in-chief and publisher of Kings River Life Magazine, and she produces Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast, where you can hear an excerpt of her book One of Us, the first in a new series called The Tower District Mysteries. Book 2, One of You, was released in June of 2024. You can learn more about Lorie and her writing on her website mysteryrat.com and find her on Facebook, BookBub, Goodreads, Bluesky, and Instagram @krlmagazine & @lorielewishamauthor.