Sherlock Holmes—CSI Before the Acronym Became Famous

I’m sure most of our readers, along with my fellow Cozy Mystery Magazine authors, know by now that I’m a huge Miss Marple/Agatha Christie fan. For a cozy mystery author like me, Miss Marple’s powers of observation are an inspiration for my own books. But even as much as I love the elderly sleuth, I have to admit that she didn’t use science like one of the first literary sleuths--Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock had a brilliant scientific mind, and his crime scene technique was years ahead of real crime science.

Take fingerprints, for example. Scotland Yard didn’t start using fingerprints until 1901. Sir Author Conan Doyle had Sherlock Holmes using fingerprint evidence in the Sign of Four, published in 1890. Holmes was also the first to analyze typewritten documents. In A Case of Identity, published in 1891, Holmes recognized that letters were typewritten, with no signature. He obtained a typewritten note from his suspect and analyzed the idiosyncrasies of the man’s typewriter. Case solved. The FBI only started a document section of the bureau in 1932.

If you want to learn more about the science of Sherlock Holmes and how he influenced the crime scene investigating field, there are a number of websites to read, along with a fascinating PBS show I just finished watching called, How Sherlock Changed the World.

You can find the show through Netflix. You can also buy the DVD at Amazon.

Here are some interesting websites, if you’d like to read more about the science behind Sherlock Holmes:

Six Methods of Detection in Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes: Father of Scientific Crime and Detection

How Sherlock Chaged the World Shows Evolution of Modern Crime Solving

In closing, I will say that despite Sherlock Holmes’ abilities, I’d prefer to spend a day with Miss Marple. I’ve always found Sherlock Holmes an unlikeable guy, even though I admire his intelligence. I enjoy the stories, but they don’t contain the characterization of the Miss Marples novels—and I love character development. Sherlock Holmes books are more about him and his smarts. Miss Marple is more about the people. This is just my opinion. I'd love to hear what our readers have to say.  

WHAT A CHARACTER!

NANCY JILL THAMES

Ever say that about someone? Sure - you meet a person who immediately impresses you (good or bad) with their personality. In a cozy mystery the main characters must have memorable qualities if readers want to spend precious time reading about them. Close your eyes and think for a moment (after you read the next sentence of course)! What characters stand out in your mind the most? I thought of Jessica Fletcher, Miss Jane Marple and Sherlock Holmes right off the bat. Who did you think of?
     Now why are they so memorable? Maybe because the authors had total freedom to create whoever they wanted to, while we mere mortals for the most part are just ordinary everyday people. But the characters we've thought of aren't ordinary, right? Let's take a look at what makes them memorable.
     Jessica Fletcher is a mystery writer, widowed, lives in Cabot Cove, Maine and doesn't drive. Miss Jane Marple is a pink little old maiden aunt with an uncanny ability to observe and analyze criminals and the crimes they commit while knitting booties for babies. And Sherlock Holmes must be the biggest character of all (seconded only by Hercule Poirot). Mr. Holmes is eccentric, outspoken, a genius in the power of deductive reasoning and terribly unsociable. Memorable. And take my protagonist Jillian Bradley and her little Yorkie companion Teddy.       
    Jillian writes a syndicated garden column, loves fine art and serves afternoon tea to her friends while she helps investigators solve homicides. She's a childless widow who's husband died a hero in the war in Vietnam so she's all alone. Well, almost...I created a companion for her, a tiny Yorkie I  named Teddy so she wouldn't be so lonely. He becomes her sleuth dog in the stories by using his uncanny instincts to sniff out clues. 
    I created the character of Cecilia Chastain, a young quick-witted hotel housekeeper working her way through college who becomes Jillian's personal assistant and Teddy's sitter when Jillian travels. You'll have to read the series to learn more about Walter, Jillian's garden club friends and Jillian's love interests.
    So when you think of characters, who are some of your favorites and what makes them memorable? And if you could  change places with any of your favorites, who would it be? 

Free (A $2.99 Value!)

If you'd like to read about Jillian and her friends, "Murder in Half Moon Bay" is free this weekend on Amazon.com.

So please pick up a copy! My treat.

 
And don't forget to try Traci's new recipe for Huckleberry Duff in our Cozy Kitchen. My mouth is watering!

 

Have a lovely weekend Cozy Lovers!

Nancy Jill Thames is the author of the Jillian Bradley Mysteries - stories often set in exclusive hotels and resorts, based on real life travel adventures with her husband of 44 years. Her mysteries incorporate her love of afternoon tea, which has earned her the title of “Queen of Afternoon Tea.” She holds a music degree from UT Austin and lives in Leander, Texas where she is a member of the Leander Writers Guild. She has won awards for her blogs,  a pie contest for her Chip Chocolate Cream Pie, and has been on the Author Watch Bestseller List numerous times. Nancy Jill is busy working on book 6 Waiting for Santa, a murder mystery taking place on Christmas Eve near Jillian Bradley’s home in Clover Hills.

To check out her books, Murder in Half Moon Bay, The Ghost Orchid Murder, From the Clutches of Evil, The Mark of Eden, and Pacific Beach, please visit the Cozy Book Store and her blogs: 

Cozy Mystery Author, Nancy Jill Thames

"Queen of Afternoon Tea"Celebrity Author Interivews