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Deadly Antagonist
The Whistle of Revenge finds Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler married and living under assumed identities, fighting to rescue their son who has been kidnapped by their nemesis. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted to write book four of the Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mysteries with kidnapping as the premise. Finding a worthy adversary for Holmes was the tricky part.
I enjoyed the shifts in perspective. What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of writing from various characters’ points of view?
After much deliberation, I decided on Jack Stapleton, the deadly antagonist from The Hound of the Baskervilles. Although Jack was presumed dead, meeting an a grisly end on the Great Grimpen Mire, his body was never found. He was such a great character to resurrect. I decided to give him his own POV so readers could get to know a bit more about the celebrated Detective’s old nemesis and discover what he’d been up to for the past seventeen years.
Writing from Jack’s perspective was the most challenging because so little was known about him. I enjoyed developing the character. Some of my readers told me they felt a little sorry for him at times.
How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
It’s tricky to balance the two. I am a panster writer, so plot twists and story development come to me as I go along. However, I did a fair bit of outlining for Whistle, mainly due to the complexity of the story.
Can fans look forward to more from Holmes and Adler? What are you currently working on?
I plan to start book five before the end of this year, which will find Sherlock and Irene in the USA, which will make a nice change from all those tricky Italian translations. It’s going to be another controversial story with a shocking plot twist that readers will not see coming, involving events from Sherlock and Irene’s past, which will have far-reaching consequences for our intrepid duo. I can’t wait to get started.
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If you loved Conan Doyle’s, The Hound of the Baskerville, prepare to be enthralled by KD Sherrinford’s captivating follow-up, The Whistle of Revenge.
The deadly antagonist, Jack Stapleton, makes a spectacular return to the city of Milan in pursuit of his old nemesis, the celebrated Detective Sherlock Holmes.
Adopting the enigmatic persona of Janus, a vengeful Stapleton, along with the Italian mafia, wreak havoc on the Italian horse racing fraternity and fledgling car manufacturing industry, and kidnapping Holmes’s beloved son as part of their evil and well-executed master plan—Operation Whistle.
Will Holmes, Irene Adler, and their trusted ally, Inspector Romano, crack the code, rescue the boy, and unmask the deadly Janus?
Set against the backdrop of modern Milan, mind games and misdeeds of the highest order play out as the story reaches its thrilling and memorable conclusion.
Depths and Endless Possibilities
Song for Someone follows a young woman who, through her parents’ diaries, discovers the love story of an opera singer and the mysterious detective Sherlock Holmes. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was inspired to write my debut novel, Song for Someone, after visiting the Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street in 2019. I remember it was just before lockdown. I had always been fascinated by the iconic character Irene Adler and felt disappointed when she failed to appear in any further episodes after A Scandal in Bohemia. Other authors have hinted at a relationship between Holmes and Adler but merely skirted around the subject without exploring its depths and endless possibilities. So encouraged by my daughter Katie, I decided to write my adaptation.
Both Irene and Holmes are well-written and developed characters with engaging personalities. What was your favorite character to write for and why? Was there a scene you felt captured the character’s essence?
Irene was my favourite character to write; I loved exploring the depths of her character, this strong, feisty woman who took no messing from the celebrated detective. My favourite chapter in the book is No. 27, where Irene and Sherlock discuss past relationships. Those scenes really captured the character’s essence and changed the dynamics of their relationship.
Through the diary pages, Charlotte is taken on an adventure to discover her parent’s secret lives. How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
Story development can coincide with shocking plot twists. I’m a panster writer, and ideas tend to come to me as I go along; it can, at times, involve a lot of re-writing for me this way, but, the plot and dialogue flow much better.
When will book 2 be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
Christmas at The Saporis, Book Two in the Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mysteries, was published last December. The story will take readers to the beautiful Susses Downs five years after Sherlock and Irene’s adventures in Italy. Irene is hoping for a quiet family Christmas and a reconciliation with Sherlock’s brother, Mycroft. All appears well until unexpected ghosts from the past appear, threatening to shatter the fragile peace of the holidays, reminding readers that happiness and harmony are never guaranteed, even during the festive period.
Meet Me in Milan, Book 3 in the series, will be published on the 29th of September, and takes our intrepid couple back to Milan, where Irene finds herself having to turn investigator when her friend Renata becomes the main suspect in the attempted murder of her husband, Luigi Amato. When Sherlock finally arrives on the scene, Irene seeks his counsel, and he agrees to help with her investigation. But, in doing so, they open up a can of worms in their quest for the truth, which leaves them questioning their relationship and everything they hold dear.
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Charlotte Sapori has led a wonderful life, safely tucked in the bosom of her family. Her mother, Irene Adler, is a renowned opera singer, while her father, Lucca Sapori, does important government work that frequently takes him away from them. Charlotte is close to her older brother, Nicco, and they are both doted on by their parents. All is well until her mother receives an unexpected diagnosis which shakes the family to its core.
Knowing herself to be dying, Adler confesses to Charlotte things that have long been kept from her, telling her to find and read her diary. A distressed Lucca Sapori tells his daughter to read his as well. And by the way, Lucca Sapori is not his real name. In fact, she may have heard of him—he is actually the world-famous detective, Sherlock Holmes.
Charlotte finds both diaries and plunges into the hidden world of Irene Adler and Sherlock Holmes as she discovers what brought them together, and how they managed to stay together for thirty years despite having to battle the odds.
Song for Someone
Song for Someone by KD Sherrinford is a captivating historical romance set against the vivid backdrop of Victorian London. It masterfully unveils a clandestine affair between the enchanting opera singer Irene Adler and the illustrious detective Sherlock Holmes. When a sinister murder claims Irene’s husband, their worlds collide, compelling them to seek refuge on a Tuscany farm. Posing as a married couple, they craftily evade a relentless criminal on their trail.
Initially, Irene perceives Sherlock as aloof and detached. However, as the story unfolds, their dynamic evolves, leaving readers in suspense: Will their burgeoning emotions culminate in lasting affection? Will external threats snuff out their budding romance?
I was entranced by Sherrinford’s skilled narrative, interspersing suspense with the nuanced complexities of the protagonists’ relationship. The author demonstrates a deep reverence for Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic character, Sherlock Holmes while infusing originality that renders this tale distinctively hers. Irene Adler, portrayed as both a quintessential Victorian lady and a character of strength and depth, is particularly commendable. She strikes a balance between historical authenticity and contemporary relevance.
I think a minor critique lies in the occasional bits of dialogue that feel out of place. For instance, Irene’s remark about men faking relationships feels more at home in a contemporary magazine than in the parlors of Victorian England. Nonetheless, such instances are few and don’t overshadow the novel’s authenticity.
Song for Someone is a delightful blend of historical romance and crime thriller, making it an enticing read for those who appreciate a love story with an edge of mystery.
Pages: 363 | ASIN : B0BN125X8R
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