The Best and Wisest Man

By: Hamish Crawford

Narrated by: Adam Blanford

1888: Dr. John H. Watson, Army Corps surgeon turned colleague of the celebrated consulting detective Sherlock Holmes, decides not to assist in future cases as he is engaged to Mary Morstan.

1926: Mary Forrester discovers her mother's diary, covering the years 1889 to 1893 — her marriage to Watson. What occurred in those years? How was the quintessential male friendship of Holmes and Watson seen through a woman's eyes? How stable was a marriage where Watson was liable to abandon Mary at Holmes’s summons? Who, ultimately, was Mary Morstan — a figure seldom referred to in Arthur Conan Doyle’s sixty Holmes stories?

This blend of fact and fiction sheds light on a virtually unexplored dimension of the Great Detective’s exploits. It is a perspective Sherlock Holmes — who elevated “true, cold reason … above all things” — would probably not appreciate. But for all its warmth and irrationality, there is just as much truth in the heart.

©2015 Hamish Crawfor (P)2024 MX Publishing

Getting to know Mary Watson

Mary Forrester is the adult daughter of Dr. John Watson and Mary (Morstan) Watson. She found and read her mother’s diary written during the years of the Holmes / Watson adventures. It’s an interesting perspective written by Hamish Crawford. The narration by Adam Blanford is excellent.

A Tale of Two Marys

A strange tale of Sherlock Homes and Doctor Watson as told from a notebook of Mrs. Mary Watson as read by her daughter Mary, many years later.

A different perspective on Holmes mysteries

Refreshing and credible to hear of Holmes and Watson’s adventures and the Watson’s domestic life through Mary Morstan Watson’s eyes. The frame story of Mary Victoria Watson Forrester rounds out the account. Excellent performance by the narrator.

The portrayal of Holmes was a bit too bloodless before Reichenbach and Watson’s frustration with Holmes seemed uncharacteristic, but perhaps he would have been more expressive of it with Mary than in his narratives.

Thanks to MX Publishing for this audio version.