Abbey Strange - A Modern Sherlock Holmes Story

By Charlotte Anne Walters

The final story in a series of five adventures which re-work original stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle into our modern world. The murder of an aged rock star is initially blamed on a gang of burglars, but Holmes senses that his widow is hiding something. What is the formidable music mogul not telling about the night her husband died at their Gothic country home? And how will Watson and Lestrade face up to the life-changing decisions they both decide to make? A re-working of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Adventure of the Abbey Grange.

• Language: English
• Publisher: MX Publishing
• Release date: Feb 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781780925882

Book preview

Title Page

ABBEY STRANGE

A Modern Sherlock Holmes Story

by

Charlotte Anne Walters

Publisher Information

First edition published in 2014 by MX Publishing

335 Princess Park Manor, Royal Drive, London, N11 3GX

www.mxpublishing.com

Digital edition converted and distributed by

Andrews UK Limited

www.andrewsuk.com

© Copyright 2014 Charlotte Anne Walters

The right of Charlotte Anne Walters to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998.

All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without express prior written permission. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted except with express prior written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1956 (as amended). Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damage.

All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and not of MX Publishing.

Cover design by www.staunch.com

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Sherlockology, The Undershaw Preservation Trust and MX Publishing for including Charlie Milverton in their publication Sherlock’s Home, The Empty House.

Thank you to my husband Tim who patiently reads everything I write, also Janice and Louise who probably think I’m mad but support me anyway, and of course, the genius of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

The story within this book has been inspired by an original Sherlock Holmes adventure created by Conan Doyle. I have simply updated it to 21st century scenarios and settings. Therefore, I cannot take full credit for all the plot twists, clues and concepts the story contains, just its re-working into modern equivalents. The original story I have used is The Adventure of the Abbey Grange.

Abbey Strange

Look honey, it isn’t really any of my business but I’m about to lose a bloody good security manager. I understand that it must be difficult working with your ex, but do I really have to accept his resignation or is there any way the two of you can sort things out? Della sweetheart, I know he hurt you and behaved like an idiot, but if I had a pound for every time my husband hurt me and behaved like an idiot, I’d be a billionaire instead of a plain old millionaire.

Gareth’s resigned?

Yes hun. Didn’t he tell you?

No, we’re not really speaking.

If you genuinely want shot of him then fine, I’ll have to let him go. But if you still love him, then perhaps you’ve punished him for long enough and it’s time to give him another chance. Decide Della, because if not he’ll be gone by the end of the month - been offered work in the States minding a Hollywood star. Gareth’s one of the good ones Del - men like that don’t come along often. The great thing about having a wise old crone like me for a manager is that you can learn from my mistakes. Sweetie, I know what it’s like to be left crying over ‘the one that got away’. Between you and me, I know more than ever right now.

***

Watson sat at his desk flicking through the newspaper. A cold draft blew in through the old windows and he sipped