Sherlock Holmes: The Musgrave Ritual

By Alex Woolf and Eve O'Brien

Join world-famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his ever-loyal sidekick Dr. Watson as they embark on a daring adventure.

Reginald Musgrave is baffled by the disappearance of his butler and maid. Where did they go and does it have anything to do with the mysterious, ancient "Musgrave Ritual?" Only one man may be able to solve the mystery: Reginald's crime-fighting friend, Sherlock Holmes.

This thrilling tale has been retold and adapted with new illustrations, making it perfect for younger readers. Adapted by award-winning children's fiction author Alex Woolf, it will delight bright young things aged 7+.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcturus Publishing
• Release date: Jul 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781398818293

Alex Woolf

Alex Woolf is a senior lecturer in history at the University of St Andrews. He holds a BA in Medieval History and Medieval English, an MPhil in Archaeology and a PhD from the University of St Andrews. He is the author of a number of articles and books on medieval Scottish history, including From Pictland to Alba: Scotland, 789 to 1070, Scandinavian Scotland: 20 Years After and Beyondthe Gododdin: Dark Age Scotland in Medieval Wales.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Reginald Musgrave

I’ve noticed an odd quirk in the character of my friend, the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. For a man with such a neat and tidy mind, he tends to create an awful lot of mess. As his fellow lodger, this can be fairly exasperating.

The man keeps his notes and coins in a Persian slipper. His unanswered letters are impaled by a jackknife to our wooden mantelpiece. I frequently find the results of his chemical experiments in the butter dish.

Worst of all are the documents and relics from his past cases. He never throws anything out, and they build up in stacks in every corner of the room.

One winter’s night in February 1888, as we sat before the fire, I finally decided to confront him about this. You have to throw out some of this old stuff, Holmes, I said. Very soon there won’t be enough space around here for us.

You’re quite right, Watson, he said. We’ll start with my earliest cases, shall we? He dragged a wooden box out of a corner, opened its sliding lid, and took out its contents: a crumpled piece of paper, a wooden peg with a ball of string attached, and three rusty metal discs.

Looking at these objects, his face fell. Actually, I don’t think I can throw these out, old friend, he said. They’re all I have left to remind me of the adventure of the Musgrave Ritual.

I don’t remember that one, I said, immediately interested.

It was one of my very earliest cases—from before your time.

Would you care to tell me about it?

What about the big clear out? he smiled mischievously.

That can wait, I said, settling myself more comfortably in my seat.

So, Holmes told me the story ...

This adventure happened shortly after my arrival in London (he began). I was living in Montague Street at the time.