Fic Rec: Watershed

[rachelindeed.livejournal.com]

Title: Watershed
Author: finangler
Pairing: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Length: 40,000 words
Rating: E
Warnings: the crimes investigated include human trafficking, rape, and murder, though none are graphically portrayed; also has themes of drug use/abuse
Verse: other
Author's summary: In the year 2207, John Watson went to war. (Written in response to the shkinkmeme anon-prompt: SH in Space.)

Reccer's comments: This fic is remarkable for many reasons. It combines economical yet expansive world-building, clever plot twists which impact both the case and the relationship of the characters, a gritty futuristic setting, and a love story which does not run smoothly and is all the better for its frictions and false starts. Its happy ending, once reached, feels earned.

It is also remarkable because it presents a version of these characters which does not fit entirely within any particular established 'verse. The story was completed several months before the BBC series first aired in 2010, and this author independently undertook, not only a modernization of the Doyle characters, but a projection of them into the future. It is fascinating to see the characterization decisions here made, and to meet versions of Holmes and Watson who are in some ways quite similar to what the BBC characters became (in some instances the parallels are astonishing), but who remain in some respects unique, while at other times reminiscent of the Ritchie or Granada versions.

This fic begins as a version of Doyle's "Man with the Twisted Lip," but the case quickly takes on a life of its own. It offers a new version of Holmes and Watson's first meeting, and throughout the story Watson's issues surrounding self-perception, illness, and trust are dealt with in a complex and compelling way. I find this a rich and rewarding read.

It should be noted that the story is a complete and satisfying whole, but although it is listed as being part of a series, the sequel fic was abandoned after only one chapter so you may be happier simply stopping at the end of this story. (The sequel makes quite an interesting epilogue, though it raises important character issues which are never resolved). If you are interested in seeing more of this author's work, and in particular how they engaged with the BBC characters once that series aired, their excellent BBC adaptation of "The Devil's Foot" has already been recc'd on this comm. Authors who can skillfully entwine original mysteries with nuanced relationship and character drama are treasures, and I hope you enjoy finangler's work as much as I have.

Fic rec: Sherlock Holmes and the Ravenclaw Codex

[dogandmonkeyshow]

Title: Sherlock Holmes and the Ravenclaw Codex
Author: dolorous-ett / pavonis
Pairing: Gen
Length: ca. 30,000 words
Rating: G
Verse: ACD, cross-over with Harry Potter 'verse (but not in book time)
Author's summary: A Sherlock Holmes mystery set in Victorian Hogwarts and London. A valuable artefact has been stolen from Hogwarts, and the only suspect - a Muggleborn pupil - has disappeared. Headmaster Phineas Nigellus Black summons Holmes to Hogwarts to retrieve the Ravenclaw Codex, but things are not as simple as they seem, and Holmes and Watson soon find themselves in the middle of a most perplexing case.
Reccer's comments: This is a 2007 cross-over of Doyle canon Sherlock Holmes in a speculated Harry Potter universe in Doyle's time, so not exactly a cross-over. Ett has produced a wonderful Doyle-era fic, chock full of great OCs and featuring a veritable moustache-twirling Phineas Nigellus Black, the most hated Headmaster in the history of Hogwarts. The story has all the features of a satisfying Doyle-era story: an intriguing case, travel to distant parts, a dastardly client, as well as a new cadre of eager assistants for Holmes, who dub themselves his "Hogwarts Irregulars". Ett pulls off some of the best Doyle-evoking prose I've come across in fandom, that lets you slide without a hitch into Holmes' world. A satisfying read all 'round.