Fic Rec: The Adventure of Downton Abbey
Jun. 4th, 2013 08:14 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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221b_recsTitle: The Adventure of Downton Abbey
Author:
PlaidAdder
Pairing: Holmes/Watson
Length: 13,427 words
Rating: Teen and Up Audiences
Warnings: None
Verse: ACD Books/Downton Abbey crossover
Author's summary: Desperate to free her husband from prison, Anna Smith Bates tracks down Holmes in the country retreat he shares with Dr. Watson and persuades him to come out of retirement and investigate the death of Vera Bates. Holmes visits Downton Abbey under an assumed identity, with Watson in disguise as his valet. Working together again helps them cope with a recent trauma that severely tested their longstanding relationship--and also allows them to uncover a solution consistent with and yet so much more satifying than the one used on the actual show.
Reccer's comments: A crossover with Downton Abbey and retired!ACD Holmes – so obvious, it's a wonder there aren't more. On the other hand, this one definitely sets the bar high. The characterizations and dialogue are so spot-on it's like watching an episode of Downton and reading one of Conan Doyle's stories at the same time. The interplay of the characters is masterful in this ensemble piece, each playing their part with nuance and confidence. And the premise is great fun, with Holmes being enticed out of retirement one more time in order to clear an innocent man's name; the catch is, Watson will have to play his valet:
This allows for an exploration and exposure of the dynamic in Holmes and Watson's established relationship which is at times humourous, at times poignant. Homosexuality in the era is a theme, in the same manner as it is treated on Downton. As the threads of investigation begin to connect, we find parallels and similarities to Holmes and Watson's own lives, resulting in a revelation that is both shocking and moving.
A knowledge of Downton Abbey is probably advantageous for full appreciation of this story, especially in order to judge whether the solution is truly "much more satifying than the one used on the actual show" (hint: it is). At the same time, all of the relevant backstory is given in order to follow this as a straight Sherlock Holmes casefic.
Author:
Pairing: Holmes/Watson
Length: 13,427 words
Rating: Teen and Up Audiences
Warnings: None
Verse: ACD Books/Downton Abbey crossover
Author's summary: Desperate to free her husband from prison, Anna Smith Bates tracks down Holmes in the country retreat he shares with Dr. Watson and persuades him to come out of retirement and investigate the death of Vera Bates. Holmes visits Downton Abbey under an assumed identity, with Watson in disguise as his valet. Working together again helps them cope with a recent trauma that severely tested their longstanding relationship--and also allows them to uncover a solution consistent with and yet so much more satifying than the one used on the actual show.
Reccer's comments: A crossover with Downton Abbey and retired!ACD Holmes – so obvious, it's a wonder there aren't more. On the other hand, this one definitely sets the bar high. The characterizations and dialogue are so spot-on it's like watching an episode of Downton and reading one of Conan Doyle's stories at the same time. The interplay of the characters is masterful in this ensemble piece, each playing their part with nuance and confidence. And the premise is great fun, with Holmes being enticed out of retirement one more time in order to clear an innocent man's name; the catch is, Watson will have to play his valet:
“We must have access to the servants, Watson; and they must not know what we are about. We will ask our client to take one of the Crawleys into her confidence, and persuade this person to invite me to Downton under an assumed identity. You will come with me—“
“—as your valet.”
“My dear fellow, pray believe me when I say that I intend no reflection on your…on our…”
“Why can’t you be my valet?”
Holmes thought about this in silence. When I glanced over at him, he was smiling, so naturally and happily that I felt my heart twist.
“No, Watson,” he said, shaking his head. “The possibilities are indeed enticing; but no. I would never pass. You know yourself that I am an utter stranger to the clothes-brush. I cannot even brew a pot of tea without doing us both an injury. I should be most shamefully exposed within minutes of my arrival.”
“I cannot deny it, Holmes.”
This allows for an exploration and exposure of the dynamic in Holmes and Watson's established relationship which is at times humourous, at times poignant. Homosexuality in the era is a theme, in the same manner as it is treated on Downton. As the threads of investigation begin to connect, we find parallels and similarities to Holmes and Watson's own lives, resulting in a revelation that is both shocking and moving.
A knowledge of Downton Abbey is probably advantageous for full appreciation of this story, especially in order to judge whether the solution is truly "much more satifying than the one used on the actual show" (hint: it is). At the same time, all of the relevant backstory is given in order to follow this as a straight Sherlock Holmes casefic.
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Date: 2013-06-04 02:16 pm (UTC)Thank you so much for the rec! Can't wait to read this one!
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Date: 2013-06-04 02:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-06-04 04:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-06-04 04:56 pm (UTC)