Fic Rec: ...Could Fill a Book

[swissmarg]

Title: ...Could Fill a Book
Author: PlaidAdder
Pairing: Holmes/Watson, past Watson/Morstan
Length: 16,532 words
Rating: Teen
Warnings: None
Verse: ACD Books
Author's summary: When Holmes discovers that his solution to the "Speckled Band" case was...uh...totally wrong, he drags Watson back to Stoke Moran to try to find out what really happened. The true story of the horrible death of Julia Stoner turns out to be closely connected to Mary Morstan's death. As Watson finds himself reliving some of the most painful memories from his marriage to Mary, he starts to take more and more of a leading role in finding the solution to the mystery.

Reccer's comments: PlaidAdder is an author who's been around for a while in ACD fandom, but only recently moved their H/W slash fics to AO3, making them more accessible. I would encourage everyone to check out their author page, but this is my favourite of the lot. Here, PlaidAdder takes on the famous problem of the fact that there is no such thing as a swamp adder, and re-visits SPEC (The Speckled Band) for a much more satisfying and ingenious solution.

There are two things I particularly liked about this story. The first is that Watson really comes into his own, not only using and applying his medical knowledge and military experience, but bringing Holmes to some of Watson's own contacts from his past who can shed light on the case. In effect, he takes over the lead in the investigation. And far from being put out over it, Holmes is enthralled:

We sat silent, looking at each other in the uncertain light of the lantern.

"Holmes," I said, "you have hit upon the answer, I am sure of it."

"No, Watson," he answered. "You have hit upon the answer. You are the one who solved this mystery."

I did not know how to answer that. I did not even know for sure what I felt.

"Watson," he said, "I have known you for a long time, in many strange situations. You are handsome when you are courageous; you are charming when you are loyal; and you are endearing even when you are dense. But when you are brilliant, Watson, you are absolutely breathtaking."

At the same time, he and Holmes both must deal with the fate of Watson's late wife, not only the fact of her and Watson's married life together, but also the fact and cause of her death.

The second thing that made this story stand out for me is the way that the author brings in connections to other ACD stories and characters. (Does something strike you about the name of the estate Stoke Moran?) In hindsight, events that seemed commonplace in their tragedy take on much more sinister overtones in the light of what is revealed in the course of this follow-up investigation.

Comments

[cherrysyllabub.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for this rec! I read her older stories years ago and LOVED them. So happy to find out she is on Ao3 now!!!