Book Three, Sherlock Returns, is moving forward, though slowly (I'll blame the summer heat, because I can). To tempt your taste buds, there's another tidbit from the first chapter of Book Three here, and if you haven't checked out the Extras page recently, be sure to drop by and say hello to the Irregular Jeni, and check out some of the scenes from Sherlock's point of view or read a couple holiday themed tales.

​While many people I know are wishing each other "may the fourth be with you" today, it holds a different place in the hearts of Sherlockians. Today is the 125th anniversary of Sherlock Holmes's "death." He got better, of course, but he won't return to London and dramatically announce his survival to the long-suffering Dr. Watson until 1893. Three years is a long time, and it's a miracle that Watson only faints upon seeing him. Personally, I always thought the good doctor employed some artistic license when he recounted his reaction to Holmes's return. Fainting from shock I'll believe, but there were probably a few strong words said at the very least when he woke up. Three years is a long time to let your best friend think you're dead.

My own Sherlock doesn't wait that long. Speaking of which, the working title of Book 3 is currently "Sherlock's Return." ​The first chapter is "The Murder of Adrian Rolands."

The first few pages are here.

I'm three chapters into the as yet untitled Book 3. The winter-never-mind weather my part of the world has been having hasn't helped productivity, along with family and job juggling. Still, I think it's going well. Book 3 is going to be a bit more complicated than the last two, at least from my perspective as I try to keep the overarching plot intact.

If you're craving a little more of my world, there's a new Irregular for you to meet on the Extras page! Jeni (or Miss Jeneva, as Sherlock calls her) has a small but important role in Of Jackals and Crusaders, and now you can read about how Sherlock recruited her. Also on the Extras page is another short scene from Sherlock's point of view. Writing from his perspective is not just fun, but it helps me keep a hold on his personality and complexities, and how the world works in general. I may as well share a few scenes with my readers, too, right?

A week and a half into the new year, and I wanted to take a moment to thank all of my readers for their support. I hope you've had as nice a start to your year as I have, and that the trend continues through the year. Thank you, again, for being with me on this adventure.

I hope all my readers have a wonderful winter holiday, whichever one you celebrate. There are a surprising number of Sherlockian short stories written that take place this time of year; I highly recommend "Death in the Midnight Hour" by James Powell, found in the anthology Sherlock Holmes Through Time and Space. There's also the anthology Holmes for the Holidays, and its sequel More Holmes for the Holidays.

For or my own small part, there's a short story on the Extras page featuring the Irregulars and a routine job on a winter night, that turns out to be not so routine at all.

Only eight days left until Of Jackals and Crusaders is released! You can pre-order the book on Kindle or through Smashwords. The print version will be released with the ebook on December 18th.

In the meantime, see how the Irregulars spent a night in December in the new Irregular tale, "An Irregular Holiday" on the Extras page!

The ebook version of Of Jackals and Crusaders is now available for pre-order! 

The release date is December 18th. Place your order on Amazon for Kindle, or on Smashwords for any other device.

Unfortunately, CreateSpace (which publishes the print version) doesn't support pre-orders, but the print version of the book will be released on December 18th as well.

Ladies, gentlemen, and other, may I present to you the cover art for book two of The Adventures of Watts and Sherlock: Of Jackals and Crusaders​!

The artist is once again Travis Perkins, who designed the cover of ​The R.X. Problem, and I love it.

Take a look!

As we reach the end of October, that means Halloween for my family. I took my son out for trick-or-treat Friday, and came up with a tiny tale imagining the event for the Irregulars. "Trick or Treat: An Irregular Tale" is over on the Extras page, and check out how Sherlock and Watts spend their Halloween in "The Costume Party Murder." 

Have a safe weekend, some fun scares, and Happy Halloween!