Espresso Recommendations

Sherlock

Sherlock Holmes

'He could not, if asked, have defined how "a Sherlock conversation" differed from "a conversation with Sherlock", but he knew the difference between the two was as wide as the gap which supposedly yawned between genius and madness.' A sparkling conversation piece, featuring a hilarious shout-out to Conan Doyle canon

[Added 31/08/2011; Drama; 2500-6000; Sherlock; Characters: John Watson, Sherlock Holmes, Mycroft Holmes]

The Four Paw Problem by AJ Hall

'Fond as he was of cats, he couldn't help feeling the niche in the Baker Street ecosystem for a predatory, self-absorbed, semi-nocturnal creature who classified every living being in its vicinity as 'prey', 'minion' or 'total irrelevance' had already been filled.' This delightful short takes the inspired idea of introducing Saki's talking cat to 221b, and manages to fix the original's unfortunate ending

[Added 05/03/2014; Humour; 2500-6000; Sherlock; Characters: John Watson, Tobermory (Saki), Sherlock Holmes, Mycroft Holmes, Jilly Cooper; Crossover]

The Green Blade by Verity Burns

'"One more body should do it," he announced, fingers now drumming against the armrests. "The media are already in a frenzy after three and the police are fobbing them off. One more should tip the scales." He leaned forward again, resting his elbows on his knees. "Is that too much to ask?"' Casefiles are surprisingly scarce in this fandom. This solid novel-length example has the feel of an unaired episode, with strong roles for underutilised characters, believable OCs & enough twists to hold the interest. The 'bromance' is a little unsubtle for my taste but don't let that put you off

[Added 06/03/2014; Drama; >50,000; Sherlock; Characters: Sherlock Holmes, John Watson, Sally Donovan, Greg Lestrade, Philip Anderson, Martha Hudson, Mycroft Holmes, OCs]

I Used to Live Alone Before I Knew You by Etothepii

'The best thing humans have ever done on their own was trick themselves into thinking that science and religion were mutually exclusive.' This well-executed fusion with Good Omens forms a satisfying casefile, with a few delicious little details

[Added 31/08/2011; Drama; 6000-20,000; Sherlock; Characters: John Watson, Sherlock Holmes, Mycroft Holmes, Jim Moriarty, DI Lestrade, OCs; Crossover]

The Perils of Urban Warfare by Phantomjam

'What Sherlock considers conversation is more akin to a staccato burst of machinegun fire strafing over John’s head in a spray of logic-based shrapnel and deadly hand-grenades of intuition.' Three-way piece including John's therapist, which develops a particularly interesting voice for John

[Added 18/10/2011; Romance/Erotica; 6000-20,000; Sherlock; Characters: John Watson, Sherlock Holmes, John's therapist]

Space Travel by Candle Beck

'The night the aliens came was the first time John understood the extent of his predicament.' Sherlock/John abounds in this fandom but Candle Beck's bizarre details capture Sherlock's nature better than most

[Added 18/10/2011; Romance/Erotica; 2500-6000; Sherlock; Characters: John Watson, Sherlock Holmes]

they tell me their secrets (will you tell me yours too) by Etothepii

'In Afghanistan, the supplies tell him when they're running low, and the cars always, always tell him when strangers have touched them, and John gets known as having a knack (paranoia, his men call it, but he's never missed a single car bomb) for keeping his men safe.' Etothepii is the master of mixing magic with the Sherlockverse. This short is one of my favourites for the way John's gift neatly parallels Sherlock's skills

[Added 05/03/2014; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Sherlock; Characters: John Watson, Sherlock Holmes, Harry Watson]