Art in the Blood

by Bonnie MacBird

  ‘This technique has been used successfully in the East for a thousand years,’ he said. ‘By monks, warriors, artists—’

  ‘Of course. It can be argued that you are all three,’ I said.

  He laughed. ‘Good old Watson. There is no need to turn me into a hero. In any case, this technique is used by ordinary people as well.’ He smiled. ‘I suggest you give it a try.’

  ‘I will keep it in mind, Holmes,’ said I, ‘the next time I am troubled by lack of work.’

  He snorted. ‘Work is not your particular addiction. But now,’ said he, ‘you must tell me all about Brighton. I am sure you enjoyed yourself among your new married friends and the many amusements that seaside resort has to offer. Was it conducive to your own recovery?’

  I paused. Holmes stared at me, a small smile curling his lips. This time, I knew I was being mocked. I could not help but smile back. Soon we were both laughing.

  ‘I hated Brighton,’ I said. ‘It was a bloody bore!’

  Acknowledgements

  For Art in the Blood, my parents. For inspiration, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, truly one of the greats. And for making this book happen, my lovely home team Chuck Hurewitz and Linda Langton. At HarperCollins the wonderful Natasha Hughes.

  For inspiration, many actors but especially the elegant, witty Jeremy Brett, the livewire bohemian Robert Downey, Jr and the simultaneously arrogant and vulnerable Sherlock of Benedict Cumberbatch – all of whom personify essential elements of my favourite hero. For Mycroft, the menacing and complex Mark Gatiss, and for Watson, the handsome, dangerous Jude Law and especially Martin Freeman’s warm, funny “What the hell are you doing?” John. If you hear any of these lovely actors’ voices in the book, it’s their fault. Oh, all right, it’s mine. Though it was my intention and hope that Sir Arthur’s prevails.

  Special thanks to two renowned Holmes experts:— Les Klinger for his friendship, encouragement, advice and tough notes, and for getting me to “come out” as a Sherlockian. You opened a whole new world to me, Les. And same to my dear friend Catherine Cooke in England. But don’t blame Les or Catherine for any errors!

  Editorial thanks especially to Lynn Hightower, but also pal Matt Witten, and fellow Oxnardians Patty Smiley, Craig Faustus Buck, Jonathan Beggs, Bob Shayne, Harley Jane Kozak, Jamie Diamond and Nancy Seid. From Scotland Ailsa Campbell, and from France Cynthia Liebow.

  Love also to two generous Londoners, Roger Johnson and Steve Emecz, both of whom were instrumental in expanding my Sherlockian horizons, sharing great meals, and introducing me to new friends in my favourite city. Merci au Cercle Holmesien de Paris and particularly Hélène,Thierry, Laurence, Véronique and Cyril.

  Medical historian Dr Lindsay Fitz and chemist Christopher A. Zordan advised on transfusions and disappearing inks. Fellow Sherlockian author Dan Andriacco did me a favour which is appreciated beyond words. So many other Sherlockians played a role, among them new friends Luke Benjamen Kuhns, Matthew J. Elliott, Mary Platt, Anne Lewis, Jacquelynn Bost Morris, Tom Ue, Becky Simpson, Martin Moore, Crystal Noll, Charlotte Ann Walters, Jean Upton, Lynn Gale, Marek Ujma, Alex Anstey, Paul Annett, David Stuart Davies, Jerry and Chrys Kegley, Maggie Schpak, Robert Stek, Charlie Mount, as well as Emma Grigg and Jules Coomber of Sherlockology. A very special thank you to Steve Doyle and Mark Gagen. Gratitude to Paul Gilbert for the Sherlock set visit and to the folks at Hartswood for allowing me to read some Sherlock scripts in preparation for a talk. All of these people exemplify the Sherlockian spirit of generosity and great fun. Apologies to anyone I’ve left out.

  Family by blood Chris Simpson and Kirstin Kay, and by choice Jaz Davison, were key in their support and in-the-trenches help. Hugs to Paul Cheslaw, Karen Essex, Ann Cheslaw, Miranda Andrews, and Christine Sofiane for their encouragement, and my writing students from UCLA Extension, particularly fellow author Colette Freedman.

  The illustrations were made possible by the massively talented Robert Mammana (source photographer and Vidocq) and my brilliant and handsome actor friends Rob Arbogast and Paul Denniston, who modelled for a perfect Holmes and Watson in the illustrations (and onstage). Thanks Miguel Perez, Samara Bay, Jonathan Le Billon, and Brad Bose who modelled for various characters, Ray Bengston for author photos and video, Joe Blaustein for art encouragement: Various talented design contributers include Stuart Bache, Tanya Johnston, and Patrick Seeholzer’s group. Thanks also to Megan Beatie. Jane Acton and Rachael Young at Four Colman Getty, as well as HarperCollins’ own Victoria Comella, Jean Marie Kelly and Louise Swanell. Ryan Johnson’s evocative original Sherlock Holmes music written for the trailer provided my “soundtrack” while I wrote.

  A big shout out goes to Filipe Domingues and the welcoming staff of the Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes hotel on Baker Street in London, where much of this novel was written.

  Trish Dickey bravely and coercively maintained some sense of order in the chaos surrounding me while Brad Bose, Liz Poppert, Noel Kingsley, and Anthony Mayatt kept the “transport” working so the mind could continue.

  Meditation teacher Shinzen Young not only advised me on Victorian meditation practices, but his direct teaching made the sustained focus of this marathon project possible.

  Special thanks goes to David Roth who generously and tirelessly worked some serious magic at the end. Thank you, David.

  Penultimately, thanks to the wonderful Otto Penzler proprietor of my favourite bookshop and uber Sherlockian whose enthusiasm meant so much to me.

  And finally, my biggest thanks to my generous and supportive husband, Alan Kay. No one understands the creative process better. As the far smarter Sherlock in our pairing, he has at the same time grounded me with his callouts in the best Watson tradition, and fuelled me with the finest omelettes in the world. There would be no book without him.

  Thank you, Alan. And thank you all. It didn’t take a village; it was a whole shire.

  Holmes and Watson return

  in UNQUIET SPIRITS,

  September 2016

  For interested readers, illustrated

  annotations to Art in the Blood

  can be found on

  www.macbird.com/aitb/notes

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