A short but satisfying homage to the classic Conan Doyle tales, Garth Nix’s occult detective story The Case of the Somewhat Mythic Sword features Sir Magnus Holmes, the somewhat less famous cousin of the legendary literary sleuth. Responding in Sherlock’s stead to a case more suited to his esoteric talents, Sir Magnus – accompanied by Almost Doctor Susan Shrike – investigates the appearance of a medieval knight in the cellar of a London pub. Although Holmes quickly deduces what’s happening, it turns into a case which tests his willpower and Shrike’s wits, and reveals the darkness lurking beneath the dapper detective’s civilised veneer.
One of two short stories* from Nix to feature Holmes and Shrike, it’s an entertaining little vignette which, while short, ably demonstrates the enjoyment of mixing occult elements with Victorian detective fiction. While there’s not much time to really dig into the characters beyond the basic bones of their history and companionship, Nix imbues them with a clear rapport and a few amusing nods to their more illustrious counterparts, and gives them plenty to do once slightly smug deduction gives way to frantic (and somewhat graphic) action. There’s undoubtedly lots of scope for Sherlock-adjacent stories like this – especially when told with Nix’s gentle wit and eye for characters – and while this might not be an essential read it’s a lot of fun.
* You can find The Curious Case of the Moondawn Daffodils Murder in Nix’s short story anthology To Hold the Bridge.
