The Tale Not Told

About the Book

The basic premise of the story is to reveal the truth about Sherlock Holmes. Starting with a never before told incident in early life through Sherlock Holmes' real first case, the reader learns that Sherlock Holmes is, in point of fact, Charlotte Holmes

Part One - Introduction of  two Holmes' children, ages 12 and 16, in India where family is on father's diplomatic mission. The two children carry off the successful rescue of an Indian girl from a brothel run  by an English citizen, Madame Eglantyne. The younger of the two Holmes' children has a particularly disturbing encounter during the escapade, in which she (Charlotte) is disguised as a boy (Sherlock).  Due to increasing unrest in India at this time, their parents send them home to England to  an aunt they have never met, Great Aunt Elizabeth.  At the urging of the younger one, they decide that for the trip home, to continue as they did for the brothel adventure, and if it works they will try to fool Great Aunt Elizabeth.

Part Two - Once in England, the deception of Charlotte Holmes as Sherlock Holmes is unmasked by their Aunt, who is old and ill, but is an extremely intelligent and modern woman for her time. During this section Mrs. Hudson and Dr. Watson are introduced into the story. The Holmes children are orphaned, Watson is brought into the deception and as Part Two ends Great Aunt Elizabeth also dies.

Part Three - The Baker Street part of the story unfolds. The character of Mde. Eglantyne returns and the thus begins the real first case of Sherlock Holmes.

About the Author

Born in New York City, Constance Wilder-Wokoun now lives in Hamilton Square, NJ, with her husband of 45 years. She teaches English and directs theatrical productions at McCorristin Catholic High School. She has been published in the Association of New Jersey Teachers of English literary journal. This is her first novel.