Venture into the fog-draped streets of 1890s Minnesota with the Sherlock Holmes & Shadwell Rafferty series, where the world’s greatest detective trades London’s cobblestones for America’s frontier. Penned by Larry Millett, this captivating blend of historical mystery and Sherlockian flair pairs Holmes with the rough-and-tumble saloonkeeper Shadwell Rafferty, solving crimes that pulse with Midwestern grit and Victorian intrigue. Ready to unravel a mystery unlike any other?
From devastating forest fires to chilling locked-room puzzles, this series reimagines Holmes and Watson in a vibrant new setting. Millett’s meticulous research and love for Minnesota’s history bring every case to life, making it a must-read for Holmes fans and historical fiction buffs alike.
How Sherlock Holmes & Shadwell Rafferty Began
Larry Millett, a Minneapolis native and former architecture critic, launched this series in 1996 with a bold vision: transplanting Sherlock Holmes to Minnesota’s rugged landscape. Inspired by his passion for local history and Conan Doyle’s timeless detective, Millett crafted a world where Holmes’ razor-sharp deductions meet the untamed energy of the American Midwest. His background as a journalist ensured authenticity, weaving real historical events and figures into each tale.
The series began with Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon, sparked by Millett’s desire to merge Holmes’ deductive genius with Minnesota’s dramatic past, like the 1894 Hinckley fire. With St. Paul saloonkeeper Shadwell Rafferty as Holmes’ local ally, Millett created a dynamic duo that captured readers’ imaginations.
The Heart of Sherlock Holmes & Shadwell Rafferty
The series spans nine novels, each a masterclass in historical mystery. Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon (1996) kicks things off, with Holmes and Watson summoned by railroad tycoon James J. Hill to hunt an arsonist threatening the Great Northern Railway. In Sherlock Holmes and the Ice Palace Murders (1998), the trio tackles a disappearance during St. Paul’s 1896 Winter Carnival, navigating icy clues and high society. Sherlock Holmes and the Rune Stone Mystery (1999) sees Holmes investigating a farmer’s murder and a vanished artifact, blending archaeology with intrigue. The final book, Rafferty’s Last Case (2022), delivers a poignant double mystery as Holmes probes Rafferty’s own murder in 1928 St. Paul.
Millett’s novels shine through their vivid Minnesota settings, from bustling St. Paul to rural prairies, steeped in historical detail. Themes of justice, loyalty, and cultural clash permeate the series, as Holmes’ British precision meets Rafferty’s American bravado. The prose, laced with humor and suspense, echoes Doyle’s style while embracing a distinctly Midwestern flavor, making each book a thrilling yet grounded adventure.
The series’ strength lies in its character dynamics. Rafferty, a jovial yet shrewd investigator, complements Holmes’ cerebral intensity, while Watson grounds the narrative with his steadfast narration. Together, they tackle cases that blend classic whodunits with frontier challenges, like labor unrest or political corruption, offering a fresh lens on the Sherlockian canon.
Why Sherlock Holmes & Shadwell Rafferty Resonates
The Sherlock Holmes & Shadwell Rafferty series has carved a niche among Sherlockian pastiches, praised for its authentic voice and historical depth. Fans laud Millett’s ability to channel Doyle’s spirit while crafting distinctly American tales, earning accolades like “diabolically clever” from reviewers. Its blend of local history and global detective lore appeals to readers seeking both escapism and education.
Though niche, the series has left a mark on Minnesota’s literary scene, inspiring local pride and drawing Holmes enthusiasts worldwide. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to make the familiar feel new, proving that even the great detective can find fresh mysteries across the Atlantic. As Millett concluded the series in 2022, its legacy as a love letter to Minnesota and Sherlock Holmes endures.
- First published: 1996
- Total books: 9
- Setting: Minnesota, 1890s–1920s
- Publisher: University of Minnesota Press (later titles)
Dust off your deerstalker and grab Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon to plunge into a world of mystery, history, and Midwestern charm. The Sherlock Holmes & Shadwell Rafferty series awaits—will you answer the call?