I just read it last week but I shall go back and read it again

Got to find it now and read it again.

I also really liked the part where Moran, unwittingly, walks into the house whilst they are on watch and sets up his gun. The tension is really well built up.

The idea of Mrs. Hudson crawling around on her hands and knees in order to turn the dummy for Sherlock is just greeat and shows you what a reliable person she is for Sherlock.

I also liked the way the reaction of Moran towards Sherlock is described. It makes me smile in a gloating kind of way, probably much like Sherlock.

I think the story can pretty much be done in the show without much modification. I loved Mrs Hudson's involvement too - and the fact that she's the only one he initially tells and she's kept Baker St pretty much as it was.

Not sure how they'll interpret Moran knowing Sherlock is alive though as it definitely wasn't witnessed in the BBC version.

I find Watson's reaction to seeing Holmes at a crime scene 3 years on quite unrealistic though. It's almost like "Oh, hello Holmes, thought you were dead. Nice to see you" so I am looking forward to how they will do the reunion.

No I don't think John will faint either but he might think he's cracking up! You know like wish fulfilment or something.

But that's Sherlock all over. It's completely in character...totally unaware and oblivious to the effect his absence and "death" would have had upon his only friend. He doesn't ever intend to hurt or upset people...that's just the way he is. Watson would follow him anywhere and everywhere to the ends of the earth. I think our John will be a bit more angry when Sherlock makes his reappearance in Series 3, but ultimately he's still going to forgive him pretty quickly, especially if they're just thrown into a life threatening situation together immediately.

Any suggestions for next week's Book Club?

Well since we've just looked at the return from the dead of Sherlock Holmes in The Empty House maybe we could read The Final Problem, which is where he 'dies'.

tobeornot221b wrote:

I'm afraid I get het up a bit over the Empty House story...

Apart from the case which I find quite enjoyable…

(rant mode on)

…I absolutely dislike the way Holmes behaves towards Watson.
And I fail to understand the way Watson behaves towards Holmes!

Examples:
"My dear Watson," said the well-remembered voice, "I owe you a thousand apologies. I had no idea that you would be so affected… I have given you a serious shock by my unnecessarily dramatic reappearance."

Sincere regret looks different, Mr. Holmes! How dare you getting yourself out so easily! Do you have the slightest idea what you’ve been doing to your friend?


Holmes: "You'll come with me to-night?"
Watson: "When you like and where you like."

Have you taken leave of your senses, Dr. Watson? Everything is forgotten and forgiven in an instant? Kicking his knee would be an acceptable behaviour – in no way this servile behaviour!

"I had only one confidant -- my brother Mycroft. I owe you many apologies, my dear Watson, but it was all-important that it should be thought I was dead, and it is quite certain that you would not have written so convincing an account of my unhappy end had you not yourself thought that it was true. Several times during the last three years I have taken up my pen to write to you, but always I feared lest your affectionate regard for me should tempt you to some indiscretion which would betray my secret."

What about an “affectionate regard� for your friend Watson, Mr. Holmes? Hasn’t there been any?

"I found myself in my old armchair in my own old room, and only wishing that I could have seen my old friend Watson in the other chair which he has so often adorned."

Well, at least here Holmes shows some affection. He does miss his Watson!
(No, not really… It’s nothing but selfishness!)


I’m disappointed in you, Sir Arthur.
To me, it seems that you didn’t feel much like elaborating Holmes’ sudden reappearance and the effect it must have had on Watson.
You try to save your skin out of this awkward situation by jumping quickly into a new case.
And you make Watson act like a machine.

(rant mode off)

The whole reunion is pure Johnlock, but especially, Watson fainting and how Watson is more happy to have Holmes back than anything else. One favorite theory of Johnlock shippers is that Holmes ran away because he couldn't stand sharing Watson with a wife, and that Watson forgives perhaps because he understands that Holmes viewed his (Watson's) marriage as "Watson leaving him."

And I've often wondered if Watson blames himself for not figuring it out. If he thinks, "I should have believed in Sherlock Holmes."

Jeremy Brett caresses his Watson's face has he's waking him up, but they tried to show Watson a little more hurt.

And then there is Holmes' line quoting Cleopatra: "I trust age does not whither..." which is pretty close to asking, "Do you still find me attractive and interesting?"

And although it's not in EMPT, I've always thought the whole, "I sold my practice because he asked me to and moved back in with him," seems like their "getting married." If Watson sells his practice, he must either be  being supported by Holmes, or else taking a cut of Holmes' fees. Either way, it feels like he's making a commitment to be a partner to Holmes, in some sense, for the long haul.