221B Recs

Title: The Baker Street Series
Author: magicbunni
Pairing: Gen, with minor John/Sarah
Length: ca. 200K words
Rating: G to T
Warnings: None
Verse: Sherlock BBC
Author's summary: None given for the series. Summary of the first part, The Ninth Muse: Conspiracy and murder find Sherlock Holmes and John Watson surrounded by covert enemies in the heart of Scotland Yard. Together, they unearth clues that illuminate the scope, depth, and distorted psychology behind the crime. And, after a pre-emptive strike ordered by the mastermind they pursue, Holmes elects to continue the investigation under conditions that will force John Watson to fight for his friend's -- colleague's -- life.

Reccer's comments: This series is the ultimate in BBC Sherlock gen casefic. It probably comes closer to the format and spirit of the series as aired than anything else I've read, and beyond that, it is simply excellent story-telling. Each case is meticulously planned and expertly executed, with nonstop, pounding action and labyrinthine investigations leading inexorably toward the climax. There is tons of hurt, especially physical injuries, and not much comfort as Sherlock proves again and again that his body is only transport.

The thing that really clinched the series for me, though, is the development of Sherlock's character as he learns to interact with and relate to other people. He never loses his single-mindedness of focus and purpose that often comes across as rude and degrading toward others, but he has moments of connection in each installment that challenge him in new ways. Whether it's his female American counterpart; a potential love interest; Sarah Sawyer (as a platonic ally), who refuses to be put off by the danger surrounding him; and through it all, John. Both he and Sherlock struggle with what place John occupies in Sherlock's life, be it as doctor, protector, sounding board, moral compass, gopher, or, quite possibly, friend.

Excerpt from part 2, The Photography Club:

( Excerpt... )

None of the stories in this series has more than a couple of dozen comments or kudos, and far fewer bookmarks. I am not sure why people are not more enthusiastic about these stories, unless it's the Gen aspect and the length. I know 200,000 words is a big commitment, and you should read them all in order, as each story builds in some way on the one before in terms of the relationships, but the cases are episodic and pretty much self-contained. But like I said at the beginning, if this isn't the absolute go-to gen casefic series in the fandom yet, it definitely should be.

And as an extra bonus, the author has also created some fantastic artwork to go along with the series.

Title: In Confidence
Author: emmadelosnardos
Pairing: Gen with mention of past Sherlock/Victor and Sherlock/OMC
Length: 40,000 words
Rating: Mature
Warnings: None
Verse: Sherlock BBC
Author's summary: Reason for referral: Patient was admitted to dual diagnosis unit for detox on 27.5.2002. BIB brother, Mycroft Holmes, following arrest for intoxication on 26.5.2002. Pt was under the influence of cocaine when he was admitted. Pt was admitted for 28 days with possible extension to two months. Requested single unit. Request granted by special permission of the Director.

Reccer's comments: After my last rec centering on John's inner world, I thought it appropriate that I round out the month with a little navel-gazing on Sherlock's part as well. This is an absolutely fascinating look at Sherlock's past, pre-season one of the BBC series. Although it is nominally the prequel second part of an AU fic series (the first part being Pax Americana), you do not need to have read the first part, and in fact In Confidence can easily be read as a prequel to the television series itself.

The fic consists entirely of case notes, session notes and transcripts, emails, and letters from Sherlock's first stint in a rehab clinic, at age 25. Here is what a bit of it looks like (in this excerpt, CR is Carola Rivas, Sherlock's therapist):

CR:      Do you want it to shock me?
SH:      If you found this shocking, then I would seriously doubt your level of experience. Humans are cruel. Surely you know this by now.
CR:      So you are testing me, then? Trying to see what shocks me?
SH:      I test everyone I know. Only way to know who’s safe and who’s not.
CR:      I might be dangerous, then?
SH:      You might be. I have to wonder what kind of people are attracted to psychology, in the first place.

The fact that the author is herself in training as a clinical psychologist means that everything is set out with a high degree of technical detail and professional insight, from the terminology to the therapeutic structure and Sherlock's progress while an in-patient. I liked that the author didn't dumb things down or insert extensive notes to try and explain things to her lay readership, although she has a series of essays on psychological issues raised by the BBC series on her tumblr (http://emmadelosnardos.tumblr.com/critanalysis), and is enthusiastic about engaging in discussion on the topic. Having said that, I don't want to give anyone the impression that this is a dry, technical slogfest. It is one of the most engaging fics I have read in this fandom, despite the lack of an action-based plot.

This fic centers solely on Sherlock, although there is a strong supporting cast in the persons of Mycroft, Lestrade, and several excellent OCs, including a cousin, Georgina, and the staff at the treatment center, including in particular Sherlock's primary psychologist, Dr. Carola Rivas. We also get some glimpses of Sherlock's parents, maternal grandmother, and Victor Trevor, although only through the filter of Sherlock's memories. Even with such minimal and biased information, the characters are vivid and large, and it is the skill of the author that we are able to fill in for ourselves many of the omissions which Sherlock makes, allowing us to receive a fuller picture of Sherlock's home life and psyche.

The conversations between Sherlock and Rivas are rich and rife with mind games, attempts at oneupmanship, and playful banter. Sherlock's backstory and biography, as they are revealed, are riveting, tragic, and poignant in parts. There are also humorous moments, like the emails between Lestrade and his superior, Commander Gibbons. In the end, we all know how things turned out, but it is the journey to that point that is the interesting part.