221B Recs

Title: Excultus
Author: mottlemoth
Pairing: Mycroft/Lestrade
Length: 315,000 words
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence
Verse: Sherlock BBC

Author's summary: 23rd-century London is a divided city. Two hundred years of genetic tampering has fractured humanity into subspecies, not all of whom are willing to get along. The capital's crime-ridden streets are now home to some fairly fantastic variants of human - some of them more dangerous than others.

For DI Greg Lestrade, Cross-Human Relations at Scotland Yard, it's all just part of the day job.

But when a horrifying discovery forces him to seek the help of Mycroft Holmes, Head of Criminal Psychology, Greg might just be tested past his limits. Mycroft is unpleasant, unforgiving, and famously impossible to please.

But if Greg needs anyone right now, it's a vampire expert.

With dangerous forces fast on their tail, Greg and Mycroft must work together to avert the vampire threat - before it's too late.

[Mystrade Supernatural/Sci-fi AU.]

Reccer's comments: That author's summary pretty much says it all. Futuristic, Sci-Fi AU where some human subspecies co-mingle openly with other humans -- and some do not. This is basically one big epic casefic, where the mystery to be solved involves murderous vampires, and where DI Lestrade and Mycroft Holmes team up to contain the threat, assisted by some nicely fleshed-out OCs.

I should start out right away by letting everyone know that the only Sherlock canon characters here are Greg Lestrade and Mycroft Holmes.There is no Sherlock. There is no John Watson. If that puts anyone off, feel free to move on. I will stress, however, that you will be missing out on a grand action-packed adventure, where the relationship development between the two main characters is a wonder to behold. And I have never read a fic where I am so enthralled by the many OCs who play their supporting roles with so much heart and soul.

At the beginning of the story, Lestrade and Mycroft are strangers who meet one night and have a one-night stand. Unbeknownst to them both, they will soon be caught up in a whirlwind of unsolved murders that require their particular brand of expertise and will force them to work together for the foreseeable future. As the mystery unfolds and their relationship progresses, it becomes clear that Mycroft is holding his cards very close to his vest, and that he is keeping a very large secret from his partner.

I found this story completely enthralling, heart-stopping, and emotionally satisfying. There are several twists and turns, and unexpected reveals, but it all progressed very naturally within the story, and none of it felt like surprise just for the shock factor or for the sake of cleverness. Some you will see coming, and some you won't. But it all comes together in a perfectly logical way. Please do give it a try.

Title: The Last Companion
Author: standbygo
Pairing: Sherlock/John, Sherlock/OMCs, Sherlock/OFCs
Length: 34,075 words
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: Discussions of non-con because Moriarty is creepy
Verse: Sherlock BBC/Firefly

Author's summary: Thirty years after the Miranda Wars, there is peace, both on the Rim and the Core planets. There are a number of old social mores still in place, such as the Order of Companions, but there is a sense that even such respected practices are coming to an end…

Sherlock is a Companion - the best Companion on Persephone. With a bit of detective work on the side, of course. Then he meets a man named John Watson, encounters a series of bizarre cases, and finds his world is getting turned upside down.

Reccer's comments: All of this author’s Sherlock fics are well worth the read, but I chose this one because of the unique fusion with Firefly, a sci-fi television show. I myself wasn’t that familiar with the world of Firefly, and I don’t think knowledge of that world is necessary to enjoy this story to the fullest. The writing is such that any necessary background information is seamlessly woven into the narrative.

In this universe, Sherlock has been groomed from childhood to become a Companion, and in adulthood he has become one of the most sought-after ones. A Companion, to put it delicately, is a paid escort. But Companions have been trained not only in the art of pleasure and seduction, but they are some of the most educated and talented people on the planet. They are paid not only for providing sexual intimacy, but almost anything else that the client may crave as well. And Sherlock’s skills at deduction ensure that the clients always come away satisfied.

Of course being a Companion is not Sherlock’s only vocation. He also does detective work on the side. In the middle of one of his investigations, he is rescued by a stranger going by the name of John Watson. Of course, the two of them get caught up in a case, become fascinated with each other, go dancing, fall in love -- and it almost all comes crashing down due to the machinations of one James Moriarty.

Title: Restoration
Author: Chryse
Pairing: Sherlock/John, Sherlock/OMCs
Length: 50,000 words
Rating: Explicit
Verse: Sherlock BBC

Author's summary: “It won’t ever be the same as it was.”
“Of course it won’t be the same. But it might be even better.”

Reccer's comments: This is a fantastic Series 4 fix-it. Anyone who is familiar with Chryse knows to expect quality storytelling and emotional resonance. This is no exception.

The story picks up right after the events of Sherrinford, but before the ending montage. Sherlock, of course, has just lost his home and has learned that his childhood memories are false. On top of struggling to deal with all of his recent (and decades-long) losses, Sherlock also finds himself adrift and unmoored from his sense of self. He no longer knows what is true or false, or what he can trust to be real. So he embarks on a journey of self-discovery. After going through painful therapy to recover lost memories, he then begins the process of letting go of the past and finding a way forward. And he does this by going on a global walkabout.

He doesn't stay away for long, but he makes good use of his time. Discovering who he is, what he likes, and what he wants, including an awareness and exploration of his nascent sexuality. A delightful OC is introduced who helps him on this quest, and who asks for help of a different nature in return.

And never fear. John is a stalwart and supportive presence throughout. He isn't always physically present (he doesn't accompany Sherlock on his walkabout), but he's always on the edge of Sherlock's awareness, and ours. This is the John that comes through for Sherlock in the end, because he never really left. So be aware that, even though the pairing tag includes Sherlock with several OC's, it's only in the service of letting Sherlock find his way - and that way is back to John.

Title: You Should Have Changed Course Long Ago
Author: msdisdain
Pairing: Sherlock/John, background Mycroft/Lestrade
Length: 33,235 words
Rating: Explicit
Verse: Sherlock BBC

Author's summary: John realizes too late what has been in his heart all along, and flees London. But can he ever truly leave Sherlock behind?

Reccer's comments: Written before Series 4, this story is in turns heartbreaking, painful, cathartic - and, above all else - joyful and full of hope. Told mostly from John's POV, it begins with both Mary and the baby gone. John finally finds the courage to tell Sherlock what he really wants, only to have Sherlock send him away because he can't trust that he isn't John's consolation prize. And so begins a painful journey for both men, separated by both distance and time, as they struggle to accept the fact that neither one is going to have what he truly wants. And it's not until that reality is finally accepted, that both men can fall back together again. Painful, but worth the payoff in the end.


( sneak peek )