"The Adventure of the Buttoned Glove" by Penumbra (PG-13)

[periwinkle27.livejournal.com]

Fandom: SHERLOCK HOLMES
Pairing: Holmes/Watson
Length: 20,000 words
Author on LJ: pen_and_umbra
Author Website: http://www.livejournal.com/users/pen_and_umbra/28171.html

Why this must be read:

Penumbra captures the tone of the Sherlock Holmes stories very well. In this tale, Sherlock is investigating a young man's disappearance, ably assisted by Dr. Watson. The plot is well constructed and the story does not telegraph its ending.

Of course, we are not at all surprised when the investigation takes Holmes and Watson to a discreet club frequented by men looking for other men's company - after all, we've known from the beginning that Watson has some feelings for his companion, even though he doesn't understand what they mean. But in this well-crafted story the development of the two men's relationship does not overshadow the plot but rather complements it.

Most of the story parodies Doyle's style very well, as this example shows.

Upon Lestrade's departure, my eyes were naturally drawn to the glove. I could sense Holmes' indulgent gaze on me as he subsided into his chair.

"A wonderful man, Lestrade -- the tenacity of an ox, as well as the brain of one. You know my methods, Watson. What do you make of the glove?"

I scrutinised the item in question. "A woman's glove, certainly, from her left hand. Expensive, though it has seen extensive use. The owner is obviously a woman of some means and taste, yet forgetful enough to leave it lying about."

"And?"

I shrugged, by now resigned to Holmes' superior vision when it came to minutiae. "That is all I see, Holmes. It is a glove, not a ledger of personal characteristics."

"Oh, Watson, come now! You disappoint me. In the narratives that you inflict upon the general public, you claim to be a student of my methods, yet you choose not to apply them even at this wondrous opportunity!"

But once in awhile, Penumbra crosses into pastiche, with humorous effect:

From his pocket, the inspector presented a woman's glove to Holmes, who ardently seized it. As Lestrade and I watched, Holmes proceeded to fondle, tweak, tug, crumple, and measure the glove with his oftentimes-vexing yet characteristic attention to details quite unfathomable to either my eye or brain. Completing his scrutiny by sniffing the glove and inspecting it against the light of the fire, Holmes returned it to Lestrade with an imperious flourish.

My only complaint would be that the story loses track of the case. Once Holmes and Watson recognize their mutual attraction the investigation of  Lord Eddington's disappearance gets ignored for quite a while as the narrative shifts gears. It is only at the end of the tale that we return to the investigation, which gets wrapped up hurriedly.

The Adventure of the Buttoned Glove