The Case of the Man Who Was Wanted by Arthur Whitaker - Sherlock Holmes pastiche.

This (in my opinion) is a great Sherlock Holmes pastiche. It was actually published by Cosmopolitan Magazine in 1948 with the authorship attributed to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It turned out that Arthur Whitaker, an architect and writer, had sent Conan Doyle the manuscript for The Case of the Man Who Was Wanted back in 1911, hoping for a joint collaboration with the creator of Sherlock Holmes. Adrian Conan Doyle who handled Sir Arthur's business affairs was unhappy with this proposal and refused, but sent Whitaker a cheque for ten guineas. Seeing his work in print in 1948, Whitaker made contact with Conan Doyle's biographer. After some wrangling and threats of legal action, the Doyles accepted that Whitaker was the author. (Luckily, Whitaker had retained the carbon copies of the manuscript! N.B. Never throw anything away!)
It's a rather a good tale and a very good attempt to mimic a Sherlock Holmes case. What do you think?
It's read by Greg Wagland for Magpie Audio.
© Magpie Audio 2022

[@pradeepalagambhat3512]

Keep adding these regularly. Please do not stop. Write your own Sherlock adventures if you have to.

[@maddielilley5943]

Dear Greg, 24 year old speaking here! I have to thank you for your narration because it has reintroduced me to reading. I stopped reading for fun around 14 because school ruined it for me but like so many other people have commented, your voice is what really makes these stories. I am very grateful to you for bringing this enjoyment back into my life. Thankyou so much Maddie

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Good to hear. Cheers Maddie!

[@arnepianocanada]

Greg Magland's voice recalls very much that of David Burke, the first Watson to Jeremy Brett's Holmes. Finest details of accent and vocal timbre! A superbly clear series reader.

[@da1681]

Thank you Mr Wagland. I can never wrap my head around the fact that it is one man reading in all those different voices. It is like listening to the best of radio dramas. This goes for all your readings.

[@judikingsman6132]

The man of a thousand voices ❤️

[@joehockley2610]

I Know he's absolutely amazing no one i mean no can even compare I can't listen to anyone else read SH his readings of the valley of fear , the sign of 4 and a study in scarlet really blew my mind I refer to him as the G.O.A.T

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks D A

[@mckavitt13]

And yet his voice (& reading style) are immediately recognisable!

[@codeeasly5102]

Even it is rabbit hole mystery for me , how he does it , We need Sherlock home to solve , then again it will be read by Greg , 😛

[@DJWNB]

Sir Wagland, your voice is a Time Machine. As soon as I start listening one of your stories ( and I’m proud to say that I have listened to almost all of them during house chores, walking, and before I sleep) I step into the 19th century. You are a national treasure.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Very kind- thank you!

[@janerigg9358]

Love it thank you. Live in Derbyshire, been to Hathersage many times....outdoor pool!! 2 of mine lived in Broomhill and Glossop Road when they were at Sheffield University and I used to bypass Dore and Totley driving the Chatsworth House route to visit or pick them up. Having been bed ridden 11 years now it was such a lovely surprise xx

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you enjoyed it. Yes I must make a pilgrimage to More / Totley. I expect the tunnel is still there? Thanks Jane.

[@arthuroldale-ki2ev]

I do not as a rule like any tampering with the works of classic writers, but Mr. Whitaker, has done a splendid job here with Holmes.

[@rjfpac]

Wonderful as always! But Mr Wagland could read an old phone book and keep us all clinging for the next word!

[@urbankavegirl1123]

Just when I thought I had listened to all your readings of Sherlock… I come across this… soooo excited!

[@dale9724]

Mr Waglund, my family would love if you read Christmas Eve at the Wardles from Pickwick Papers. Your readings are the bomb.

[@robinmaclay2661]

Hooray! More Sherlock Holmes! More Greg Wagland! Having a bit of a rough ride these days. This story will be the equivalent of being met at my door with a hot toddy. Thank you, Mr. Wagland!

[@diw2756]

I have missed Greg’s voice reading these Sherlock stories! I was so mesmerised and finished listening to all Sherlock stories ( read by Greg) during the first wave of COVID when we were forced to stay home! So glad he’s back 😊

[@hawkiowan]

Oh, Greg! I'm so glad that you have gone on to reading the Holmes pastiches! What a joy to hear more new Holmes and Watson stories as only you can tell them!

[@shadownet3d]

Excellent Sherlock Holmes story. I love your narrations of Holmes and Watson. You bring them to life in the cinema of my mind.

[@Scotticus71]

Thank you Greg, another audio adventure to allow the imagination to flourish in Victorian London is greatly appreciated! Well done good Sir!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers Scotticus. Hope you're doing good. Happy Christmas etc.

[@emilykrahn3185]

Your narration and acting mr. Wagland, is a soothing balm for the mind, ear, and soul. Thank you.

[@plumbr13]

Oh I thought the title was "The Case of the Man Who Was Wanted by Arthur Whitaker."

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Ha! The importance of punctuation! Fork ‘andles, etc.

[@lchchatter614]

Thank you for this most enjoyable tale, and for the back story regarding its’ author. I found that it had a subtly different rhythm than ACD but how wonderful you have shared it. As always, thank you for your masterful narration...warm, witty, precise, perfect!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks LCH

[@taylormckinnon8922]

Hello again Greg. This particular effort is very much closer to Doyle. The humbling of Lastrade is a cleaver device, as he can, at times, be a little overconfident in his abilities. Cheers.

[@ryskichelovek]

love these sherlock holmes stories they are the best, love your work

[@josealwood6652]

Far better narration than others - particularly those more modern SH tales not written by Sir A C Doyle. I am aware this tale was also not written by Doyle but at least it was written at the right time, also a tale one can believe was written by Doyle and read by a consummate Holmes reader.

[@thehangingparsiple5692]

I think this works very, very well indeed. I especially like the little Conan Doyle-type detail flourish of the barely used ink blotter and the waste paper. Pleased to know the author finally gained recognition for this neat little story. Wonderfully read as usual thank you

[@davidrodgersNJ]

Bravo! The best Holmes pastiche I've read

[@christinemarshall1366]

Enjoyable, superb narration and good sound quality. Thank you.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@diw2756]

I miss Greg’s voice! The best narrator of these stories ; I listened to the entire collection and returning of Sherlock Holmes during Covid! Best companion ever!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks diw2756

[@cousinsister69]

There remains one unanswered question at the end. Unless I missed it. Terrific pastiche. Very enjoyable. Thank you Greg.

[@jamesnbd57]

Most enjoyable story and in the authentic voice of Holmes and Watson

[@silverhills5684]

Thank you, Sir, for this most intriguing story. This delightful tale is one I had never read or heard before. You have the most wonderful voice and I love how your voice portrays each of the characters distinctly. I so appreciate your talent and look forward to hearing more of your masterpieces. 🥰🙏🏻🥰

[@SuperBartles]

What tickles me is the way they read the newspapers for up-to-date and accurate information about individual crimes - can you imagine doing that now? Or reading them & believing them about anything at all? Some of the Holmes stories written by other authors are...not so good. There's one novel where he reveals that he's an alien from another planet, sent to do good on earth...dear me

[@martavdz4972]

Of course I can, only it´s the newspapers´ websites 😂 There´s one radio in my country that still does traditional, fairly unbiased and detailed reporting. They have a good website.

[@justincarr8178]

Wog Greg you did an excellent job narrating this story,better than many of the professionals on Audible,Thanks bruv.

[@moviemad56]

Ah! Greg, he damns you with faint praise... I understand that you *are* a professional, and a superlative one at that.

[@peachypie8018]

Thank you, thank you - listening to you reading Sherlock Holmes stories is like eating ice cream and meringue covered in chocolate sauce in front of a log fire...if you run out of stories, just read a bus timetable.

[@jojoe4093]

Maybe GWag can read a Bradshaw instead. Lol

[@janerigg9358]

Agree with all of that except the chocolate sauce xx

[@peachypie8018]

@@janerigg9358 Can I have your choccy sauce, them? x

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

OK! I'm more of a cheese board and biscuits/bread kind of person. You have a sweet tooth, peachy?

[@peachypie8018]

@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio Yep indeed. The day is not complete without stuffing my face with sweet stuff but I don't turn my nose up at cheese,( not the stinky kind.) Merry Christmas, keep cosy and well. x

[@magicbulletdancers]

Thank you for some delightful examples of the Sherlock Holmes pastiche👍And you do provide such great descriptions. I am happy that Mr Whitaker had his original manuscript. I did enjoy.

[@soulfullofhope7339]

I appreciate your hard work

[@bjornbeng]

Thank you, Greg. This is glorious. As always. Please, continue to give us more wonderful readings.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Will do!

[@paulbriggs3072]

Greg Wagland's voice sounds much like David Burke, the first Watson of the Jeremy Brett series.

[@markswanson1564]

All got more than their ten guineas worth! Greg, your reading made this “forgery” almost an original! Life imitates Art because in the former the author’s carbon copy proved his creation in 1948; whereas in the latter in 1910 the ink blotter “reflecting” paper was the ship voyage clue!

[@paddypup1836]

Dumb down your statement for me please

[@TheNeilo-Audiosound]

@@paddypup1836 I think I sort of get it🤔 Hold on Actually I Don’t 😂

[@Gottenhimfella]

@@paddypup1836 You need to click on "Show more" to read the entire blurb above the comments, which starts "This (in my opinion) is a great Sherlock Holmes pastiche..."

[@Strutter1980]

A very interesting Sherlock Holmes story. Loved your reading of it:)

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

Oh this feels like a proper Holmes story, I quite like it.

[@vvvxzv]

one of my favourite channels love the Sherlock readings

[@Perktube1]

Ah! A new story to my ears. Are there any more Whitaker Holmes tales, or other non-Doyle Holmes writings that you have narrated? Splendid reading, by the way. Next time I should be prepared with a hot tea 🍵 at hand. 😉

[@along5925]

Wonderful story and your rendition of it. Loved every moment...a real treat. To me it was pure Sherlock! Thanks so much.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@splatten8597]

I am literally in Baker Street, thank you

[@myriaddsystems]

A precious link to sanity

[@baruchben-david4196]

Great story and wonderful narration. Thank you.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@teamtoobs]

Listened to all of the originals so many times, it is fun to hear the pastices as an antidote to my yearning for more! Read as perfectly as usual. 🤔 Thanks! 😁 🦴

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks for listening

[@tjs8433]

Just found your channel and I’m very grateful for it, nice job all around!

[@moviemad56]

Thank you Greg as always. I found this pastiche rather impressive, since Whitaker managed to capture the personality of Watson, an underappreciated character, since he's the narrator and we only see Holmes through his eyes. However the ending was a letdown.

[@fiftysomething7199]

Excellent story and wonderfully narrated. My time was well spent and thank you.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks for listening fifty something!

[@geoffreypiltz271]

Great story, great reading, a new subscriber.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Welcome aboard!

[@martavdz4972]

Thanks for introducing me to this story! I could tell it wasn´t sir ACD´s work, it has a more clean-cut style, more story-oriented, less emotion, fewer visual details and a less surprising story twist. In fact, it sounds a bit like Agatha Christie. Reminds me of her story The Million Dollar Bond Robbery. I didn´t like it as a Sherlock Holmes story, but I liked it as a mystery story, if you know what I mean 😄

[@LambentLark]

It's like the author was doing Sherlock Holmes instead of being Holmes. Does that make sense?

[@LambentLark]

I did enjoy it though.

[@martavdz4972]

@@LambentLark Absolutely 🙂 I agree, only would like to add that he does Sherlock Holmes very well, compared to some other pastiches I´ve read. Btw I enjoyed it, too 🙂

[@thurayya8905]

This was amazing! It differed from Conan Doyle's only in the bit of humor, which I have never found in any other of the Sherlock stories. It is no wonder that his estate attributed it to him.

[@martavdz4972]

Conan Doyle´s stories are more visual. I can see the people and their clothes in my head, while reading sir ACD. And a bit emotional and domestic. There sometimes are passages where nothing really happens, Holmes is nervous that he can´t solve the case, that in turn makes Watson nervous, then you get a description of pipe smoke or heaps of newspapers or uneaten breakfast to illlustrate the tension. IMHO it was this contrast between the almost inhuman drive and intelligence vs. these simple domestic visual descriptions that made the stories so appealing. This story is more rational and plot-driven, it only gives you the general idea of people and places. It sees them as concepts, not as a source of visual details.

[@sarahellie4113]

Thank you Mr Greg!!! Always a happy day when you post!!!

[@evelanpatton]

Oh boy, I missed your voice. I listened to the Brazilian Cat almost every evening, as your voice soothed my I’ll soul through many turbulent seas. When my foundation get$ $table, I want to share & share a LIKE! Thank you so much! Your dramatic skills are SUPERB!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks Evelan. Too much Brazilian Cat - rather scary!

[@erinwallace4103]

Oh man, I haven't gotten past the beginning yet and Began nodding!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Ha! Will you ever get through the first half?

[@erinwallace4103]

I try. You're doing a great job. Especially the change of voices between characters.

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

Lovely story. I enjoyed it immensely. Thank you for sharing. ❤

[@aceace9848]

Greg Wagland nails it again! Peace Love N Respect to you and your family; mine have enjoy your voice for years! Plus, when I read books with my family, I try to use different voices.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks Ace Ace

[@huckusan]

As expected, an excellent performance 👏 bravo!!!

[@natnuss98]

Good to hear your voice again Greg! I think I will like this more than Lupin.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

I think so too, Clara!

[@davefarley3138]

Favorite narrator

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers Dave

[@wrobbiewrintoul8941]

Absolutely ❤ this channel! I’m a huge Sherlock Holmes & Watson fan now. I have a hard time reading, but listening to these stories has been magical. Thank you.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers Wrobbie. Glad you've enjoyed the tales! Thank you for commenting - appreciated!

[@earlhoppe4191]

An excellent story and an most excellent rendition of such by Mr. Wagland. Well done as always.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks Earl.

[@lucybelle1766]

Thank you for a new upload! Really enjoy the work you put in for us!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks for listening, Lucy.

[@ThePaladinHV]

What a pleasure to keep receiving these wonderful installments

[@davehopkins1970]

Superb Holmes’s chronicle Narrated Greg style Wonderful Thanks

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks, Dave!

[@stevejohnson9234]

You are the best reader of these and other stories,I feel like I'm watching a play 😊

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thank you Steve.

[@studycoachuk]

Love stories and great to hear Sherlock Holmes - nice reading.

[@vickif.4645]

Love it! Beautifully written and read!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad to hear it. Thanks Vicki.

[@rosemarycornwall5162]

What a treat ! Thank you x

[@catsamazing338]

Great job Gregg thank you !

[@Frenchblue8]

Just enjoyed this for the second time. 🤩 It seems I do need, for most of the stories about 18 months or so to have forgotten, if not the culprit him or herself, then the outcome. I've now actually gotten through your entire catalog of recorded pieces, save most of the playlist of Conan Doyle's Tales of Long Ago. Those I have been saving for last, although not Sir Arthur was such an immensely skilled storyteller, as well as being a physician, I am always faintly amused when I hear about his rather weird last marriage to by most accounts, a very unpopular, unpleasant woman. His stories are also so very neat, indeed, perfect literary packages, notably, the non Holmes stories which are some of the most intensely dramatic ones, such as the Terror of Blue John Gap, and t

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Leave 1 - 2 years and repeat!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Great advice!

[@angelmessenger8240]

Another wonderful story. thank you.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you enjoyed it AM

[@truthreigns7]

extremely good as always. Thank you very much

[@carrie5980]

Hi Greg! It's so interesting to hear these tributes. I almost feel like I would have known this wasn't written by ACD just from the title and the sentence structure in the first few opening lines.

[@christinemoorhouse5181]

Perfect timing..thank you so much! 👍🏾

[@ravenkeefer3143]

Always enjoy these. Thanks as always, Greg. Mahe Ohna ✌️ Favour ALL

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

My pleasure, Raven Keefer. Hope all well with you - cheers!

[@lindathomas2350]

I have to say as a narrator you are the best I've ever heard!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks Linda! V kind of you!

[@helenswan705]

I like this one the best of your 3. I find it utterly convincing. For me it has the added charm of the Sheffield setting - I used to live there. (A couple of minor mispronounciations of place names!) Much enjoyed, thank you.

[@Mr7valentine7]

Wonderful presentation. Thank you.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@aljmann]

A lovely listen! Thank you and keep them coming😇

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thank you! Will do!

[@electrictofumuffins6384]

You know, Mr. Magpie, There is a book by James Hogg called Confessions Of A Justified Sinner that may be up your alley. So creepy and compelling you dread the next page but can't stop reading.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Interesting. Dare I?

[@electrictofumuffins6384]

@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio I feel bad mentioning it because it has really challenging accents throughout. But, if there is someone who could do it, that someone would be you.

[@Rose-jz6ix]

I enjoyed that story. Thank you.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you enjoyed it, Rose. Cheers.

[@MacMcCaskill]

Excellent tale. Is any of Arthur Whitaker's other work suitable for the channel?

[@Gottenhimfella]

I don't think he wrote anything else. He was an architect (unemployed at the time he wrote this excellent story). He sent it to Conan Doyle, hoping they could collaborate, but was told he should invent his own character. CD purchased what he called this "fine story" to have the rights to use the plot, but never did.

[@myriaddsystems]

Superb as usual

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@gaurav-xg4jx]

Thanks as always

[@superdragons111andwolfgame7]

Dear greg I am currently working on the first of a trilogy of sherlock holmes stories, one is children's sherlock story the other is a more traditional sherlock story but with an extra twist,and the last one is a story set in the early 1990s involving a sherlock devote who uses holmes methods to solve a most perplexing crime . I am a novice writer and though I am confident that the plots for the stories are strong I am less cofident that I have paced the narrative and story line to its affect. I wonder if you would take a look at the draft and offer me some professional advice

[@stevenverhaegen8729]

I always like how you welcome your friend Watson... 😄👍

[@jodywho6696]

Love it. Thank You✨

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Welcome! Cheers Jody

[@sharimeyers292]

Very fun to listen to. Thank you.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks for listening, Shari!

[@railway-share3820]

A good hour well spent. Brilliant reading. Just one small detail jarred. How did Sherlock find out where Booth had moved to? The writer glosses over it by having Holmes say he spent two hours finding it, but that I needn't bore you with details, when talking to Dr. Watson. Details are everything in Sherlock Holmes stories.

[@jojoe4093]

Agreed.

[@Gottenhimfella]

It seems likely that the other lodging would have been nearby, as it would mean Booth could travel on foot between the two in the deserted small hours, rather than take a cab with the attendant involvement of other parties. So Holmes had only to arrange for enquiries to be made at providers of lodgings in the close vicinity, regarding lodgers who were mostly absent, and it is plausible he might have an answer within hours. Possibly he could call at local watering holes to arrive at a short list. I agree that Doyle habitually explained small details, but sometimes they were too mundane to merit explanation. Having said all that, I did notice this loose end on listening to the story, and I must confess, it was a little jarring. But I thought in general it was a very fine effort. The notion of two tickets for one man was (I think) brilliant and entirely worthy of Doyle, because everything about passenger-ship ticket tracking was (and may still be - it's certainly the case on most trains) aimed at detecting insufficiency of tickets, rather than a surplus of them. Presumably this is because the latter is far from undesirable, commercially speaking.

[@roya-19]

Thank you very much !! Truly impressive!! 👏

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thank you for listening!

[@notmyhome]

Very good tale, well read! I wonder if other of any other of Conan Doyles stories were the work of ghost writers..

[@justincarr8178]

That's a fascinating idea.Imagine at the height of Holmes mania when The Strand (I think) were publishing them and they were madly successful I wonder if Conan Doyle had writers block or if he found it difficult to write a story for the deadline and so a ghost 👻 writer did indeed write a story or 2 ,there are some rubbish ones like Silver Blaze or The Lions Mane.Hmmm food for thought Julie.

[@martavdz4972]

@@justincarr8178 Silver Blaze isn´t rubbish, it´s a classic and popular SH story. For my part, I don´t think any of the stories were written by anyone else. I studied literature and wrote a paper on SH so I might have developed some instinct for this kind of thing. And my instinct says they were all written by sir Conan Doyle. The plots are very different but there are some subtle similarities. There´s roughly the same amount of visual details in every story. There´s roughly the same ratio of precision : sensationalism in every story. I could go on and on.

[@mrmeowmeow710]

A great movie in the mind 2 big thumbs up

[@speedynoivern]

It may not be sherlock Holmes but you read it perfectly thanks Greg 👍 😀

[@dragonwarrior1495]

can you do more of these types of audiobooks thanks

[@martavdz4972]

He has done, A LOT. Just check out the channel 🙂

[@Sherlock_Holmes]

I appreciate your Channel

[@joshuagies4900]

Delightful!

[@mijiyoon5575]

Can't wait to listen ...I'm just arriving here

[@genelehman4107]

This is a real good one

[@sakuholmes]

do you take book suggestions? Also if you do, I have a few murder mystery books that might not be as famous as sherlock holmes series but i believe they are underated and its up to you to cover them, i would love it if u could thank u :)

[@greedyfirstalgorithmlast26]

Great Holmes story and great reading!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you enjoyed it!