This had been a true delight to read. I love your prose in these prequel stories, the interactions between the characters (even the OCs) and the nods to canon. It felt like I was truly reading something from sir Doyle. As much as I adore suave Sherlock who solves everything rapidly, the young Sherlock you have presented was endearing, relatable and human (all the while managing to stay true to his canon character). I also loved how you presented Mycroft and Lestrade. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful stories. Now I'll check out the sequel!

Yay! Mycroft finally makes an appearance! :)

Hurray! Is this the start of the Baker Street Irregulars?

Another awesome story! Thanks for sharing it!

This is such a good story. You truly have a talent for writing Canon-styled stories; this could've come from the pen of Sir Doyle himself! I'm still reeling at the ingenuity of this. Absolutely amazing.

That scene between Holmes and Lestrade...
...was utterly awesome.

:D :D :D

Yay! The end of another really enjoyable story. I enjoyed this look into the trial-and-error, the mistakes, the learning experiences as Holmes gets started. As I've said before, I love the canon nods and the history bits. Interesting take on his relationship w Mycroft, and a good example of a case where it would have been good for him to have a colleague (friend, doctor, Boswell :-) who knew where he was and what he was up to, and could keep track when it seemed like something might be going amiss. :-P And the hints of Moriarty, so early! Interesting...

Thanks so much for writing! On to the next one... :-)

I *love* your Wiggins, he's just as I would imagine him. I also really enjoyed your historical notes during the chapter and at the end, always so fascinating to hear the origins of phrases and songs...

Oh no! Mycroft! Oops... :-P

Loved the explanation earlier too of how Wiggins can be around for years and years...

I love all these little hints forward to canon that have been sprinkled throughout these early stories so far. Enjoying! :-)

Ripping good yarn!

Hello there (Sarah, right?),

This was the only way I could send you a message, as I lost your email address when my computer fell prey to viruses.

I'm sure this message seems random to you, but I never like leaving loose ends in my life. I wanted to let you know that I'm very sorry for cutting off communication so abruptly all those years ago, since we emailed back and forth in so much detail. Honestly, the reason I left this site myself was because the social aspects of it became too demanding, and I felt so obligated to write great reviews for everyone and read all of their work that it became too much. And with a real life to contend with as well, the internet of course must take a backseat.

I also wanted to let you know that before you left the site, I had gone back and read all of your new works (and they are as amazing as ever!). I simply didn't review any because I knew I didn't really have time to return to the site. You're the reason I joined in the first place though, and I read your works because you are and always will be the best Holmes writer on the planet!

If you don't mind, I'm curious why you chose to leave the site? And, if you're at all curious, my favorite of your stories is The Addleton Tragedy & the Ancient British Barrow. It ranks among the best literature I've ever read, and honestly, better than several of the canon stories.

Anyway, I just felt like I needed to say hello. I hope you're doing well, and I hope someday you'll return to writing S.H. stories. You will be greatly missed!

Forever,

Brittany (bcbdrums)

If I don't leave a long review here, forgive me - it's because I'm eager to head on to the next fic in this series. This fic was so amazing and entertaining. You really had me lulled into a false sense of security over Major Handyman being the main villain here, and then - wham! It's not? What? I love that you linked this back to Moriarty - or I assume it's Moriarty, given that he goes by "the Professor."

There were a few spots where you seem to have left extra words in on editing the order of words in a sentence, but they didn't cause much confusion and otherwise I don't remember any glaring errors. And characterization, language used, plot, everything was as good as ever. I look forward to reading the next fic!

i love ur stories!

What a fabulous story. The set-up was intriguing and the solution completely satisfying. I loved the hard edge you gave Wiggins, and making "Wiggins" an entire family was a stroke of genius. Sherman thinking Sherlock was Holmes's last name was clever, and I found Holmes's relationship with Emily and his final reconciliation with Mycroft so touching.