I read it on AO3. Very good! I love it.

Oh, I love these types of stories! And you did a fabulous job with this one! I immediately felt extremely sorry for Watson. To lose both Mary and their child? For a man like John it would have been a quite shattering experience. And to go through all of that without even his best friend...It really pulled at my heart strings. It doesn't help that Watson has always been my favorite.
I admit I guessed that the book keeper was Holmes, but only because you mentioned him. That instantly told me he was important and it fit with the way the movie told the Sherlock Holmes story. The tone and cadence of your writing was a brilliant match, not to mention the characters read very much as themselves. You got Holmes spot on for sure.
One of the things I really look for in fanfiction, what I think takes a good fanfiction and makes it great, is a sense that it could actually happen. There are stories out there that are fun and make you laugh, but the real trick is making the reader BELIEVE this could happen in cannon. I believe this could happen in cannon. Excellent job.

Damn! Good!

If they have part 3 for SH movie, I wouldn't be surprised if Watson is this emotional to see Holmes back :(

Good job!

I must say, this story got to me because of Watson's emotional turmoil throughout it and Holmes' yearning for his comrade-in-arms. The plot was fairly simple and it flowed nicely. I've been watching Sherlock Holmes TV/movie adaptations since grade school but just started reading the series by Doyle.

It seemed like reading a reflection of Doyle's style, so I commend you on that. Really Watson's narration was spot on for its dreaded time and Holmes got his emotions across, in not so many words, without it getting too sappy between the two. And I'm glad you kept the story from going that route. I've read one too many of those and it's just so odd to picture. (at least in my mind)

Anyway it's a good story and maybe you'll write/post more Holmes stories in the future? I'm just wondering.

P.S. I read your other story, "Ability, Neutralized", as well and that was also a good read. Man, those kidnappers couldn't even let the man relieve himself, that had me cringing.

'til next time

- M.E.

I've been reading for days and this is the best by far. Accuracy to setting, faith to tone and character and excellent take on the original story.

This story was...amazing! I loved the depth of emotion from Watson, and the situation put upon him was ingenius! And the reasoning behind his return and such-quite good!

I don't suppose, if it isn't too bold of me, if there is a sequel in store? Perhaps with the contents of Holmes' letters? (If not, then...eh...I guess.)

Anyways, good job! Going to read more of your work!

Brilliant

Now I shall stare at my computer screen in mute awe with my gob hanging open.

THAT WAS LOVELY. I feel really terrible for Watson, though. It's just too heartbreaking. D: But I felt like I was reading one of the books; I really have to applaud the writing style you used!

And angry!Watson was totally in character, despite taking a few swings at Holmes. He's pretty justified in it.

Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed it greatly~

That was lovely.

You did a terrific job of keeping both Holmes and Watson completely in character as they were in the film and whilst Watson's anger when he learnt of Holmes' deception was entirely understandable it was equally believable that after he calmed down he was quickly prepared to forgive him.

Despite the emotion - particularly when Holmes guessed what had happened with Mary - it never felt over the top or uncharacteristic. The strong bond of friendship between them did however come across very clearly throughout.

There were quite a few parts I especially liked but I chose this as my favourite in the end because not only is it very true, I could also hear Watson saying the part about 'no sense of scale' as I was reading;

He held my gaze for along moment, pleading for me to understand, I realized, with every fiber of his being. I shook my head in disbelief - not that he should want my forgiveness, but to see it in his ordinarily cold, haughty features - and he turned his face away.

Idiot, I thought. Damn him for being right, of course, but did he really despair of restoring our friendship? I supposed I should settle the matter for him, then.

"You," I accused him, "have no sense of scale." He opened his eyes and once again I could read what was in his heart as clearly as if he were a child. This time I saw surprise, mingling with hope. "Disguising your features for a few hours on a case, and feigning your own death for three years, are not at all alike, whatever you may say about the matter. But you're here now, and in that ridiculous getup besides, so I suppose you've run your quarry to ground and want my help in flushing him out; am I right?"

I really enjoyed this.

Good story. I always thought that Watson should have been a bit more upset when Holmes showed back up. I really liked this.

This was wonderful. A perfect replication of Doyle's writing style. I did yearn for more interaction between the two when I read the empty house but I know that's not normal of the books. That's better left to us fanfic writers. Well done!

This is a very dramatic story. Very sad about how Mary died in childbirth especially since Mary could have survived if she had lived in our time.

This feels in character for the both of them. Holmes missed Watson so much and while Watson missed him, the sadness of Mary's death makes him confused. This is a good story.