Inside the Mind of Paul Bishop: The Making of 52 Weeks, 52 Sherlock Holmes Novels
Step into the world of Sherlock Holmes like never before. In 52 Weeks, 52 Sherlock Holmes Novels, editor Paul Bishop curates a year-long literary adventure—one novel for each week—that celebrates the detective’s enduring legacy. From faithful pastiches to imaginative reimaginings, each selection is explored through essays by authors, scholars, and devoted fans, offering fresh insights into Holmes’ timeless appeal.
INTERVIEW WITH PAUL BISHOP
EDITOR OF 52 WEEKS, 52 SHERLOCK HOLMES NOVELS
INTERVIEWER: Paul, thank you for joining us. To start, can you tell us what inspired 52 Weeks 52 Sherlock Holmes Novels?
PAUL BISHOP: The inspiration really came from the sheer breadth of Sherlock Holmes pastiches and the ongoing fascination with the character. Sherlock Holmes has never gone out of print, and writers from every era have found ways to reimagine him. I wanted to celebrate that legacy, not by focusing solely on Doyle’s canon, but by spotlighting fifty-two novels that expand Holmes' world in creative and unexpected ways. It’s a year-long journey through the Holmesian universe.
INTERVIEWER: That’s such a unique approach—one novel for each week of the year. How did you go about selecting the books that were included?
PAUL BISHOP: The selection process was wonderfully challenging. I wanted a wide representation: novels from different decades, varying tones—from pastiche to parody to serious literary homage—stories set in Holmes’ own time and others that transported him to different eras and places. I also wanted to include both well-known and underappreciated works. I reached out to a diverse group of contributors with different perspectives—authors, scholars, fans—and asked them to champion novels they felt passionate about. The result is a collection of essays that reflects both the depth and the eccentricities of Sherlockian fiction.
INTERVIEWER: Let’s talk about those contributors. Who did you bring on board, and what do they bring to the table?
PAUL BISHOP: The contributors are the real stars of this book. We have an impressive mix. Some are established Sherlockian scholars, others are crime writers, journalists, or simply lifelong fans of Holmes. Their backgrounds range from literary analysis to pop culture commentary. What unites them is a shared love for Sherlock Holmes and the creativity to approach these novels from fresh angles. Each essay is deeply personal, often reflecting how that particular novel impacted the contributor or shaped their understanding of Holmes. The diversity of voices adds richness and energy to the project.
INTERVIEWER: Were there any surprising choices among the novels covered?
PAUL BISHOP: Absolutely. Some contributors chose books that aren’t traditionally viewed as classics within the Holmes pastiche genre, but they made compelling cases for them. There are also modern reinterpretations, such as placing Holmes in contemporary settings or blending him with speculative fiction elements. Editing these essays reminded me that Holmes truly is a character without boundaries—he can exist anywhere, anytime, and still feel like Holmes.
INTERVIEWER: What do you hope readers take away from 52 Weeks 52 Sherlock Holmes Novels?
PAUL BISHOP: I hope readers walk away with a sense of adventure. Maybe they'll revisit old favorites with a new appreciation or discover hidden gems they’ve never encountered before. Most importantly, I hope they see the elasticity of Sherlock Holmes—that he isn’t just trapped in Victorian London but can be reimagined in endless ways without losing his core essence. Holmes belongs to all of us, and this book is a celebration of that shared ownership.
INTERVIEWER: Are you planning to curate more projects like this?
PAUL BISHOP: I’d love to. There’s a lot of interest in similar formats—perhaps focusing on crime fiction broadly or other iconic literary characters. But for now, I’m just thrilled to share this book and see readers immerse themselves in fifty-two weeks of Sherlock Holmes.
INTERVIEWER: Thanks so much, Paul. It sounds like an incredible journey through the world of Holmes.
PAUL BISHOP: Thank you—it was a joy to put together.
Get 52 Weeks/52 Sherlock Holmes Novels today… Paperback
Prefer the Ebook? Get it here - Ebook