It seems that fictional detectives are split into two schools: those who investigate their cases with a partner on hand and those like Philip Marlowe and Inspector Rebus who plough a lone furrow. These partners have differing functions. Watson was primarily the chronicler, on hand to record the brilliant efforts of his friend. 

Or was he more that this? I would say he was. He was often of practical help in bringing the investigation to a satisfactory conclusion. The same could be said of Morse’s Lewis, Campion’s Lugg, Poirot’s Hastings, and so on. This fascinating topic is explored in this issue by the respected crime writer Robert Barnard... 

Contents

1. I HEAR OF SHERLOCK EVERYWHERE 
   The news and views column
2. TWO’S COMPANY 
   Robert Barnard suggests that the best detectives have sidekicks
3. THE MEMOIRS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES 
   David Stuart Davies looks at The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, the final series in the Granada films
4. THE DETECTIVE 
   Action hero or thinking machine? Paul M Chapman discusses the place of detectives in teh pantheon of fiction
5. UNDER THE GASLIGHT 
   Roger Forsdyke pulls a fast one as he uncovers the art of scams in his regular look at Victorian crime and criminals
6. TELLY ’TECS 
   Chris Senior revisits Department S, the late sixties TV series, and the brainchild of Monty Berman and Dennis Spooner
7. SHERLOCK STATESIDE 
   Pat Ward with the latest news from America
8. HOLMES OF THE MOVIES 
   David Stuart Davies looks at Silver Blaze
9. SHERLOCK IN CANADA 
   Roger Llewellyn on the Maple Leaf Tour 2000 of David Stuart Davies’ play, Sherlock Holmes - The Last Act
10. DO WHAT YOU LIKE WITH HIM! 
    Nicholas Utechin considers how Holmes has been treated as a pastiche character
11. THE CURSE OF THE GRISWOLD PHANTOM 
    Part one of a new Luther Darke Mystery by A L Blake
12. CANONICAL INTRODUCTIONS 
    The Solitary Cyclist
13. SLEUTHING THE SHELVES 
    The review section
14. SCARLET THREADS 
    Gaynor Coules gets into Michael Dibden’s Zen and the Art of Controversy in her regular look at contemporary crime writers
15. THE OTHER DETECTIVES 
    Roger Johnson investigates Solar Pons - The Sherlock Holmes of Praed Street
16. HOLMES OFF THE CUFF 
    John Hall discusses the early days of Sherlock Holmes
17. GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER 
    Mike Ripley is amongst the bestsellers
18. SOCIETIES FORUM 
    Conducted by Roger Johnson with The Edgar Wallace Society illuminated by Peter Coussee
19. MORIARTY’S MUTTERINGS