I have to admit, I am FOREVER LAUGHING at the choice to include ACD's original story at the end of the book, but also... I sort of wish she hadn't... because it brought into sharp relief many of the book's weaker points, which I had been determinedly trying to ignore because it's frothy silliness aimed at kids... BUT IT WAS FUN SILLINESS ANYWAY

And I do very sincerely appreciate Carole Nelson Douglas's commitment to giving us an Irene Adler story that does not revolve, emotionally or plot-wise, around Sherlock Holmes! Much as I love Holmes, and I definitely do, part of the fundamental appeal and characterization is that she has her own goals and priorities and they have nothing to do with him.