About the Book
In the spring of 1905, members of an exclusive club of crime enthusiasts known as Our Society were taken on a guided excursion through Whitechapel, one of London’s most notorious districts, by Dr. Frederick Gordon Brown, the chief police surgeon for the City of London. But this was no ordinary sightseeing tour. The focus of the outing was Jack the Ripper’s reputed murder sites, and among the guests that day was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of the world’s greatest detective, Sherlock Holmes.
Here, now, in The Strange Case of Dr. Doyleby first-time son/father writing team Daniel Friedman, MD, and Eugene Friedman, MD, you are cordially invited to join a recreation of that tour. This expedition, however, will differ from the original in one very important way: It will be led by celebrated author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself. As you stroll beside Doyle and his other guests, you will travel to the location of each of the five canonical Ripper murders. Thanks to your guide’s observations and opinions, all of which are based on actual historical accounts, you will learn as much about the district of Whitechapel as you will the terrible Ripper killings that occurred there.
After each stop on the tour, you will also become acquainted with the life of Arthur Conan Doyle, from his earliest days in Edinburgh to his first taste of success as a writer. You will observe Arthur’s hardships at home, his experiences at boarding school, his adventures at sea, his university education, and his days as a working medical doctor. You will be granted a picture of the man as few have ever seen him. As you alternate between biography and tour, you will become a Holmes-like detective, unearthing facts, discovering details, and piecing together information about both Jack the Ripper and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. If you maintain a sharp mind and a keen eye, at the end of your journey, you may just uncover a truth you never expected to find.
About the Author :
Daniel L. Friedman, MD, received his BA from Stony Brook University, andhis medical degree from St. George’s School of Medicine. He is currently apracticing pediatrician in Floral Park, New York, and is also an active memberof the Cohen Children’s Medical Center, where he sits on the voluntary staffadvisory committee. Dr. Friedman’s prize-winning articles on Doyle and Holmeshave appeared in numerous national and international journals. He and Dr.Eugene Friedman are also the authors of the book, The Strange Case of Doctor Doyle. Dr. Friedman resides in LongIsland, New York with his wife, Elena, and their three children.
Eugene Friedman, MD, received his BA from New York University, and hismedical degree from New York Medical College. He was Chief Resident inPediatrics at New York Medical College and later served as Assistant Chief ofPediatrics at Martin Army Hospital at Fort Benning, Georgia. Dr. Friedman hasbeen in private practice with his son, Daniel, for over twenty years.. He hasheld multiple leadership positions in organized medicine and has devotedhimself to the education of future physicians. He and his wife, Sheryl, live inLong Island, New York and have five children and fifteen grandchildren.
Review :
A "Featured Selection" of The Mystery Guild Book Club
"A father-and-son writing team explore Arthur Conan Doyle's fascination with the Jack the Ripper case . . . the book offers us an opportunity to see how Conan Doyle might have approached the Ripper investigation, had he been involved with it, and, in a larger sense, how Conan Doyle's keen analytic mind mirrored, in many ways, that of his most famous creation . . . [The Strange Case of Dr Doyle has] many virtues, including, most of all, the way it allows us to peek inside the mind of Arthur Conan Doyle. An annotated bibliography of sources is appended."
"Exposes the similarities of two very strange men, Jack the Ripper and Arthur Conan Doyle . . . interesting, as the authors expose the man with a titanic ego who always had a good excuse for his failures . . . the book goes on to raise intriguing questions and possibilities for fans of both men."
“[A]ccurate and well researched. . . . [A]n engaging examination . . . the Friedmans’ conclusion about Jack and Doyle will raise eyebrows. . . . [B]ound to be read by fans of Victorian murder real and invented.”
"Life is full of surprises, and The Strange Case of Dr. Doyle – written by a father-and-son pair of physicians and published by Square One Publishers, a small, indie book publisher in a town of 8,000 on Long Island, New York – is one of this year’s big literary amazements. This is a spectacular undertaking by Drs. Daniel and Eugene Friedman, who must be very good physicians if they can be judged by their passion, exhaustive research and absolutely flawless writing."
"A gripping and fascinating read. Give the authors a chance and, well, you may start to look at Sherlock Holmes in an altogether different light . . . [the authors'] annotated bibliography is the best I have seen . . . The Friedmans certainly raise some interesting, not to say chilling, questions."
“The authors, long-time fans of the writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, have turned the tables on this great author, using techniques that the great Sherlock Holmes and his creator would have applauded.”
“It’s a fascinating tale, and points a guilty eye upon the least suspecting [sic] person we would think capable of the gruesome deed . . . extremely insightful, and well researched . . . illuminating. Highly recommended.”
"[The book's] theory as to the identity of Jack the Ripper is really interesting! Definitely a must for those who like Sherlock Holmes!" —New York Times' bestselling author Ben Mezrich
"[T]his book is a very good recounting of the five 'canonical' Jack the Ripper killings, intermingled with an equally good biography of Arthur Conan Doyle in his early years (before he became a famous writer) . . . a significant contribution to the field of 'Ripperology" . . . a welcome read for any Doyle fan."
"Compelling . . . paints a vivid picture of [Doyle's] background and history . . . An intriguing read, not without its merits, and even though I am unconvinced by the argument, I was entertained by it."
