About A Case of Identity

Sherlock Holmes greets his perplexed client. This illustration by Sidney Paget originally appeared in The Strand Magazine where ‘A Case of Identity’ was first published.

A Case of Identity is an intriguing tale of an innocent spinster whose hopes of at last finding love have been cruelly dashed at the altar.

Devastated bride-to-be, Miss Mary Sutherland turns to Holmes to solve the riddle of why her devoted and thoughtful groom disappeared on his way to the church.

She had seen her betrothed, the unassuming Hosmer Angel climb into his carriage but when it arrived it was empty, and the driver knew nothing.

Miss Sutherland suspects foul play – but Sherlock Holmes almost immediately develops his own theory which he sets out to prove, as only the great detective could.

“Sherlock Holmes welcomed her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was peculiar to him.”
– Dr Watson, in A Case of Identity