This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
On a Saturday morning in the early ’90s, Kid Me was deep in my usual cartoon lineup when an episode of Looney Tunes came on featuring a detective version of Daffy Duck. His name was Dorlock Holmes, he lived at 221 7/16 Bleeker Street, and his favorite pastime was deduction. He and his pal Watson, played by one Porky Pig, were trying to catch someone called the Shropshire Slasher, and I was absolutely riveted. The episode was full of references to Holmesian lore (and to Jack the Ripper, because why not) that went entirely over my head, but it didn’t matter. When I found out this Dorlock character was inspired by a famous literary detective, I all but ran to the library to get me some of that.
It was some time before I was old enough for the Arthur Conan Doyle originals, but I have been a steady consumer of Holmesian books, shows, and movies in one form or another pretty much ever since Dorlock put me on. That isn’t hard to do when new takes on Sherlock and friends pop up all the time (Sherry Thomas’ Lady Sherlock series, the CBS show Watson, and Netflix’s Enola Holmes films to name a recent few). If you too are a fan of all things Sherlock, celebrate this Sherlock Holmes Day (5/22) by treating yourself to these pencils, candles, artwork, perfume, and more. These Sherlock Holmes gifts pair perfectly with an afternoon of reading, or chasing down clues.
My favorite thing about these Sherlock quote pencils is that the quotes aren’t just the typical “the game is afoot” or “elementary, my dear Watson.” Those are great, but so are these! $14
The stained glass motif on these bookmarks is great, and I think that’s supposed to be ol’ Benny Cumberbatch as Sherlock in the BBC production, Sherlock? Admittedly, my brain is seeing a young Martin Short, but I like these either way! $9
I love the vintage motel key styling of these Sherlock key fobs, which taught me that hotels and motels used to indeed guarantee postage if you dropped one of these in the mail. You learn something new every day! $10
The Goods
Sign up to The Goods to receive emails about rad bookish items that will make your reading life a little better.
Sherlock Kitty is the cutest kitty! This fella makes the cutest little detective, and the cutest sticker. $5
Embark on a study in scarlet with this Sherlock’s Study candle, which is hilariously described as being a bit abrasive at first, but pleasant the more time you spend with it, just like me our man Holmes. Its scent contains notes of unsolved cases, experiments, and a violin… otherwise known as leather, whiskey, and fireside. $22
I’ve been a big fan of Frostbeard candles since my days as an indie bookseller and highly recommend their many bookish scents. Here’s another Sherlock’s Study candle, this one with notes of cherrywood, tobacco, and rain. The 8-oz jar comes in at $24, but you can also get it in 2-oz and 4-oz tins or as wax melts.
See now this Sherlock book nook insert is very much giving me Benedict Cumberbatch. It comes in two sizes and three colors—choose your own Cumberbatch. $36