An Interview with . . . author Christopher D. Abbott
Christopher D. Abbott is a Reader’s Favorite award-winning author of crime, fantasy, science-fiction, and horror. With over 35 books published, Abbott is also an Amazon Bestseller and publisher of the Sherlock Holmes pastiche series The Watson Chronicles along with associated anthologies.
Abbott’s Sherlock Holmes novellas have been recognized by readers and peers alike as faithfully authentic to the original Conan Doyle. In 2022, after publishing nine individual Watson Chronicle stories, Abbott teamed up with prolific authors Michael Jan Friedman and Aaron S. Rosenberg to add a collection of Holmes short stories to the series, under the title Cases by Candlelight. Later, Keith R.A. DeCandido joined the writing team, adding stories to a second and third volume, and for a fourth volume Aaron and Abbott were joined by Hildy Silverman and Robert Greenberger.
In addition, Abbott publishes four Sherlock Holmes pastiche novellas each year, and in 2025 released another anthology, Sherlock Holmes Eliminate the Impossible, with authors Keith R.A. DeCandido, Mary Fan, and Derek Tyler Attico presenting reimagined versions of Sherlock Holmes stories.
Abbott is a member of Crazy 8 Press, has published with eSpec Books, and has written for major media outlets, including ScreenRant. Born in England, Abbott now lives in the U.S.
Interview by BWG member Christopher D. Ochs
Bethlehem Writers Group: Welcome, Christopher, and congratulations on your latest Sherlock Holmes mystery, The Leopold Ledgers. With forty short stories and novels revolving around Mr. Holmes, what drew you to focus on the world’s most recognizable fictional detective?
Christopher D. Abbott: Thank you. It’s always a pleasure to return to Baker Street. Holmes is more than a detective to me; he’s a lens through which we examine logic, obsession, and the fragility of genius. What drew me in wasn’t just his intellect, but the emotional architecture beneath it—the loneliness, the precision, the need to impose order on chaos. He’s a character who rewards scrutiny, and I’ve never tired of the chase.
BWG: What qualifies a mystery to be worthy of Holmes, as opposed to the other literary crime solvers like Poirot or C. Auguste Dupin?
CDA: A Holmes mystery must hinge on deduction, not coincidence. It must present a puzzle that demands intellectual rigor, but also emotional nuance. Holmes doesn’t just solve crimes—he dissects human behavior. A worthy case must challenge his mind and expose his vulnerabilities. Poirot seeks justice; Holmes seeks truth, even when it’s inconvenient.
BWG: Writing about two of the greatest fictional minds (if we include Moriarty) presents a unique challenge: think like and portray characters with IQs far above us mere mortals. How do you approach this hurdle?
CDA: You don’t write genius—you write the illusion of genius. The trick is to build the scaffolding: the clues, the logic, the misdirection. Then let Holmes—or Watson—walk through it with elegance. I spend more time reverse-engineering the solution than writing the reveal. It’s choreography, really. The reader must feel outmatched, but never cheated. And Watson must never directly lie or cheat us . . . because he’s the only one we can trust.
BWG: What does research into Holmes’ world entail? Have you become a history buff of Victorian and Edwardian eras?
CDA: Absolutely. You can’t write Holmes without knowing about hansom cabs or the social weight of a calling card. I’ve become fluent in gaslight, fog, and telegrams. But it’s not just about historical detail—it’s really about atmosphere. The era must feel lived-in. I want readers to smell the coal smoke and hear the rustle of silk when I write it. It’s something I strive for every time I put figurative pen to paper.
BWG: What is your favorite Holmes story (and why)?
CDA: “The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans.” It’s espionage, betrayal, and brotherly tension—all wrapped in a tight narrative. Mycroft steps out of the shadows, and Holmes is forced to navigate both state secrets and personal stakes. It’s a masterclass in compression and implication.
BWG: Many estates are protective of their intellectual property, most notably those of H.G. Wells, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien, to name a few. Any interesting stories concerning dealings with the A.C. Doyle estate? (Assuming you’re allowed to discuss them . . . )
CDA: I’ve never been approached, and since the characters are now fully in the Public Domain, I doubt I ever will. But I once camped near ACDs House in Sussex, so was on the estate!
BWG: What tempts you away from writing other than in the world of Holmes & Watson?
CDA: Character. If someone walks into my imagination with secrets and scars, I follow them. I’ve written noir, speculative fiction, even a bit of surrealism. Holmes is my lodestar—he keeps me honest and helps me pay my bills. I’m currently writing a spy thriller, off the back of Crazy8Press’s PRISM: The Mission Files anthology. It’s a prequel to my story, “The Trust Code.” And that’s all I can say.
BWG: What guidance can you offer to writers who would like to try their hand at crafting mysteries—either short fiction or novels?
CDA: Start with the ending. Know your reveal, then build backwards. Every clue must serve two masters: the plot and the character. Remember: The reader is your partner, not your mark. Play fair, but play smart. For Holmes, it must be clever deductions. When writing mysteries, remember that objects carry emotional weight. Holmes deduces alcoholism and financial decline from a scratched watch—so as a writer, try to use physical clues to reveal character. Let your detective read lives, not just evidence. The cleverness lies in layering psychology beneath observation. It sounds terribly hard, but if you slide into the rhythm, you’ll find Holmes’ cadence.
BWG: What lurks in your “If I knew then what I know now about writing” folder?
CDA: That perfection is a myth. I don’t think you ever write the story exactly as it exists in your head. But you can write something close and something true. Also: Don’t hoard your best ideas. Use them. More will come, I promise.
BWG: You’ve recently joined Crazy 8 Press. How has that affected your publishing journey?
CDA: It’s like joining a band of literary outlaws! Crazy 8 Press gives me freedom, camaraderie, and a platform that respects both craft and the chaos of me. It’s been invigorating and humbling. I suffer, like many, with imposter syndrome. I find it incredible that I was invited.
BWG: You play a pretty slick guitar, both acoustic and electric, with the Christopher Abbott Band. Is there any cross-pollination between the creation of your music and the written word?
CDA: Well, rhythm and cadence are key. Whether it’s a sentence or a guitar solo, it has to breathe, but it also has to tell you something. I write dialogue like I write lyrics—they’re just stories. Music teaches me restraint. I’m learning to integrate both. It’s a slow burn, and it should be!
BWG: Is there a question you wish we had asked?
CDA: Perhaps: “What does Holmes fear?” My answer: irrelevance. And that’s what keeps him timeless.
BWG: Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. For those of us eager to read all your books, where can we find them?
CDA: Online. Through Crazy8Press.com, or Amazon, independent bookstores. My website links to most: www.cdanabbott.com.