The positive reviews and rich content make this collection quite promising and a doubtless worthy addition to the Canon that shall be awaited, but not one that will likely displace the earlier collection. The preface by John Le Carre is of interest. This edition is worthy of note for the comprehensive collection of Victorian-era illustrations, essays and most importantly, the editor's collation of diverse Sherlockian views rather than merely his own.
Also of note for pure text readings of the Canon is The Strand facsimile edition of the stories & novels. This is somewhat unavailable and another source might be online. Since the books and stories are in the public domain, many online versions are available, including from Project Gutenberg and the University of Virginia Electronic Text Center
Some additional Sherlockiana worthy of note include "Sherlockiana In Japan", "221 B: Studies in Sherlock Holmes" by Vincent Starrett and the Baker Street Journal. Suffice it to say that there is scarcely a bookstore that does not have a shelf or two dedicated to Sherlockiana, Doylesiana and perhaps in London, Holmesiana.
Finally, here is a poem titled "The Ballad of Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard" that has a Sherlockian touch to it, although it is more antiquarian than the Canon.(1658)
Article comments
1 - Les Klinger
I agree with your comments that the novels (the "long stories") of Sherlock Holmes are essential reading. However, commercial limitations dictated that they be put into a separate volume. The third volume, containing all four novels, will be published by Norton in November 2005, will have over 1,000 notes, over 350 illustrations, and its own slipcase. I hope you enjoy the book!
2 - Aaman
I look forward to the next volume, Les. Your writing style is just what the canon needed. Thanks for noticing my review - you sure made my day:)
3 - Mayank Austen Soofi
I have just started reading the first of these three volumes. I'm quite sure that I will enjoy all of them.