Urban Detective

Sherlock Holmes Garden Detective

This is a series of pastiche stories in which Sherlock Holmes has retired from crime detection and devoted himself to detecting problems in horticulture.

He takes pleasure in showing up Inspector Lestrade who always is so sure of himself.

The stories not only provide enjoyment and humor but also a learning experience in landscaping and growing of plants.

Start with the first story and follow them through one by one.

Case #1 The Case Of The Rose Garden Detective	Case #2 The Case Of The Damaged Turf	Case #3 The Case Of The Dying Oak
Case #4 The Case Of The Diseased Garden	Case #5 The Case Of The Furry Entomologist	Case #6 The Case Of The Busy Bees
Case #7 The Case Of The Crape Murder	Case #8 The Case Of The Shady Situation	Case #9 The Case Of The Powdery Pensive Prognosis

Case #1 The Case Of The Rose Garden Detective © Sherlock Holmes talks about his altered career from battling crime to now solving horticulture problems. "What a difference in my outlook." he comments. However, solving plant and homeowner problems isn't all that different from solving crime. There are crimes committed against nature, hidden clues, always the Inspector Lestrade to show the error of his ways (He always enjoyed that) and the ultimate satisfaction in solving the problem. The first story deals with growing roses and dealing with fungal problems. Lestrade is educated on the simplicity of taking on the challenge.		Case #2 The Case Of The Damaged Turf © In this case Inspector Lestrade tells Holmes "I have a report about a problem with St. Augustine grass damage." Holmes and Lestrade visit the home of John and Mary Gardener and their daughter Camille, who figures into the problem. In keeping with Sherlock Holmes style he scurry s about on his hands and knees with his magnifying glass and 10x loupe looking for the solution. You have to read the story to find out the answers.
Case #3 The Case Of The Dying Oak © Sherlock Holmes antagonizes Inspector Lestrade by recognizing his presence before opening the door and further tantalizing the inspector about his eating habits. Inspector Lestrade solicits the help of Sherlock Holmes where the homeowner reported "Our Texas Red Oak tree is dying and we don't know what is happening." Holmes visits the site, plays down the Inspector's observation of the insects and informs the Inspector, "Cause and effect is not always an obvious relationship." Holmes solves the problem and provides the possible solution to save the Oak tree. You must read the story to find out what he did.		Case #4 The Case Of The Diseased Garden © Sherlock Holmes chides Inspector Lestrade about his predictable habits. Mrs. Hopeful, in the Hillcrest Estates is fearful that the freeze had done them in and wiped out her landscape. Inspector Lestrade asks Sherlock Holmes to help him with the homeowner's problems. Wiping the pocket lens with his kerchief Holmes said, "You must remember that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." and proceeds to astound everyone with his answers.
Case #5 The Case Of The Furry Entomologist © Sherlock Holmes has a new companion, a three-year-old Siamese cat, with a curiosity equal to his. In the opening scene Kao-Kai, the Siamese, lays curled in Holmes's lap. However, Kao-Kai soon springs to life and helps solve the case. Marcie Eversave's husband is on a spraying tear and has to be stopped. The result is an education on handling insect and disease problem in your yard. In conclusion Holmes asks Kao-Kai, "are you ready to go home and watch the birds?" to which Kao-Kai answers "Prrrrrup." Sounds like an appropriate answer to me.		Case #6 The Case Of The Busy Bees © Sherlock Holmes relaxes in his comfortable library with the company of his companion Kao-Kai, the 3-year old Siamese cat. Kao-Kai reveals the secret of Inspector Lestrade's pocket with a "Ik-Ik-rrr-Ak," which leads into the story. Inspector Lestrade gets an education on the difference between honeybees and Africanized honeybees, a subject well worth reading.
Case #7 The Case Of The Crape Murder © Sherlock Holmes laid down his pen and leaned back in his chair in his comfortable library with the company of his companion Kao-Kai, the 3-year old Siamese cat. He had just finishing a letter to be sent to the Texas Growers Association asking for an additional classification of growing conditions for Texas. Inspector Lestrade invited Sherlock Holmes to Prunnella Loper about a pruning problem with her Crape Myrtles. Holmes extolls the beautiful features of crape myrtles including the exfoliating bark. Kao-Kai finalized the visit with his "ROW" comment which Lestrade fails to understand. Click through to read more.		Case #8 The Case Of The Shady Situation © Sherlock Holmes had fashioned a shady garden area on the back side of his house that he named "Sanctuary" for obvious reasons. All of his landscape was enjoyable both from outside and the view from inside the house. It took months of planning and several years of growth to get there and now it was all coming together. Inspector Lestrade asks Holmes for some advise on building a shade garden area at his house. Sherlock Holmes accepts and in due course explains, "In a gardener's world not all shade is alike. First you need to know how much light the area gets and the intensity of the light. They talk about dappled, filtered, reflected and various levels of shade. In conclusion Kao-Kai echoed, "Brrrap," as he looked up at Lestrade. Do you know what he said?
Case #9 The Case Of The Powdery Plant's Pensive Prognosis © Inspector Lestrade comes to Sherlock Holmes with questions about powdery and downy mildew. Lestrade does not know how to identify the diseases. Do You? Sherlock Holmes shows Lestrade photos of the two types of mildew and offers detailed information on the similarities and differences. Match your wits with Holmes and see if you can answer the questions. Kao-Kai answers the question with a resouding "ROW". Click through to read more.