Underrated Sherlock Fics, Part 9
Nov. 8th, 2017 09:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
swissmargLucky number 9 of my rec series will hopefully bring some luck to both authors and readers of these Sherlock BBC fics that aren't getting enough love. This time with a really eclectic mix of genres and settings, there should be something for everyone, regardless of how you felt about series 4.
My qualifications for this list are:
- Fic complete
- Last chapter posted prior to October 1, 2017
- Fewer than 200 kudos as of this posting
- Earned a 'favorite' from me on AO3
And now, in descending order of length:
An AU of series 3 and 4 that takes the basic plot of the episodes, adds Johnlockary, and changes a few other things, some minor and some more major. It’s gutsy and bold, drawing on real emotion and truly allowing the characters to shine. I found it surprisingly engaging despite not being a Johnlockary fan, so if that's all that's been putting you off please reconsider. (Also: Johnlock is endgame.)
The Final Problem (alternative) (137,738 words) by 221b_hound
Rating: Mature
Relationships: John Watson/Mary Morstan, Sherlock Holmes/John Watson/Mary Morstan, Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: A Pure and Simple Truth reworks the last 7 episodes of BBC Sherlock, from The Empty Hearse to the Final Problem. Some elements will be the same, some reused, some discarded. This series will work towards eventual Johnlock.
======
Part 2 of a Potterlock series (I recommend reading Part 1 first), fast-paced and full of tension and excitement, with good characterizations and nice use of ensemble casts.
Dissendium (54,299 words) by HollyShadow88
Rating: Explicit
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: Sequel to Finite Incantatem, written and completed during NaNoWriMo 2016. John and his daughter, Cecelia, have finally returned to Sherlock and Baker Street. Amidst attempting to figure out their relationship, Sherlock and John deal with Sherlock's magic, John's wizarding past, and a secret that's been in Sherlock's family since his birth.
======
The earlier installments of this series had huge numbers, but readership on the last two parts dropped off drastically for some reason. I suspect it may simply have been the 3-year gap in posting, although it could also be the 'angst' and 'break-up' tags which may be misleading as this is actually a make-up fic. At any rate, this can be read without the earlier parts if need be, and is really beautifully written.
The Heat Death of the Universe (29,409 words) by liriodendron
Rating: Explicit
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: In which Sherlock Holmes discovers what it's like to wait, John Watson is pretty good at denial, and every shadow has a light source. The conclusion to Conductivity.
======
A good old-fashioned casefic with a strong original case and an undercurrent of UST that gets resolved with a glimpse of more to come. With a twist on some favorite tropes, including undercover (sort of boyfriends) for a case, unilock (not what you might think), and (not really platonic) bed-sharing.
The Camford Dares (17,113 words) by writerfan2013
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: Sherlock is being mysterious and secretive and John is being particularly stubborn and their annoying case in a well-known university town is not helping anything. Case!fic! Mystery and infuriation but ultimately johnlock.
======
A beautiful, atmospheric casefic set in Sussex, this post-series 2 fic stands the test of time splendidly.
Under the Downs (16,165 words) by Evenlodes_Friend
Rating: Explicit
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: Five years after they first meet, a case in rural Sussex changes John and Sherlock's life forever.
======
An absolute gem of a story, vivid and engaging, with lively dialogue, well-rounded characters, and mini-plots that all contribute to the whole.
Four Funerals and a Wedding (12,463 words) by Susan
Rating: Explicit
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, Harry Watson/Original Character
Summary: The story of John and Sherlock. Before, during and after.
======
A PWP with character, raunchy and hot and tender all at once. Includes past Sherlock/OMC threesome but all in the service of Johnlock.
Every Bad Boy Loves a Sailor (10,614 words) by Vulgarweed
Rating: Explicit
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, Sherlock/OMC/OMC
Summary: Bone Fiddle-verse, Appalachian AU. On a lazy, rainy Sunday morning, Sherlock tells John a smutty and (mostly) true story. John's got some mixed feelings about Sherlock's promiscuous past, but he can't deny what hearing about it in lascivious detail does to him - especially now that he's the only one safely naked in bed with him.
======
This fic takes a huge detour off the beaten path, leaving me wondering whether to be more horrified or comforted by the direction it took.
A Real Deal (10,339 words) by toyhto
Rating: Mature
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: Please be real, he thought and pulled Sherlock closer.
======
Completely original and unique, with hypnotic prose and a delicacy of execution that kept me spellbound throughout.
The Collector (9,129 words) by ShinySherlock
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: Coaxing Sherlock Holmes and John Watson to get out of their own way is just the sort of task she savors. With vials, bottles, and boxes, she stoppers up their grief, siphons their yearning, captures their devotion to add to her collection. (Canon-compliant through the majority of TLD; ignores TFP completely).
Previous installments:
Part One from October 2013
Part Two from May 2014
Part Three from November 2014
Part Four from May 2015
Part Five from November 2015
Part Six from May 2016
Part Seven from November 2016
Part Eight from May 2017
My qualifications for this list are:
- Fic complete
- Last chapter posted prior to October 1, 2017
- Fewer than 200 kudos as of this posting
- Earned a 'favorite' from me on AO3
And now, in descending order of length:
An AU of series 3 and 4 that takes the basic plot of the episodes, adds Johnlockary, and changes a few other things, some minor and some more major. It’s gutsy and bold, drawing on real emotion and truly allowing the characters to shine. I found it surprisingly engaging despite not being a Johnlockary fan, so if that's all that's been putting you off please reconsider. (Also: Johnlock is endgame.)
The Final Problem (alternative) (137,738 words) by 221b_hound
Rating: Mature
Relationships: John Watson/Mary Morstan, Sherlock Holmes/John Watson/Mary Morstan, Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: A Pure and Simple Truth reworks the last 7 episodes of BBC Sherlock, from The Empty Hearse to the Final Problem. Some elements will be the same, some reused, some discarded. This series will work towards eventual Johnlock.
======
Part 2 of a Potterlock series (I recommend reading Part 1 first), fast-paced and full of tension and excitement, with good characterizations and nice use of ensemble casts.
Dissendium (54,299 words) by HollyShadow88
Rating: Explicit
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: Sequel to Finite Incantatem, written and completed during NaNoWriMo 2016. John and his daughter, Cecelia, have finally returned to Sherlock and Baker Street. Amidst attempting to figure out their relationship, Sherlock and John deal with Sherlock's magic, John's wizarding past, and a secret that's been in Sherlock's family since his birth.
======
The earlier installments of this series had huge numbers, but readership on the last two parts dropped off drastically for some reason. I suspect it may simply have been the 3-year gap in posting, although it could also be the 'angst' and 'break-up' tags which may be misleading as this is actually a make-up fic. At any rate, this can be read without the earlier parts if need be, and is really beautifully written.
The Heat Death of the Universe (29,409 words) by liriodendron
Rating: Explicit
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: In which Sherlock Holmes discovers what it's like to wait, John Watson is pretty good at denial, and every shadow has a light source. The conclusion to Conductivity.
======
A good old-fashioned casefic with a strong original case and an undercurrent of UST that gets resolved with a glimpse of more to come. With a twist on some favorite tropes, including undercover (sort of boyfriends) for a case, unilock (not what you might think), and (not really platonic) bed-sharing.
The Camford Dares (17,113 words) by writerfan2013
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: Sherlock is being mysterious and secretive and John is being particularly stubborn and their annoying case in a well-known university town is not helping anything. Case!fic! Mystery and infuriation but ultimately johnlock.
======
A beautiful, atmospheric casefic set in Sussex, this post-series 2 fic stands the test of time splendidly.
Under the Downs (16,165 words) by Evenlodes_Friend
Rating: Explicit
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: Five years after they first meet, a case in rural Sussex changes John and Sherlock's life forever.
======
An absolute gem of a story, vivid and engaging, with lively dialogue, well-rounded characters, and mini-plots that all contribute to the whole.
Four Funerals and a Wedding (12,463 words) by Susan
Rating: Explicit
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, Harry Watson/Original Character
Summary: The story of John and Sherlock. Before, during and after.
======
A PWP with character, raunchy and hot and tender all at once. Includes past Sherlock/OMC threesome but all in the service of Johnlock.
Every Bad Boy Loves a Sailor (10,614 words) by Vulgarweed
Rating: Explicit
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, Sherlock/OMC/OMC
Summary: Bone Fiddle-verse, Appalachian AU. On a lazy, rainy Sunday morning, Sherlock tells John a smutty and (mostly) true story. John's got some mixed feelings about Sherlock's promiscuous past, but he can't deny what hearing about it in lascivious detail does to him - especially now that he's the only one safely naked in bed with him.
======
This fic takes a huge detour off the beaten path, leaving me wondering whether to be more horrified or comforted by the direction it took.
A Real Deal (10,339 words) by toyhto
Rating: Mature
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: Please be real, he thought and pulled Sherlock closer.
======
Completely original and unique, with hypnotic prose and a delicacy of execution that kept me spellbound throughout.
The Collector (9,129 words) by ShinySherlock
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: Coaxing Sherlock Holmes and John Watson to get out of their own way is just the sort of task she savors. With vials, bottles, and boxes, she stoppers up their grief, siphons their yearning, captures their devotion to add to her collection. (Canon-compliant through the majority of TLD; ignores TFP completely).
Previous installments:
Part One from October 2013
Part Two from May 2014
Part Three from November 2014
Part Four from May 2015
Part Five from November 2015
Part Six from May 2016
Part Seven from November 2016
Part Eight from May 2017
