The Adventure of the Lion's Mane

The Lion's Mane takes place in Sussex. Sherlock Holmes, now retired, lives in a small villa near the beach. One morning, a local school teacher is found near his favorite bathing spot with horrific wounds all over his bare back. He shrieks out with his dying breath the mysterious words "the Lion’s Mane." Suspicion soon falls on a fellow teacher. Holmes, however, has a nagging feeling that there is something among his vast collection of out-of-the-way knowledge that would help solve the case.

The Adventure of the Lion's Mane has the distinction of being the only story in the Sherlock Holmes Canon to describe Holmes' life in retirement. It is also one of the most unusual tales of the series. The story is narrated by Holmes himself and does not feature Dr. Watson at all. Holmes also appears to express some uncharacteristic feelings. In addition, it is Holmes' knowledge rather than his reasoning ability which provides the solution to the mystery.