The Vanishing of Sebastian Singleton
A Sherlock Holmes Adventure
By Richard Knotek
When a brilliant archaeologist vanishes without a trace, his disappearance threatens to ignite a conflict far greater than any crime Sherlock Holmes has ever faced.
Working on an archeological dig in Jerusalem Sebastian Singleton uncovers something the world was never meant to find - an ancient scroll dating to the time of the Crucifixion. Its contents are explosive: a first-hand account of the discovery of the Shroud of Turin, describing the mysterious image upon the cloth as a miracle witnessed in awe and terror. If proven authentic, the scroll would validate the Shroud beyond doubt - and with it, the foundations of Christian belief itself.
After being brought back London’s British Museum, the scroll is stolen. Soon after, Singleton disappears.
When his distraught wife arrives at 221B Baker Street, Holmes immediately recognises that this is no ordinary crime. What follows is a race against time through fog-shrouded London, exclusive gentlemen’s clubs, shadowed museums, and foreign syndicates operating beyond the reach of law. Holmes and Watson uncover a secret brotherhood - ancient, ruthless, and determined to reshape the world by controlling faith itself.
As Holmes infiltrates the conspiracy under a dangerous disguise, the case expands from a missing man to a global threat. Kidnapping, deception, burglary, and murder converge around a single question:
What happens when proof of God becomes a weapon?
Blending classic Holmesian deduction with historical mystery, religious intrigue, and international espionage, The Vanishing of Sebastian Singleton is a gripping adventure that challenges belief, power, and truth itself - and asks whether some discoveries are too dangerous to be revealed.
Perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes, historical thrillers, and intelligent conspiracy fiction, this novel reimagines the Great Detective at the centre of a mystery that could change the world forever.