This collection of short stories starts with a short report at the start from Dr. Watson that Holmes is retired in the English countryside and more interested in beekeeping than solving cases. Bothered by a little rheumatism that's all. Only the imminent war with Germany [The Great War / WW1] can bring Holmes out of his voluntary retirement. He will put all his ingenuity and skills at the service of his country if called upon. These eight stories show us how the brilliant tenant of 221B Baker Street, now living near Eastbourne, adapted to a changing world.

Doyle hasn't lost his ability to delight readers.

The stories are: 1. The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge - in two parts, 1a, The Singular Experience of Mr. John Scott Eccles, and 1b, The Tiger of San Pedro, 2. The Adventure of the Cardboard Box, 3. The Adventure of the Red Circle, 4. The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plan, 5. The Adventure of the Dying Detective, 6. The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax, 7. The Adventure of the Devil's Foot, and 8. His Last Bow.