Perhaps no fictional character has stood the test of time like Sherlock Holmes. From his creation by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887, he has deduced his way, pipe in hand, through countless radio plays, movies, TV shows, video games, and even a Japanese puppetry. A century later, he still triumphs in the ratings game, whether at the hands of Benedict Cumberbatch on BBC or Robert Downey, Jr in the Guy Ritchie films. Even Sir Ian McKellan is taking a stab in the upcoming “Mr. Holmes.”

Longtime Portland journalist and co-editor of "Portland Monthly" Zach Dundas happens to be a lifetime Sherlock fan. For his second book, “The Great Detective: The Amazing Rise and Immortal Life of Sherlock Holmes,” Dundas set out to ask: what is it about this brainy, unlikely hero that continues to capture our imagination.