The year 1965 saw the release of two notable young adult biographies exploring the life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. One was penned by A.A. Hoehling, while the other, by James P. Wood, intriguingly titled The Man Who Hated Sherlock Holmes: A Life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, was crafted to pique the curiosity of potential readers. Despite Wood’s provocative title, critics leaned toward Hoehling’s work, praising it for its comprehensiveness and depth. Best Sellers lauded her prose as “lively and entertaining,” and C. E. Kilpatrick of Library Journal commended her portrayal of Doyle as an “excitingly whole portrait of Conan Doyle as man and writer.”

Hoehling offers a vivid introduction to Doyle for young readers, painting him as an attractive, energetic, and brave figure, marked by tenacity, imagination, and occasional impulsiveness. Her depiction mirrors the qualities often attributed to Doyle’s most famous creation, Sherlock Holmes. Doyle's love for travel was matched by his deep loyalty to his country, characteristics that made him as fascinating as the fictional detective he conceived.

Even today, Doyle, much like his numerous fictional characters, continues to capture the imagination and admiration of readers worldwide. Hoehling’s biography emphasizes a sentiment that resonates with generations of Doyle’s fans: “for those who love him, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle will never die.” Her work balances the imaginative use of fictional dialogue with a clear sense of historical progression, backed by a carefully curated bibliography and a detailed index. This blend of creative narrative and scholarly rigor makes The Real Sherlock Holmes a compelling study, engaging readers with its strong and consistently captivating prose.