A PROLIFIC Sherlock Holmes writer from Lyme Regis has penned his 16th book.

David Ruffle has returned to familiar territory following his last book, A Twist of Lyme.

Two years ago, Mr Ruffle switched genre as A Twist of Lyme focused on a family of four, called the Hamiltons, who had moved from London to Lyme Regis and takes a comedic look at how they adapt to living on the Dorset coast, compared to the capital.

His new work, The Gondolier and The Russian Countess, was released on Thursday.

His new story is a Sherlock Holmes tale, set in Venice in the early 20th century.

Mr Ruffle decided to write the novella after he received positive online feedback for a “bizarre” Holmes tale he wrote involving Laurel and Hardy.

Mr Ruffle said: “The Gondolier and The Russian Countess is a Sherlock Holmes tale set in Venice during 1902 and involves amorous women, Ukrainian bruisers and the odd Tintoretto or two.

“The title came from a rather bizarre piece I wrote a few years ago where Holmes and Watson meet Laurel and Hardy.

“In that short piece I had Watson attempting to write up the story of the Gondolier and The Russian Countess.

“ After I published it on a Holmes website, it was suggested to me that I write a story utilising that title. The Stan and Ollie piece is included in the new book.”

The author was born in Northamptonshire, but moved to Lyme Regis in July 2004.

In June, one of Mr Ruffle’s short stories will be featured in a new Sherlock Holmes anthology ‘Beyond Watson’ which is the first in a series of collections by American publisher Derrick Belanger.

The Gondolier and the Russian Countess is being published by MX Publishing and will be available at Serendip in Lyme Regis and the usual book-selling websites including Amazon.

Lyme Regis has an historic past for attracting famous authors. JRR Tolkien and Jane Austen both visited the town, while the famous Cobb was the inspiration for John Fowles’ book, The French Lieutenant’s Woman.

For more information on David Ruffle’s work, please visit storiesfromlymelight.blogspot.com