Arsène Lupin Versus Herlock Sholmes (1908) is a playful and inventive detective novel by Maurice Leblanc, featuring the famous gentleman thief Arsène Lupin in a battle of wits against a parody of Sherlock Holmes—named “Herlock Sholmes” due to legal restrictions. This entertaining duel spans two interconnected stories: “The Blond Lady” and “The Jewish Lamp.” As Sholmes travels to France to stop Lupin’s audacious crimes, the reader is treated to a clash between British logic and French flair. Leblanc subverts traditional detective fiction by making Lupin the protagonist and often outsmarting his rival, turning the genre on its head. Full of clever twists, humor, and stylish escapades, this novel showcases the charm and brilliance that define the Lupin series. It’s both a satire and a thrilling crime caper that continues to delight fans of classic mystery fiction.
