An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
The Silence Between the Notes, by J_Baillier
Presently, the great J.Baillier Is completing several works. As she's noted that she'll be winding down her illustrious career writing Sherlock and Johnlock fic (truly one of the greats in an incredibly gifted fandom) I wanted to take a moment to comment on one I've been following with keen anticipation: The Silence Between the Notes.
It is set in Vienna 1833, and follows the curious career of a British soldier sent by a commanding, well-to-do brother, to watch after (and spy on, let's be frank) a talented but rather ne'er do well musician, in the person of Sherlock Holmes modeled after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
John is the soldier of course, and Mycroft the brother. John and Sherlock's early days together in this story remind me of the dynamic between Watson and Holmes in A Study in Scarlet: Sherlock has his business he is intent upon, and John is curious - both professionally since he'd been sent with a job to do, and personally, as Sherlock appeals to him in all ways - mind body and spirit - as Holmes does to Watson in all their incarnations.
Reading the story is a joy. J's usual deft prose brings to life the city and the times. The fashion, the food (!!!), the oddness of court life, of society, the clashes between John's expectations as an Englishman and the alienness of Austrian culture. Which he grows to like and accept over time as his pastry-fed tastebuds and satin coat stand testament to. And Sherlock's emotional funk which prompted Mycroft's concern and intervention, lead to a glorious revelation that combine historical figures of note, romantic longings and musical genius that transcends time and place to heal hearts and free souls.
So, I recommend this heartily. And all else J does and has done, of course. For those new, or seeking to re-read or complete your reading of J's broad and deep and admirable set of works, there is a fantastic map here:
A Guide to the Sherlock Fanfiction of J. Baillier
And J's work and other discussion can be found here:
The Head Office of J. Baillier