TobaccomillionaireJohnVincentHardenhasbarelyarrivedinLondonwhenstrangethingsstarthappeningtohim.TheclerkathishotelswearsthatHardenhascheckedoutandtakenhisluggagewithhim.ThenHardenreceivesawirecallinghimhometohisplantationinKentucky-whichitturnsoutwasneversent.Finally,whenafour-wheeledcabalmostrunsovertheAmerican,HardenknowsitistimetoturntoSherlockHolmesforhelp.WhoisbehindthispeculiarpersecutionofJohnVincentHarden?Holmessolvesthepuzzletoolate,learningintheprocessthatindeed&quote;onemaysmile,andsmile,andbeavillain.&quote;PraiseforThePeculiarPersecutionofJohnVincentHarden:ThisstoryoriginallyappearedinBakerStreetBeat:AnEclecticCollecitonofSherlockianScribblings,whereitdrewtheattentionofcriticsasoneofthehighlightsofthebook:&quote;Ifyoudon'treadanyotherHolmespastichethisyear,please,pleasereadtheshortstoryThePeculiarPersecutionofJohnVincentHardenwhichhastobetheclosestintoneandcontenttoaHolmesworkthatIhavereadinalongtime.&quote;-FeliciaCarparelli'sSherlockHolmesMurderBlog&quote;OneofthebestshortpastichesthatIhaveread.&quote;-RossK.Foad,&quote;NoPlaceLikeHolmes&quote;reviews