The mastermind

Number of pages: 359 Year of publication: 2017 Publisher: Dar Kalemat for Publishing and Distribution - Kuwait When I was little, my father used to read us Sherlock Holmes stories before sleeping. And while my brother took the opportunity to fall asleep immediately in his corner on the bed, the rest of us listened to my father with interest. I remember the large leather sofa on which my father sat, holding the book in front of him with one arm, while the dancing flames emanating from the stove reflected on his black-rimmed glasses. I also remember the rise and fall of his voice whenever the suspense intensified, surpassing the point of breaking. And finally, the logical solution comes after a long wait, so I nod my head—just like Dr. Watson—and think, "Of course, the whole thing and what he is saying now is very simple." I also remember the smell of the pipe my father smoked from time to time, a mixture of earthy and fruity scents, which seeped into the crevices of the leather sofa. Naturally, his pipe was always slightly bent, just like Holmes' pipe. I also remember the way my father closed the book after finishing reading, where its thick pages stuck together between its crimson covers when my father said, "That's enough for tonight." Despite how much we begged him and the sadness on our faces, we ultimately gave in and went up to our bed on the upper floor.