 One of the book's recurring themes is how Doyle is constantly hounded by Holmes fans, demanding to know how he could have killed off Holmes, and whether he will bring him back in a future book.This is Frost's jab at his being hounded by "Twin Peaks" fans during his book tour for "The List of Seven".The character Major Rolando Pepperman is derived from Conan Doyle's American tour manager, Major J.B. Pond.