Having been devoted to all things werewolvish when I was a kid, I decided to take a wander through the wonderful world of Sherlock werewolf AU fan fiction.
One thing I found interesting was that the quality of writing in this particular genre is much more unbalanced than in any other I have read so far.
The thing that really annoyed me was the number of writers who referred to wolves as canines. The correct description is lupine. Wolves are of the genus Canis Lupus. Dogs are Canis Familiaris. Yes, they had a common ancestor, but are now two distinctly different species with different behavioral patterns. Unless Sherlock and John are going to be werepoodles, then please don’t refer to them as canines.
Then there are the writers who turn werewolves into domesticated pets. My mind palace just isn’t able to cope with the image of werewolf Sherlock chasing balls around Regents Park and being taken for walkies by John! No, just NO! Sherlock Holmes, consulting German Shepherd just doesn’t cut it in my book.
There is Johnlock werewolf fiction. Of course there is. The same problem applies as with the dragon AUs (https://margysmusings.wordpress.com/2014/02/13/here-be-dragons-sherlock-dragon-au-fan-fiction/) – overtones of bestiality. Unfortunately, it is much worse with the werewolf genre than the dragon one. Some writers seem to delight in Sherlock in werewolf form screwing John into the ground. Cease and desist! That particular act is illegal in damn near every country in the world. I can cope with Sherlock and John in human form having sex, I can cope with the same thing when they are both in wolf form, but one in wolf form and one human has me frantically hunting for a bucket! I am sorry, but that is just so wrong on so many different levels.
I have managed to find some truly excellent Sherlock werewolf fan fiction. Fiction where the writers know the werewolf mythos, and/or are familiar with wolf pack behaviour. Those stories are true gems and I have even downloaded some of them for my kindle. Well written and interesting. I draw your attention to two stories on AO3 – “Fighting Instinct” and “Show Me How to Stop Running”. Both have been well researched and it shows in the attention to detail. They are both Johnlock stories, so if you don’t like, then don’t read.
Not sure where my Sherlock AU adventures are going to take me next. If you have any suggestions I am keen to hear them.
margysmusings 
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