This isn't related to the post directly but if you really want to learn how someone develops skills like those of the fictionalized Sherlock Holmes you might want to check out this biography of Dr. Joseph Bell (who was the primary inspiration for the character):
http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Joe-Bell-Sherlock-Holmes/dp/0879721...Though it's more biography than instruction manual I found a lot of good insights when I read it.