What do you think?
Rate this book
Sherlock Holmes #4
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
Table of Contents
Silver Blaze
The Cardboard Box
The Yellow Face
The Stockbroker's Clerk
The 'Gloria Scott'
The Musgrave Ritual
The Reigate Squire
The Crooked Man
The Resident Patient
The Greek Interpreter
The Naval Treaty
The Final Problem
Silver Blaze
The Cardboard Box
The Yellow Face
The Stockbroker's Clerk
The 'Gloria Scott'
The Musgrave Ritual
The Reigate Squire
The Crooked Man
The Resident Patient
The Greek Interpreter
The Naval Treaty
The Final Problem
378 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1893
About the author
Arthur Conan Doyle
9,570 books22.6k followersA series of stories, including
The Hound of the Baskervilles
(1902), of known British writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle chiefly features Sherlock Holmes, the brilliant detective.
Mary Foley, an Irish mother, bore Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle, the third of ten siblings, to Charles Altamont Doyle, a talented English illustrator of Irish descent.
Although people now refer to as "Conan Doyle" despite the uncertain origin of this understood compound surname. His baptism record in the registry of cathedral of Saint Mary in Edinburgh gives "Arthur Ignatius Conan" as his Christian name, and simply "Doyle" as his surname. It also names Michael Conan as his godfather.
At the age of nine years in 1868, parents sent Arthur Conan Doyle to Hodder place, the Jesuit preparatory school at Stonyhurst. He then went to Stonyhurst college and left in 1875.
From 1876, he studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh to 1881. This study required that he provide periodic medical assistance in the towns of Aston (now a district of Birmingham) and Sheffield. Arthur Conan Doyle studied and meanwhile began short. He apparently first published in "Chambers's Edinburgh Journal" before 20 years of age in 1879. Following his graduation, the steamship Mayumba employed him as a doctor during a voyage to the African west coast.
Arthur Conan Doyle completed his doctorate on the subject of tabes dorsalis in 1885. In 1885, he married Louisa Hawkins Doyle as "Touie." With this first wife, Arthur Conan Doyle fathered two children: Mary Louise Doyle, born 28 January 1889, and Arthur Alleyne Kingsley Doyle, born 15 November 1892.
Arthur Conan Doyle first met Jean Elizabeth Leckie and fell in 1897. Due to his sense of loyalty, he had maintained a purely platonic relationship with Jean while Louisa Hawkins Doyle, his first wife, lived.
Louisa Hawkins Doyle, his wife, suffered from tuberculosis and died on 4 July 1906. In the following year of 1907, he married Jean Elizabeth Leckie.
With this second wife, he fathered three children: Denis Percy Stewart Doyle, born on 17 March 1909, Adrian Malcolm Doyle, born on 19 November 1910, and Jean Lena Annette Doyle, born on 21 December 1912.
Arthur Alleyne Kingsley Doyle, his son, died on 28 October 1918.
At Undershaw, house, located in Hindhead, south of London, Arthur Conan Doyle lived for a decade; it served from 1924 as a hotel and restaurant for eight decades. It then stood empty while conservationists and fans fight to preserve it.
People found Arthur Conan Doyle, clutching his chest, in the hall of Windlesham, his house in Crowborough, East Sussex. He died of a heart attack. He directed his last words, "You are wonderful," toward his wife. The epitaph on his gravestone in the churchyard at Minstead in the New Forest, Hampshire, reads:
STEEL TRUE
BLADE STRAIGHT
ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
KNIGHT
PATRIOT, PHYSICIAN & MAN OF LETTERS
Jean Elizabeth Leckie Doyle, his widow, died in London on 27 June 1940.
Mary Foley, an Irish mother, bore Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle, the third of ten siblings, to Charles Altamont Doyle, a talented English illustrator of Irish descent.
Although people now refer to as "Conan Doyle" despite the uncertain origin of this understood compound surname. His baptism record in the registry of cathedral of Saint Mary in Edinburgh gives "Arthur Ignatius Conan" as his Christian name, and simply "Doyle" as his surname. It also names Michael Conan as his godfather.
At the age of nine years in 1868, parents sent Arthur Conan Doyle to Hodder place, the Jesuit preparatory school at Stonyhurst. He then went to Stonyhurst college and left in 1875.
From 1876, he studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh to 1881. This study required that he provide periodic medical assistance in the towns of Aston (now a district of Birmingham) and Sheffield. Arthur Conan Doyle studied and meanwhile began short. He apparently first published in "Chambers's Edinburgh Journal" before 20 years of age in 1879. Following his graduation, the steamship Mayumba employed him as a doctor during a voyage to the African west coast.
Arthur Conan Doyle completed his doctorate on the subject of tabes dorsalis in 1885. In 1885, he married Louisa Hawkins Doyle as "Touie." With this first wife, Arthur Conan Doyle fathered two children: Mary Louise Doyle, born 28 January 1889, and Arthur Alleyne Kingsley Doyle, born 15 November 1892.
Arthur Conan Doyle first met Jean Elizabeth Leckie and fell in 1897. Due to his sense of loyalty, he had maintained a purely platonic relationship with Jean while Louisa Hawkins Doyle, his first wife, lived.
Louisa Hawkins Doyle, his wife, suffered from tuberculosis and died on 4 July 1906. In the following year of 1907, he married Jean Elizabeth Leckie.
With this second wife, he fathered three children: Denis Percy Stewart Doyle, born on 17 March 1909, Adrian Malcolm Doyle, born on 19 November 1910, and Jean Lena Annette Doyle, born on 21 December 1912.
Arthur Alleyne Kingsley Doyle, his son, died on 28 October 1918.
At Undershaw, house, located in Hindhead, south of London, Arthur Conan Doyle lived for a decade; it served from 1924 as a hotel and restaurant for eight decades. It then stood empty while conservationists and fans fight to preserve it.
People found Arthur Conan Doyle, clutching his chest, in the hall of Windlesham, his house in Crowborough, East Sussex. He died of a heart attack. He directed his last words, "You are wonderful," toward his wife. The epitaph on his gravestone in the churchyard at Minstead in the New Forest, Hampshire, reads:
STEEL TRUE
BLADE STRAIGHT
ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
KNIGHT
PATRIOT, PHYSICIAN & MAN OF LETTERS
Jean Elizabeth Leckie Doyle, his widow, died in London on 27 June 1940.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,448 reviews
October 2, 2021
(A) 85% | Extraordinary
Notes: Wherein Sherlock Holmes is given backstory and greater dimension, while the stories get darker and more complex.
Notes: Wherein Sherlock Holmes is given backstory and greater dimension, while the stories get darker and more complex.
February 11, 2024
Best SH collection yet.
Another short story collection by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This memoir includes non chronological stories, some happening between #2, #3, #4, and so on. Some even taking place before #1. The second collection also a mixed bag, as always, big surprise, but with some very unique ones. On this volume Sherlock saying his famous “Elementary” catchphrase for the first time. Very interesting to know the origins of Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock’s brother, with outstanding deductive powers even bigger than his. And the introduction of Professor James Moriarty, Sherlock’s biggest archenemy.
Go for the Best, consider the Good, whatever the Meh.
The Best :
★★★★★ “The Final Problem.”
★★★★★ “The Yellow Face.”
★★★★★ “The Greek Interpreter.” [4.5]
★★★★★ “The Musgrave Ritual.” [4.5]
★★★★☆ “The 'Gloria Scott'.”
The Good :
★★★☆☆ “The Crooked Man.” [3.5]
★★★☆☆ “The Reigate Squire.”
★★★☆☆ “The Resident Patient.”
The Meh :
★★☆☆☆ “The Cardboard Box.” [2.5]
★★☆☆☆ “Silver Blaze.”
★★☆☆☆ “The Naval Treaty.”
★☆☆☆☆ “The Stockbroker's Clerk.”
Still remaining, the BBC series.
It’s public domain, you can find it HERE.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1893] [378p] [Collection] [3.5] [Partly Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★☆ 1. A Study in Scarlet [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 2. The Sign of Four [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
★★★★☆ 4. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes [3.5]
★★★★☆ 5. The Hound of the Baskervilles
★★★★☆ 6. The Return of Sherlock Holmes
★★★☆☆ 7. The Valley of Fear
★★★★☆ 8. His Last Bow [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 9. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 10. The Complete Sherlock Holmes
-----------------------------------------------
La mejor colección de SH hasta ahora.
Otra colección de cuentos cortos por Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Esta memoria incluye historias no cronológicas, algunas sucediendo entre #2, #3, #4, y así. Algunas incluso tomando lugar antes de #1. La segunda colección también una bolsa mixta, gran sorpresa, pero con algunas muy únicas. En este volumen Sherlock diciendo su famosa frase “Elemental” por primera vez. Muy interesante conocer los orígenes de Mycroft Holmes, el hermano de Sherlock, con sobresalientes poderes deductivos incluso mayores que los de él. Y la introducción del Profesor James Moriarty, el archienemigo más grande de Sherlock.
Ir por lo Mejor, considerar lo Bueno, loquesea lo Meh.
Lo Mejor :
★★★★★ "El Problema Final."
★★★★★ "El Rostro Amarillo."
★★★★★ "El Intérprete Griego." [4.5]
★★★★★ "El Ritual de Musgrave." [4.5]
★★★★☆ "El «Gloria Scott»."
Lo Bueno :
★★★☆☆ "El Hombre Encorvado." [3.5]
★★★☆☆ "Los Hacendados de Reigate."
★★★☆☆ "El Paciente Residente."
Lo Meh :
★★☆☆☆ "La Caja de Cartón." [2.5]
★★☆☆☆ "Estrella de Plata."
★★☆☆☆ "El Tratado Naval."
★☆☆☆☆ "El Oficinista del Corredor de Bolsa."
Queda pendiente, la serie de BBC.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1893] [378p] [Colección] [3.5] [Parcialmente Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
Another short story collection by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This memoir includes non chronological stories, some happening between #2, #3, #4, and so on. Some even taking place before #1. The second collection also a mixed bag, as always, big surprise, but with some very unique ones. On this volume Sherlock saying his famous “Elementary” catchphrase for the first time. Very interesting to know the origins of Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock’s brother, with outstanding deductive powers even bigger than his. And the introduction of Professor James Moriarty, Sherlock’s biggest archenemy.
Go for the Best, consider the Good, whatever the Meh.
The Best :
★★★★★ “The Final Problem.”
★★★★★ “The Yellow Face.”
★★★★★ “The Greek Interpreter.” [4.5]
★★★★★ “The Musgrave Ritual.” [4.5]
★★★★☆ “The 'Gloria Scott'.”
The Good :
★★★☆☆ “The Crooked Man.” [3.5]
★★★☆☆ “The Reigate Squire.”
★★★☆☆ “The Resident Patient.”
The Meh :
★★☆☆☆ “The Cardboard Box.” [2.5]
★★☆☆☆ “Silver Blaze.”
★★☆☆☆ “The Naval Treaty.”
★☆☆☆☆ “The Stockbroker's Clerk.”
Still remaining, the BBC series.
It’s public domain, you can find it HERE.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1893] [378p] [Collection] [3.5] [Partly Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★☆ 1. A Study in Scarlet [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 2. The Sign of Four [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
★★★★☆ 4. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes [3.5]
★★★★☆ 5. The Hound of the Baskervilles
★★★★☆ 6. The Return of Sherlock Holmes
★★★☆☆ 7. The Valley of Fear
★★★★☆ 8. His Last Bow [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 9. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 10. The Complete Sherlock Holmes
-----------------------------------------------
La mejor colección de SH hasta ahora.
Otra colección de cuentos cortos por Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Esta memoria incluye historias no cronológicas, algunas sucediendo entre #2, #3, #4, y así. Algunas incluso tomando lugar antes de #1. La segunda colección también una bolsa mixta, gran sorpresa, pero con algunas muy únicas. En este volumen Sherlock diciendo su famosa frase “Elemental” por primera vez. Muy interesante conocer los orígenes de Mycroft Holmes, el hermano de Sherlock, con sobresalientes poderes deductivos incluso mayores que los de él. Y la introducción del Profesor James Moriarty, el archienemigo más grande de Sherlock.
Ir por lo Mejor, considerar lo Bueno, loquesea lo Meh.
Lo Mejor :
★★★★★ "El Problema Final."
★★★★★ "El Rostro Amarillo."
★★★★★ "El Intérprete Griego." [4.5]
★★★★★ "El Ritual de Musgrave." [4.5]
★★★★☆ "El «Gloria Scott»."
Lo Bueno :
★★★☆☆ "El Hombre Encorvado." [3.5]
★★★☆☆ "Los Hacendados de Reigate."
★★★☆☆ "El Paciente Residente."
Lo Meh :
★★☆☆☆ "La Caja de Cartón." [2.5]
★★☆☆☆ "Estrella de Plata."
★★☆☆☆ "El Tratado Naval."
★☆☆☆☆ "El Oficinista del Corredor de Bolsa."
Queda pendiente, la serie de BBC.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1893] [378p] [Colección] [3.5] [Parcialmente Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
April 2, 2022
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes, #4), Arthur Conan Doyle
Silver Blaze
The Adventure of the Yellow Face
The Adventure of the Stockbroker's Clerk
The Adventure of the "Gloria Scott"
The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual
The Adventure of the Reigate Squires
The Adventure of the Crooked Man
The Adventure of the Resident Patient
The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter
The Adventure of the Navel Treaty
The Final Problem
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: به زبان انگلیسی: روز بیست و نهم ماه آوریل سال1994میلادی؛ تاریخ نخستین خوانش به فارسی: سال2003میلادی
عنوان: ماجراهای شرلوک هولمز، کارآگاه خصوصی؛ جلد دوم: برق نقره ای؛ نویسنده: آرتور کانن دویل؛ مترجم: کریم امامی؛ تهران، طرح نو، سال1372، در231ص؛ چاپ دوم سال1381؛ شابک چاپ سوم سال9789647134699؛ چاپ چهارم سال1389؛ موضوع: داستانهای کارآگاهی از نویسندگان بریتانیا - سده19م
عنوان: خاطرات شرلوک هولمز: شعله نقره ای؛ نویسند: آرتور کانن دویل؛ مترجم: پریسا لبیب؛ تهران، ویهان، سال1398؛ در64ص؛ شابک9786226591096؛
این داستانها مجموعه ای چهار جلدی با ترجمه ی جناب «کریم امامی»، و با عنوانهای: «سیمای زرد و پنج داستان دیگر»؛ «برق نقره ای و پنج داستان دیگر»، «عینک دور طلایی و پنج داستان دیگر»؛ «رسوایی در کشور بوهم و پنج داستان دیگر»؛ بارها چاپ شده است
فهرست داستانهای جلد دوم از مجموعه ی چهار جلدی: «7- انگشت شست مهندس»؛ «8- اشرافزاده مجرد»؛ «9- نیم تاج یاقوت»؛ «10- آلشهای سرخ»؛ «11- برق نقره ای»؛ «12- ماجرای کشتی (گلوریا اسکات )»؛
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 21/01/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ 12/01/1401هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
Silver Blaze
The Adventure of the Yellow Face
The Adventure of the Stockbroker's Clerk
The Adventure of the "Gloria Scott"
The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual
The Adventure of the Reigate Squires
The Adventure of the Crooked Man
The Adventure of the Resident Patient
The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter
The Adventure of the Navel Treaty
The Final Problem
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: به زبان انگلیسی: روز بیست و نهم ماه آوریل سال1994میلادی؛ تاریخ نخستین خوانش به فارسی: سال2003میلادی
عنوان: ماجراهای شرلوک هولمز، کارآگاه خصوصی؛ جلد دوم: برق نقره ای؛ نویسنده: آرتور کانن دویل؛ مترجم: کریم امامی؛ تهران، طرح نو، سال1372، در231ص؛ چاپ دوم سال1381؛ شابک چاپ سوم سال9789647134699؛ چاپ چهارم سال1389؛ موضوع: داستانهای کارآگاهی از نویسندگان بریتانیا - سده19م
عنوان: خاطرات شرلوک هولمز: شعله نقره ای؛ نویسند: آرتور کانن دویل؛ مترجم: پریسا لبیب؛ تهران، ویهان، سال1398؛ در64ص؛ شابک9786226591096؛
این داستانها مجموعه ای چهار جلدی با ترجمه ی جناب «کریم امامی»، و با عنوانهای: «سیمای زرد و پنج داستان دیگر»؛ «برق نقره ای و پنج داستان دیگر»، «عینک دور طلایی و پنج داستان دیگر»؛ «رسوایی در کشور بوهم و پنج داستان دیگر»؛ بارها چاپ شده است
فهرست داستانهای جلد دوم از مجموعه ی چهار جلدی: «7- انگشت شست مهندس»؛ «8- اشرافزاده مجرد»؛ «9- نیم تاج یاقوت»؛ «10- آلشهای سرخ»؛ «11- برق نقره ای»؛ «12- ماجرای کشتی (گلوریا اسکات )»؛
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 21/01/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ 12/01/1401هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
January 26, 2021
2nd Read here on GR October 2020
So this is my second read here on GR. And this is for The English Mysteries Group, group read of all Sherlock Holmes Novels and short stories , run by me.
So as with "Adventures" I will detail every short story as I read them
Silver Blaze
Holmes delays going down to Devon, expecting the theft of the race winning horse and the murder of its trainer to be solved quickly, however eventually he relents and gets a "Eureka" moment at the mutton curry !
Cardboard Box
Holmes is called in by Lestrade to what is originally thought of as a joke, a lady receives a box in the post. Holmes believes its more serious and using modern techniques (for the time) arrives at the solution.
Yellow Face
Holmes is called in by a worried husband, who is confused and concerned by his wife's change in behaviour. She visits a neighbouring cottage at all hours of the day and night. Holmes analysing the evidence arrives at for once an incorrect solution, and tells Watsonto remind him "Norbury" should he ever get above himself.
Stockbroker's Clerk
Holmes visits Watson in his practice, and asks him to accompany him to Birmingham to investigate the strange story of a stockbroker's clerk who had been offered an inordinate amount of money to start a new job for an unknown company , whilst giving up a guaranteed job in London.
Gloria Scott
Sherlock allows John Watson to look through some of his old cases on a cold Winters night in Baker Street. Sherlock is invited to the home of one of his fellow students for a Summer break, where his friends father , a JP, is visited by an old sailor.
Musgrave Ritual
Another old case sees Sherlock staying with another fellow student who has inherited his father's old mansion and the mantle of the leader of the ancient family of Musgrave. He contacts Sherlock as his butler is behaving strangely.
Reigate Squire
After enormous exertions in Europe, Holmes is persuaded by Watson to rest at Watson's acquaintance in Reigate, Surrey. Local burglaries do not initially interest Holmes who has been told to rest, until a murder takes place at yet another burglary.
Crooked Man
A wonderful story in which Holmes is called in to what appears to be a simple murder as a result of a family dispute, but where is the key of the locked door ?
Resident Patient
A fellow doctor is at his wits end when he visits Watson and Holmes. His resident patient who is his benefactor is up in arms over his rooms being invaded by persons unknown.
Greek Interpreter
One of my favourite Holmes short stories, in which we are introduced for the first time to a member of Holmes' family. The amazing Mycroft who spends most of his time at the Diogenes club, when not auditing Government departments. Mycroft has a Greek neighbour who has an interesting tale, call for Sherlock.
Naval Treaty
Again a wonderful story, extra long, that showcases Holmes deductive talent. An old school friend of Watson is now an important albeit junior member of the Government responsible for copying important International treaties. Calamity strikes and his office is burgled, he succumbs to an attack of brain fever and it is some weeks before he is well enough to contact his friend John Watson and his colleague Sherlock Holmes to help save his career and honour.
Final Problem
And here we are in February 2021 (well almost) and this is our group read for the month. A wonderful short story that emphasises both Holmes special qualities and Watson's love for his friend.
Initial Read here on GR in October 2018
This is just a wonderful , to me, walk down memory lane, re-living and re-experiencing some of the most iconic Holmes stories ever written by "Sir Arth".
This book contains such gems as "The Musgrave Ritual", "Silver Blaze", "The Resident Patient", "The (fabulous) Greek Interpreter" - πολι καλά and of course the amazing, emotional, fatal "The Final Problem".
The Final Problem, what can one say, I almost had tears in my eyes as ,
So very soon I shall have commence the "Return of Sherlock Holmes".
So this is my second read here on GR. And this is for The English Mysteries Group, group read of all Sherlock Holmes Novels and short stories , run by me.
So as with "Adventures" I will detail every short story as I read them
Silver Blaze
Holmes delays going down to Devon, expecting the theft of the race winning horse and the murder of its trainer to be solved quickly, however eventually he relents and gets a "Eureka" moment at the mutton curry !
Cardboard Box
Holmes is called in by Lestrade to what is originally thought of as a joke, a lady receives a box in the post. Holmes believes its more serious and using modern techniques (for the time) arrives at the solution.
Yellow Face
Holmes is called in by a worried husband, who is confused and concerned by his wife's change in behaviour. She visits a neighbouring cottage at all hours of the day and night. Holmes analysing the evidence arrives at for once an incorrect solution, and tells Watsonto remind him "Norbury" should he ever get above himself.
Stockbroker's Clerk
Holmes visits Watson in his practice, and asks him to accompany him to Birmingham to investigate the strange story of a stockbroker's clerk who had been offered an inordinate amount of money to start a new job for an unknown company , whilst giving up a guaranteed job in London.
Gloria Scott
Sherlock allows John Watson to look through some of his old cases on a cold Winters night in Baker Street. Sherlock is invited to the home of one of his fellow students for a Summer break, where his friends father , a JP, is visited by an old sailor.
Musgrave Ritual
Another old case sees Sherlock staying with another fellow student who has inherited his father's old mansion and the mantle of the leader of the ancient family of Musgrave. He contacts Sherlock as his butler is behaving strangely.
Reigate Squire
After enormous exertions in Europe, Holmes is persuaded by Watson to rest at Watson's acquaintance in Reigate, Surrey. Local burglaries do not initially interest Holmes who has been told to rest, until a murder takes place at yet another burglary.
Crooked Man
A wonderful story in which Holmes is called in to what appears to be a simple murder as a result of a family dispute, but where is the key of the locked door ?
Resident Patient
A fellow doctor is at his wits end when he visits Watson and Holmes. His resident patient who is his benefactor is up in arms over his rooms being invaded by persons unknown.
Greek Interpreter
One of my favourite Holmes short stories, in which we are introduced for the first time to a member of Holmes' family. The amazing Mycroft who spends most of his time at the Diogenes club, when not auditing Government departments. Mycroft has a Greek neighbour who has an interesting tale, call for Sherlock.
Naval Treaty
Again a wonderful story, extra long, that showcases Holmes deductive talent. An old school friend of Watson is now an important albeit junior member of the Government responsible for copying important International treaties. Calamity strikes and his office is burgled, he succumbs to an attack of brain fever and it is some weeks before he is well enough to contact his friend John Watson and his colleague Sherlock Holmes to help save his career and honour.
Final Problem
And here we are in February 2021 (well almost) and this is our group read for the month. A wonderful short story that emphasises both Holmes special qualities and Watson's love for his friend.
Initial Read here on GR in October 2018
This is just a wonderful , to me, walk down memory lane, re-living and re-experiencing some of the most iconic Holmes stories ever written by "Sir Arth".
This book contains such gems as "The Musgrave Ritual", "Silver Blaze", "The Resident Patient", "The (fabulous) Greek Interpreter" - πολι καλά and of course the amazing, emotional, fatal "The Final Problem".
The Final Problem, what can one say, I almost had tears in my eyes as ,
So very soon I shall have commence the "Return of Sherlock Holmes".
August 1, 2020
I enjoyed this short story collection, but I refuse to rate it higher than ‘okay’ because it must be penalised for the one incredibly racist short story included in the collection. My jaw actually dropped while listening to that one, which is a phenomenon in itself as I’m not very expressive when reading/listening to books. There were also some fatphobic descriptions which were simply awful. I want to start with emphasising those things.
That aside, most of the mysteries in this one were pretty good. I felt like they did a good job of showing Sherlock as human. We get to see some cases that baffled him, and others where he had to put himself at risk in order to solve the crime. But don’t get it twisted – we definitely get to see him as the genius he is more often than not. We get to meet Mycroft and seeing Sherlock interact with him humanised him more than any of the other novels and collections have. I also really liked seeing him and Watson work together when solving cases. It was bittersweet to see their friendship change and morph over time, and then everything that happened at the end of the collection.
Overall, not a bad short story collection but the racism and fatphobia really did detract from my full enjoyment.
This review and others can originally be found on Olivia's Catastrophe: https://oliviascatastrophe.com/2020/0...
That aside, most of the mysteries in this one were pretty good. I felt like they did a good job of showing Sherlock as human. We get to see some cases that baffled him, and others where he had to put himself at risk in order to solve the crime. But don’t get it twisted – we definitely get to see him as the genius he is more often than not. We get to meet Mycroft and seeing Sherlock interact with him humanised him more than any of the other novels and collections have. I also really liked seeing him and Watson work together when solving cases. It was bittersweet to see their friendship change and morph over time, and then everything that happened at the end of the collection.
Overall, not a bad short story collection but the racism and fatphobia really did detract from my full enjoyment.
This review and others can originally be found on Olivia's Catastrophe: https://oliviascatastrophe.com/2020/0...
January 30, 2022
Note: Jan. 30, 2022: This is another review that was originally written piecemeal, so I've now edited it into a unified whole.
This is Doyle's second collection of canonical Sherlock Holmes stories, containing a dozen tales originally published in The Strand magazine between Dec. 1892 and Nov. 1893. It's included in an omnibus volume of Holmes books that my wife gave me several years ago, The Original Illustrated Sherlock Holmes, which is enhanced by all of the original black-and-white drawings by gifted artist Sidney Paget. All of the stories embody the characteristic features of the author's Holmes fiction: challenging intellectual puzzles that present opportunities for pure deductive reasoning, a satisfying period ambiance, human drama (sometimes with exotic features), and the comfortable Holmes-Watson interaction. (I won't comment on all of them individually.)
I'd already read four of the stories elsewhere before starting this book. These are: "The Adventure of the Stockbroker's Clerk," which is included in Great English Short Stories though I didn't comment on it in detail in my review of that anthology (and which is actually difficult to comment on without a spoiler); "The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual," the antiquarian flavor of which, built around a strange centuries-old family tradition, make it one of my favorites in the Holmes corpus; "The Adventure of the Cardboard Box," in which the titular box, mailed to a respectable and demure middle-aged spinster, draws the reader in immediately with its grisly contents: two severed human ears; and "The Adventure of the Final Problem." The latter story is the only one Doyle wrote in which Prof. Moriarty actually appears (he's alluded to in The Valley of Fear). As well-read Holmes fans already know, it's also very pivotal in the history of the Holmes canon --but no spoilers here! :-)
"The Adventure of the Yellow Face" was my favorite here; it's also a rare Holmes tale in which the great detective's theory of the case proves to be wrong (that's no spoiler, since Watson tells us so in the first paragraph). "The Adventure of Silver Blaze" involves the disappearance of a race horse favored to win a major race; and though many Holmes stories don't involve murder, this case is one that comes with a corpse. I did not figure out the solution --though of course it seems pretty obvious once Holmes explains it!-- and the racing milieu might appeal to Dick Francis fans (I haven't read any of his work myself, but my wife has). In "The Adventure of the 'Gloria Scott'" Doyle looks back into Sherlock's college days, to recount his first brush with the world of crime. Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock's more observant and analytical brother, is introduced in "The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter" (in the original canon, I believe he only appears here and in one other story). Finally, "The Adventure of the Naval Treaty" is one of a few Holmes cases that involve high stakes for British national interests.
With critics who disparage "genre fiction" (as if general or "mainstream" fiction wasn't a genre of its own!), it's axiomatic that mysteries, for instance, don't address serious philosophical issues. Of course, mystery readers know that bringing characters face to face with issues of good and evil, crime and punishment, extremes of human moral behavior with serious stakes, is uniquely apt to suggest questions about right and wrong, meaning and purpose in the universe, and theodicy (to say nothing of social and psychological questions). True, Holmes doesn't often wax explicitly philosophical. And when he does, he's more apt to prompt readers to ask themselves the questions rather than to pose answers. But the former is something that the best of serious fiction does. I'll close with a couple of quotes:
"What object is served by this cycle of misery and violence and fear? It must tend to some end, or else our universe is ruled by chance, which is unthinkable. But what end? There is the great standing perennial problem to which human reason is as far from an answer as ever."
"There is nothing in which deduction is so necessary as in religion.... Our highest assurance of the goodness of Providence seems to me to rest in the flowers. All other things, our powers, our desires, our food, are really necessary for our existence. But this rose is an extra. Its smell and its colour are an embellishment of life, not a condition of it. It is only goodness which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers."
This is Doyle's second collection of canonical Sherlock Holmes stories, containing a dozen tales originally published in The Strand magazine between Dec. 1892 and Nov. 1893. It's included in an omnibus volume of Holmes books that my wife gave me several years ago, The Original Illustrated Sherlock Holmes, which is enhanced by all of the original black-and-white drawings by gifted artist Sidney Paget. All of the stories embody the characteristic features of the author's Holmes fiction: challenging intellectual puzzles that present opportunities for pure deductive reasoning, a satisfying period ambiance, human drama (sometimes with exotic features), and the comfortable Holmes-Watson interaction. (I won't comment on all of them individually.)
I'd already read four of the stories elsewhere before starting this book. These are: "The Adventure of the Stockbroker's Clerk," which is included in Great English Short Stories though I didn't comment on it in detail in my review of that anthology (and which is actually difficult to comment on without a spoiler); "The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual," the antiquarian flavor of which, built around a strange centuries-old family tradition, make it one of my favorites in the Holmes corpus; "The Adventure of the Cardboard Box," in which the titular box, mailed to a respectable and demure middle-aged spinster, draws the reader in immediately with its grisly contents: two severed human ears; and "The Adventure of the Final Problem." The latter story is the only one Doyle wrote in which Prof. Moriarty actually appears (he's alluded to in The Valley of Fear). As well-read Holmes fans already know, it's also very pivotal in the history of the Holmes canon --but no spoilers here! :-)
"The Adventure of the Yellow Face" was my favorite here; it's also a rare Holmes tale in which the great detective's theory of the case proves to be wrong (that's no spoiler, since Watson tells us so in the first paragraph). "The Adventure of Silver Blaze" involves the disappearance of a race horse favored to win a major race; and though many Holmes stories don't involve murder, this case is one that comes with a corpse. I did not figure out the solution --though of course it seems pretty obvious once Holmes explains it!-- and the racing milieu might appeal to Dick Francis fans (I haven't read any of his work myself, but my wife has). In "The Adventure of the 'Gloria Scott'" Doyle looks back into Sherlock's college days, to recount his first brush with the world of crime. Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock's more observant and analytical brother, is introduced in "The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter" (in the original canon, I believe he only appears here and in one other story). Finally, "The Adventure of the Naval Treaty" is one of a few Holmes cases that involve high stakes for British national interests.
With critics who disparage "genre fiction" (as if general or "mainstream" fiction wasn't a genre of its own!), it's axiomatic that mysteries, for instance, don't address serious philosophical issues. Of course, mystery readers know that bringing characters face to face with issues of good and evil, crime and punishment, extremes of human moral behavior with serious stakes, is uniquely apt to suggest questions about right and wrong, meaning and purpose in the universe, and theodicy (to say nothing of social and psychological questions). True, Holmes doesn't often wax explicitly philosophical. And when he does, he's more apt to prompt readers to ask themselves the questions rather than to pose answers. But the former is something that the best of serious fiction does. I'll close with a couple of quotes:
"What object is served by this cycle of misery and violence and fear? It must tend to some end, or else our universe is ruled by chance, which is unthinkable. But what end? There is the great standing perennial problem to which human reason is as far from an answer as ever."
"There is nothing in which deduction is so necessary as in religion.... Our highest assurance of the goodness of Providence seems to me to rest in the flowers. All other things, our powers, our desires, our food, are really necessary for our existence. But this rose is an extra. Its smell and its colour are an embellishment of life, not a condition of it. It is only goodness which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers."
March 27, 2023
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes presents a collection of cases of our ingenious detective, Sherlock Holmes, chronicled by his ever loyal friend and at times assistant, Dr. Watson. This consists of eleven cases where Sherlock Holmes's ingenuity is skillfully demonstrated. According to my enjoyment of the cases, the ratings ranged between 3 to 5 stars (except one which for some unfortunate reason I didn't enjoy much) : The Silver Blaze *****, The Naval Treaty *****, The Final Problem *****, The Musgrave Ritual****, The Raigate Puzzle ****, The Greek Interpreter ****, The Yellow Face ****, The Crooked Man ***, The Stockbroker's Clerk ***, The Resident Patient*** and Gloria Scott **.
This collection of cases too, like all others I've read thus far, shows Holmes's extraordinary analytical skill, power of observation and his exceptional ability to disguise himself. In all these capacities, Sherlock Holmes never ceases to surprise us. Though he is fictional, I have always admired and respected this extraordinary man as if he was a real living being. :) However, this particular set of cases drew me very close to Sherlock. Perhaps I even fell in love with him for when his end came (which not in my wildest dreams I thought possible for he was immortal to me), I cried like a child!
P.S. A day is gone by, but I still can't believe what I read. He cannot really die, can he? God help me! I need time to recover.
This collection of cases too, like all others I've read thus far, shows Holmes's extraordinary analytical skill, power of observation and his exceptional ability to disguise himself. In all these capacities, Sherlock Holmes never ceases to surprise us. Though he is fictional, I have always admired and respected this extraordinary man as if he was a real living being. :) However, this particular set of cases drew me very close to Sherlock. Perhaps I even fell in love with him for when his end came (which not in my wildest dreams I thought possible for he was immortal to me), I cried like a child!
P.S. A day is gone by, but I still can't believe what I read. He cannot really die, can he? God help me! I need time to recover.
October 18, 2022
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes was the fourth in the series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with much of this book narrated by his friend, Dr. Watson. And in his own words:
This certainly was my favorite of the series so far as we got a much different and richer perspective of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his friendship with Dr. Watson. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes was a masterpiece in its eleven short stories as we are dazzled by his skills in deductive reasoning. My favorites included, 'Silver Blaze,' 'The Yellow Face,' 'The Stockbroker's Clerk,' 'The Resident Patient,' and 'The Final Problem." These stories were more complex in the invesigative skills and deductive reasoning required as they also took on a much darker and ominous tone. We come to meet Sherlock Holmes brother, and of course, his nemesis, Professor Moriarty, 'The Napolean of Crime.' I will continue to read the series as I am hooked. This is why the writing of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has stood the test of time and has endured as a favorite classic.
"In choosing a few typical cases which illustrate the remarkable mental qualities of my friend, Sherlock Holmes, I have endeavored, as far as possible, to select those which presented the minimum of sensationalism, while offering a fair field for his talents. It is, however, unfortunately impossible to entirely separate the sensational from the criminal, and a chronicler is left in the dilemma that he must either sacrifice details which are essential to his statement, and so give a false impression of the problem, or he must use matter which chance, and not choice, has provided him with."
"The small matter which I have chronicled under the heading 'A Study in Scarlet,' and that other later one connected with the loss of the Gloria Scott, may serve as examples of this Scylla and Charybdis which are for ever threatening his historian. It may be that, in the business of which I am about to write, the part which my friend played is not sufficiently accentuated; and yet the whole train of circumstances is so remarkable that I cannot bring myself to omit it entirely from this series."
This certainly was my favorite of the series so far as we got a much different and richer perspective of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his friendship with Dr. Watson. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes was a masterpiece in its eleven short stories as we are dazzled by his skills in deductive reasoning. My favorites included, 'Silver Blaze,' 'The Yellow Face,' 'The Stockbroker's Clerk,' 'The Resident Patient,' and 'The Final Problem." These stories were more complex in the invesigative skills and deductive reasoning required as they also took on a much darker and ominous tone. We come to meet Sherlock Holmes brother, and of course, his nemesis, Professor Moriarty, 'The Napolean of Crime.' I will continue to read the series as I am hooked. This is why the writing of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has stood the test of time and has endured as a favorite classic.
March 26, 2023
The second original collection
Review of free Kindle edition
A Public Domain Book
This second collection of Sherlock Holmes stories was published in 1893 but the publication date is sometimes listed as 1894. The 12 stories in this collection appear in the same order as they were published in The Strand Magazine except that the first British edition did not include "The Adventure of the Cardboard Box", though it was in the first U.S. edition. Later U.S. editions also omitted the story. Apparently Conan Doyle requested the omission. I haven't found a conclusive reason for this but it may have been because the plot contains adultery which Conan Doyle may have felt to be unsuitable for children. Which, of course, begs the question of why he wrote and published it that way in the first place. This free Kindle edition has the following stories:
Adventure I. Silver Blaze
Adventure II. The Yellow Face
Adventure III. The Stock-Broker's Clerk
Adventure IV. The "Gloria Scott"
Adventure V. The Musgrave Ritual
Adventure VI. The Reigate Puzzle
Adventure VII. The Crooked Man
Adventure VIII. The Resident Patient
Adventure IX. The Greek Interpreter
Adventure X. The Naval Treaty
Adventure XI. The Final Problem
Just as with many editions, "The Adventure of the Cardboard Box" has been omitted.
Doyle intended this to be the last collection of Holmes stories as he was already planning Holmes' demise and exit from literature. He was persuaded to write what would have been the penultimate Holmes adventure, The "Hound of the Baskervilles", before killing off Holmes in 'The Final Problem." As we now know, like the reported death of Mark Twain, the story of Holmes' death was greatly exaggerated and Holmes returned in triumph never to leave us again as the world-wide popularity of the Holmes adventures appears likely to live on into the distant future.
Note that both Amazon and GoodReads apparently combine reviews and ratings of different editions which do not contain the same stories.
Review of free Kindle edition
A Public Domain Book
This second collection of Sherlock Holmes stories was published in 1893 but the publication date is sometimes listed as 1894. The 12 stories in this collection appear in the same order as they were published in The Strand Magazine except that the first British edition did not include "The Adventure of the Cardboard Box", though it was in the first U.S. edition. Later U.S. editions also omitted the story. Apparently Conan Doyle requested the omission. I haven't found a conclusive reason for this but it may have been because the plot contains adultery which Conan Doyle may have felt to be unsuitable for children. Which, of course, begs the question of why he wrote and published it that way in the first place. This free Kindle edition has the following stories:
Adventure I. Silver Blaze
Adventure II. The Yellow Face
Adventure III. The Stock-Broker's Clerk
Adventure IV. The "Gloria Scott"
Adventure V. The Musgrave Ritual
Adventure VI. The Reigate Puzzle
Adventure VII. The Crooked Man
Adventure VIII. The Resident Patient
Adventure IX. The Greek Interpreter
Adventure X. The Naval Treaty
Adventure XI. The Final Problem
Just as with many editions, "The Adventure of the Cardboard Box" has been omitted.
Doyle intended this to be the last collection of Holmes stories as he was already planning Holmes' demise and exit from literature. He was persuaded to write what would have been the penultimate Holmes adventure, The "Hound of the Baskervilles", before killing off Holmes in 'The Final Problem." As we now know, like the reported death of Mark Twain, the story of Holmes' death was greatly exaggerated and Holmes returned in triumph never to leave us again as the world-wide popularity of the Holmes adventures appears likely to live on into the distant future.
Note that both Amazon and GoodReads apparently combine reviews and ratings of different editions which do not contain the same stories.
May 2, 2021
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes is another set of short-stories that are solved by the renowned detective. Whilst I enjoyed this book, I do think that some of the stories are dated as there were some issues like racial slurs or more specifically a racist story and fat-phobic issues/terms.
But other than that I really liked the stories and to see Sherlock do what he does best. I liked the writing and as always I liked the way the mysteries were solved.
4 stars
But other than that I really liked the stories and to see Sherlock do what he does best. I liked the writing and as always I liked the way the mysteries were solved.
4 stars
October 29, 2020
- Á, Sherlock Holmes, személyesen! Micsoda kellemes meglepetés.
- Részemről a szerencse, kedves Kuszma. De mit látok? Csak nem pont most olvasta el a rólam szóló kötetet?
- Valóban! Ezt meg miből találta ki?
- Nos, a hüvelykujja körme alatt papírcafatot látok, amelyet sárgaságából ítélve a hetvenes évek második felében gyárthattak, és az is köztudott, hogy a Kriterion Könyvkiadó puhafedeles könyveinek gerince a rossz ragasztás miatt foszlásra felettébb hajlamos. Márpedig a Kriterion az én emlékirataimat pont 1976-ban adta ki. Továbbá az imént azt mormolta magában, hogy "az a kokainista mániás depressziós", és ez megerősített abban, hogy csakis egy Doyle-könyvön mélázhat. És az is segített, hogy láttam, most tölt fel épp egy értékelést rólam.
- Hogyhogy? Ön olvassa az értékeléseimet?
- Csak a párbeszédeseket. Azok szellősek.
- És? Meg van elégedve az Önről írottakkal?
- Legalább nem használta az "aranyos" szót, ez is valami.
- Igen, szerencsére Ön megtette helyettem.
- Mindenesetre meglehet, túlságosan sokat vár egy százéves szövegtől. Ez a krimiirodalom hajnala, itt még a viktoriánus olvasók ingerküszöbét kellett megugrani, nem a dekadens, Hannibal Lecteren szocializálódott fogyasztói társadalomét.
- Nyilván. De sajnos legjobb szándékkal sem tudom akkor olvasni ezeket a műveket, amikor Mr. Doyle írta őket.
- Világos. De hogy a frenetikus lezárás sem nyűgözte le!
- Frenetikus. No persze. Már ne is haragudjon, de az egy bántóan összecsapott fejezet. Lerí róla, Moriarty professzor figuráját a szerző csak úgy a kabátujjából rángatta elő, hogy legyen valami kellően nagy formátumú gonosztevő, akinek a segítségével lezárhatja a Sherlock Holmes-szakaszt az életében. Ha lett Doyle-ban egy csepp hivatástudat, nem 17 oldalban, hanem 250-ben fejti ki a sztorit.
- Hm, hát igen. Akkoriban már eléggé elmérgesedett a viszony köztem és teremtőm között.
- Remélem, azért nem bántottam meg.
- Ugyan, dehogy. Örültem a találkozásnak. A legjobbakat.
- Viszontlátásra.
- Egy pillanat... csak még egy kérdést...
- Elnézést, ez Columbo hadnagy dumája.
- Öööö, akkor bocs.
- Részemről a szerencse, kedves Kuszma. De mit látok? Csak nem pont most olvasta el a rólam szóló kötetet?
- Valóban! Ezt meg miből találta ki?
- Nos, a hüvelykujja körme alatt papírcafatot látok, amelyet sárgaságából ítélve a hetvenes évek második felében gyárthattak, és az is köztudott, hogy a Kriterion Könyvkiadó puhafedeles könyveinek gerince a rossz ragasztás miatt foszlásra felettébb hajlamos. Márpedig a Kriterion az én emlékirataimat pont 1976-ban adta ki. Továbbá az imént azt mormolta magában, hogy "az a kokainista mániás depressziós", és ez megerősített abban, hogy csakis egy Doyle-könyvön mélázhat. És az is segített, hogy láttam, most tölt fel épp egy értékelést rólam.
- Hogyhogy? Ön olvassa az értékeléseimet?
- Csak a párbeszédeseket. Azok szellősek.
- És? Meg van elégedve az Önről írottakkal?
- Legalább nem használta az "aranyos" szót, ez is valami.
- Igen, szerencsére Ön megtette helyettem.
- Mindenesetre meglehet, túlságosan sokat vár egy százéves szövegtől. Ez a krimiirodalom hajnala, itt még a viktoriánus olvasók ingerküszöbét kellett megugrani, nem a dekadens, Hannibal Lecteren szocializálódott fogyasztói társadalomét.
- Nyilván. De sajnos legjobb szándékkal sem tudom akkor olvasni ezeket a műveket, amikor Mr. Doyle írta őket.
- Világos. De hogy a frenetikus lezárás sem nyűgözte le!
- Frenetikus. No persze. Már ne is haragudjon, de az egy bántóan összecsapott fejezet. Lerí róla, Moriarty professzor figuráját a szerző csak úgy a kabátujjából rángatta elő, hogy legyen valami kellően nagy formátumú gonosztevő, akinek a segítségével lezárhatja a Sherlock Holmes-szakaszt az életében. Ha lett Doyle-ban egy csepp hivatástudat, nem 17 oldalban, hanem 250-ben fejti ki a sztorit.
- Hm, hát igen. Akkoriban már eléggé elmérgesedett a viszony köztem és teremtőm között.
- Remélem, azért nem bántottam meg.
- Ugyan, dehogy. Örültem a találkozásnak. A legjobbakat.
- Viszontlátásra.
- Egy pillanat... csak még egy kérdést...
- Elnézést, ez Columbo hadnagy dumája.
- Öööö, akkor bocs.
September 10, 2020
Well, that was great. Its being a collection of short stories made it hard for me to connect. I always thought that "it will just be 20 pages, you don't have to attach yourself too much." When you're tossed around the air every 20 pages or so, it can really be troubling.
Starting a new chapter had always been the hardest part. It feels like "ah, here we are again." But a few pages in, I'm hooked. Holmes' power of logic and deduction amazes be every single time.
The plot of the stories had a formula; it's always a mystery at the beginning and Holmes' solving it at the end. The problem is, I haven't found that certain formula. Although each chapter is so clockwork, it always has something new for the reader. You may think that "nah, Arthur Conan Doyle cannot have this so many ideas".
But yes, he does. And that's what I love so much about the chronicles of Sherlock Holmes. It may feel like Doyle's writing has already peaked after reading a good one, but it just keeps getting better and better.
Starting a new chapter had always been the hardest part. It feels like "ah, here we are again." But a few pages in, I'm hooked. Holmes' power of logic and deduction amazes be every single time.
The plot of the stories had a formula; it's always a mystery at the beginning and Holmes' solving it at the end. The problem is, I haven't found that certain formula. Although each chapter is so clockwork, it always has something new for the reader. You may think that "nah, Arthur Conan Doyle cannot have this so many ideas".
But yes, he does. And that's what I love so much about the chronicles of Sherlock Holmes. It may feel like Doyle's writing has already peaked after reading a good one, but it just keeps getting better and better.
February 28, 2010
Come and see the Softer Side of Sherlock Holmes! The stories in this collection focus on the revelation that: "Sherlock Holmes! He's Just Like Us!" He makes mistakes! He judges too quickly! He was once young and went to school! He had friends! He has a brother (who is, as Sherlock readily admits, smarter than he is, just without his ambition)!
We (shockingly!) essentially find out that he is a human being. We see Sherlock has a family, and has interests other than things that have to do with his work. He's a man living in his time and place in the world and is both affected by it and engaged by it- he does not live in a vaccum. He reads about politics, seems to understand the colonial system and has opinions about it, and reads other books. He does enjoy every day things, a beautiful day, a picnic, and can even be poetical (yes, really, there's a story where he philosophizes about flowers).
But lest you think this is all the mushy stuff- the last story in this collection, "The Final Problem," introduces Professor Moriarty. And that's anything but mushy! And really, the other stories aren't really either- its just the presence of much sentiment at all seems rather unusual. There's the requisite amount of chases, nighttime frights, fights, intrigue, and murder, as ever.
My favorites were "The Yellow Face," "The Adventure of the Crooked Man," (which has a dramatization appearance by Brian Blessed, btw), and "The Final Problem".
A must read for those Holmes fans that like to see the charcter develop as well as solve the mysteries.
We (shockingly!) essentially find out that he is a human being. We see Sherlock has a family, and has interests other than things that have to do with his work. He's a man living in his time and place in the world and is both affected by it and engaged by it- he does not live in a vaccum. He reads about politics, seems to understand the colonial system and has opinions about it, and reads other books. He does enjoy every day things, a beautiful day, a picnic, and can even be poetical (yes, really, there's a story where he philosophizes about flowers).
But lest you think this is all the mushy stuff- the last story in this collection, "The Final Problem," introduces Professor Moriarty. And that's anything but mushy! And really, the other stories aren't really either- its just the presence of much sentiment at all seems rather unusual. There's the requisite amount of chases, nighttime frights, fights, intrigue, and murder, as ever.
My favorites were "The Yellow Face," "The Adventure of the Crooked Man," (which has a dramatization appearance by Brian Blessed, btw), and "The Final Problem".
A must read for those Holmes fans that like to see the charcter develop as well as solve the mysteries.
June 1, 2012
After reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s first set of 12 stories called “adventures,” comes is the second set of 11 stories called “memoirs.” I don’t know why when these stories follow the same pattern and style as those “adventures.” I read that these stories were originally published individually in 1894 in a British magazine, Strand. Maybe, it was just the way of grouping these short stories.
Silver Blaze John Straker tries to drug the horse Silver Blaze so he can bet against him and win a lot of money to finance his mistress. Holmes solves the case by checking the behavior of other animals in the barn. Nothing remarkable here. 2 stars
The Yellow Face Jack is black. Effie is white. They have Lucy who is black. Jack dies and Effie marries John. Effie hides Lucy because she is black to John. No crime for Holmes to solve. Looks like just a story on racism and not your typical Sherlock Holmes. 2 stars
The Stock-broker’s Clerk Two brothers trying to fool a job applicant. A story similar to the previous ones where an undesirable person is eliminated so that the crime can be committed. Quite a good story to read even if there is no big action. I liked this one. 3 stars
The “Gloria Scott” This story seems not to follow the usual format: a customer comes to Holmes and Watson, they investigate, there is a cover-up, they employ the power of deduction the crime is unfolded, the situation is rectified. In this story, only the power of deduction is used and everything is flashback (memory?). I liked the fact that there is variation in this collection and of course the plot is very interesting. Gloria Scott here is the name of the ship. 3 stars
Musgrave Ritual Very interesting plot. It also deviates from the usual Watson telling the story. This is the story-within-the-story (frame tale) where Holmes is the narrator recounting a story that happened before. If I understood this correctly, this is one of the first story where he used his power of deduction and that incident is very interesting because of the oak. 3 stars
The Raigate Puzzle A coachman, William Kirwan is found dead (murdered) holding a piece of paper with some notes appearing on it. Holmes, an expert in handwriting, deduces that those notes have been from two men. The plot is tight and stimulates thinking. Well-told. 3 stars
The Crooked Man Holmes asks Watson to get his opinion regarding the death of a man where the prime suspect is his wife. The way the crime was put in the open is not really new but maybe during that time it was so this should be okay. 2 stars
The Resident Patient Doctor Trevelyan is offered by Blessington good lifestyle in exchange of the professional fees that the doctor gets from his practice and by default, Blessington becomes Trevelyan’s resident patient. Then when the doctor meets another patient, the whole scheme becomes questionable. Quite interesting for me. 3 stars
The Greek Interpreter This is where Holmes’ elder brother makes a debut appearance. Mycroft also has those great observation skills and power of deduction that Holmes has. It’s just that he does not have the energy so he (Mycroft) consult Holmes regarding his neighbor, Mr. Melas, the Greek interpreter. Melas is invited to translate a document but when he arrives in the house of his client, he sees that the windows are papered so the suspicion begins and the plot thickens. I liked this one too. 3 stars
The Naval Treaty An important naval treaty is found to be missing in the office of Mr. Percy Phelps, an old schoolmate of Watson. The document is taken when he was out taking some coffee. The story is a long one with each suspect and his/her possible motive is analyzed. This one made me want to become a detective. Very good analysis. 4 stars
The Final Problem The story that introduces Holmes’ arch-enemy and greatest opponent, the criminal mastermind, Professor Mortiarty. The 2011 film Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is based in part on this short story. It ends with Holmes and Moriarty plummeting into the falls, and Watson is shown writing the final sentences of "The Final Problem" on his typewriter. Very engaging story and I can’t wait to get a copy of the film so I can watch it myself. What a nice way to end this collection! 5 stars!
At some point in my reading, it became boring. I noticed that some of the stories became formulaic. I thought, what's the use of completing the canon when the reading is no longer enjoyable and becoming a chore? However, the last two stories recapped the collection quite well. So, I am off to the third collection of his short stories called "The Return of Sherlock Holmes." Again, I am not sure why these are grouped as "return." Did he rest from writing and came back by publishing these stories in series? But that is not important, the stories are nice to read!
Silver Blaze John Straker tries to drug the horse Silver Blaze so he can bet against him and win a lot of money to finance his mistress. Holmes solves the case by checking the behavior of other animals in the barn. Nothing remarkable here. 2 stars
The Yellow Face Jack is black. Effie is white. They have Lucy who is black. Jack dies and Effie marries John. Effie hides Lucy because she is black to John. No crime for Holmes to solve. Looks like just a story on racism and not your typical Sherlock Holmes. 2 stars
The Stock-broker’s Clerk Two brothers trying to fool a job applicant. A story similar to the previous ones where an undesirable person is eliminated so that the crime can be committed. Quite a good story to read even if there is no big action. I liked this one. 3 stars
The “Gloria Scott” This story seems not to follow the usual format: a customer comes to Holmes and Watson, they investigate, there is a cover-up, they employ the power of deduction the crime is unfolded, the situation is rectified. In this story, only the power of deduction is used and everything is flashback (memory?). I liked the fact that there is variation in this collection and of course the plot is very interesting. Gloria Scott here is the name of the ship. 3 stars
Musgrave Ritual Very interesting plot. It also deviates from the usual Watson telling the story. This is the story-within-the-story (frame tale) where Holmes is the narrator recounting a story that happened before. If I understood this correctly, this is one of the first story where he used his power of deduction and that incident is very interesting because of the oak. 3 stars
The Raigate Puzzle A coachman, William Kirwan is found dead (murdered) holding a piece of paper with some notes appearing on it. Holmes, an expert in handwriting, deduces that those notes have been from two men. The plot is tight and stimulates thinking. Well-told. 3 stars
The Crooked Man Holmes asks Watson to get his opinion regarding the death of a man where the prime suspect is his wife. The way the crime was put in the open is not really new but maybe during that time it was so this should be okay. 2 stars
The Resident Patient Doctor Trevelyan is offered by Blessington good lifestyle in exchange of the professional fees that the doctor gets from his practice and by default, Blessington becomes Trevelyan’s resident patient. Then when the doctor meets another patient, the whole scheme becomes questionable. Quite interesting for me. 3 stars
The Greek Interpreter This is where Holmes’ elder brother makes a debut appearance. Mycroft also has those great observation skills and power of deduction that Holmes has. It’s just that he does not have the energy so he (Mycroft) consult Holmes regarding his neighbor, Mr. Melas, the Greek interpreter. Melas is invited to translate a document but when he arrives in the house of his client, he sees that the windows are papered so the suspicion begins and the plot thickens. I liked this one too. 3 stars
The Naval Treaty An important naval treaty is found to be missing in the office of Mr. Percy Phelps, an old schoolmate of Watson. The document is taken when he was out taking some coffee. The story is a long one with each suspect and his/her possible motive is analyzed. This one made me want to become a detective. Very good analysis. 4 stars
The Final Problem The story that introduces Holmes’ arch-enemy and greatest opponent, the criminal mastermind, Professor Mortiarty. The 2011 film Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is based in part on this short story. It ends with Holmes and Moriarty plummeting into the falls, and Watson is shown writing the final sentences of "The Final Problem" on his typewriter. Very engaging story and I can’t wait to get a copy of the film so I can watch it myself. What a nice way to end this collection! 5 stars!
At some point in my reading, it became boring. I noticed that some of the stories became formulaic. I thought, what's the use of completing the canon when the reading is no longer enjoyable and becoming a chore? However, the last two stories recapped the collection quite well. So, I am off to the third collection of his short stories called "The Return of Sherlock Holmes." Again, I am not sure why these are grouped as "return." Did he rest from writing and came back by publishing these stories in series? But that is not important, the stories are nice to read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2023
This is the fourth book of the Sherlock Holmes collection, published in 1893 after Doyle had grown to resent the character. Even Doyle's own mom was fascinated by Holmes. Because Doyle was such an eclectic personality, it only strikes me as logical that he would loathe being tied down to the singular detective.
Doyle had such a wealth of interests that he had other characters he wanted to explore (like Professor Challenger from the Lost World.) In order to free himself from the millstone, he concocted a way to kill off the character in the story entitled the Final Problem which closes the anthology with the villainous Moriarty completing the deed.
As for the stories here, they all are memorable, strongly written with the Final Problem striking chords of pathos that resonated for years, such that Doyle wrote the Hound of the Baskervilles to assuage the furor, and punctuate the career of Holmes. Even doing that kept the avid fans hungry for more of this particular character with his inevitable eventual return coming when his mother kept at him.
No one, not even Doyle, wants to disappoint Mom.
Doyle had such a wealth of interests that he had other characters he wanted to explore (like Professor Challenger from the Lost World.) In order to free himself from the millstone, he concocted a way to kill off the character in the story entitled the Final Problem which closes the anthology with the villainous Moriarty completing the deed.
As for the stories here, they all are memorable, strongly written with the Final Problem striking chords of pathos that resonated for years, such that Doyle wrote the Hound of the Baskervilles to assuage the furor, and punctuate the career of Holmes. Even doing that kept the avid fans hungry for more of this particular character with his inevitable eventual return coming when his mother kept at him.
No one, not even Doyle, wants to disappoint Mom.
February 15, 2017
Though some of these stories slipped into the formulaic, I was still entertained. The one I keep thinking of, however, is the one that's most laughable – for both good and bad. “The Adventure of the Reigate Squire” is problematic in its plot elements, especially with the introduction at the very end of a name we’d not heard before (What?!), but the description of Sherlock’s physical actions are a visual delight (and that’s something I don’t usually value). The 'bad-laughing' had me wondering if this is when Doyle started to weary of his creation, yet the powerful stories that succeed it belie that.
The famous last story ("The Final Problem") I’d read a long time ago; but, of course, I appreciate it much more now that I have more than just my childhood reading of “The Case of the Speckled Band” and “The Hound of the Baskervilles” under my Sherlockian cap.
The famous last story ("The Final Problem") I’d read a long time ago; but, of course, I appreciate it much more now that I have more than just my childhood reading of “The Case of the Speckled Band” and “The Hound of the Baskervilles” under my Sherlockian cap.
June 27, 2019
This has been, by far - the best of the Sherlock Holmes series for me.
I enjoyed every single one of these short stories - not only were the mysteries themselves interesting, it is clear that the observation of Sherlock Holmes' fascinating character is what draws the attention of the reader. From his first case to his last, this has been truly enjoyable.
I really enjoy this whole backstory. Go character development!
I enjoyed every single one of these short stories - not only were the mysteries themselves interesting, it is clear that the observation of Sherlock Holmes' fascinating character is what draws the attention of the reader. From his first case to his last, this has been truly enjoyable.
I really enjoy this whole backstory. Go character development!
November 11, 2020
3.5
This second collection of Sherlock Holmes short stories covers those that originally saw publication in The Strand magazine between December 1892 and December 1893. I’d put it on a par with the first collection – no real bad stories, about five good ones, and seven middling ones.
The five I consider to be a notch above the rest are:-
‘The Adventure Of The Yellow Face.’ Which is a good and straightforward yarn concerning a mysterious face that appears at a window. And why does a man’s wife disappear at 3am?
‘The Adventure Of The Stockbroker’s Clerk’ is a fine enough tale, but only just makes it into my group of the best stories in this collection! Why is a man employed by someone pretending to be two people?
‘The Adventure Of The Gloria Scott’ is a memorable one, in which Holmes tells Watson of his very first case. The father of a friend is oppressed by a strange sea-faring man.
‘The Adventure Of The Naval Treaty.’ Though the ending is not as fine as the strong opening, it’s still a well told tale. A copier has important government papers stolen from him.
‘The Adventure Of The Final Problem’ is the famous one of course where Holmes meets Moriarty in Switzerland, at the Reichenbach Falls. There’s a good sense of atmosphere, mystery and adventure with this one.
As a whole, the occasional dull passages in which a lot of flat telling can go on are generally more than made up for by tons of misty atmosphere, and by the unique and fascinating character of Holmes himself. As I’ve stated with regards to the previous book, if you are able, I would track down one of the many editions which have the original illustrations, as they add greatly to the atmosphere. I actually read this as part of a one tome ‘Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Illustrated Short Stories’ from Chancellor Press (a 1987 reprint of a book published in 1985).
[Note. I’m currently coming to the end of the third collection, ‘The Return Of Sherlock Holmes.’ Contrary to reports - and I think Doyle himself - that he was running out of steam and had had enough of his creation, I’m actually finding it consistently better than the first two collections].
This second collection of Sherlock Holmes short stories covers those that originally saw publication in The Strand magazine between December 1892 and December 1893. I’d put it on a par with the first collection – no real bad stories, about five good ones, and seven middling ones.
The five I consider to be a notch above the rest are:-
‘The Adventure Of The Yellow Face.’ Which is a good and straightforward yarn concerning a mysterious face that appears at a window. And why does a man’s wife disappear at 3am?
‘The Adventure Of The Stockbroker’s Clerk’ is a fine enough tale, but only just makes it into my group of the best stories in this collection! Why is a man employed by someone pretending to be two people?
‘The Adventure Of The Gloria Scott’ is a memorable one, in which Holmes tells Watson of his very first case. The father of a friend is oppressed by a strange sea-faring man.
‘The Adventure Of The Naval Treaty.’ Though the ending is not as fine as the strong opening, it’s still a well told tale. A copier has important government papers stolen from him.
‘The Adventure Of The Final Problem’ is the famous one of course where Holmes meets Moriarty in Switzerland, at the Reichenbach Falls. There’s a good sense of atmosphere, mystery and adventure with this one.
As a whole, the occasional dull passages in which a lot of flat telling can go on are generally more than made up for by tons of misty atmosphere, and by the unique and fascinating character of Holmes himself. As I’ve stated with regards to the previous book, if you are able, I would track down one of the many editions which have the original illustrations, as they add greatly to the atmosphere. I actually read this as part of a one tome ‘Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Illustrated Short Stories’ from Chancellor Press (a 1987 reprint of a book published in 1985).
[Note. I’m currently coming to the end of the third collection, ‘The Return Of Sherlock Holmes.’ Contrary to reports - and I think Doyle himself - that he was running out of steam and had had enough of his creation, I’m actually finding it consistently better than the first two collections].
February 7, 2019
"It has been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important."
Sherlock Holmes continues solve mysteries and stop villains across England and abroad. His trusted biographer and friend, Dr. Watson, continues to document this sleuth's adventures. Wether in the countryside or a grand mansion, there is yet a mind that rivals that of Sherlock but while he is busy solving crime, someone else is in the business of creating it. Dr. James Moriarty is a criminal mastermind and his organization is causing havoc across Europe. Sherlock makes it his mission to stop him but in the process makes himself a target.
Originally published in 1894, 'The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes' is the fourth installment in these series. A collection of short stories, each was different and entertaining, giving more insight into Sherlock Holmes himself. Called upon by royalty and commoners alike, Holmes uses his acute abilities of deduction and observation to solve crimes that seem unsolvable. He has yet to meet an opponent that rivals his mind until he learns of James Moriarty, a former math professor and genius turned criminal mastermind. Sherlock follows Moriarty's steps and tries to undermine his organization. This, in turn, puts him on Moriarty's radar. I found this book to be very well written and highly entertaining. The standout story for me is 'The Final Problem', for obvious reasons. This tome was meant to be the detective's last but readers demanded more and thus Doyle complied. I am so looking forward to continue onto the next book. A great read.
Sherlock Holmes continues solve mysteries and stop villains across England and abroad. His trusted biographer and friend, Dr. Watson, continues to document this sleuth's adventures. Wether in the countryside or a grand mansion, there is yet a mind that rivals that of Sherlock but while he is busy solving crime, someone else is in the business of creating it. Dr. James Moriarty is a criminal mastermind and his organization is causing havoc across Europe. Sherlock makes it his mission to stop him but in the process makes himself a target.
Originally published in 1894, 'The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes' is the fourth installment in these series. A collection of short stories, each was different and entertaining, giving more insight into Sherlock Holmes himself. Called upon by royalty and commoners alike, Holmes uses his acute abilities of deduction and observation to solve crimes that seem unsolvable. He has yet to meet an opponent that rivals his mind until he learns of James Moriarty, a former math professor and genius turned criminal mastermind. Sherlock follows Moriarty's steps and tries to undermine his organization. This, in turn, puts him on Moriarty's radar. I found this book to be very well written and highly entertaining. The standout story for me is 'The Final Problem', for obvious reasons. This tome was meant to be the detective's last but readers demanded more and thus Doyle complied. I am so looking forward to continue onto the next book. A great read.
November 4, 2018
Δεν ντρέπομαι να αναφέρω ότι ο Σέρλοκ Χόλμς είναι ο αγαπημένος μου λογοτεχνικός ήρωας όλων των εποχών. Παρόλο που οι ιστορίες του (τα τελευταία χρόνια που τις ξαναδιάβασα σε κανονική και όχι π��ιδική μετάφραση) είναι εκτελεστικά παροχημένες συγκριτικά με την σύγχρονη λογοτεχνία κρύβουν πολύ περισσότερη οξυδέρκεια από μοντέρνους συγγραφείς. Δεν υπάρχει λόγος να γίνει ανάλυση του βιβλίου άλλωστε ο Σέρλοκ Χόλμς είναι ιδέα και παρόλες τις αδυναμίες της διήγησης αυτό που αποτυπώνεται στον αναγνώστη είναι η πολυπλοκότητα του συγκεκριμένου χαρακτήρα και όχι το ίδιο το μυστήριο.
Επίτηδες άφησα την συλλογή αυτή καθώς η ιστορία "The final problem" με την αναμέτρηση Σέρλοκ Χόλμς - Καθηγητή Μοριάρτι πάντα με στεναχωρούσε. Γιαυτό και διάβασα ξανά αμέσως μετά το "Μυστήριο του άδειου σπιτιού" με την επιστροφή του μεγάλου ντετέκτιβ. Και μια μικρή σημείωση: σε γενικές γραμμές δεν είμαι ευσυγκίνητος ειδικά όταν βλέπω ταινίες/σειρές αλλά μια από τις σπάνιες φορές που δάκρυσα ήταν στην Ρώσικη μεταφορά των ιστοριών του Χόλμς (την ΚΑΛΥΤΕΡΗ ΜΕΤΑΦΟΡΑ με τον ΚΑΛΥΤΕΡΟ ΧΟΛΜΣ ΟΛΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΕΠΟΧΩΝ) στο σημείο που ξανασυναντιούνται οι δύο φίλοι. Όσοι θέλετε δείτε μαζεμένα όλα τα επεισόδια με Αγγλικούς υπότιτλους εδώ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAAIm...
Επίτηδες άφησα την συλλογή αυτή καθώς η ιστορία "The final problem" με την αναμέτρηση Σέρλοκ Χόλμς - Καθηγητή Μοριάρτι πάντα με στεναχωρούσε. Γιαυτό και διάβασα ξανά αμέσως μετά το "Μυστήριο του άδειου σπιτιού" με την επιστροφή του μεγάλου ντετέκτιβ. Και μια μικρή σημείωση: σε γενικές γραμμές δεν είμαι ευσυγκίνητος ειδικά όταν βλέπω ταινίες/σειρές αλλά μια από τις σπάνιες φορές που δάκρυσα ήταν στην Ρώσικη μεταφορά των ιστοριών του Χόλμς (την ΚΑΛΥΤΕΡΗ ΜΕΤΑΦΟΡΑ με τον ΚΑΛΥΤΕΡΟ ΧΟΛΜΣ ΟΛΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΕΠΟΧΩΝ) στο σημείο που ξανασυναντιούνται οι δύο φίλοι. Όσοι θέλετε δείτε μαζεμένα όλα τα επεισόδια με Αγγλικούς υπότιτλους εδώ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAAIm...
November 5, 2020
Who would have imagined that Sir Arthur was, in his own way via these Sherlock Holmes stories, an anti-slavery activist, as well as anti-classism?
I am so glad that I found a better reading of these short stories, as the story Yellow Face was absolutely worth purchasing the entire volume in order to have at hand and read again and again, although I think I've already memorized those last minutes of the story from listening to it over and over, tears streaming down my face each time.
I wonder if Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was aware of the epithet "High Yellow" for those of us with very light complexions in the Black community?
At first reading, I thought that these short disconnected stories tend to lose my interest, especially with so many bad readers each for different story. LibreVox does have a few different versions of this anthology, but I don't find it worth trying to find a third version.
I am so glad that I found a better reading of these short stories, as the story Yellow Face was absolutely worth purchasing the entire volume in order to have at hand and read again and again, although I think I've already memorized those last minutes of the story from listening to it over and over, tears streaming down my face each time.
I wonder if Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was aware of the epithet "High Yellow" for those of us with very light complexions in the Black community?
At first reading, I thought that these short disconnected stories tend to lose my interest, especially with so many bad readers each for different story. LibreVox does have a few different versions of this anthology, but I don't find it worth trying to find a third version.
November 29, 2019
These are better than modern bestsellers any day of the week. Intriguing mysteries, crisp writing, great vocabulary...these definitely stand the test of time.
May 10, 2020
A fantastic collection of short stories through and through. Sherlock and Watson will always be one of my favorite fictional characters ever.
:)
:)
February 18, 2017
Pensaba darle 3 estrellas porque la verdad es que estos cuentos no me atraparon tanto como los de otros libros (salvo "El problema final" que fue GENIAL).
Pero le doy 4 estrellas, porque me parece interesante conocer nuevos aspectos de la vida de Sherlock Holmes, por ejemplo, descubrimos un poco más sobre sus comienzos en la profesión, conocemos a su brillante hermano Mycroft y a su mayor enemigo. Todos estos detalles suman :)
Pero le doy 4 estrellas, porque me parece interesante conocer nuevos aspectos de la vida de Sherlock Holmes, por ejemplo, descubrimos un poco más sobre sus comienzos en la profesión, conocemos a su brillante hermano Mycroft y a su mayor enemigo. Todos estos detalles suman :)
May 22, 2021
In this collection, two important characters of the Sherlock Holmes canon are introduced, Mycroft and Moriarty, and we learn a bit more about Sherlock. Still, I liked the cases from first collection a little more, but that might just be because I'm getting used to the formular and should take longer breaks between the books.
There are still fascinating and include fun character moments.
There are still fascinating and include fun character moments.
July 14, 2018
“I don’t think you need alarm yourself,” said I. “I have usually found that there was method in his madness.”
“Some folks might say there was madness in his method,” muttered the Inspector.
Having recently read a collection of Father Brown stories, where solutions often depend on mere coincidence and guesswork, and where criminals often go out of their way not only to kill for the strangest of motives but also to come up with the most Byzantine of plans, I cannot disagree more strongly with the Inspector: Holmes is a haven of sanity, and so is Watson, and so are the criminals with whom the two have to do. When it comes to good detective fiction that does not have its readers feel duped by phony surprise elements, Sherlock Holmes is more than just a notch above Father Brown.
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, published in 1894 is a collection of 11 short stories. Originally, there was also “The Adventure of the Cardboard Box”, but it was probably the topic of adultery that led to its omission from the first London edition. We often find this story included in the compilation His Last Bow now. As it is, we have the following stories in this collection:
1. The Adventure of Silver Blaze: Holmes and Watson have to clear up the mystery of the disappearance of a famous racehorse, and the death of the horse’s trainer. Holmes cooperates with Inspector Gregory, who is a good observer and a logical thinker but does not have a lot of imagination, as the Baker Street detective puts it. This is easily my favourite story from the whole collection.
2. The Adventure of the Yellow Face: What secret does Mr. Grant Munro’s wife hide from her husband? The story is remarkable in that Holmes is able to form a very clear idea of his client just by looking at the pipe he has forgotten in Baker Street, but eventually his theory about the mystery proves wrong – an outcome that does not cause him any grief at all because there are instances when Holmes can feel relief at being wrong.
3. The Adventure of the Stockbroker’s Clerk: Holmes’s new client seeks his advice about a rather strange job he has accepted. The story bears some similarity with the Adventure of the Red-Headed League from the first collection of short stories, but it is still enjoyable.
4. The Adventure of the Gloria Scott: This is actually Holmes’s first case, and strictly speaking, he is more involved in it in the quality of an observer rather than as an investigator. It takes place when young Holmes spends the holidays with his school friend Victor Trevor, whose father is visited by a sinister sailor that makes himself the master of the place in no time, apparently knowing about a dark mystery in old Mr. Trevor’s past. It is this case which makes Holmes consider living by his wits and investigating crimes, for the first time.
5. The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual: Another case which predates the friendship between Holmes and Watson and which is told to Watson by his eminent friend. Here we find Holmes a treasure hunter as well as an investigator into the disappearance of his friend Musgrave’s butler.
6. The Adventure of the Reigate Puzzle: Holmes and Watson try to relax in the countryside, but to Holmes, work is the best form of recreation, and so he jumps at the opportunity of clearing up two mysterious cases of burglary, in one of which the perpetrators killed a servant who came into their way.
7. The Adventure of the Crooked Man: Holmes is working on the case of the death of Colonel James Barclay, trying to clear the colonel’s wife Nancy, who was locked in the same room with her husband at the time of his death. A nice locked-room-mystery with a melodramatic background story.
8. The Adventure of the Resident Patient: Dr. Percy Trevelyan is a promising doctor but does not have the means to establish his own practice. When old Mr. Blessington offers him to set him up as a practitioner on condition that he pay him two thirds of his income, Trevelyan accepts this business deal, little knowing that one day, his business partner would develop strong symptoms of paranoia.
9. The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter: Holmes and Watson try their best to save the lives of Mr. Melos, the eponymous interpreter, and a young Greek who has been lured into captivity. This story is remarkable for the first appearance of Sherlock’s brother Mycroft, who exceeds his younger sibling with regard to the power of ratiocination but who suffers from the lack of energy, preferring to spend his days at the famous Diogenes Club – a club for grumpy gentleman who had rather be left alone.
10. The Adventure of the Naval Treaty: An important document, a Naval Treaty between Great Britain and Italy, has disappeared, and Holmes is the only one to be able to retrieve it. This story has a very ironic solution.
11. The Final Problem: Holmes’ fight with his arch-enemy Professor Moriarty. Contrary to the hype about Professor Moriarty, I’d say that this was by far the weakest story in the whole collection because there is actually no case looked into by our hero. One can sense the author’s preoccupation with getting rid of his master detective in a way that would satisfy his reading public and thus finding time to write about other subjects. Luckily, Doyle would give in to the public’s demand for more Holmes stories eventually, the next Holmes adventure being the famous The Hound of the Baskervilles, easily the best adventure in the entire series.
All in all, this is a very entertaining collection of stories, but then Holmes and Watson are always a safe bank, at least in my books. We are getting more and more background information on Holmes, e.g. we learn that he comes from a family of country squires, or that his grandmother was the sister of the French painter Vernet. What’s more, we meet his brother Mycroft and are told how he came to the decision of dedicating his life to fighting crime.
Holmes also lets us in on some of his methods, which indeed may not seem exactly mad but unorthodox, when he says, for instance:
At other times, his advice sounds less egotistical:
What I like best about Holmes in this collection is that he is a very human investigator: Okay, he shows certain moments of vanity, e.g. here where he has a go at Watson, who suggests that he cannot simply leave his practice alone:
But on the whole, Holmes is very respectful towards Watson – I really wonder at the leniency of Mrs. Watson, who never seems to mind her husband spending so much time hunting criminals with his friend, not only neglecting his work as a medical man but also putting his life in danger. Apart from that, Holmes can also make mistakes, like the rest of us, as is shown in the second case in this collection, and he can feel delighted at finding that the truth is less detrimental to his clients than his theory made it out to be. The Reigate Puzzle also has him use Inspector Columbo’s methods, i.e. hiding his own light under a bushel in order to draw his opponents out and make them act carelessly.
Yes, one can definitely say that this second collection of short stories makes Holmes seem more human, and it’s good to know that there are three more collections and two novels to follow.
“Some folks might say there was madness in his method,” muttered the Inspector.
Having recently read a collection of Father Brown stories, where solutions often depend on mere coincidence and guesswork, and where criminals often go out of their way not only to kill for the strangest of motives but also to come up with the most Byzantine of plans, I cannot disagree more strongly with the Inspector: Holmes is a haven of sanity, and so is Watson, and so are the criminals with whom the two have to do. When it comes to good detective fiction that does not have its readers feel duped by phony surprise elements, Sherlock Holmes is more than just a notch above Father Brown.
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, published in 1894 is a collection of 11 short stories. Originally, there was also “The Adventure of the Cardboard Box”, but it was probably the topic of adultery that led to its omission from the first London edition. We often find this story included in the compilation His Last Bow now. As it is, we have the following stories in this collection:
1. The Adventure of Silver Blaze: Holmes and Watson have to clear up the mystery of the disappearance of a famous racehorse, and the death of the horse’s trainer. Holmes cooperates with Inspector Gregory, who is a good observer and a logical thinker but does not have a lot of imagination, as the Baker Street detective puts it. This is easily my favourite story from the whole collection.
2. The Adventure of the Yellow Face: What secret does Mr. Grant Munro’s wife hide from her husband? The story is remarkable in that Holmes is able to form a very clear idea of his client just by looking at the pipe he has forgotten in Baker Street, but eventually his theory about the mystery proves wrong – an outcome that does not cause him any grief at all because there are instances when Holmes can feel relief at being wrong.
3. The Adventure of the Stockbroker’s Clerk: Holmes’s new client seeks his advice about a rather strange job he has accepted. The story bears some similarity with the Adventure of the Red-Headed League from the first collection of short stories, but it is still enjoyable.
4. The Adventure of the Gloria Scott: This is actually Holmes’s first case, and strictly speaking, he is more involved in it in the quality of an observer rather than as an investigator. It takes place when young Holmes spends the holidays with his school friend Victor Trevor, whose father is visited by a sinister sailor that makes himself the master of the place in no time, apparently knowing about a dark mystery in old Mr. Trevor’s past. It is this case which makes Holmes consider living by his wits and investigating crimes, for the first time.
5. The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual: Another case which predates the friendship between Holmes and Watson and which is told to Watson by his eminent friend. Here we find Holmes a treasure hunter as well as an investigator into the disappearance of his friend Musgrave’s butler.
6. The Adventure of the Reigate Puzzle: Holmes and Watson try to relax in the countryside, but to Holmes, work is the best form of recreation, and so he jumps at the opportunity of clearing up two mysterious cases of burglary, in one of which the perpetrators killed a servant who came into their way.
7. The Adventure of the Crooked Man: Holmes is working on the case of the death of Colonel James Barclay, trying to clear the colonel’s wife Nancy, who was locked in the same room with her husband at the time of his death. A nice locked-room-mystery with a melodramatic background story.
8. The Adventure of the Resident Patient: Dr. Percy Trevelyan is a promising doctor but does not have the means to establish his own practice. When old Mr. Blessington offers him to set him up as a practitioner on condition that he pay him two thirds of his income, Trevelyan accepts this business deal, little knowing that one day, his business partner would develop strong symptoms of paranoia.
9. The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter: Holmes and Watson try their best to save the lives of Mr. Melos, the eponymous interpreter, and a young Greek who has been lured into captivity. This story is remarkable for the first appearance of Sherlock’s brother Mycroft, who exceeds his younger sibling with regard to the power of ratiocination but who suffers from the lack of energy, preferring to spend his days at the famous Diogenes Club – a club for grumpy gentleman who had rather be left alone.
10. The Adventure of the Naval Treaty: An important document, a Naval Treaty between Great Britain and Italy, has disappeared, and Holmes is the only one to be able to retrieve it. This story has a very ironic solution.
11. The Final Problem: Holmes’ fight with his arch-enemy Professor Moriarty. Contrary to the hype about Professor Moriarty, I’d say that this was by far the weakest story in the whole collection because there is actually no case looked into by our hero. One can sense the author’s preoccupation with getting rid of his master detective in a way that would satisfy his reading public and thus finding time to write about other subjects. Luckily, Doyle would give in to the public’s demand for more Holmes stories eventually, the next Holmes adventure being the famous The Hound of the Baskervilles, easily the best adventure in the entire series.
All in all, this is a very entertaining collection of stories, but then Holmes and Watson are always a safe bank, at least in my books. We are getting more and more background information on Holmes, e.g. we learn that he comes from a family of country squires, or that his grandmother was the sister of the French painter Vernet. What’s more, we meet his brother Mycroft and are told how he came to the decision of dedicating his life to fighting crime.
Holmes also lets us in on some of his methods, which indeed may not seem exactly mad but unorthodox, when he says, for instance:
”I put myself in the man’s place and, having first gauged his intelligence, I try to imagine how I should myself have proceeded under the same circumstances. In this case the matter was simplified by Brunton’s intelligence being quite first-rate, so that it was unnecessary to make any allowance for the personal equation, as the astronomers have dubbed it.”
At other times, his advice sounds less egotistical:
”It is of the highest importance in the art of detection to be able to recognise, out of a number of facts, which are incidental and which vital.”
What I like best about Holmes in this collection is that he is a very human investigator: Okay, he shows certain moments of vanity, e.g. here where he has a go at Watson, who suggests that he cannot simply leave his practice alone:
”’Oh, if you find your own cases more interesting than mine—’ said Holmes, with some asperity.”
But on the whole, Holmes is very respectful towards Watson – I really wonder at the leniency of Mrs. Watson, who never seems to mind her husband spending so much time hunting criminals with his friend, not only neglecting his work as a medical man but also putting his life in danger. Apart from that, Holmes can also make mistakes, like the rest of us, as is shown in the second case in this collection, and he can feel delighted at finding that the truth is less detrimental to his clients than his theory made it out to be. The Reigate Puzzle also has him use Inspector Columbo’s methods, i.e. hiding his own light under a bushel in order to draw his opponents out and make them act carelessly.
Yes, one can definitely say that this second collection of short stories makes Holmes seem more human, and it’s good to know that there are three more collections and two novels to follow.
November 7, 2015
I think this is my favorite.
July 23, 2015
In 2010, we had to read for classes one of the Sherlock Holmes' books. My teacher gave us three options. Those options were The Hound of the Baskervilles, A Study in Scarlet and The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. We had to vote for the one we considered the most interesting, and the winner was THotB. Since then, I made the promise to read the entire canon... but I did it with one purpose: To get to TMoSH. Do you know why? Because in this one Holmes was supposed to die, and also because Moriarty appears.
Okay, now off to review each story.
Silver Blaze:
Plot: A great horse (Silver Blaze) has just disappeared and he had a race the next day, so they need him because the bets are made and people might get angry if they don't get to see the famous horse running.
Thoughts: This one is not outstanding, but it was interesting to see how Holmes deduced who did the villainy. It's not a complex one, but it's not predictable, so I really enjoyed it.
The Yellow Face:
Plot: Mr. Munro is married and has a happy life until one day he sees a yellow face inside a cottage where his wife was found once. He's jealous and consults Holmes to see what he can get from his story.
Thoughts: This one has a touching moment in the end, which I rather liked. Oh, and Holmes is not perfect, ladies and gentlemen. He sometimes has his deductions wrong.
The Stockbroker's Clerk:
Plot: A man is offered a job, but he's suspicious as to the employer's motives. Holmes and Watson hurry to see what's behind all that.
Thoughts: Ah, there's always a fool. Someone is deceived, but Holmes managed to discover who the responsible for the tricks is before it was too late. A good story, in general.
The “Gloria Scott”:
Plot: This is Holmes' first case, dated back to his university days. The story revolves around a ship named “Gloria Scott.”
Thoughts: Holmes first case! I really liked this story. Watson always wants to know things about his friend's past, and here's where he got his fill. Sherlock was a misanthrope back in his university days. Ah, Holmes, some people never change...
The Musgrave Ritual:
Plot: This was a clever one. It rounds about a family ritual and the disappearance of two people.
Thoughts: As I said, this was clever and really intriguing. Holmes' way of solving the riddle (for it is indeed a riddle) is not the usual one, so I ended up enjoying it immensely.
The Reigate Puzzle:
Plot: Holmes is sick, and he decides to give himself (or rather Watson pushed him) a vacation. In there, Holmes finds that there are also people who need him, so he decides to quit his vacation and solve a case for them, which is about a murder. The victim had a mysterious torn piece of paper in his hand, and it appear that this paper was very valuable.
Thoughts: This one was very intriguing and thrilling. It had an intense action scene that I enjoyed deeply. There was indeed a puzzle. If you can, try to solve it before Holmes reveals the answer.
The Crooked Man:
Plot: A man is dead and his wife is suspected. Holmes calls Watson (Did you hear that, people? Holmes calls Watson.) to ask him his opinion about the case and to see how everything ends.
Thoughts: Damn Holmes and his ability to make complicated things simple. Why did he call Watson? Not because he needed his help, but merely to have someone to show his brilliance. But the story was interesting, and we have some more of Holmes ever-growing arrogance.
The Resident Patient:
Plot: Blessington hires Dr. Trelawney as his doctor and everything is well until one day something happens to Blessington and Trelawney's new patients seem rather odd, so he gets suspicious and asks Holmes for advice.
Thoughts: With each story in this collection, they grew better and better. This one was really interesting and it kept me glued to the book throughout the course of it. The answer to the problem was just as intriguing as the problem itself.
The Greek Interpreter:
Plot: A greek interpreter, Melas, is hired to a job. In his workplace, some weird things happen and Melas feels there's something wrong.
Thoughts: In this story, Mycroft Holmes is introduced to Watson's astonishment. See, Watson? Sherlock Holmes has a brother. Mycroft was quite an interesting character. He's just as intelligent as Holmes is, the difference being that Mycroft is kind of lazy and prefers to stay either at home or at his club. This one was a wicked and interesting story.
The Naval Treaty:
Plot: An important document, a naval treaty, has just been stolen from Percy Phelps' office. There are many suspects and they all could have a motive for doing the deed.
Thoughts: This is the kind of story that I tend to enjoy the most. The mystery was present during the entire narration, and it always has you thinking as to who might have stolen the document. Holmes, now please take my application as your assistant. I'm serious.
The Final Problem:
Plot: Holmes is hunting down his great arch-enemy, professor Moriarty. Moriarty is a genius and plus, he has malice, so that obviously makes him a dangerous man and Holmes is determined to bring him to an end.
Thoughts: The best story in this collection. Sure, why not? Seeing Holmes trying to defeat an enemy that has his same abilities was great. The ending was sad because Watson was all broken because of Holmes' “death.”
Poor him.
...
The Sherlock Holmes' canon is one of my favorite series of all time. I read the nine books in a row without getting bored, so that should tell you something. I continue to love Sherlock and all his treats. I love his arrogance, his misanthropy, his coldness, his intelligence... everything. They make him a really interesting character, and we know he's the master of deduction.
I admit that even when my favorite collection of short stories is The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (my review), this one was also really good. And as I said, it's one of my favorite books of all time.
When I graduate as a chemist, I'm gonna be like him, and my name is gonna be Vanessa the kick-ass, mad, gorgeous and sherlockian chemist.
Just kidding. That sounds immature and stupid as hell, but I still wanna be like him.
He looks so badass in there.
Anyway, what are you waiting for if you haven't read this? GO READ IT NOW!!! What else can you possibly want from a book? There's mystery, there are murders, there's a sociopath with his assistant... The perfect formula for a book.
Okay, now off to review each story.
Silver Blaze:
Plot: A great horse (Silver Blaze) has just disappeared and he had a race the next day, so they need him because the bets are made and people might get angry if they don't get to see the famous horse running.
Thoughts: This one is not outstanding, but it was interesting to see how Holmes deduced who did the villainy. It's not a complex one, but it's not predictable, so I really enjoyed it.
The Yellow Face:
Plot: Mr. Munro is married and has a happy life until one day he sees a yellow face inside a cottage where his wife was found once. He's jealous and consults Holmes to see what he can get from his story.
Thoughts: This one has a touching moment in the end, which I rather liked. Oh, and Holmes is not perfect, ladies and gentlemen. He sometimes has his deductions wrong.
The Stockbroker's Clerk:
Plot: A man is offered a job, but he's suspicious as to the employer's motives. Holmes and Watson hurry to see what's behind all that.
Thoughts: Ah, there's always a fool. Someone is deceived, but Holmes managed to discover who the responsible for the tricks is before it was too late. A good story, in general.
The “Gloria Scott”:
Plot: This is Holmes' first case, dated back to his university days. The story revolves around a ship named “Gloria Scott.”
Thoughts: Holmes first case! I really liked this story. Watson always wants to know things about his friend's past, and here's where he got his fill. Sherlock was a misanthrope back in his university days. Ah, Holmes, some people never change...
The Musgrave Ritual:
Plot: This was a clever one. It rounds about a family ritual and the disappearance of two people.
Thoughts: As I said, this was clever and really intriguing. Holmes' way of solving the riddle (for it is indeed a riddle) is not the usual one, so I ended up enjoying it immensely.
The Reigate Puzzle:
Plot: Holmes is sick, and he decides to give himself (or rather Watson pushed him) a vacation. In there, Holmes finds that there are also people who need him, so he decides to quit his vacation and solve a case for them, which is about a murder. The victim had a mysterious torn piece of paper in his hand, and it appear that this paper was very valuable.
Thoughts: This one was very intriguing and thrilling. It had an intense action scene that I enjoyed deeply. There was indeed a puzzle. If you can, try to solve it before Holmes reveals the answer.
The Crooked Man:
Plot: A man is dead and his wife is suspected. Holmes calls Watson (Did you hear that, people? Holmes calls Watson.) to ask him his opinion about the case and to see how everything ends.
Thoughts: Damn Holmes and his ability to make complicated things simple. Why did he call Watson? Not because he needed his help, but merely to have someone to show his brilliance. But the story was interesting, and we have some more of Holmes ever-growing arrogance.
The Resident Patient:
Plot: Blessington hires Dr. Trelawney as his doctor and everything is well until one day something happens to Blessington and Trelawney's new patients seem rather odd, so he gets suspicious and asks Holmes for advice.
Thoughts: With each story in this collection, they grew better and better. This one was really interesting and it kept me glued to the book throughout the course of it. The answer to the problem was just as intriguing as the problem itself.
The Greek Interpreter:
Plot: A greek interpreter, Melas, is hired to a job. In his workplace, some weird things happen and Melas feels there's something wrong.
Thoughts: In this story, Mycroft Holmes is introduced to Watson's astonishment. See, Watson? Sherlock Holmes has a brother. Mycroft was quite an interesting character. He's just as intelligent as Holmes is, the difference being that Mycroft is kind of lazy and prefers to stay either at home or at his club. This one was a wicked and interesting story.
The Naval Treaty:
Plot: An important document, a naval treaty, has just been stolen from Percy Phelps' office. There are many suspects and they all could have a motive for doing the deed.
Thoughts: This is the kind of story that I tend to enjoy the most. The mystery was present during the entire narration, and it always has you thinking as to who might have stolen the document. Holmes, now please take my application as your assistant. I'm serious.
The Final Problem:
Plot: Holmes is hunting down his great arch-enemy, professor Moriarty. Moriarty is a genius and plus, he has malice, so that obviously makes him a dangerous man and Holmes is determined to bring him to an end.
Thoughts: The best story in this collection. Sure, why not? Seeing Holmes trying to defeat an enemy that has his same abilities was great. The ending was sad because Watson was all broken because of Holmes' “death.”
Poor him.
...
The Sherlock Holmes' canon is one of my favorite series of all time. I read the nine books in a row without getting bored, so that should tell you something. I continue to love Sherlock and all his treats. I love his arrogance, his misanthropy, his coldness, his intelligence... everything. They make him a really interesting character, and we know he's the master of deduction.
I admit that even when my favorite collection of short stories is The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (my review), this one was also really good. And as I said, it's one of my favorite books of all time.
When I graduate as a chemist, I'm gonna be like him, and my name is gonna be Vanessa the kick-ass, mad, gorgeous and sherlockian chemist.
Just kidding. That sounds immature and stupid as hell, but I still wanna be like him.
Anyway, what are you waiting for if you haven't read this? GO READ IT NOW!!! What else can you possibly want from a book? There's mystery, there are murders, there's a sociopath with his assistant... The perfect formula for a book.
May 20, 2023
Arthur Conan Doyle nos ofrece por segunda vez una recopilación de historias cortas acerca de los ingeniosos y audaces casos del detective más famoso de todos los tiempos, ese cuya inteligencia superior e incomparables habilidades para la deducción le garantizaron un lugar permanente en la literatura y la cultura.
Nuestro formidable protagonista interviene, en esta oportunidad, en doce relatos ágiles, intrigantes y esencialmente únicos. El autor no se repite a sí mismo lo que es una proeza considerando que existen ya dos novelas además de otra entrega de historias cortas.
Sherlock Holmes, y su fiel compañero Watson, se topan una y otra vez con situaciones insólitas que resuelven gracias a la aguda mente del detective pero, en esta oportunidad, no están solos. Este libro posee la singularidad de presentarnos a Mycroft, el excepcionalmente brillante pero sedentario hermano de Sherlock y a Moriarty, el implacable enemigo que le costará la vida a nuestro protagonista.
Disfruté cada historia aunque algunas resultaron marcadamente más enredadas e imprevisibles que otras. La voracidad creativa de Arthur Conan Doyle no deja de sorprenderme ni de satisfacerme. Si tuviera que elegir tres preferidos serían: el rostro amarillo, el ritual de los Musgrave y el problema final, aunque este último no tanto por el misterio sino por la lucha de ingenio entre dos memorables contrincantes.
Nuestro formidable protagonista interviene, en esta oportunidad, en doce relatos ágiles, intrigantes y esencialmente únicos. El autor no se repite a sí mismo lo que es una proeza considerando que existen ya dos novelas además de otra entrega de historias cortas.
Sherlock Holmes, y su fiel compañero Watson, se topan una y otra vez con situaciones insólitas que resuelven gracias a la aguda mente del detective pero, en esta oportunidad, no están solos. Este libro posee la singularidad de presentarnos a Mycroft, el excepcionalmente brillante pero sedentario hermano de Sherlock y a Moriarty, el implacable enemigo que le costará la vida a nuestro protagonista.
Disfruté cada historia aunque algunas resultaron marcadamente más enredadas e imprevisibles que otras. La voracidad creativa de Arthur Conan Doyle no deja de sorprenderme ni de satisfacerme. Si tuviera que elegir tres preferidos serían: el rostro amarillo, el ritual de los Musgrave y el problema final, aunque este último no tanto por el misterio sino por la lucha de ingenio entre dos memorables contrincantes.
September 27, 2018
Fourth in the Sherlock Holmes series, this collection includes:
- Silver Blaze - 4/5 - after a slow start it's Holmes by a nose!
- The Yellow Face - 4/5 - An interesting mystery with an ending that was quite progressive for its day
- The Stock-Broker's Clerk - 3/5 - very similar to The Red Headed League
- The Adventure of the Gloria Scott: Sherlock Holmes - 3/5 - Holmes' first case, very similar to The Sign of Four
- The Musgrave Ritual - 4/5 - another early Holmes case told to Watson
- The Reigate Puzzle - 4/5 - mysteries even find Holmes during his vacations
- The Adventure of the Crooked Man - 3/5 - so, another story where someone's past comes back to haunt them?
- The Adventure of the Resident Patient - 4/5 - somewhat familiar story but just unique enough to remain interesting
- The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter - 3/5 - introducing Mycroft Holmes, but the story treads familiar ground
- The Naval Treaty - 4/5 - twice as long as most Holmes stories which helps allow for more plot development
- The Adventure of the Final Problem - 4/5 - meet Professor Moriarty, the Napoleon of crime
- Silver Blaze - 4/5 - after a slow start it's Holmes by a nose!
- The Yellow Face - 4/5 - An interesting mystery with an ending that was quite progressive for its day
- The Stock-Broker's Clerk - 3/5 - very similar to The Red Headed League
- The Adventure of the Gloria Scott: Sherlock Holmes - 3/5 - Holmes' first case, very similar to The Sign of Four
- The Musgrave Ritual - 4/5 - another early Holmes case told to Watson
- The Reigate Puzzle - 4/5 - mysteries even find Holmes during his vacations
- The Adventure of the Crooked Man - 3/5 - so, another story where someone's past comes back to haunt them?
- The Adventure of the Resident Patient - 4/5 - somewhat familiar story but just unique enough to remain interesting
- The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter - 3/5 - introducing Mycroft Holmes, but the story treads familiar ground
- The Naval Treaty - 4/5 - twice as long as most Holmes stories which helps allow for more plot development
- The Adventure of the Final Problem - 4/5 - meet Professor Moriarty, the Napoleon of crime
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,448 reviews