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The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes #12

The Adventure of the Retired Colourman: With original illustrations, a Sherlock Holmes story

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At CBy, we're avid readers ourselves- so our ethos is to make good, honestly advertised books that we'd buy and read ourselves- not just to maximise our profits. That's why we have a 4 point checklist of guaranteed quality.

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Comes with size 10 text- some companies like to scrimp a bit and use small text. We know how hard it is to read books like that, so we use a standard size 10 serif font that's been designed for legibility throughout. Comes in a standard size that looks great on your bookshelf- sometimes, we accidentally buy books that have been sized like childrens' books to save money. That's why we're upfront- this particular book is sized at the paperback industry 5.06" x 7.81". Comes with a beautifully designed glossy cover, unlike anything on the market. We hate books that look like they've come from a time capsule- so our team of designers have come up with a timeless design that's true to Conan Doyle's heritage. We love it, but take a look at it yourself in the flesh- again, if you don't like it, simply return it, no questions asked. Comes with the complete original and illustrated text from The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes. We hate books that miss things out- and we've carefully proofread this book to make sure that's not the case.

We love this book, and we hope that you will too. Thanks for considering CBy's range of classics.


"The Adventure of the Retired Colourman" is one of 12 Sherlock Holmes short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle in The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes.

28 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1926

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About the author

Arthur Conan Doyle

16.4k books24.7k followers
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was a Scottish writer and physician. He created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Holmes and Dr. Watson. The Sherlock Holmes stories are milestones in the field of crime fiction.

Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.

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5 stars
138 (15%)
4 stars
255 (29%)
3 stars
366 (41%)
2 stars
99 (11%)
1 star
18 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
Profile Image for Aishu Rehman.
1,140 reviews1,154 followers
January 27, 2019
Sherlock Holmes is hired by a retired art supply dealer from Lewisham, Josiah Amberley, to look into his wife’s disappearance. She has apparently left with a neighbour, Dr. Ray Ernest, taking a sizeable quantity of cash and securities. Amberley wants the two tracked down.

Holmes is busy with another case; so he sends Dr. Watson to Lewisham to observe and report, though Watson soon believes this case needs Holmes touch. Still, he does his best, observing that Amberley is busy painting his house, which seems rather unusual. He also gets a look at Amberley’s wife’s unused theatre ticket from the night she disappeared. She had plead a headache, leaving Amberley to go to the theatre alone, and was gone by the time he returned. Watson notes the seat number.
Profile Image for Katja Labonté.
Author 30 books367 followers
January 16, 2024
4 stars & 4/10 hearts. Well, this is an interesting story. I just wish the evildoer had met Justice...

It’s hard to share the plot without spoilers, but it involves murder, a wizened old man, a young wife, a boyish doctor, and a mysterious stranger. A. was terrible, but B. was fascinating and I so do wish he too shown up in more of the stories!! This is another of the stories where Watson investigates and Holmes tears his work to shreds, and then Watson plays decoy. Both Holmes & Watson were as splendid as ever, of course, and what I really loved was all the doses of Sherlock’s satirical humour…

Content: D*mned; de**l; a wife may have been unfaithful.

A Favourite Quote: “You'll get results, Inspector, by always putting yourself in the other fellow's place, and thinking what you would do yourself. It takes some imagination, but it pays.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “It is like some penurious patrician who has sunk into the company of his inferiors. You know that particular quarter, the monotonous brick streets, the weary suburban highways. Right in the middle of them, a little island of ancient culture and comfort, lies this old home, surrounded by a high sun-baked wall mottled with lichens and topped with moss…”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “There being no fear of interruption I proceeded to burgle the house. Burglary has always been an alternative profession had I cared to adopt it, and I have little doubt that I should have come to the front. Well, then came an incident which was rather unexpected to myself. I was slipping through the pantry window in the early dawn when I felt a hand inside my collar, and a voice said: ‘Now, you rascal, what are you doing in there?’… He had watched the house for some days and had spotted Dr. Watson as one of the obviously suspicious characters who had called there. He could hardly arrest Watson, but when he saw a man actually climbing out of the pantry window there came a limit to his restraint.”
Profile Image for Federico DN.
1,166 reviews4,764 followers
July 28, 2024
Great.

This was great, but not going to review it.

For the moment at least.

It’s public domain. You can find it HERE.

-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1927] [30p] [Crime] [3.5] [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

-----------------------------------------------

Genial.

Esto estuvo genial, pero no voy a reseñarlo.

Al menos por ahora.

Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.

-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1927] [30p] [Crimen] [3.5] [Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
Profile Image for Janete on hiatus due health issues.
836 reviews445 followers
November 20, 2021
2.5 stars. An excellent premise, but there are too many explanations of Holmes and too little action.

SYNOPSIS: "Sherlock Holmes is hired by a retired art supply dealer from Lewisham, Josiah Amberley, to look into his wife's disappearance. She has left with a neighbour, Dr. Ray Ernest, taking a sizeable quantity of cash and securities."
Profile Image for أمير  العطار.
89 reviews27 followers
December 4, 2022
«هل رأيتَه؟»
«تعني العجوز الذي خرج للتوِّ؟»
«بالضَّبط.»
«نعم، قابلتُه عند الباب.»
«وما رأيك فيه؟»
«كائن مثيرٌ للشفقة؛ مُحطَّمٌ وغير ذي جَدوى.»
«بالضبط يا واطسون. مُثير للشفقة وغير ذي جَدوى. لكن أليسَت الحياة برمَّتها مُثيرةً للشفقة، وغير ذات جدوى؟ أليستْ قصته صورةً مصغَّرة لما يُعانيه الجميع؟ لا نكاد نَحصُل على ما سعَينا خلفَه حتى نجده قد تحوَّل في أيدينا في النهاية إلى سرابٍ، أو خيالٍ، أو ما هو أسوأ من الخيال … الشَّقاء.»
Profile Image for Nö Ğå.
491 reviews14 followers
May 26, 2020
من بعض الملاحظات الخفيفه والغير مثيرة للانتباه تستطيع حل ابسط القضايا ولكن يجب ان يكون لديك عقل شيرلوك هولمز وصديق كالدكتور واطسون.

من ملاحظة رائحة الطلاء الحديثه الملفته للانتباه وسرقه غرفه محصنه وكيفيه عمل هذه الغرفه
استطاع شيرلوك الايقاع بعامل الطلاء.

فالعقول المظلمه التي تتوقع حدوث مدبرات ومكائد طوال الوقت والبخل والشح والمعامله السيئه لاتستطيع حتي ان تثق باصابعك.

لاتثق بنفسك انك ذكي فانك ستقع ف اسهل مكائدك حتي لو كنت تلعب الشطرنج ولديك عقل مدبر.
Profile Image for John Yelverton.
4,459 reviews40 followers
June 18, 2019
Sherlock Holmes is hired to try and find some missing people, but sends Dr. Watson to investigate for him first, as he did in "The Hound of the Baskervilles." It definitely has the panache of earlier Sherlock Holmes stories, but maybe not quite as effective in its conclusion.
Profile Image for Evine Zetterström.
229 reviews
December 31, 2022
Honestly one of the more underwhelming Sherlock stories in my opinion. Had a bit of a hard time following what was happening at times and felt no real attachment towards anything or anyone involved.
Profile Image for Dr.Abdulwahab Alnaif.
359 reviews14 followers
September 12, 2023
اليوم التاسع والعشرون في تحدي ٣٠ كتاب ورواية في ٣٠ يوم

مغامرة الرجل المتقاعد لارثر كونان دويل
والمحقق المحبوب شرلوك هولمز
عن شخص يقوم بخطة شيطانية للقضاء الى زوجته وعشيقها ويوهم الجميع ان الامر مجرد حادث

قصيررررة جدااااً لكن ممتعة

تمت بحمد الله ١١/٩/٢٠٢٣ لكن نسيت ان انشرها البارحة
Profile Image for Joop.
953 reviews8 followers
November 29, 2021
2,6 sterren. In dit avontuur moet SH wel veel verklaren om tot de oplossing te komen.
Profile Image for James.
1,849 reviews19 followers
August 24, 2020
This is a story of a robbed man, robbed of love, robbed of money. A retired gentleman with money, marries a much younger woman who runs off with a doctor. He, in turn goes to consult Sherlock Holmes. But, all is not what it seems.

What was nice about this story was that Holmes handed over more of the reigns to Watson by looking further into the case for him. Even when Watson made some errors, instead of being condescending as Holmes was earlier on in these novels, he pointed out Watson’s errors and used them as ‘teachable lessons’.

Although an excellent premise for a story, two things drew it down; 1) It was too short for what it covered and 2) Once Holmes had solved the mystery, because the story was SO SHORT, there weren’t enough details to allow the reader to draw any such conclusions that Holmes drew. You were just blind sided and felt kind of cheated by it.
Profile Image for Amelia Bujar.
1,942 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2024
FULL REVIEW ON MY WEBSITE
https://thebookcornerchronicles.com/2...

To be fully honest here this story was a little bit weak but let me explain why I say so.

The plot here was a little bit off and weak in my opinion. It for sure wasn’t one of the best Sherlock Holmes stories but it still bring joy and entertaining while reading it. But after reading it and thinking about this story I gotta say that it could have been better than it actually was.

The characters here are okay but when it comes to Sherlock Holmes and doctor Watson they are an amazing due and I loved they both because they have something in them which makes us relate to them.

The writing style here was okay but I think that sir Arthur Conan Doyle could have done better in this book.
Profile Image for Elysa.
462 reviews36 followers
May 26, 2021
This isn't one of my favorites, but it was definitely enjoyable. It just didn't have that classic Holmes story feel that I guess I've become used to at this point.

Holmes is hired by a retired miser to look into the disappearance of his very young wife. On the surface, it appears the miser's wife stole some of his valuables and ran away with his doctor friend. Something to note is that he sends Watson to investigate first as his "understudy" but Watson "missed everything of importance." This was kind of a funny exchange. Another note is that this is the first time we officially learn of Mr. Barker, who Holmes describes as his rival. They end up working together to solve the case.
Profile Image for Pam.
2,253 reviews35 followers
November 2, 2021
AUTHOR Doyle, Arthur Conan
TITLE The Adventure of the Retired Colourman
DATE READ 10/21/21
RATING 4.5/B+
FIRST SENTENCE Sherlock Holmes was in a melancholy and philosophic mood that morning.
GENRE/PUB DATE/FORMAT/LENGTH Fiction/1926/ SS
SERIES/STAND ALONE
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2021 Reading Goal 90/120
GROUP READ Sherlock Holmes Group
TIME/PLACE England/ 1920’s
CHARACTERS Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, Retired “colourman” art supply owner
COMMENTS Love the writing/words of the Sherlock Holmes stories and the clever mystery. This one for me was the writing over the mystery although definitely still a worthwhile read.
Profile Image for Samik Basu.
44 reviews
January 8, 2025
A retired art supply dealer, hires Mr Sherlock Holmes , to track down his young wife , who has apparently left with his neighbour with sizeable quantity of cash / bonds

In this adventure, Holmes takes a back seat and most of the investigation / grunt work is done by Watson.

It runs on the theme , that reality may have multiple layers than what is being visible apparently.

In the story , as usual Scotland Yard takes assistance from Holmes , to fulfil their own target, somehow it made me feel that Lestrade had more loyalty as compared to Inspector Mackinnon, present in this tale.

This is not as exciting as other Holmes adventure and could be a casual read.
Profile Image for An-Nisa Nur'aini.
152 reviews37 followers
November 23, 2017
:))


"You certainly seem to have met every difficulty," said the inspector. "Of course, he was bound to call us in, but why he should have gone to you I can't understand."

"Pure swank!" Holmes answered, "He felt so clever and so sure of himself that he imagined no on could touch him. He could say to any suspicious neighbour, 'Look at the steps I have taken. I have consulted not only the police but even Sherlock Holmes.'"

The inspector laughed.

"We must forgive you your 'even,' Mr. Holmes," said he, "it's a work-manlike a job as I can remember."
Profile Image for ᗩᗰIᖇᗩ ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚.
214 reviews1 follower
January 17, 2026

"يلجأ «جوزايا امبرلي»، تاجر مواد الطلاء المتقاعد، إلى «شيرلوك هولمز» للتحقيق في اختفاء زوجته الشابة الجميلة التي تركته ورحلت مع صديقه الخائن، الدكتور «راي ارنست»، إلى وجهة غير معلومة، بعد استيلائهما على مبلغ كبير من المال وصندوق مملوء بالوثائق المهمة. كان «هولمز» منشغلا بقضية رأى أنها أكثر أهمية، فأرسل صديقه الدكتور «واطسون» إلى منزل التاجر في «لويزهام» ليَرجعَ بالفعل ببعض المعلومات التي تثير اهتمام «هولمز» بالقضية. وكما هي عادته، يتوصَّل إلى استنتاجات خطيرة ومفاجآت مدهشة بشأنها. فما الذي اكتشفه «هولمز» هذه المرة؟ وتُرى إلى أين ذهبت الزوجة؟ ولماذا لاذت بالفرار من زوجها المحب؟"
314 reviews
June 1, 2024
This review is for a print version of the story.

Josiah Amberley, the retired colourman of the title, is a miserable man. His wife has run off with his best friend, and stolen all his money to boot. Can Holmes help? Actually, Holmes is busy, but he sends Watson to investigate --but Watson is himself followed by a mysterious dark man! All is not what it seems in this story.

Screen history:

1965 -- BBC -- Douglas Wilmer/Nigel Stock --good, basic retelling

Profile Image for Sapphire Detective.
715 reviews4 followers
September 14, 2025
A short but simple Holmes, technically the last one ever published by Doyle as it is the last story of the last collection, but enjoyable nonetheless!

My rating: 4/5
Would I own/re-read?: Yeah.
TW: Murder, Death, Attempted Suicide
Does the animal die?: No animals are harmed by the Retired Colourman.
How difficult was the mystery?: Not too difficult, but the exact details that Holmes uses for deduction we don't have. But there's still enough there to figure out the main beats.
59 reviews
March 1, 2026
With this story, I've finally read all of Sherlock Holmes. Honestly, I'm just glad to be done with it. While I enjoyed the first two thirds, it's evident that Doyle lost interest for the characters in the later stories, and did not have the same passion for Sherlock Holmes. I found myself that the last stories were lacking soul. The spark wasn't there. I just forced myself through them for completionist sake.

Farewell Sherlock - I enjoyed your stories - for the most part.
Profile Image for Lloyd Hughes.
604 reviews
December 23, 2019
A wealthy avaricious retired man weds a lady 20 years his junior. He comes to Sherlock seeking help and claiming that his young wife has run off with a young doctor with whom he played chess, and to make matters worse they stole all his money. Unfortunately for him, Sherlock took the case. Five stars because it Sherlock, which means that it is essential reading for those who like to read.
Profile Image for ميساء.
26 reviews
October 27, 2025
«أليست الحياةُ برمتها مثيرةً للشفقة وغيرَ ذاتِ جدوى؟
أليست قصته صورةً مصغرةً لما يعانيه الجميع؟
لا نكاد نحصلُ على ما سعينا خلفه حتى نجده قد تحوّل في النهاية إلى سرابٍ أو خيال، أو ما هو أسوأ من الخيال.. الشقاء»

أداء صوتي ررررائع قدّمه إسلام عادل، أما كتابات آرثر كونان دويل فتبقى مدهشةً كعادتها، لا تحتاج إلى تعريف♥️
Profile Image for Marcus.
1,190 reviews27 followers
October 27, 2025
Quite good this one. Never hire Sherlock hoping he will prove your fake alibi.

“Exactly, Watson. Pathetic and futile. But is
not all life pathetic and futile? Is not his story a
microcosm of the whole? We reach. We grasp. And
what is left in our hands at the end? A shadow. Or
worse than a shadow—misery.”
Profile Image for Matt.
2,639 reviews27 followers
June 3, 2020
This was better than some, but it wasn't my favorite Sherlock story. On the bright side, listening to this audiobook brings an end to my long journey of listening to every Sherlock Holmes story that Arthur Conan Doyle ever wrote.

Final rating = 3.5 stars
Profile Image for Marwa Ahmed.
227 reviews64 followers
December 16, 2021
قصة جيدة و يظهر فيها ذكاء شرلوك هولمز من ملاحظته الدقيقة و بالتأكيد تقديره لملاحظات صديقه واطسون والجديد انها تظهر جانب مختلف من سماحته الشخصية فالمهم عنده هو انجاز المهمة و ليس التفاخر بالأعمال و تقديرها علي العلن بشكل فج يكفي ثقته الرهيبة بنفسه
Profile Image for J9.
2,301 reviews132 followers
April 8, 2023
One of my favorites. A lot darker than I had first anticipated. There were a few clues that were a bit far fetched, but I understood where they were coming from later on. Quick, easy, read, with lots of excitement!
6,726 reviews5 followers
September 14, 2023
Entertaining Sherlock Holmes short story.

I read this first in 2018. It is a very much Holmes and Watson solving a mystery.

I listened to this for the second time in 2023. It was just a good as the first time.

I would highly recommend the Casebook of Sherlock Holmes.
Profile Image for Emily.
640 reviews8 followers
January 6, 2024
2.25/5
Honestly, one of the more boring Sherlock stories. Had a bit of a hard time following what was happening at times and felt no real attachment towards anything or anyone involved. The action was happening primarily in the background.
Profile Image for Mike Lisanke.
1,778 reviews34 followers
January 13, 2025
I can't say the final adventure of the final collection of the two volume set of collective works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle struck me as memorable or outstanding. And that's a shame. But there are two parodies and two essay which complete the work and for which I'm hopeful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews