The Final Problem and Other Stories

by Arthur Conan Doyle

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Detective, Short Stories

197 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

First published in 1893, TFP was initially intended to be the last installment in the Sherlock Holmes series. Eight years later, roundabout 1901, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (thankfully) changed his mind.

The Final Problem is my least favorite story in the Holmes franchise. Maybe it is because Doyle was weary of the whole thing when he wrote it? It does seem to lack the complexity and zeal of his other stories. Or maybe it is just me? Maybe I like it less because it feels like the last hoorah of a beloved character?

Either way, I’m elated that Doyle had a change of heart because his next story, set before The Final Problem, was (in my humble opinion) his best…

The Hound of the Baskervilles

[Temple Dog · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not fond of this one. Of all of Doyle's works, this one seemed overly verbose. Granted, words are his mantra, but for this story, they were superfluous.

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful compilation of short stories with one of my favourite detectives and his faithful Watson. I loved these stories and they didn’t fail to show the genius of Sherlock with his deductions and solving of cases. I love hearing about his methods and methodology as well as the relationship and friendship between himself and Watson.

It also featured one of my favourites stories, the final problem where we’re introduced to Moriarty and the final altercation between him and Sherlock. I find these stories so cleverly written, compelling and entertaining to read. They are definitely among some of the greatest detective stories of all time!

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Watson shares with the reader, Sherlock Holmes final encounter with Professor Moriarty when they met at the Reichenbach Water Falls near Meiringen in Swizerland and vanquished over the falls while locked in a struggle of death.

[Marsha Dermott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my favourite Sherlock Holmes story. Moriarty is such a wonderful villain, as Sherlock is a characterful protagonist... neither of them can die, that wouldn't be right.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good set of stories building upon what we know of Holmes and Watson. The Final Problem is a very good book, thrilling, tense and sad.

[Alba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un final perfecto para Sherlock

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of the same from this little anthology of Arthur Conan Doyle’s short stories about the genius detective.

I have the same qualms as I did with the previous collection I read. There are some great ideas in here but to put them into short stories seems to make the stories sprint when they should stroll. I wish ACD had made each of these stories a novel and we would all have a much richer heritage.

Like an entrée; very nice, but gone in one bite.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really hard to read without imagining the actors from Sherlock in the roles, which is a bit weird as some of the descriptions are nothing like the actors! (specifically, Mycroft and Moriarty)

[Alayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some very good Sherlock Holmes yarns in here. Enjoyed them all :)