The Complete Original Illustrated Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes #3-6

by Arthur Conan Doyle

Librarian's Note: This is alternate cover edition #1
ISBN 10: 0890090572
ISBN13: 9780890090572
See: Original Record Here

With all 356 original illustrations by Sidney Paget.

Note: All information herein, such as number of pages, publisher, etc., refer to this alternate cover edition and may or may not coincide with the main entry for this ISBN or any other alternate covers.

~

Genres: Mystery, Classics, Fiction, Short Stories, Literature, Crime, Detective

636 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1891

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

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally finished this a few months ago. I'd been reading it since Christmas 1976. Thirty-two years. I loved reading a story or three every now and then. Always comforting. Finally decided to press forward and went through a dozen or so in a short period, which gave me a whole new appreciation for Doyle as an artist. He was an excellent writer, with a kind of magic that's hard to puzzle out. These stories exert a hold that seems greater than the sum of the parts.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've added a review of The Return to the bottom of this...

The Memoirs continues the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – and this review will be one long spoiler – so if you don’t know, don’t read on.

I showed the daughters the BBC production of these a few years ago and when we got to the episode in which Holmes and Moriarty topple into the waterfall, well, there were tears and an agony of disbelief. But reading this now it seems to me that Doyle was leaving himself open to bringing Holmes back to life all along. The fact no one actually sees what happens is very telling, if you ask me.

These stories are good clean fun. I have enjoyed them very much. I am also particularly fond of Mycroft, Holmes’ older and smarter brother. It is amusing that he entirely locks himself away in the Diogenes Club in which any human contact is not only frowned upon, but grounds for being kicked out. The fact that the original Diogenes, the philosopher of Greek persuasion, used to masturbate in public possibly has some deeper meaning it is best not to speculate on concerning Doyle’s feelings for Holmes in what was supposed to have been his second last story concerning the great detective.

As annoying as Holmes may have become to Doyle, we have many reasons to be glad that he was resurrected.

The Return

Imagine you were forced to go back to writing stories based on the life of a character you had thought you had killed off about a decade earlier – what would those stories be like?

This book also ends with Holmes in retirement, with Watson under strict orders not to write any more tales. I found it fascinating how many of the stories begin with the narration in the past tense – almost as if Holmes is dead and Watson wrote these in memoriam. Holmes has also become increasingly frustrated with Watson, both as his Boswell and as any sort of thinker at all. It even seems a bit sarcastic at the end of one story when Holmes refers to Watson as the perfect representative of the British Jury and has Watson playing along.

Which is the other thing Holmes seems to do more in these stories now he has been brought back to life – play with the other characters. He seems much more contemptuous of those around him. I kept thinking of that horror story The Monkey’s Paw where one does need to be careful what one wishes for and if you do bring someone back from the dead they might not be quite what you had hoped. In fact, now I of it, it is remarkable how often that idea returns in literature in one form or another. Even in Carey's Bliss

I’ve been thinking of Doyle’s spiritualism lately and what Holmes would have made of it all. I can’t help feeling that there might have been words between the two of them and tuts and the slow shaking of the head. That is, I sometimes wonder if Holmes, the character, was more necessary, in a sense, than Doyle the writer. I know that sounds like a silly thing to say, but I think it might be at least a little true too.

One of the things Holmes recommends in his rationally imaginative process of detective work is to gauge the intelligence of the person who commits the crime and then work out what someone of that level of intelligence would be likely to do at any given point. Well, we are repeatedly told that Watson is as dull as dishwater – memorably in one case Holmes says that this is not a case for Watson as it requires brains. We are told this repeatedly, and yet we trust him completely as he tells us these stories.

Watson's wife snuffs it at some stage between these two books - something so painful for Watson that the only reference to it is that Holmes never mentions it so as to spare Watson's feelings. If a character is unnecessary best to kill them off, I guess.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I. A Scandal in Bohemia: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
II. The Red-Headed League: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
III. A Case of Identity: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
IV. The Boscombe Valley Mystery: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
V. The Five Orange Pips: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
VI. The Man with the Twisted Lip: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
VII. The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
VIII. The Adventure of the Speckled Band: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
IX. The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
X. The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
XI. The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
XII. The Adventure of the Copper Beeches: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

2. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I. Silver Blaze: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
II. The Adventure of the Cardboard Box: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
III. The Yellow Face: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
IV. The Stockbroker’s Clerk: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
V. The “Gloria Scott”: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
VI. The Musgrave Ritual: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
VII. The Reigate Puzzle: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
VIII. The Crooked Man: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
IX. The Resident Patient: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
X. The Greek Interpreter: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
XI. The Naval Treaty: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
XII. The Final Problem: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

3. Hound of the Baskervilles: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

4. Return of Sherlock Holmes: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I. The Adventure of the Empty House: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
II. The Adventure of the Norwood Builder: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
III. The Adventure of the Dancing Men: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
IV. The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
V. The Adventure of the Priory School: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
VI. The Adventure of Black Peter: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
VII. The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
VIII. The Adventure of the Six Napoleons: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
IX. The Adventure of the Three Students: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
X. The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
XI. The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
XII. The Adventure of the Abbey Grange: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
XIII. The Adventure of the Second Stain: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Overall content: violence; smoking; drinking; language; some immoral situations (not presented well).

A Favourite Quote: “‘Your life is not your own,’ he said. ‘Keep your hands off it.’
“‘What use is it to anyone?’
“‘How can you tell? The example of patient suffering is in itself the most precious of all lessons to an impatient world.’”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “[T]he heath-covered countryside, with the glowing clumps of flowering gorse, seemed all the more beautiful to eyes which were weary of the duns and drabs and slate-greys of London. Holmes and I walked along the broad, sandy road inhaling the fresh morning air, and rejoicing in the music of the birds and the fresh breath of the spring. From a rise of the road on the shoulder of Crooksbury Hill, we could see the grim Hall bristling out from amidst the ancient oaks, which, old as they were, were still younger than the building which they surrounded.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Miss Morstan's demeanour was as resolute and collected as ever. I endeavoured to cheer and amuse her by reminiscences of my adventures in Afghanistan; but, to tell the truth, I was myself so excited at our situation, and so curious as to our destination, that my stories were slightly involved. To this day she declares that I told her one moving anecdote as to how a musket looked into my tent at the dead of night, and how I fired a double-barrelled tiger cub at it.”

[Jen3n · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection is the second, third, and fourth sets of Holmes stories, plus The Hound of the Baskervilles. While it IS missing my favorite collection of stories, the first set which runs from A Study in Scarlet through The Sign of Four; and it DOES have the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad fourth set entitled "The Return of Sherlock Holmes" (the series should have ended at The Final Problem), this book gets four stars because the good stories are excellent and the bad stories are made-up-for by the original artwork that accompanies all the adventures.

This book is also set up so that it appears in the same fashion (layout, typeface, etcetera) as it did when the stories first appeared in The Strand. More points in its favor.

So, recommended. I suppose. If you are already a fan and have an interest in late 19th century art work.

Naw: just "recommended" in general. Everyone should read the adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

[Sasha Bredenhof · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally finished this massive volume of Sherlock Holmes! I really enjoyed this, despite how long it took me to get through it. Some of the stories were a bit more tricky to get into, and some were just plain confusing - but for the most part I could follow the mysteries. So cool to see how smart Sherlock is, how observant he is, and how he can just figure it out!
Highly recommended reading, especially if you like a good "whodunnit"!

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: The Original Illustrated Sherlock Holmes
By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
It’s amazing how one good book can truly open your eyes. The Original Illustrated Sherlock Holmes, a collection of short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, did just that. I have learned to make more observations and observe detail better, and soon you can too!
Sherlock Holmes is a detective who lived in the late 1800s to early 1900s in London. He offers his deductive powers to whoever needs them, yet always keeps a low profile. The story is chronicled through the perspective of Dr. John Watson, Holmes’ accomplice and friend. There are several conflicts in the story; Holmes is against Professor Moriarty, potential assassins, and organized crime. Holmes is an intriguing man, who was partially based off of Conan Doyle’s university teacher, Joseph Bell. Holmes is known to constantly baffle Watson with his keen eye for detail and his extraordinary methods of deduction. He only interests himself in complicated cases, and is occasionally mocked by the police for having “unconventional methods”.
The characters in the story are very realistic, and always interesting. The story is completely original, and different from most books that you will find published today. Interestingly enough, Conan Doyle had many troubles even getting someone to publish his works. He has written other stories, but is mostly famous for his creation of Sherlock Holmes. A statue of this most famous detective has been erected near to one of Conan Doyle’s houses.
The language of this book is not what I am used to, and it did prove to be quite fun researching some of the references. It contains occasional humor, but is a mostly serious mystery-themed read. The book has 636 pages, though there are other Sherlock Holmes stories that were not included. Conan Doyle includes a few things from his personal life in the stories. His father was an alcoholic, and the characters in his stories that have drinking problems are usually portrayed in a bad light. He has a strong mind for justice and law, which is evident in his stories. The author allows you to visualize the settings with great detail, and the fast tempo keeps the book going.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a little intellectual challenge, or a change of pace from today’s mystery stories. The book is long and packed with information, so it takes a while to get through the whole thing. After reading the first story, I was absolutely hooked, and I know that you will be too.

[Tom Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh what a joy it was to read this book! I grew up wanting to be Sherlock Holmes after I read "The Hound of Baskervilles". Holmes was ahead of his time with his chemical and physiology expertise, he was the original CSI master. I wanted to solve mysteries and command that infallible logic that made Holmes so perfect. As I returned to this character, as an adult, I found him to be even more amazing, if not more complex, due to the human qualities and vices he contained. He was certainly an edgy character for the Victorian age, for he was plagued with either bipolar or manic depression, drug use in the form of self medication, and the caustic Anglo-pomp personality which was a manifestation of his genius. No doubt he would be on pharmaceuticals today.
In this beautiful collection, there are 37 stories neatly compiled and illustrated expertly by the great Sidney Paget. This is a classic that will be enjoyed by all thinking men, women and children with a curious imagination.

[Emily Casella · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems fitting that I would finish this three year endevour of finishing this book on the same day I am finishing my three years of working at my library job. I got this collection book from my grandparents' attic after they died and we were clearing the house. It has taken since May 15, 2015 to finish this. But I finally did it! I have to say I liked everything that came after Reichbach Falls. The return of Sherlock stories were more entertaining then the earlier stories. I finally got in the swing of reading them. Even though they were not made too long ago, the English is a bit different and the newspaper styled format feels like it takes forever to read each story. But nonetheless I finally finished! Hazaah!

[Ben Goodridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading this doorstop off and on for a little over a year now, with the advantage of having read "Hound of the Baskervilles" some years ago and a handful of other stories here and there.

Sherlock Holmes is one of those ideas that's been so relentlessly adapted that our public consciousness has more to do with the adaptations than the stories, which has brought readers searching for originalism to the Granada series starring Jeremy Brett. Visitors from other adaptations might be surprised to see Holmes smoking cigarettes instead of an ornate Meerschaum, Moriarty as the villain of one particular piece rather than an ever-persistent nemesis, and a competent, insightful Watson.

The role these days tends to devote itself to his crippling psychological shortcomings, resulting in a string of drug-fueled, obsessive-compulsive Holmeses played by people like Robert Downey Jr. and Benedict Cumberbatch, spun from the same cloth as Hugh Laurie's Gregory House. Visualize the reaction of a modern fan come late to the source material, who finds Holmes's drug use subdued and eventually terminated, his interpersonal relationships healthy and continuing, a police department that holds him in admiration, and nary a deerstalker in sight. (Wonder also at Holmes occasionally slipping into pseudoscience, such as trying to uncover personality traits through handwriting analysis.)

An audiobook version of "The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes" helped me wrap this up, read precisely by Derek Jacobi, who possibly provides the definitive portrayal, many apologies to Cumberbatch et al. Originalism is about letting go of the cultural baggage later generations attach to an idea, and nothing comes closer to the source material than a Shakespearian actor reading the actual source material.

Meanwhile, I wonder if there are going to be any Sherlock Holmes jokes when Iron Man meets Dr. Strange in "Avengers: Infinity War?"

[Howie Rosen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two firsts here. Writing a review before I've reached even halfway to the finish line. And reading short stories are nearly as far down my list of pleasures as cracking open a book of poetry. Doyle's adventures make a quick start out of the blocks, so going from one to the other is effortless. These stories in their day rivaled the popularity of a new Harry Potter book--and no wonder that--each plot is so deliciously different.

The greatest joy is to pay careful attention to the details in order to predict the outcome. I'm batting an All Star's average so far! The mark of a classic work is that it never seems to show its age no matter its age. The original Sidney Paget illustrations transport you to a London of long ago nearly as well as a Masterpiece Theater Production.

Not to be missed by any mystery buff.

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of Sherlock Holmes, you need this book. It's not the complete Canon, but quite frankly, you can do without the first Sherlock Holmes novel. It's easy enough to pick up a copy, anyway, if you are desperate enough.

This book contains all of the Sherlock Holmes short stories, and The Hound of the Baskervilles. They also contain all of the original illustrations, including those done by the late great Sidney Paget. As all of these stories originally appeared in The Strand magazine, the text and illustrations are laid out as a facsimile of the magazine.

This is a big, heavy book. It really hurts if you accidentally drop it on your foot. It does make a great make-shift bookend. I haven't used it as a doorstop, but if I did, I'd be sure to take the dust jacket off first.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The short stories are best; they are almost too perfectly concise and structured. The reader is kept in a delicate balance of awe and active sleuthing.

Unlike what has been said of the film version, Watson is no comic character but the perfect foil to Sherlock's cold, inhuman exterior. W/o Watson, you wouldn't have a story unless it were Sherlock's stream of consciousness followed by boredom.

Read a great article about how Doyle created Sherlock at exactly the perfect time in history - the age of science and technology was touching more lives than ever, and people were afraid of losing their sense of wonder. In walks Sherlock, who makes scuff marks interesting and scientific. I can see why this is required reading for school children.

[☠ Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leí toda la obra de Doyle sobre Sherlock Holmes en español. Un día vi de lejos este libro y llamó mi atención la portada, me aproximé a él y vi que era un facsímil de las historias tal y como fueron publicadas en The Strand Magazine, incluso, desde luego, con las ilustraciones originales de Sidney Paget. No tuve más remedio que comprarlo aunado al hecho de que su precio era una ganga.
Aunque solo contiene 37 relatos y el Sabueso de los Baskerville vale la pena por las ilustraciones.

[Jorge Rosas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this edition, I could follow Sherlock from the early years to the zombie time, and so the different way the pair encounter, solve and how they’re written. The format and the pictures do look like an old magazine which makes it quite lovely. Because of the length it’s really hard to write a proper review but I can say that Sherlock had a god impact on my life and I enjoyed most of the ride.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this years ago. Loved the illustrations!

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. The best stories of Sherlock Holmes might be found here instead of his ties to Moriarty or the Baskerville Hound.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting to read the original after watching so many adaptations

[Gerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired to take up this volume again by fervor surrounding the new Sherlock Holmes movie to be released in December of 2009.

The edition that I am reading was published in 1976. It is handsomely bound in the manner of a book intended to look impressive on a shelf without having the desired effect.

The stories are quite good, though.

Finished this very recently. Nothing like a book full of Sherlock Holmes to instill in oneself the desire to take up smoking a pipe, and logically deduce what's been going on in one's apartment based on trifling physical evidence.

[Steven Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Scandal in Bohemia," "The Red-Headed League," "The Hound of the Baskervilles," "The Return of Sherlock Holmes," and so on. As the Introduction notes, "Here--reproduced in complete facsimile--are the original Sherlock Holmes detective stories by Arthur Conan Doyle as they first appeared in the famed British magazine 'The Strand.'"

The original art work and printing adds an interesting element to this volume. But, in the end, it is the tales of Holmes that make this book attractive.

A nice compilation for Holmes' afficianados.

[Mary Holm]

I watched the PBS series SHERLOCK and fell in love. I'd never read any Sherlock Holmes stories before, (I claim not to like mysteries) but the series prompted me to check out some of the original stories. My husband reminded me that we had this book stored in our garage. So we pulled it out and I started reading. Currently reading the Hound of the Baskervilles. By the way, if you haven't seen SHERLOCK, do yourself a favor and run, don't walk, to rent or buy the DVD. Or you can watch some of the episodes on the PBS website.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I have not yet finished reading all of the stories in this version of Sherlock Holmes, so I've only seen a fraction of the illustrations, but the old typography and black and white pictures are so charming. I love how this edition takes you back in time to the original printing in The Strand. It goes without saying that I have long adored the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and was quite happy to receive this as a gift.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Master of the mystery. Always fun.

[P.M. Pevato · Rating 5 out of 5]

My comfort food.

[Richard Dominguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this edition as the stories are printed as they first appeared in the "Strand" (I believe) ... A great way to catch up on all of Doyle's Holmes stories ...

[Sharon Dorival · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Original Illustrated Sherlock Holmes: A Timeless Classic

"The Original Illustrated Sherlock Holmes" by Arthur Conan Doyle, with illustrations by Sidney Paget, is a masterfully crafted collection of short stories that has stood the test of time. This edition, faithfully reproduced from the original publication in The Strand Magazine, transports readers to the London of the late 19th century, immersing them in the world of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

A Compelling Narrative

Doyle's writing is as engaging as ever, with stories that expertly balance intellectual challenge and suspense. The characters of Holmes and Watson are richly drawn, with Holmes' brilliant deductions and Watson's astute observations making for a compelling partnership. While some stories may feel more convincing than others, the collection's unevenness only adds to its charm.

Sidney Paget's Iconic Illustrations

Paget's illustrations are a highlight of this edition, bringing the characters and settings to life with remarkable detail and atmosphere. His depictions of Holmes, in particular, have become iconic, capturing the character's essence and mystique. The illustrations perfectly complement the text, enhancing the reader's experience and immersion in the stories.

A Must-Read for Mystery Fans

"The Original Illustrated Sherlock Holmes" is a must-read for fans of mystery and detective fiction. While some readers may find certain aspects of the stories, such as the portrayal of women and colonial subjects, to be dated or problematic, these elements are undeniably a product of their time. Overall, this collection remains a testament to Doyle's skill as a storyteller and Paget's genius as an illustrator.

Rating and Recommendation

This book deserves a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. It's a beautifully crafted edition that will appeal to fans of Sherlock Holmes and collectors of vintage books. If you're new to the series, this edition provides an excellent introduction to the world of Holmes and Watson. For seasoned fans, it's a chance to revisit beloved stories and appreciate Paget's iconic illustrations.

Key Highlights:

Faithful Reproduction: The book's layout and typography are faithful to the original publication in The Strand Magazine.

Iconic Illustrations: Sidney Paget's illustrations are a standout feature of this edition, bringing the characters and settings to life.


Timeless Stories: Doyle's stories remain engaging and suspenseful, despite being written over a century ago.

A Must-Read: This collection is a must-read for fans of mystery and detective fiction, particularly those interested in the Sherlock Holmes canon.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a roundabout way, this book steered my entire year of 2021. I had bought this book late in 2020 from a Goodwill. Then, the full realization that these stories were published monthly actually hit me. People waiting for these stories to come out each month, and who was I to be any different. I had made feeble attempts at reading through Sherlock Holmes in times past, but decided to really buckle down. For the entirety of 2021 January, through December, I would read the stories in the month they were published. At first I was hoping that would mean they would be set in the month of publishing. I quickly learned that was wrong.

I made out a list, to go story by story, month by month, to check off these magnificent stories.

January had 6, February 7, March 5, April 4, May, June, and July all had 3. August had 4, September 6, October 5, November 4, and December 10.

The only adjustments I did, was I took 'His Last Bow' from September, and read it as the last story for December. It was the last case Sherlock Holmes worked on, and saw it fitting to switch them.

Anyway, to the point. Sherlock is such a wonderful character, who has real true love for his companion Watson. It's always so sad when movies, and shows portray Sherlock as some cold, unfeeling, and humorless man. I enjoyed the mix of cases, pleased that they didn't all involve murder. It was also kind of comforting that sherlock was failable and he, just like any man, can make mistakes.

I had a great feeling of loss when my reading adventure came to a definitive end. Also a feeling of relief, where I felt my bounds of duty were cut, and I was able to pursue other literary paths.

I recommend what I did to anyone who wants to read through Sherlock Holmes. It was a year well spent.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANAZING.
First of all this edition was great because the original illustrations are right next to the stories, and if you do a bit of research the art itself is actually very cool- it includes, for example the first ever portrayal of Holmes in the flap hat. I recommend this site (http://dickens.stanford.edu/sherlockh...) for help with Victorian language, etc.
Besides being a great collector piece and plain beautiful, the Sherlock Holmes stories are immensely entertaining. Mystery fans I am sure would like if simply to see where it all got started because (again fun fact) many of Holmes' tricks were brand new both literally and forensically. But I'm not even a huge mystery fan, and I still loved it. It has that TV series kind of feel with characters that are very robust and play off of each other meeting characters new to the gig, and it can sometimes just be a fun little misadventure. There are plenty of surprises and nuances to Watson's and Holmes' relationship and history. I also love the fact that (spoiler) Holmes doesn't always succeed. The series can be very realistic.
When it wants to that is. Some details are very disenfranchising and flat out unrealistic. And typical of Victorian lit., women are downplayed so much, also the natives in Britain's colonies. This is majorly disappointing, and at times extremely offensive but the beauty of the work is only slightly marred.
So, if you need a read this is a great book. Each story, with the exception of the book in the middle is a stand-alone ten to fifteen minute read.

[David Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable little read. Like any short story collection, uneven. And there is definitely plenty of yikes in Doyle's writing via Holmes, particularly the phrenological stuff and the racist stuff that rears its head again here and there. The tone of the stories is fun, what with Holmes' smug nature, though I'm rather disappointed with the way Watson's character is mostly treated as a mere plot device, since the first collection in this book gives his narrative a lot more depth that just disappears. There's definitely a range of reasonableness to the tales (though maybe that's part of the fun) -- definitely spans the gamut from obvious cues to "those leaps make no sense whatsoever", but for pulpy little adventure stories, it hits the buttons generally well, so I think it's understandable why Sherlock Holmes became a hit. It definitely feels like the final collection is a bit of "Doyle writing to a formula", though, and a number of the stories touch upon ideas already explored in earlier stories, though at least they are appreciably different, so maybe that was part of his twist with it.

For the edition itself, it's a rather bulky book, so even though I did rather like getting all the artwork, it's not exactly the most comfortable thing to read. But if you want something comprehensive to hang on to and read your favorite stories on a cold winter's night or whatever, it's a fine tome for your shelves.

[Ahmed Abrar · Rating 4 out of 5]

How can a person write such fascinating accounts so consistently, even I jettison the few uninteresting of them?
While finishing it in parts, I wrote down few points as follow:
• Bit similar to stage drama. Holmes accepted that he liked to be dramatic; and this has influenced Satyajit Ray's Feluda.
• Infamous snobbery towards the Asians retained. Especially the way Sidney Paget drew the Indians.
• But loved the part Conan Doyle depicted the African baby.
• Unlike Feluda's Topshe, Watson was more active in deduction and seemed to develop the habit during his friendship with Sherlock. It gives the stories a natural flow.
• I have learnt how to articulate sentences in a good English which would have been impossible if I read the Bengali translation. And this English can hardly be found in today's American version of English, not sure if it is in British English now. So-called globalization has affected thus harshly the varieties of languages. Already movements for localisation has started.

It is Sherlock alias Conan Doyle who has taught me to read monographs and journals of academic significance in broader range than novels and stories. Holmes interdisciplinary interest independent of academic gain. It has strongly pitched me to rummage through the monographs and journals after my interest. I owe you Sir Arthur!

[Bogdan Kulinich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book from my childhood. The unique feature of this particular rendering of the adventures of the immortal Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson is the original illustrations from the Strand magazine dated around 1900-1902. As a result, the reading of these stories was not only a journey into the past of me being young and amazed by the wonders of this world but also into an even deeper past of the beginning of the 20th century, before Quantum mechanics and General relativity: an absolutely different and pristine universe. Another advantage of this kind of edition is that there is no cherry-picking of more popular stories and leaving behind not successful ones: all the stories are presented in the same sequence as they appeared in the magazine with every new story every month. And it was a real fun reading all of them. I believe that some of these adventures I read the first time in my life: never survived the censure. At the same time, I was wondering, especially while reading the only novel-like story in the collection, what would look like Sherlock Holmes and his friend Watson if Conan Doyle had not had the obligation to deliver a new story every single month to earn his living? Maybe, the great detective would never be created. So many un- and never-answered questions.