Silver Blaze

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes #1

by Arthur Conan Doyle

THE HORSE, Silver Blaze, was the epitome of racing perfection. He flawlessly won every race in which he was entered. But the biggest race—the Wes- sex Cup—was yet to come.

Then, suddenly, tragedy struck! Silver Blaze was missing, and his trainer was murdered. The case attracted the attention of thousands. It was only days before the big race when Sherlock Holmes was desperately summoned to help solve the mystery.

Although he listened attentively to the details and theories given by the Inspector, Holmes was neither convinced nor satisfied with the previous findings. So he initiated an investigation of his own.

The reader is swept along with Sherlock Holmes in this Creative Short Story of suspense, genius and intrigue which, ultimately, culminates in a surprise appearance at the Wessex Cup and produces a murderer no one would ever have expected !
--front flap

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

64 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1892

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

[Aishu Rehman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silver Blaze is set in the world of horse racing, and one which Dick Francis would have been proud of, yet it is very much a Sherlock Holmes story.

The very elements of what make Holmes a great detective are on display in this tale; as although Inspector Gregory of Scotland Yard has made an arrest in the case, Holmes doesn’t think that the obvious suspect is the right one.

The police have looked at the available evidence and jumped to conclusions; Holmes looks at the evidence and sees what is missing. Holmes is then able to deduce missing details, and finds the evidence to back up his deductions. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle also ensures that the solution is delivered by Holmes with the showmanship that the detective was prone to indulge in.

Over the years, Silver Blaze has proved to be one of the most popular Sherlock Holmes stories, and one of the most memorable.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first Sherlock Holmes story I don't recall reading as a child. Not sure if that means I didn't read them all or I forgot this one because it was kind of boring. I don't think Doyle is very interested in horses. The plot was less far-fetched than many of these stories, however.

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. A unique and intriguing Sherlock Holmes mystery about a valuable missing racehorse and a dead man. This one came close to making Arthur Conan Doyle’s list of his top 12 Sherlock Holmes stories, but he couldn’t quite forgive it for some errors he’d made regarding the rules of the horse racing world. But I think maybe it does make my own list of the top dozen Sherlock stories, because of the unusual plot and the fact that Doyle actually gives readers enough clues to solve the mystery for themselves.

[Jack Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars. One of the best and one of the most famous short stories of all time. What a way to lead off the second collection of Sherlock Holmes stories, 'The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes,' from 1894. First published in the 'Strand' in 1892. I read this one in 'Sherlock Holmes The Complete Novels and Stories,' a two volume collection from 2020. The whole country is in an uproar about the disappearance of the favourite horse for the imminent Wessex Cup. He's a beautiful 4-year-old named Silver Blaze. Gone without a trace. At the same time, trainer John Straker has died violently. The horse got it's name because of a distinct mark on its forehead. Could the kidnapping of Silver Blaze have been perpetrated by a punter hoping to make a bundle by betting on the second-best entry in the Cup? But where is Blaze? Colonel Ross who owns the horse and Inspector Gregory both send telegrams entreating Holmes and Watson to come to King's Pyland ASAP. Mystery lovers have surely heard of the curious case of the barking dog. Famous in its own way. It's part of this story. Doyle's writing is superb and so is Silver Blaze as a race horse. (Au2021/Feb2025)

[Razvan Banciu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the best stories involving Holmes.
He has some fine tricks under his sleeve (that regarding the sheep is really a genial one) , Hastings used to be a lot smarter than ever, quite a nice one indeed.

[Jim Ef · Rating 4 out of 5]

8.1/10

Can the case of a disappearing horse capture the interest of the great Sherlock Holmes? Normally no. However, if the horse happens to be one of the best racing horses, and there is also a murder added into the mix, then yeah.

As with most cases, i thoroughly enjoyed this one. Doyle's writing is as always great.

[Cora Tea Party Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 Words: Perfetc length for a cuppa.

[نورة · Rating 5 out of 5]

جريمة من نوع آخر.. أغرب ما فيها مجرمها :)!

[RM Subramanian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best of Sherlock Holmes and enjoyed it to the core. Explanation of his techniques were path breaking.

[ESRAA MOHAMED · Rating 3 out of 5]

من الحالات القليلة محدش يقدر يعمل للجاني شيء بل لازم ياخدوا بالهم منه ويراعوه.

جريمة غريبة والأغرب المجرم.

استمتعوا...
دمتم قراء…❤❤❤

[Ivy-Mabel Fling · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy Sherlock Holmes and appreciate his ability to perceive things nobody else notices, this will be great for you! I suppose the stories are now pretty dated but their solutions have something restful and completely comprehensible about them (with Sherlock I don't have to ask the Goodreads community what actually happened at the end!)

[Jaksen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greatly atmospheric tale and it involves a horse!

Silver Blaze, the fastest horse in the upcoming Wessox Cup is missing. More so, his trainer is dead. So Holmes and Watson head to Dartmoor to investigate. The solution is simple, the trail leading there not so much, and though I thought I'd figured it out, I didn't.

The famous quote, 'see the value of imagination,' is in this one, which is at odds to how Holmes usually operates, or thinks. (Logic is Holmes' usual mantra.) Plus the even more famous one: 'the curious incident of the dog in the night-time,' which, of course, means the dog was silent, didn't bark, when it should have. (Thus, the 'curious incident.')

Anyhow, a quick and fascinating read, and so far one of my top #5 Holmes stories.

[Susmita Sarker (বাচ্চা ভূত) · Rating 4 out of 5]

শার্লক হোমস আমার বস!

[Travis Duke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed Sherlock, no exception here. There is something about Doyle's writing that is just awesome. It could be that it is not so much older than our modern English but still has that classic feel. Holmes is just such a fantastic protagonist, always fun to go down his wormholes of logic.

This short story is about a missing racing horse and a murder of his trainer. Doyle does a great job as to masking the ending by providing many conclusions. I find a good author always gives you many conclusions to ponder in a good mystery. Sherlock and Watson team up and deduct the truth in a few short days. The conclusion of the race and the Coronel was a good place to end it. When he questions the wife about the dresses I figured it out but, but wasn't 100%, it was still great fun.

[Isa Cantos (Crónicas de una Merodeadora) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bueno, este nuevo libro de Las Memorias de Sherlock Holmes creo que no empieza tan fuerte como los demás. A pesar de que este caso incluye un asesinato y la solución es, como siempre, bastante rocambolesca e inesperada, no me enganchó tanto como otros relatos.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars & 5/10 hearts. This mystery always fascinated me. The conclusion is so very unexpected! And Holmes’ work is simply phenomenal. All the characters are as interesting as ever—particularly the Colonel; it’s so much fun to watch him against Holmes—but it’s the plot that really shines. I love watching Watson watch Holmes and even help him! It’s just such an epic story, one of the very best in the series.

Content: Smoking, swearing, a man has a mistress.

A Favourite Quote: “I have already said that he must have gone to King’s Pyland or to Mapleton. He is not at King’s Pyland. Therefore he is at Mapleton. Let us take that as a working hypothesis and see what it leads us to.… See the value of imagination. It is the one quality which Gregory lacks. We imagined what might have happened, acted upon the supposition, and find ourselves justified. Let us proceed.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: The sun was beginning to sink behind the stables of Mapleton, and the long, sloping plain in front of us was tinged with gold, deepening into rich, ruddy browns where the faded ferns and brambles caught the evening light.
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “As a man of the world, Colonel, you know that men do not carry other people’s bills about in their pockets. We have most of us quite enough to do to settle our own.”

[Dhia Nouioui · Rating 1 out of 5]

The one star rating is based solely on my enjoyment of the book and this was dreadful to me.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars

If you are wondering about what the dog that didn't bark means, this is it.
This is a short and easy read.

[Koushik Ahammed · Rating 4 out of 5]

`` মধু বিনে কথা না�� ''

[Oscar Despard · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Silver Blaze' is a thoroughly enjoyable story featuring Sherlock Holmes at his finest. The story had some humorous parts, which is welcome, considering the one fault of Conan Doyle's work is often that it is too dry compared to some more modern writings from the 'Golden Age,' such as Christie's Poirot. However, 'Silver Blaze' does not have this flaw, and is gripping and witty read throughout. The final solution is supremely simple, yet elegant. Overall, I t's another excellent short story from the Sherlock Holmes collection.

[Yousra · Rating 5 out of 5]

الأجمل من بين ما قرأت من تلك المجموعة حتى الآن :))

سعيدة جدا لأني قرأتها وممتعضة لكوني أملك عددا واحدا متبقيا للقراءة من هذه المجموعة

[Jason Donoghue · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest the story did not capture my attention. I found it boring and at times tiresome to read. So far my least favourite story of Sherlock Holmes.

[Federica Barufaldi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stelle

[Ahmad Yaseen · Rating 3 out of 5]

ممتع وأنصح به، مجموعة قضايا ل شارلوك هولمز.

[Lynsuu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solo tiene cuatro estrellas porque amé como unió todo Sherlock Holmes, simplemente un personaje él y Watson🫶🏻.

[Rahaf İbrahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

عندما يجتمع شيئان أحبهما في عمل واحد ك ذكاء شرلوك المعتاد و الخيول؛ تولد العظمة ♡

[John Yelverton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great Sherlock Holmes mystery as he delves step by step into a mystery that will leave the reader baffled and confused until the very end, and then you realize that all the clues and answers were right in front of you the entire time. This is my favorite type of mystery, and fans of the genre should love this story.

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the finest Holmesian tales, combining intrigue, suspense, complex characters showing different shades, and a final, brilliant comeuppance.
No matter how many times have I read this story, whenever I come across it, I start reading.
That's how classics and icons are defined.

[Paolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever and probably one of the more realistic Holmes mysteries.

[Mary Pagones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holmes, horses, the curious dog. One of my all-time favorites of the canon.