Sherlock Holmes: A Gripping Casebook of Stories

by Arthur Conan Doyle

This handsome compendium offers the first full-length Sherlock novel, 'A Study in Scarlet', plus 14 memorable cases featuring the world's most famous sleuth.

Complementing the text are contemporary illustrations by George Hutchinson.

In his perceptive introduction, award-winning crime writer Martin Edwards observes that 'the compelling evocation of character is what makes Conan Doyle's stories come alive'. Ally this to engrossing plots and vivid settings and the result is unbeatable entertainment enjoyed by crime fans everywhere.

Genres: Mystery

384 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 2018

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

[Araceli Schlosser · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my first try at reading Sherlock Holmes. Thankfully I was able to start with the first full length story "A Study in Scarlet". While I can see why so many people admire and love Sherlock Holmes (as a character and a book series) I admit that it's not as good as I hoped it would be.

I personally dislike Watson's near inept skill set compared to Holmes. I had always thought that Watson was a gifted surgeon with an intelligence that supported and complimented Holmes. (movies and Television shows gave me that illusion). I get annoyed to constantly hear Watson saying "I'm not nearly as clever as you Holmes." or "You're simply amazing Holmes." Watson proclaims himself to be Holmes' chronicler and he does so wonderfully, but I had envisioned him as a more active participant.

I love action and plot. I'm very discouraged with this collection because so much happens in the background and you are told about it later. Watson is constantly left behind while Holmes fights, sneaks, and masquerades around. I would have enjoyed the book more if I had actually read about Holmes in the moment of these acts. Instead I got Holmes arrogantly listing the events for Watson.

But it's Holmes that bothers me most. I can understand his arrogance. I can understand his dislike of petty society. I don't like his preening pride. When he's complimented (especially by Watson) he flushes with pride and spends time telling him "It's really nothing, easy really." Even Watson mentions how Holmes reacts to compliments on his skills like a young girl complimented for her beauty.

I still believe this series should be tried out. I can see where the fans are coming from. I'm just not one of them.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very entertaining book that made me realize that as far as I can remember, I had never read any of the Sherlock stories before this.

[Lisa Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology contains fourteen classic Sherlock mysteries. Quite satisfying. Plus, it was easy to put it down when sleep begged for me to finish a "chapter."

[Ana ★ Tesserell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpectedly good! I have re-newed respect for Sir A.C.D.