Sherlock Holmes: Classic Stories

by Arthur Conan Doyle

For fans of the great detective, this volume collects 10 classic tales of mystery and detection. In addition to the complete short novel The Hound of the Baskervilles, it includes several stories that Holmes's creator, Arthur Conan Doyle, himself selected as the intrepid pair's greatest adventures: A Scandal in Bohemia, The Speckled Band, The Red-Headed League and The Final Problem, in which Doyle famously killed off his creation.

Genres: Classics, Mystery, Fiction, Short Stories, Mystery Thriller, Historical, Collections

358 pages, Paperback

Published August 7, 2019

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

[Jon Stallings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Barnes and Noble's classic contains nine of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's favorite short stories and the novel the Hound of the Baskervilles. A great variety in one volume. Really enjoyed the Speckled Band and the Red-Headed League. But The Hound of the Baskervilles was the perfect capstone. It had plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing

[Lauren Aniceto · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading anything about Sherlock Holmes so this set of short stories and “The Hound of Baskerville” was a perfect introduction to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s work. My favorite genre of books is mystery and thrillers and although this is not particularly a thriller, Sherlock Holmes is the epitome and iconic chant after of the mystery genre. This book is amazing for anyone that is just starting out with “classics” since it is not too hard to read and has a different story for every chapter (except “The Hound of Baskerville” since it is actually a novel by itself).

The best part of this particular edition from barnes & noble is the way that it splits up the different stories. Each chapter is roughly around 20 pages with a different iconic Sherlock Homes story every chapter. This makes it an easy read if you want to gradually start getting into reading as well as being a casual read if you are busy like me. This boom is also a soft leather bound which makes it look really cool and feel nice as you’re reading it. The way that the edition looks makes it look vintage which I LOVE.

Overall, I loved every aspect of the book from the look of it to the stories inside. It also made me fall in love with Sherlock Holmes and Watson and I will definitely be reading it again and again and again.

P.S. The film adaptations make it really fun to watch once you finish each short story.

[Kayla Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When I hear you give your reasons,” I remarked, “the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each successive instance of your reasoning, I am baffled until you explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good as yours.”

Quite so,” he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing himself down into an armchair. “You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is clear.”

- A Scandal in Bohemia

[Sydnee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually just read 2 of the stories but I have to many books to read so I’ll have to come back to it 😂

[Zie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sherlock Holmes' deductions are mind blowing! Kudos to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for this masterpiece!

Also, from this collection of classic stories, it shocked me to find out that someone— a woman— outwitted Sherlock Holmes! I mean, wow! If it isn't fascinating then I don't know what is.

I hope to read more of Holmes' cases 🤩💯

[kvanwoert · Rating 3 out of 5]

so fun! a great collection of stories

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

“When a woman thinks that her house is on fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she values most.”

[helena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll compare Sherlock Holmes to Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot as I see them as very similar and I love Agatha Christie. I honestly think that Sherlock Holmes is way more enjoyable as a character than Poirot. Holmes is more of a fully fledged out character and has flaws along with moments of weakness. Holmes also has more of a fledged out personality due to the stories being narrated by his close friend Watson. Poirot tho just seems to be there to solve cases and isn’t established as someone with a personality beyond being self centered and being a really smart detective. I don’t think he’s every been out smarted either which i find to be a flaw in his stories. He doesn’t feel real or human which is why Sherlock Holmes is the superior character. I give this book 4 stars because the first few short stories were a little too short for me even if they were enjoyable to a degree. I really enjoyed the final long story tho that one was my favorite. I honestly think that Agatha Christie does a better job at the actual mysteries while Arthur Canon Doyle does a better job at fleshing out the character of Sherlock Holmes.

[Eviantus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first foray into Sherlock Holmes. I enjoyed it much much more than I ever expected to! This was a random assortment of short stories from the different collections in vague chronological order, as well as Hound of the Baskervilles at the end.

I see why Sherlock Holmes has been an enduring character over the years. He's such a fun goober. And Watson is fantastic as well, I enjoy his perspective and also his earnestness.

I'm excited to read more SH stories in the future!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone who loves thrillers and mysteries, I had never devoted any time to reading a lot of Sherlock in one sitting and I’m grateful I did. This was a super fun read, nine short stories and the The Hound of the Baskervilles, every one a little window into how mysteries are plotted today. Highly recommend.

[Garrett Pruzinsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sherlock Holmes definitely shines as a collection of short stories. Within 20-30 pages an intriguing mystery or problem is presented, and then Sherlock quickly comes up with a solution. And of course when the solution is presented it is always done in a way which makes it seem like the only obvious conclusion. They’re light and fun mystery short stories.

[JANE · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was dense and mostly recount. Really it deserves a 3.5 but it wasn’t of the same calibre of other books I had rated 4 stars, and so I rounded down instead of up. I enjoyed the Hounds of Baskerville the most, perhaps because it was a longer, more continuous story as compared to the others which were shorter. I also enjoyed The Final Problem.

[Hunter Goring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was an amazing read! Probably one of my favorite pieces of literature of all time. Doyle knows how to write a mystery! In each story you get so invested in the characters as well. I have such a soft spot for Sherlock Holmes and Mr. Watson. They carry the story so effortlessly. It’s a no brained why Sherlock Holmes has become the most famous detective of all time.

[Maggie Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say I was disappointed with this collection of stories. I tend to struggle with classical language such as that used in this novel; however, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I have previously looked into Sherlock Holmes, as I love all things mystery, so I am happy to have finally finished this collection of classic stories.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i wasn't too into some of the shorter stories at the beginning but the hound of baskerville in particular had me completely hooked! the pacing and gradual reveal is so well executed. just when you think you know who the key suspect is, you are proved wrong (or maybe i'm just a hopeless detective). i love the sherlock and watson dynamic - it is oddly reminiscent of the doctor and their companion.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love these stories because they're famous, classic. They were ok, and I did enjoy them. They took some time to appreciate. Also, I get a little irritated when detectives put clues together that make no sense at all, but that happens in most mystery stories.

[Vera M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful collection for those who like the Sherlock Holmes stories. It had a great set up in the order of things that ramped up into the Hound of the Baskervilles. By then you get very familiar with the characters of Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson.

[Shan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5! this is my first time reading about sherlock holmes and i really enjoyed it. this was a great introduction to arthur conan doyle’s writing and i definitely want to pick up some more of the sherlock holmes stories in the future.

[Matthew Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good, new addition to the 5 star favorites list. It's basically exactly what you probably imagine the stories to be, maybe funnier than you imagine if you're like me.

Overall, recommended to everyone. This one was a lot of fun.

[Ulises Rios · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of some of the best Sherlock Holmes mysteries. Obvious read if you like mystery novels. The short stories are very fun to sit down and go through in one sitting and the Hounds of Baskerville is also a must read for any mystery fans. Very enjoyable cover to cover.

[bookish cat lady 🎀 · Rating 5 out of 5]

10. The Hound of the Baskervilles — 4/5 ✨

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

the hound of the baskervilles is my all time favorite.
love u arthur conan doyle😗

[Nitya Wanzare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice book with inquisite short stories on Sherlock Holmes, great escapism !

[Mikayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and short stories till the end which I enjoyed. Finally reading where the character of Sherlock comes from.

[Charles Fortune · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven't read any Sherlock Holmes stories in a while. This is an excellent collection.

[Ian Nourse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been reading this book on and off for the past few years, perfect to keep on your bedside table and read a story a night.

[M. Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆

[Danielle Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first venture into reading Conan Doyle and now I want to read all of his stories. This was a great introduction.

[Khrystal Renèè · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wonderful world of mystery and wonder that is Sherlock Holmes will forever be a joyous one!🥰

[Maddy Turk · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5