The Adventure of the Yellow Face: A Sherlock Holmes Short Story

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes #3

by Arthur Conan Doyle

In "The Yellow Face," Grant Munro thinks his wife is being blackmailed. He's distraught and hires Sherlock Holmes to find out the details. He tells the story to Holmes and Watson of a strange apparition at a nearby cottage recently rented, of his wife's visit to the cottage at 3 in the morning when she thought he was asleep, and her recent break in amiable behaviour. Holmes ponders and then states that he believes he has the answer. Yet, in Watson's summary of the case, he indicates that it was a failure. What did you say?

Librarian's note: this entry is for "The Yellow Face," the second of 11 short stories from the 1894 collection, "The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes." Collections and other stories by the author are located elsewhere on Goodreads. The Holmes series includes four novels and 58 short stories. Entries for the short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Sherlock Holmes Short Story."

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

Audiobook

First published February 1, 1893

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 3 out of 5]

In most of the previous Sherlock Holmes stories, the detective had always reached the right conclusion, even if, on occasion, he had been too late. The Adventure of the Yellow Face though, showed how Holmes’ deductions could be wrong.

The story shows how Holmes can deduce everything he needs to know about the owner of a left behind pipe, but provided with evidence from a client, even Holmes could arrive at the wrong conclusion.

There is no great complexity to The Adventure of the Yellow Face, and in the end the solution is quite simple; although the solution does provide insight into racial and social stigma in the Victorian era, something which has not totally disappeared even today.

The ending of the story has a “feel good feeling” to it, although The Adventure of the Yellow Face is a story from the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle canon that is often overlooked; it being one of the stories not adapted by Granada for their Sherlock Holmes series with Jeremy Brett.

The Adventure of the Yellow Face does provide a close link between the works of Conan Doyle and the works of Agatha Christie. Sherlock Holmes asks Watson to mention Norbury, whenever Holmes comes across as being too arrogant during a case, whilst Poirot would ask Hastings to remind him of the “chocolate box”. In the case of Poirot though, it was a reprimand that was soon ignored.

[Jack Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars. I was sure that Holmes had the solution ready to be revealed. I was sure I had followed his line of thinking. Both wrong. 128 years pleasantly wrong. Watson inveigles the great detective to take a long walk for exercise. When they return home they are told that an agitated man had been waiting but gave up. Holmes reproaches Watson, "So much for afternoon walks!" I laughed. Eventually the man returns, but not before Holmes demonstrates character analysis using his pipe accidently left behind. The man is Grant Munro; he thinks his wife is being blackmailed. He describes some baffling recent events, including the appearance of an unnatural face in the second floor window of a nearby cottage, and his wife's very strange recent activities. At 3am a few nights earlier, thinking that he was a sound sleeper, she had quietly dressed, slipped out and gone to the cottage. When he threatened to go there, she said "No, no, Jack, for God's sake! I implore you not to do this." Holmes probes. He asks questions about her previous marriage in America, and the death of her first husband. OK, it has something to do with that. But not exactly. (Au2021/No2023)

[Jim Ef · Rating 4 out of 5]

8.1/10

Sherlock was wrong, and so was I. I did come to the same conclusion that Sherlock did.. so I'll take it.

The story is one of my favourites so far. Intriguing plot, some almost spooky moments and an unexpectedly emotional reveal.

[Razvan Banciu · Rating 3 out of 5]

That's NOT a case, it's more a sad story with a happy-end, which could be written by any classic, from Charles Dickens to Honore de Balzac included.
Holmes shows his skills only in describing an unknown person , the introduction of the story is far longer than the rest, no harm is done, so, if you ask me (of course, you won't do that) no adventure at all...

[Rahaf Potrosh · Rating 2 out of 5]

كل هذا المستوى العالي من الذكاء و الدقة الهائلة في الملاحظة لتكون النهاية ، في النهاية ، هكذا ، فقط 🤨
ماذا تركت لنا ، إذاً ، لنكتشفه 🙄
يا للخيبة ، جد
اعتقد بأنني يجب أن اتوقف عن قراءة هذه المغامرات

[Heba Hssn · Rating 3 out of 5]

في تَجاهُلنا لتفاصيل كثيرة في أول العلاقات ،نَجِدُنا تحت شِباكِ الشكِ، عند ظهور نتائج هذهِ التفاصيل .

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. This story always makes me smile! It’s another of my favourites. The characters are delightful—Grant & Effie are a darling couple, and the little stranger and Scottish lady sound so sweet, even if they hardly appear. The plot is dramatic and mysterious, yet the ending is unexpectedly adorable and heartwarming. It’s quite fascinating to see Sherlock’s conclusions, and his reaction at the truth is excellent. ;) And I love the anti-racist message!

Content: Smoking, perhaps swearing. A woman is (falsely) suspected of having run away from a former husband and married a new one (hence a false marriage).

A Favourite Quote: “What do you think of my theory?”
“It is all surmise.”
“But at least it covers all the facts. When new facts come to our knowledge which cannot be covered by it, it will be time enough to reconsider it.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “Just beyond it is a nice little grove of Scotch firs, and I used to be very fond of strolling down there, for trees are always a neighborly kind of things.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “My dear Mr. Grant Munro—” began Holmes.
Our visitor sprang from his chair. “What!” he cried, “you know my name?”
“If you wish to preserve your incognito,” said Holmes, smiling, “I would suggest that you cease to write your name upon the lining of your hat, or else that you turn the crown towards the person whom you are addressing.”

[Diamond Cowboy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rather enjoyed this adventure. The case was very well presented and Sherlock Holmes had it figured out before the client left 22 B. Baker Street.

[Jason Parent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been the most predictable of Sherlock's cases thus far, yet it is one that Sherlock gets wrong? Ahead of its time, however :)

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

5 Words: Perfect length for a cuppa.

[رومولا الن emmajain-book · Rating 3 out of 5]

مغامره لطيفة من مغامرات شارلوك هولمز
احبت نهايتها كثيرا
وهولمز في هذه القصه اخطأ الاستنتاج

[ESRAA MOHAMED · Rating 3 out of 5]

القصة إنسانية في المقام الأول، لا تعتمد على المغامرة والإثارة ولكنها تعتمد على خصلة بشرية بحتة وهي الشك.
يستمع هولمز وواطسن إلى رجل يشكي من غرابة تصرفات زوجته التي خلقت الشك بداخله ويطلب منهما المشورة فما كان من هولمز أن اقترح عليه المواجهة، وبالرغم من التكهنات لكنها كانت أبعد عن الحقيقة.

استمتعوا...
دمتم قراء…❤❤❤

[Isa Cantos (Crónicas de una Merodeadora) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este caso es interesante y no tanto porque sea muy misterioso o tenga mil giros de trama, sino porque desde el principio Watson nos dice que es un caso en el que las habilidades de Sherlock no funcionaron del todo bien. Me gustó que la solución no tuviera que ver tanto con sus deducciones y que, de una u otra manera, se mostrara una faceta diferente del detective.

[Riley G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haha! I guessed it! I beat Sherlock Holmes at his own game for once! *dances around goofily* It was a small detail that told it me, but I must admit I am rather proud of myself for catching it.

It was fun to see a story where Holmes makes a blunder. I think his detective mind was so wrapped up in the big cases he’s had in the past that he made himself just a little blind to the more trivial conclusion. We’re all guilty of that—I know I am. And we who are so used to stories are especially prone to do so, as we like to spin elaborate tales that overlook the details.

I loved the last line. It amused me greatly: “‘Watson,’ said he, ‘if it should ever strike you that I am getting a little over-confident in my powers, or giving less pains to a case than it deserves, kindly whisper “Norbury” in my ear, and I shall be infinitely obliged to you.”

[Joanne G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I start to really enjoy Holmes' snide remarks, superior attitude, and brooding melancholy, Sir Doyle writes a sweet, sentimental piece where love trumps tradition and prejudice.

I've admired Holmes since I was a pre-teen. In re-reading the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, I've come to highly regard Watson, too. If it weren't for the friendship of Watson, Holmes would have eventually succumbed to drug use. Watson is his lifeline to humanity.

[Ben-Ain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Otro relato corto de Sherlock Holmes que sigue su tónica habitual con una exposición por parte del cliente que se lleva casi la mitad de todas las páginas. Luego, como no puede ser de otro modo, llega el razonamiento y deducción de míster Holmes. En este caso, un marido celoso llega a Baker Street con un misterio que, nunca pensé que se desarrollaría así.

Una novela corta con un desenlace que no esperaba después de estar acostumbrado a este tipo de relatos. Muy entretenido.

[Wissal H · Rating 4 out of 5]

"لغز الوجه الأصفر" هو رواية تحقيق مكتوبة من قبل آرثر كونان دويل، وهو كاتب اسكتلندي مشهور.

الرواية هي واحدة من القصص القليلة التي تضم المحقق الشهير شيرلوك هولمز، ولكنها ليست جزءًا من سلسلة قصص هولمز. بدلاً من ذلك، الرواية تتبع قصة المحقق إنستيد، الذي يحاول حل لغز غامض حول رجل يرتدي قناعًا أصفر.

الرواية تتميز بكتابة دويل الجذابة والغامضة، وتقدم نظرة ثاقبة على عالم التحقيق في أواخر القرن التاسع عشر. القصة تضم عناصر من الغموض والتشويق، وتجذب القارئ في رحلة محيرة للبحث عن الحقيقة.

"لغز الوجه الأصفر" هو كتاب رائع للمحبيين للروايات التحقيقية والغامضة، ويقدم نظرة ثاقبة على أسلوب دويل في الكتابة.

[Octavia Cade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not the biggest Sherlock Holmes fan in the world, having only read a couple of the books, but I do expect him to be right. This time, he was not right. (Although, to be fair, his rather pedestrian explanation did seem entirely plausible!) The true solution is much sadder, and ultimately much sweeter. The ending is certainly very touching, and if Effie's own behaviour isn't entirely admirable, her husband at least is a thoroughly decent man, and better, in the end, than either of them ever suspected.

[Riddhika Khanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the most predictable cases of Sherlock. Yet intriguing and gripping.

[Ana Lelis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple nice short story that catches your attention from the beginning to the end.

[Dhia Nouioui · Rating 1 out of 5]

iI couldn't believe how utterly boring this book was. I'm almost ashamed putting one star by it

[Crime Addict Sifat · Rating 1 out of 5]

In the greater part of the past Sherlock Holmes stories, the investigator had dependably achieved the correct conclusion, regardless of the possibility that, now and again, he had been past the point of no return. The Adventure of the Yellow Face however, indicated how Holmes' conclusions could not be right.

The story demonstrates how Holmes can find all that he has to think about the proprietor of a left behind pipe, however gave prove from a customer, even Holmes could touch base at the wrong conclusion.

There is no extraordinary multifaceted nature to The Adventure of the Yellow Face, and at last the arrangement is very straightforward; in spite of the fact that the arrangement provides knowledge into racial and social shame in the Victorian time, something which has not completely vanished even today.

The closure of the story has a "vibe positive sentiment" to it, despite the fact that The Adventure of the Yellow Face is a story from the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle standard that is regularly neglected; it being one of the stories not adjusted by Granada for their Sherlock Holmes arrangement with Jeremy Brett.

[Lina Mouloudj · Rating 4 out of 5]

قضية خفيفة ظريفة، بسيطة
أحداثها كالتالي: يقتحم أحدهم مكتب شارلوك هولمز، ليقص عليه ما سماه بمأساة، ذلك أنه أصبح متوترا من تصرفات زوجته مؤخرا، و من أنها تخفي عنه سرا ما أزعجه و تسبب في توتر العلاقة بينهما، ليطلب بعدها مساعدة شارلوك هولمز في إماطة اللئام عن هذا السر الغامض الذي أصبح يؤرقه... لن أكتب المزيد، قراءة ممتعة.

book number 2 in the series of : "The Memories of Sherlock Holmes"
2: The Adventure of the Yellow Face

[Armita · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG I loved the ending. T---T🖤

[Mohamed Shoaib · Rating 3 out of 5]

لغز لم يلعب فيه شيرلوك ولا واتسون اي دور سوآ الاستماع والاستنتاج فقط ..زوج يشك في تصرفات زوجته مؤخرًا و يطلب النصحية من شيرلوك .. يخبره شيرلوك بما يجب عليه فعله فقط

اسلوب السرد ممتع و الترجمة حافظت عليه بروعته لم تنقص منه شيء

[Nadin Doughem · Rating 3 out of 5]

الرواية الثالثة على التوالي لشارلوك هولمز بعد مشاهدتي للمسلسل الرائع والذي حثني علي مزيد من القراءة:



ما اختلف بعد مشاهدتي للمسلسل هو التغيير الذي احدثه في نقل صورة شيرلوك من الرسمة التي طالما علمناها الي شكل الممثل بينيديكت الذي يجسد شخصية شيرلوك هولمز والذي أبدع فيها، ولا نستطيع غض الطرف عن مارتن الذي جسد شخصية الدكتور واطسون بإبداع

طالما كان هذا ما يخطر في بالي لحظة قرائتي لشيرلوك هولمز



والتي تحولت الي هذا




والآن الي الرواية

لغز الوجة الأصفر والتي اتسمت بما يميز شيرلوك هولمز، شيرلوك المخطئ، برغم عدم ظهور شيرلوك المتحف الذي يميز تواجده دوما الا ان عدم قدرته علي التحليل يزيد من شخصيته واقعية وقربها لكونها حقيقة.



للأسف غلاف الرواية قد أفسد علي المفاجأة ولكنها أعجبتني علي الرغم من ذلك.


وهنا باقي مراجعاتي لروايات شيرلوك

مراجعة لغز بلدة ريغيت
مراجعة لغز المريض المقيم
مراجعة لغز الوجه الأصفر

نادينـ عادلـ
12.9.2014

[Amira Mahmoud · Rating 2 out of 5]

ولاول مرة يخطىء "شيرلوك هولمز" فى حدسه وتخميناته !
أعتقد أنها لم تكن بالقضية الصعبة التى تستحق خطئه فقد تغلب على أصعب منها بكثير , وكان من الممكن أن يضع هولمز أحتمالاً آخر وهو أحتمال وجود الطفل أو الطفلة فى هذا الكوخ بدلاً من الزوج فهو لم يكن بالشىء صعب التخمين :)
لا أعلم حقاً ما هى وجهة نظر " دويل " ليجعل هولمز يٌخطىء فى واحدة من أتفه القضايا :\

[Ahmad El-Saeed · Rating 2 out of 5]

هذه القصة هي من القصص التي تثبت عنصرية الرجل الابيض في العالم الغربي، فيأتي السير كونان دويل بقصة رجل لديه شك في خيانة زوجته له إلي هولمز، مما يجعلهم يبدأون البحث ليجدوا أن ما تخفيه المرأة هي ابنتها التي جاءت من صلب رجل افريقي وكانت سمراء البشرة.

حاجة خرا الحقيقة ^_^

[midnightfaerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the few cases where Sherlock is wrong, but the ending is infinitely satisfying. Ahead of its time, this story is one that warms the heart and had me thinking the same thing as Sherlock, myself being wrong as well, but glad of it. Highly recommended.

[RM Subramanian · Rating 4 out of 5]

As expected extraordinary narrative from sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and uniqueness of this story is that even the greatest Sherlock can go wrong sometimes.