Fil Garrison’s Reviews > The Complete Sherlock Holmes > Status Update
Fil Garrison
is 64% done
The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez: I feel like this is one of those stories my mom wasn't happy with when she read these - where some piece of information was left out intentionally that makes it not possible for you to solve the crime along with Sherlock Holmes. The motive stuff comes a little out of left field, but I like the introduction of the new detective and the mystery is solid. An enjoyable entry. 3 star
— Aug 12, 2024 07:39AM
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Fil Garrison
is 92% done
The Adventure of the Three Gables: The adventure itself is pretty straightforward, but there are a couple of passages that caught my eye with regards to building out the world that Holmes inhabits. The gossip that he consults for one, and the final confrontation of the criminal is absolutely enjoyable, as is Holmes' reaction to her story. Always interested in Justice, Holmes has a fascinating sense of fairplay. 3*
— Apr 29, 2026 04:24PM
Fil Garrison
is 91% done
The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone - Absolutely fascinated to read this Holmes story which was written in third person (!) and was apparently adapted from a stage play. It makes sense as the structure of this one is very different, and Watson is almost irrelevant to the story. Honestly, this last detail tanks the story for me. What is batman without his robin? I'd love to see a play version of this, with Moran. 3*
— Mar 15, 2026 10:58PM
Fil Garrison
is 90% done
The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier: Looking it up, this is one of three stories narrated by Holmes himself, rather than Holmes, which is an interesting and welcome change of pace. My favorite parts of the mystery, which is just OK, are actually the small comments Holmes makes about his friend - during the time that Watson is married, Holmes has clearly felt alone, missing his friend and biographer. That alone - 4*
— Jan 06, 2026 05:41PM
Fil Garrison
is 89% done
The Adventure of the Illustrious Client: I was rather taken with this story. Less of a mystery, and more of an insolvable problem presented to Holmes in one of his less astute areas of study: women. I enjoyed the further references to Moran and Moriarty, which make the universe feel even more real than before. There's a real history to these stories, and it's a pleasure to waltz through them as we come to the end. 4*
— Nov 25, 2025 05:44PM
Fil Garrison
is 88% done
His Last Bow: An Epilogue of Sherlock Holmes - Supposedly the final chronological appearance of Sherlock Holmes, this short story isn't a favorite of mine by any stretch - it's a spy story instead of a detective story, and it ill suits Holmes. Things I enjoy, though - references to Moran and Moriarty and Adler (cementing them as important), and the meetings of Holmes and Watson, their warm friendship, last talk. 3*
— Oct 29, 2025 04:37PM
Fil Garrison
is 87% done
The Adventure of the Devil's Foot: For some reason, this one strikes me as one of my favorite Holmes stories so far. It crosses almost into a Lovecraftian nightmare - visions of some wild thing loose on the moors, frightening people to death and to insanity. It has a big game hunter, larger than life. And more so, Holmes solves the case, and exercises his judgement in a more unusual and compassionate way. 5 stars.
— Oct 17, 2025 11:06AM
Fil Garrison
is 85% done
The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax: Honestly, an excellent little story. There's not much of a mystery, and every story beat is actually predictable, in its own way once Holmes arrives on the scene. What it DOES have is an excellent look at how Holmes deals with lapses in judgement, and his zest for doing the right thing. His verve for saving a life and his interactions with the culprits is top notch. 5 Stars.
— Oct 01, 2025 05:41PM
Fil Garrison
is 83% done
The Adventure of the Dying Detective: AKA: Holmes is an asshole. This, I feel, is where the popular conception of him purposefully manipulating his friends for his own benefit comes in - well, this and the Reichenbach Falls. The story cuts off to early to see Watson's response to Holmes' ruse, and we get a small apology from Holmes to Watson for the deception, but he really does come off as an ass. 3 Stars.
— Sep 18, 2025 05:27PM
Fil Garrison
is 83% done
The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans - It seems that the majority of Mycroft Holmes' characterization shows up in this story "he is, at times, the British Government" is a powerful statement. An espionage thriller, it's fun to see Holmes in a greater context from his common crimes, and put his mind to work for larger consequences. Between this and Moriarty, you can really see the fictional world take shape. 4*
— Aug 27, 2025 12:04PM
Fil Garrison
is 81% done
The Adventure of the Red Circle - One of those Holmes stories that hints at a much larger world beyond our point of view characters - with secret societies and dastardly world-renowned criminals, histories of new characters and old. I'm constantly surprised at how fleshed out these are, and I'm sure so much of their popularity is what we'd call "worldbuilding" today. A solid story, if not really a mystery. 3 stars
— Aug 19, 2025 02:16PM
