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74th out of 384 books
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2,105 voters
The Sign of Four (Sherlock Holmes #2)
Yellow fog is swirling through the streets of London, and Sherlock Holmes himself is sitting in a cocaine-induced haze until the arrival of a distressed and beautiful young lady forces the great detective into action. Each year following the strange disappearance of her father, Miss Morstan has received a present of a rare and lustrous pearl. Now, on the day she is summone...more
Paperback, 129 pages
Published
October 1st 2001
by Penguin Classics
(first published 1890)
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Tsk, Tsk, Tsk...apparently that’s NOT tobacco Sherlock Holmes is smoking.
You have to love the daring Sir Arthur displayed in this novel vis-à-vis his iconic detective. How many writers would have the chutzpah to risk tarnishing the mystique of their signature creation by depicting him shooting cocaine as a cure for boredom?
You have to love the daring Sir Arthur displayed in this novel vis-à-vis his iconic detective. How many writers would have the chutzpah to risk tarnishing the mystique of their signature creation by depicting him shooting cocaine as a cure for boredom?
Sherlock Holmes took his bottle from the corner of the mantelpiece and his hypodermic syringe from its neat morocco case. With his long, white, nervous fingers he adjusted...more
Despite being a huge crime/mystery reader, I’ve never been a big fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories. After recently reading A Study in Scarlet and now The Sign of Four, I realize that it’s not me to blame. It’s Holmes. He’s just too much of an obnoxious show-off for me to like. Add in some Victorian-era English arrogance, and I feel like flipping off any Holmes novel I see on the shelf when browsing a mystery section in a bookstore.
Holmes and his full-time professional kiss-ass Watson get hired...more
Holmes and his full-time professional kiss-ass Watson get hired...more
22 likes · like · see review
The Sign of Four (1890) means death. This is similar to seeing Black Spot in Stevenson's Treasure Island (1883). So, these Scottish novelists, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) and Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) have their own ways to depict imminent death, thereby warning their characters of danger, in their masterpieces. In the Philippines, this is similar to receiving an envelop with a black ribbon inside or worst, receiving a delivery of a coffin or mourning wreath. Believe me, I saw a...more
14 likes · like · see review
Jan 04, 2010
Kelly
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
all Holmes fans, esp anyone with a soft spot for Watson
If you know me, you know what a sucker I am for any book that lets me feel like a character in a gothic novel just by listening to it. This particular book is awesome at that- even whilst I was walking in the ridiculous bitter cold to work listening to this, I could see the crackle of the fireplace and the smoke of the pipe, imagine myself looking out into a dark alley and shivering at the shadows illuminated by the flames. Atmospheric A+ for both ACD (okay now I really want him to have another...more
10 likes · like · see review
My second Sherlock Holmes and I have to say, I am not really impressed.
The basic storyline goes like this: Sherlock has developed an addiction for cocaine; Watson is trying to cheer him up, up comes a mystery and everyone’s happy. Along with mystery comes lady; lady and Watson go gooey eyed; there is a treasure and there is a murder; there is disparaging remarks about pre independent India by the Brits; murderer is caught, mystery is solved; Watson gets hitched and Holmes gets back to cocaine.
D...more
The basic storyline goes like this: Sherlock has developed an addiction for cocaine; Watson is trying to cheer him up, up comes a mystery and everyone’s happy. Along with mystery comes lady; lady and Watson go gooey eyed; there is a treasure and there is a murder; there is disparaging remarks about pre independent India by the Brits; murderer is caught, mystery is solved; Watson gets hitched and Holmes gets back to cocaine.
D...more
11 likes · like · see review
_The Sign of the Four_ isn't a bad mystery, but I didn't quite like it as much as _A Study in Scarlet_ or most of the stories in _The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes_. I'm starting to think, however, that these stories aren't always of interest because of the mystery itself (though sometimes they certainly are), but more because of the revelations they disclose about the character of Sherlock Holmes himself. Did you know that he had fought a prize fighter and won? I didn't before, but now I do. We...more
7 likes · like · see review
Mary Morstan is described as a "wronged woman" in a mysterious letter that arrived in the post asking her to meet the sender at the Lyceum theatre tonight at seven o'clock. How was the pretty twenty-seven year old governess wronged? What justice is due her?
By her own admission, she has been deprived of her father's presence for ten years after he failed to meet her at an assigned rendezvous. It is true that at a young age she was returned to England after her mother died, as her father, Captain...more
By her own admission, she has been deprived of her father's presence for ten years after he failed to meet her at an assigned rendezvous. It is true that at a young age she was returned to England after her mother died, as her father, Captain...more
Probably the best part of this book is that it begins and ends with Holmes shooting up cocaine because he's bored. I mean, that's just so damn dark, especially when A Study in Scarlet wasn't very dark at all.
Probably the worst part is struggling through all the rampant racism, which isn't nearly as funny as the rampant anti-Mormonism was in aSiS. The peg-leg jewel thief Jonathan Small (awesome) is assisted by a cannibal pygmy named Tonga (also awesome, but also horribly awful). I had to put it d...more
Probably the worst part is struggling through all the rampant racism, which isn't nearly as funny as the rampant anti-Mormonism was in aSiS. The peg-leg jewel thief Jonathan Small (awesome) is assisted by a cannibal pygmy named Tonga (also awesome, but also horribly awful). I had to put it d...more
Things I learned in this book: Watson is way more appealing a character, much of the time, than Holmes. The wrestling really is part of his character. So is the cocaine. Holmes is really irritating when he refuses to share his ideas.
It's funny reading reviews, because there are wildly differing ideas about whether this one is any good or not. Some say yes, some cry no. I enjoyed it well enough, and I thought the structure of it was better than A Study In Scarlet, with a decent transition into th...more
It's funny reading reviews, because there are wildly differing ideas about whether this one is any good or not. Some say yes, some cry no. I enjoyed it well enough, and I thought the structure of it was better than A Study In Scarlet, with a decent transition into th...more
7 likes · like · see review
A strange letter and a fortune in jewels and pearls lead Holmes and Watson on a merry chase. In this story, we meet the lovely Miss Mary Morstan and are also introduced to Sherlock's cocaine habit. I think Sherlock must be bipolar and so does Dr. Watson. He gets really annoyed with Sherlock indulging in his drugs of choice. Anyhow, this was fun, the who dunnit and the history behind the treasure was also very interesting.
5 likes · like · see review
Ci fu un tempo in cui le mie recensioni erano serie, passionali, impegnate.
Ci fu un tempo in cui avevo tempo di dedicare loro il tempo che meritavano.
Se anche questo tempo fosse ancora, questo romanzo non meriterebbe un'oncia del mio tempo.
L'unico Sherlock Holmes che ambisco a frequentare ancora ha le fattezze di Robert Downey jr.
Elementare, no?
Ci fu un tempo in cui avevo tempo di dedicare loro il tempo che meritavano.
Se anche questo tempo fosse ancora, questo romanzo non meriterebbe un'oncia del mio tempo.
L'unico Sherlock Holmes che ambisco a frequentare ancora ha le fattezze di Robert Downey jr.
Elementare, no?
4 likes · like · see review
Despite the attitudes of the time (yes, there's racism, misogyny, all that colonial rot) which are present in the stories, the stories still hold up. There's clunkiness, massive info dumps, gratuitously elaborate back stories, but the solving of the mysteries is gratifying. And I like how quickly Watson falls in love: BOOM.
But, for those who don't enjoy their crimes served with a heaping helping of the worst stereotypes imaginable, I suggest going with one of the more recent filmed versions. The...more
But, for those who don't enjoy their crimes served with a heaping helping of the worst stereotypes imaginable, I suggest going with one of the more recent filmed versions. The...more
The main reason I read this book is -
I have always been a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes and have read most of his works (unfortunately abridged versions during my school) but it is my latest addiction to BBC's 'Sherlock' that has made me want to pick this book up. Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are so perfect as Sherlock and Watson. Anyways, this is supposed to be a book review and not how awesome Sherlock is.
I enjoyed this book more than the previous 'A Study in Scarlet' as there was no...more
I have always been a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes and have read most of his works (unfortunately abridged versions during my school) but it is my latest addiction to BBC's 'Sherlock' that has made me want to pick this book up. Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are so perfect as Sherlock and Watson. Anyways, this is supposed to be a book review and not how awesome Sherlock is.
I enjoyed this book more than the previous 'A Study in Scarlet' as there was no...more
8 likes · like · see review
Jan 01, 2010
Mike
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
those who enjoy classic detective fiction and those who enjoyed Wilkie Collins' "The Moonstone".
Shelves:
classic-detective-fiction
In which we learn that Sherlock Holmes turns to a seven percent solution of cocaine for mental stimulation in the absence of a case on which to work, much to the chagrin of Dr. Watson. Arthur Conan Doyle weaves a story around the Sepoy Mutiny and a lost Indian treasure,in a plot reminiscent of Wilkie Collins' "The Moonstone". Sherlock Holmes reveals that he is a master of disguise and we learn more of the workings of the Baker Street Irregulars. This second appearance of Holmes and Watson is mor...more
Oct 06, 2010
ninefly
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
1-audio,
1-ebook,
0-favourite,
hero-detective,
historical,
mystery,
revenge,
_sherlockholmes,
teamwork
excerpt from detailed review here:
http://angeltyuan.blogspot.com/2010/0...
review of audio book read by John Telfer
I'm glad that Mr. Doyle has understood that audiences did not much enjoy the 5 chapters of criminal exposition (from the first book) as much when Holmes is not there to deduce the hell out of stuff. This second novel of the Sherlock Holmes series delves further into the personal lives of both Holmes and Watson, yet maintains the quality of plot and pacing that the first book had offe...more
http://angeltyuan.blogspot.com/2010/0...
review of audio book read by John Telfer
I'm glad that Mr. Doyle has understood that audiences did not much enjoy the 5 chapters of criminal exposition (from the first book) as much when Holmes is not there to deduce the hell out of stuff. This second novel of the Sherlock Holmes series delves further into the personal lives of both Holmes and Watson, yet maintains the quality of plot and pacing that the first book had offe...more
Basic Plot: Sherlock Holmes (now visibly showing signs of both bipolar disorder and cocaine addiction) is on the case again as murders surround a fantastic missing treasure.
This one was interesting, but not as good as "Study in Scarlet" in my opinion. The whole treasure thing was a bit cheesy to me (which I largely forgive Doyle for, due to time period and the fact that he helped develop the genre), and Watson in love at first sight was just odd. I look forward to reading some of the short stori...more
This one was interesting, but not as good as "Study in Scarlet" in my opinion. The whole treasure thing was a bit cheesy to me (which I largely forgive Doyle for, due to time period and the fact that he helped develop the genre), and Watson in love at first sight was just odd. I look forward to reading some of the short stori...more
That 'Sherlock' they showed on the BBC recently was really good wasn't it? I admit that I approached the notion of a modern day Sherlock Holmes with some degree of trepidation. How gimmicky would it be? Would the placing of such a character in a modern setting be played for jokes? Were the actors going to cope with the pressure of portraying such iconic Victorian figures in a modern setting, and could today’s CCTV London match its long ago dingy, smog-ridden self?
As it turned out, there was no n...more
As it turned out, there was no n...more
The Sign of Four or The Sign of 'the' Four, begins with a drug induced Sherlock Holmes being called upon by Mary Morstan for him to solve a mystery involving the disappearance of her father, Captain Arthur Morstan, about ten years earlier after he returned to London on leave from his regiment in India. Whilst there he apparently met one Thadeus Sholto and they both came into possession of treasure. However this treasure was stolen by four prison convicts (hence the term "sign of four") who made...more
3 likes · like · see review
Cocaine.
It starts with cocaine. It ends with cocaine.
So, I wanted to start praising the creators of House MD series for capturing so much of Holmes's essence (starting with the comic fashion in which they both display their junkiness at times) into the House character since the first book... I mean, I knew Doyle's books had inspired a lot/most of House's character, but actually sitting down and reading them, and constantly having a "holy, that's something House would've said" while I'm reading t...more
It starts with cocaine. It ends with cocaine.
So, I wanted to start praising the creators of House MD series for capturing so much of Holmes's essence (starting with the comic fashion in which they both display their junkiness at times) into the House character since the first book... I mean, I knew Doyle's books had inspired a lot/most of House's character, but actually sitting down and reading them, and constantly having a "holy, that's something House would've said" while I'm reading t...more
This novel doesn't waste any time at all before jumping into the action headfirst! The Game's afoot!
It's once again surprising to find (as Martin Freeman also points out in his intro here in my edition) how much of the characters we know and love have always been a part of the books, and despite their many reincarnations they were always the modern, exciting duo of their time.
The fast-paced speed at which Holmes works; the witty banter between him and Watson (at one point Holmes arrives in Watso...more
It's once again surprising to find (as Martin Freeman also points out in his intro here in my edition) how much of the characters we know and love have always been a part of the books, and despite their many reincarnations they were always the modern, exciting duo of their time.
The fast-paced speed at which Holmes works; the witty banter between him and Watson (at one point Holmes arrives in Watso...more
3 likes · like · see review
The Sign of Four Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Apart from The Hound of the Baskervilles Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes novels are not as highly regarded as his short stories. In the case of The Sign of Four that’s something of a pity as it really is splendid entertainment.
A young woman has been receiving puzzling annual gifts for several years - extremely valuable pearls. Her father had been an army officer who had served in India and later in the garrison of the penal colony in the Andaman Islands. His...more
Apart from The Hound of the Baskervilles Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes novels are not as highly regarded as his short stories. In the case of The Sign of Four that’s something of a pity as it really is splendid entertainment.
A young woman has been receiving puzzling annual gifts for several years - extremely valuable pearls. Her father had been an army officer who had served in India and later in the garrison of the penal colony in the Andaman Islands. His...more
The second Sherlock Holmes novel is already sliding into formula - Holmes investigates crime, solves it almost immediately but doesn't tell anyone just so he can be a smart-alec, hunts down culprit, and then we veer into an extended section depicting the criminal's story from his own point of view. While in A Study in Scarlet this latter section took up a full half of the novel, in the sequel it wisely only takes up a single chapter.
Still, my problem with this one is that the problem Sherlock so...more
Still, my problem with this one is that the problem Sherlock so...more
Having already readThe Hound of the Baskervilles, I turned to another one of the published Holmes novels,The Sign of Four, in part because it is available in a Penguin Classics edition. Felicitously, I found it to be one of the best detective novels of its time.
The story is wonderfully paced with plenty of excitement, from chasing down the criminals through the use of a dog to another appearance by the Baker Street irregulars, and a thrilling boat chase for the climax of the story. More than a c...more
The story is wonderfully paced with plenty of excitement, from chasing down the criminals through the use of a dog to another appearance by the Baker Street irregulars, and a thrilling boat chase for the climax of the story. More than a c...more
With the second story in the Sherlock Holmes saga, we return once again to Baker Street and our two heroes. After a few missteps in his initial offering, Doyle here finds his stride, and the result is a light, enjoyable read. The star, of course, is Holmes, careening through the narrative always two steps ahead of everyone else, never satisfied unless his intellect is fully engaged, cutting to the heart of the mystery with his byzantine deductions and then magnanimously explaining his thought pr...more
This was the first time I'd read this particular Holmes book, and I must say - had this been the first Holmes story I'd ever picked up, I wouldn't be the Holmes fan I am today.
I saw a side to him that I wasn't particularly fond of. It's different than Holmes' infuriating knack of instantly knowing the particulars of any case when it's newly presented to him, and his refusals to share his insight with those around him.
Yes, he's arrogant, but he's also quite sure of himself...and he's always righ...more
I saw a side to him that I wasn't particularly fond of. It's different than Holmes' infuriating knack of instantly knowing the particulars of any case when it's newly presented to him, and his refusals to share his insight with those around him.
Yes, he's arrogant, but he's also quite sure of himself...and he's always righ...more
I decided to read the Holmes stories in order, and so far I'm glad I have. The Sign of Four is a little more intimate, for lack of a better word, than Scarlet. Again, I think this is a 9/10 rather than a 4/5, but a good read certainly.
I may be drawing from my experience of the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (which I am currently reading), but one of the truly entertaining things about these stories is the way America and the other colonies and post-colonies figure in to many of the stories. Perha...more
I may be drawing from my experience of the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (which I am currently reading), but one of the truly entertaining things about these stories is the way America and the other colonies and post-colonies figure in to many of the stories. Perha...more
I was already a HUGE fan of Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson, but, after this, I could manage to get even more interested and fascinated by them! I did not think that it was possible! auhauhahuahuahua
Despite what Sherly says about Watson's writting, it's a really well-written book and totally involving. I couldn't stop reading at all!!
(view spoiler)...more
Despite what Sherly says about Watson's writting, it's a really well-written book and totally involving. I couldn't stop reading at all!!
(view spoiler)...more
The story,case this time was not as exciting as the first book. It was less epic flashback story involved in this case. The case was more down to earth if you could say that about a series like this.
What made it work,very enjoyable read was the relationship between Holmes and Dr. Watson none of the many adapatations really do any of them real justice. I liked Watson more in this story, he was more himself,his own thoughts then in the first novel where he was there mostly to be in awe of Sherlock...more
What made it work,very enjoyable read was the relationship between Holmes and Dr. Watson none of the many adapatations really do any of them real justice. I liked Watson more in this story, he was more himself,his own thoughts then in the first novel where he was there mostly to be in awe of Sherlock...more
Victorians were fascinating people. Holding hands in public: forbidden and titillating. Injecting cocaine: not that big a deal.
This has roughly the same structure as A Study In Scarlet, but the extended flashback is better integrated into the story.
This has roughly the same structure as A Study In Scarlet, but the extended flashback is better integrated into the story.
I got sidetracked before it ended and didn't notice this part where everybody got on a boat so I was like HOW DID THEY GET ON A BOAT? so you can see how that would be disorienting. Otherwise, DANG! Hot DANG. I like him.
3 likes · like · see review
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The worst of books about Sherlock Holmes | 21 | 268 | May 21, 2013 08:13pm | |
| DumbleDORKS: A Sign of Four | 4 | 4 | Apr 02, 2013 08:22pm | |
| Classics Without ...: The Sign of Four discussions *maybe spoilers?* | 9 | 81 | Mar 25, 2013 07:20am | |
| Review of The Sign of Four | 3 | 58 | Mar 03, 2012 01:35pm |
Arthur Conan Doyle was born the third of ten siblings on 22 May 1859 in Edinburgh, Scotland. His father, Charles Altamont Doyle, was born in England of Irish descent, and his mother, born Mary Foley, was Irish. They were married in 1855.
Although he is now referred to as "Conan Doyle", the origin of this compound surname (if that is how he meant it to be understood) is uncertain. His baptism record...more
More about Arthur Conan Doyle...
Although he is now referred to as "Conan Doyle", the origin of this compound surname (if that is how he meant it to be understood) is uncertain. His baptism record...more
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“My mind rebels from stagnation, give me problems, give me work. Give me the most abtruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am in my proper atmosphere.”
—
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“But love is an emotional thing, and whatever is emotional is opposed to that true cold reason which I place above all things.”
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