First "Holmes" story that I've ever read. I liked it a lot, but I have to admit that the flashback to what happened in Utah - as interesting as it was - disrupted my reading pleasure a lot. It felt as if I was suddenly reading a completely different book and it took me a bit to realize that it was a flashback, there to explain the how-s and why-s behind the murder. And some parts of the mystery - like the word "Rache" on the wall or some of the conclusions Holmes drew - were a bit over the top. Also, my gosh, is Holmes a swollen-headed guy!

One thing that surprised me was how young both Watson and Holmes were in the book. Several times they were addressed as "young men" - most of the series/movies out there present the two of them as older or old guys. Curious.