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The Speckled Band
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Part of the High Impact series this classic text is retold in an accessible style for those with a reading age of six to seven years. Can Sherlock Holmes solve the mystery of the death of Helen's sister in time to save Helen's own life?
...more
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Paperback, 45 pages
Published
July 1st 1998
by Travelman Publishing
(first published 1892)
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This is it. The Sherlock Holmes story I was waiting for. It’s a classic!
Update: To end my 2019 reading challenge I’m reading (and in some cases rereading) the dozen stories Arthur Conan Doyle marked as his favorites. “The Speckled Band” is #1, on both his list and (so far at least) on mine. Read it!
A drawn, frightened woman comes to Sherlock and Dr. Watson for help. Though Helen Stoner is only about 30, she's haggard and graying. She and her twin sister Julia have been living with their stepfa ...more
Update: To end my 2019 reading challenge I’m reading (and in some cases rereading) the dozen stories Arthur Conan Doyle marked as his favorites. “The Speckled Band” is #1, on both his list and (so far at least) on mine. Read it!
A drawn, frightened woman comes to Sherlock and Dr. Watson for help. Though Helen Stoner is only about 30, she's haggard and graying. She and her twin sister Julia have been living with their stepfa ...more
"Oh, my God! Helen! It was the band! The speckled band!"
The Adventure of the Speckled Band is one of the most ingenious of the 56 short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle about his fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. The author himself considered this one to be his best Sherlock Holmes story. It is now published as the eighth of the twelve stories collected in "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes", although it was first published in February 1892, in "The Strand" magazine. A few years late ...more
The Adventure of the Speckled Band is one of the most ingenious of the 56 short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle about his fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. The author himself considered this one to be his best Sherlock Holmes story. It is now published as the eighth of the twelve stories collected in "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes", although it was first published in February 1892, in "The Strand" magazine. A few years late ...more
The Adventure of the Speckled Band is one of the darker Sherlock Holmes stories dealing with murder by unusual means. The story is written as if it was one of the earliest cases undertaken by Holmes and Watson as a duo, with the case being brought to the consulting detective by a scared young lady, Helen Stoner.
Helen Stoner’s sister had died in mysterious circumstances, and ultimately this death proved to be one of the earliest examples in crime fiction, of a “Locked Room” mystery. Subsequently, ...more
Helen Stoner’s sister had died in mysterious circumstances, and ultimately this death proved to be one of the earliest examples in crime fiction, of a “Locked Room” mystery. Subsequently, ...more
Woooooooow. O_O
This is still one of the best mysteries I've read. The suspense is incredible, and I felt my heart pounding during the climax even though I've already read this once in the past.
The BEST Sherlock Holmes story that I've encountered yet - perfect for reading on a blustery autumn day!
5 stars! ...more
This is still one of the best mysteries I've read. The suspense is incredible, and I felt my heart pounding during the climax even though I've already read this once in the past.
The BEST Sherlock Holmes story that I've encountered yet - perfect for reading on a blustery autumn day!
5 stars! ...more
If it's Sherlock Holmes, you know its good.
...more
I can say that this is one of the best S.H stories, this man is rad, even with insufficient data, he managed to get things right, Sir. Arthur, chapeau!
I read this a few years ago for school, and oh my crumpets! I never thought I'd like this story, but... this is kinda what got me hooked on the BBC's Sherlock. ;)
...more
"The Adventure of the Speckled Band" is the eighth story in the
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
story collection, the third publication in the Sherlock Holmes series (after the first two novels, so the first story collection).
Holmes and Watson help a scared young lady who's sister died mysteriously shortly before her wedding, uttering only the words "the speckled band", and who now fears the same may happen to her as her own wedding approaches.
Another twisty one, I had heard that this wa ...more
Holmes and Watson help a scared young lady who's sister died mysteriously shortly before her wedding, uttering only the words "the speckled band", and who now fears the same may happen to her as her own wedding approaches.
Another twisty one, I had heard that this wa ...more
Mar 26, 2016
Rob Thompson
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
sherlock,
2020-challenge,
thriller,
short-stories,
2016-challenge,
fiction,
reviewed,
audio,
poetry,
radio
"I have heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold wickedness of the human heart."
One of the most creative and imaginative short stories ever written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
(view spoiler) ...more
One of the most creative and imaginative short stories ever written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
(view spoiler) ...more
5 Words: Perfect length for a cuppa.
One of the classics of classics in the entire Sherlock Holmes series.
A woman comes to Mr. Holmes with a strange problem involving a weird stepfather, an old house, an inheritance, wild animals which live on the estate, and yes, just what is the speckled band?
When I first read this as a child I thought the 'band' might be a wandering group of some sorts, perhaps Romas or gypsies living in the woods. Then I considered it might be like a 'headband,' popular head gear when I was a girl. Or maybe it ...more
A woman comes to Mr. Holmes with a strange problem involving a weird stepfather, an old house, an inheritance, wild animals which live on the estate, and yes, just what is the speckled band?
When I first read this as a child I thought the 'band' might be a wandering group of some sorts, perhaps Romas or gypsies living in the woods. Then I considered it might be like a 'headband,' popular head gear when I was a girl. Or maybe it ...more
Helen Stoner counsels Sherlock Holmes about the passing of her twin sister, Julia, who kicked the bucket before her wedding, crying that: "it was the Speckled Band!" Holmes must research their mom's domain and the unsavory Dr. Roylott, Helen's stepfather, who enables tramps to camp on his home and has both a cheetah and a primate going crazy in the grounds. Be that as it may, would helen be able to be accepted? Is Dr Roycroft as terrible as he appears? Furthermore, can the specked hankies worn a
...more
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A short story that takes place in the early days of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. In this one, a woman comes to Holmes in asking him to investigate her sister's death which occurred before her wedding day. The surviving sister is about to be married and she is afraid that she will succumb to the same fate of her sister.
I am not the biggest fan of short stories but this one I thoroughly enjoyed. Maybe I enjoyed this one because I have read another adventure with these characte ...more
I am not the biggest fan of short stories but this one I thoroughly enjoyed. Maybe I enjoyed this one because I have read another adventure with these characte ...more
" Violence does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls into the pit which he digs for another. "
Top-notch art of deduction, data gathering and bravado to act in the face of death. The story underlines how professional and goal-oriented Sherlock Holmes was.
Of note, i think the outstanding point of this plot was the grim nature of stepfather-daughter relationship due to financial matters; very very interesting. Not the first time Conan Doyle unmasks crooked intrafamilial affair ...more
Top-notch art of deduction, data gathering and bravado to act in the face of death. The story underlines how professional and goal-oriented Sherlock Holmes was.
Of note, i think the outstanding point of this plot was the grim nature of stepfather-daughter relationship due to financial matters; very very interesting. Not the first time Conan Doyle unmasks crooked intrafamilial affair ...more
First of the Sherlock Holmes stories I've ever read and I loved it. I had pretty high expectations because of the TV show but wooooow, okay, I'm going out to read all the rest of his stories and marvel in how awesome they are, if they're anything like this one.
...more
This was a super intriguing one. I am not sure why the woman would not let Holmes and Watson speak of the events until her untimely death, but this was one of the more interesting stories, in my opinion. It really had me scratching my head at what the hell the speckled band was, which I really loved because it was interesting. The story had a very sinister tone to it, which I picked up on right away. Overall, I definitely really loved this one!
I know this is supposed to be one of the best Sherlock Holmes stories, and one of Doyle's own favorites, but I couldn't help being underwhelmed. The solution is unlikely, the motive a stretch, and I can't shake the feeling that his research is entirely made up.
...more
One of my favorite stories of Sherlock Holmes :-)
Jan 29, 2017
Kathrin
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
crime-fiction,
short-stories
This case is so far my favorite out of this series. We finally get to following along while the case develops instead of listening to the explanations of the perpetrators or Sherlock himself.
I like this short story..
It is beautiful to read and important to who like mystery
Very entertaining. This is my first Sherlock Holmes story, and it makes me want to read more!
Doyle named this his favorite Holmes story and it's easy to see why. Mysterious murder which can only be solved by Holmes and Watson, a threatening father-in-law. This story simply shows the best of Holmes from his detective skills to Doyle's writing style of setting up an intriguing story with a wonderful conclusion. By far the most dramatic moment of this text is how Holmes (view spoiler). Overall a very good continuation of where we left off and a good stor
...more
Sinister dealings and Holmes in action! The Speckled Band gets Sherlock Holmes out of his Baker Street residence for a night and shows that he's quick in more ways than one. This may have been the very first Holmes story I ever read if I'm remembering correctly and it was a joy to read again!
...more
This might be my favorite so far...
An eerie tale with a satisfying ending.
Apparently Sherlock Holmes just refuses to bring killers to the proper authorities.
The Adventure Of The Speckled Band is one of the finest among the Sherlock Holmes stories. What makes the story so special is that it is being one of four Sherlock Holmes stories which contains locked room murder. The story focuses on a bride who lost her sister , named Helen who is in the fear of death. She thinks she will be murdered with the same way that her sister died and she has this feeling that she will face the same fate. As a result of this fear she goes to Holmes and his reliable com
...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherlock Holmes D...: Discussion Questions - The Speckled Band | 10 | 8 | May 04, 2020 09:52AM | |
| Sherlock Holmes D...: April 2020: Second Selection | 3 | 5 | Apr 24, 2020 09:54AM | |
| What's the Name o...: Solved:Sherlock Holmes Mystery [s] | 4 | 22 | Mar 15, 2014 07:41PM |
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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born the third of ten siblings on 22 May 1859 in Edinburgh, Scotland. His father, Charles Altamont Doyle, a talented illustrator, 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 u ...more
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 u ...more
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“I have heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold wickedness of the human heart.”
—
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“I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a logical basis, with which he unravelled the problems which were submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes, and was ready in a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the window, rose as we entered.
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—
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'Good morning, madam, said Holmes, cheerily. 'My name is Sherlock Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself.”
