What do you think?
Rate this book
Sherlock Holmes #1
A Study in Scarlet: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure
HarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics.
There's the scarlet thread of murder running through the colourless skein of life, and our duty is to unravel it
After a harrowing tour in Afghanistan, Dr. Watson returns to London to convalesce at 221B Baker Street, home to the enigmatic Sherlock Holmes. Their lives are irrevocably thrown together by news that a man has been found dead in a grimy ‘ill-omened’ house, with the word rache – German for revenge – written in blood on the wall. This grisly discovery is complicated further by the look of utter horror on the victim’s face, and the complete absence of any wounds on the body or sign of a struggle.
First published in 1887, A Study in Scarlet is the remarkable first-outing of one of literature’s most famous partnerships.
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 27, 1887
14339 people are currently reading
261457 people want to read
About the author
Arthur Conan Doyle
15.9k books24.5k followersSir 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 21,323 reviews
February 22, 2019
Arthur Conan Doyle's first Sherlock Holmes novel is utterly unimpressive. In short, the book starts like this:
and mid-way turns into this:
And I am not even joking. The novel begins with Holmes and Watson meeting, moving into their Baker Street apartment and then investigating a murder of a man found in an abandoned house. At the half point, however, the story completely changes its course and becomes the most awkward introduction of the murderer's back story and motives involving Mormons, polygamy, violence, money, and Brigham Young. The structure of The Study in Scarlet is utterly bizarre.
But let's not linger on the bad. I want to use this review to shamelessly hype the new BBC version of Sherlock Holmes.
This is an absolutely delightful modernized take on the old characters and it offers a much better version of Arthur Conan Doyle's dreadful story. So, check it out.
and mid-way turns into this:
And I am not even joking. The novel begins with Holmes and Watson meeting, moving into their Baker Street apartment and then investigating a murder of a man found in an abandoned house. At the half point, however, the story completely changes its course and becomes the most awkward introduction of the murderer's back story and motives involving Mormons, polygamy, violence, money, and Brigham Young. The structure of The Study in Scarlet is utterly bizarre.
But let's not linger on the bad. I want to use this review to shamelessly hype the new BBC version of Sherlock Holmes.
This is an absolutely delightful modernized take on the old characters and it offers a much better version of Arthur Conan Doyle's dreadful story. So, check it out.
September 26, 2021
(A-) 82% | Very Good
Notes: Despite its mediocre sojourn to Utah, it's an enjoyable read, and an interesting look at the original version of Holmes.
Notes: Despite its mediocre sojourn to Utah, it's an enjoyable read, and an interesting look at the original version of Holmes.
February 11, 2024
Meet Sherlock Holmes, detective extraordinaire.
Dr. John Watson returns to England after being injured in war. Transitioning a delicate financial situation he finds a partner to share a flat with, the eccentric Sherlock Holmes; dedicated student of science and criminology, and part time consulting detective with astonishing deductive powers that defy rational belief. It doesn’t take long for Sherlock to impress Watson, and when a telegram is received about a murder in the city, his abilities are put to the test. The couple will aid the local police with their investigation. This is the beginning of their many adventures.
A great start to the Sherlock Holmes series and the legendary duo that revolutionized crime detection fiction. Very interesting to know the origins of Watson and Sherlock and how their partnership was formed.
The novel is divided in two parts. The first part with Watson narrating his return to London and his encounter with Sherlock and the partnership that ensued. Decently good and engaging, although with a sort of unfulfilling ending. The second part with the story of John Ferrier, Lucy and Jefferson Hope, and a tragic event in Salt Lake Valley that changed the course of their lives. Interesting as well, but not as much as the first, and it feels wildly out of place, like a totally different book. The two parts seemingly unconnected until they merge at the end, revealing everything there is to know, and one finally able to understand the magnitude of the whole story. A very satisfying ending overall.
Solid 3.5, rounded up for legendary status. Not a favorite, but a very worthy read. If you like the crime detection and murder mystery genre, Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie are a must at least once in a lifetime.
Still remaining, the movie (1933) and the BBC series.
It’s public domain, you can find it HERE.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1887] [123p] [Classics] [3.5] [Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★☆ 1. A Study in Scarlet [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 2. The Sign of Four [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
★★★★☆ 4. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes [3.5]
★★★★☆ 5. The Hound of the Baskervilles
★★★★☆ 6. The Return of Sherlock Holmes
★★★☆☆ 7. The Valley of Fear
★★★★☆ 8. His Last Bow [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 9. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 10. The Complete Sherlock Holmes
-----------------------------------------------
Conozcan a Sherlock Holmes, detective extraordinario.
El Dr. John Watson regresa a Inglaterra después de ser herido en batalla. Pasando una delicada situación financiera encuentra un compañero con el cual compartir un departamento, el excéntrico Sherlock Holmes; dedicado estudiante de ciencias y criminología, y parte consultor detective con sorprendentes poderes deductivos que desafían cualquier creencia racional. A Sherlock no le toma mucho tiempo impresionar a Watson, y cuando un telegrama llega sobre un homicidio en la ciudad, sus habilidades son puesta a prueba. La pareja ayudará a la policía local con su investigación. Este es el comienzo de sus muchas aventuras.
Un gran comienzo para la serie de Sherlock Holmes y el dúo legendario que revolucionó la ficción detectivesca. Muy interesante para conocer los orígenes de Watson y Sherlock y cómo se formó su amistad.
La novela se divide en dos partes. La primera parte con Watson narrando su regreso a Londres y su encuentro con Sherlock y la asociación que prosiguió. Decentemente buena y atrapante, aunque con un final algo carente. La segunda parte con la historia de John Ferrier, Lucy y Jefferson Hope, y un trágico evento en el Valle del Lago Salado que cambió el curso de sus vidas. Interesante también, pero no tanto como la primera, y sintiéndose muy fuera de lugar, como un libro totalmente diferente. Las dos partes aparentemente inconexas hasta que se unen en el final, revelando todo lo que hay que saber y uno finalmente comprendiendo toda la magnitud de la historia. Un final muy satisfactorio dentro de todo.
Sólido 3.5, redondeado para arriba por estatus legendario. No un favorito, pero una muy valiosa lectura. Si te gusta el género de crimen y misterio detectivesco, Conan Doyle y Agatha Christie son una visita obligada al menos una vez en la vida.
Queda pendiente, la película (1933) y la serie de BBC.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1887] [123p] [Clásicos] [3.5] [Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
Dr. John Watson returns to England after being injured in war. Transitioning a delicate financial situation he finds a partner to share a flat with, the eccentric Sherlock Holmes; dedicated student of science and criminology, and part time consulting detective with astonishing deductive powers that defy rational belief. It doesn’t take long for Sherlock to impress Watson, and when a telegram is received about a murder in the city, his abilities are put to the test. The couple will aid the local police with their investigation. This is the beginning of their many adventures.
A great start to the Sherlock Holmes series and the legendary duo that revolutionized crime detection fiction. Very interesting to know the origins of Watson and Sherlock and how their partnership was formed.
The novel is divided in two parts. The first part with Watson narrating his return to London and his encounter with Sherlock and the partnership that ensued. Decently good and engaging, although with a sort of unfulfilling ending. The second part with the story of John Ferrier, Lucy and Jefferson Hope, and a tragic event in Salt Lake Valley that changed the course of their lives. Interesting as well, but not as much as the first, and it feels wildly out of place, like a totally different book. The two parts seemingly unconnected until they merge at the end, revealing everything there is to know, and one finally able to understand the magnitude of the whole story. A very satisfying ending overall.
Solid 3.5, rounded up for legendary status. Not a favorite, but a very worthy read. If you like the crime detection and murder mystery genre, Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie are a must at least once in a lifetime.
Still remaining, the movie (1933) and the BBC series.
It’s public domain, you can find it HERE.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1887] [123p] [Classics] [3.5] [Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★☆ 1. A Study in Scarlet [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 2. The Sign of Four [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
★★★★☆ 4. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes [3.5]
★★★★☆ 5. The Hound of the Baskervilles
★★★★☆ 6. The Return of Sherlock Holmes
★★★☆☆ 7. The Valley of Fear
★★★★☆ 8. His Last Bow [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 9. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 10. The Complete Sherlock Holmes
-----------------------------------------------
Conozcan a Sherlock Holmes, detective extraordinario.
El Dr. John Watson regresa a Inglaterra después de ser herido en batalla. Pasando una delicada situación financiera encuentra un compañero con el cual compartir un departamento, el excéntrico Sherlock Holmes; dedicado estudiante de ciencias y criminología, y parte consultor detective con sorprendentes poderes deductivos que desafían cualquier creencia racional. A Sherlock no le toma mucho tiempo impresionar a Watson, y cuando un telegrama llega sobre un homicidio en la ciudad, sus habilidades son puesta a prueba. La pareja ayudará a la policía local con su investigación. Este es el comienzo de sus muchas aventuras.
Un gran comienzo para la serie de Sherlock Holmes y el dúo legendario que revolucionó la ficción detectivesca. Muy interesante para conocer los orígenes de Watson y Sherlock y cómo se formó su amistad.
La novela se divide en dos partes. La primera parte con Watson narrando su regreso a Londres y su encuentro con Sherlock y la asociación que prosiguió. Decentemente buena y atrapante, aunque con un final algo carente. La segunda parte con la historia de John Ferrier, Lucy y Jefferson Hope, y un trágico evento en el Valle del Lago Salado que cambió el curso de sus vidas. Interesante también, pero no tanto como la primera, y sintiéndose muy fuera de lugar, como un libro totalmente diferente. Las dos partes aparentemente inconexas hasta que se unen en el final, revelando todo lo que hay que saber y uno finalmente comprendiendo toda la magnitud de la historia. Un final muy satisfactorio dentro de todo.
Sólido 3.5, redondeado para arriba por estatus legendario. No un favorito, pero una muy valiosa lectura. Si te gusta el género de crimen y misterio detectivesco, Conan Doyle y Agatha Christie son una visita obligada al menos una vez en la vida.
Queda pendiente, la película (1933) y la serie de BBC.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1887] [123p] [Clásicos] [3.5] [Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
May 13, 2024
Who's the better detective: Sherlock Holmes, or me when I'm trying to figure out someone's entire moral compass based solely on who they're following on Instagram?
Like, sure, Holmesy might use the power of observation more effectively than any other fictional detective in history, but does he even know which usernames are red flags?
Doubtful.
This is one of the better mysteries, like, ever, but in terms of pacing it still manages to be a total nightmare. Stopping the entire narrative at the climax in order to inexplicably launch into a bone-dry description of Mormonism for seemingly 800 pages...brave. Bold. Unparalleled.
(I actually Wikipedia'd this book to make sure something wasn't wrong with the ebook I borrowed from the library. That's how much of a mindf*ck that switch-up was.)
Still, though, Sherlock Holmes rules and is very fun to read about, even if I have some association of his name with Benedict Cumberbatch and therefore have to occasionally feel fear strike my very heart when I think of his face while reading.
We take the wins with the losses in this life.
Similarly, I was browsing in a used bookstore recently and a cute boy started chatting me up about Sherlock Holmes, and then when I left to buy my book and a coffee he didn't chase me across the store / fall in love with me / hold a boombox playing In Your Eyes over his head.
Mixed history, really.
Bottom line: More Holmes, please!
Like, sure, Holmesy might use the power of observation more effectively than any other fictional detective in history, but does he even know which usernames are red flags?
Doubtful.
This is one of the better mysteries, like, ever, but in terms of pacing it still manages to be a total nightmare. Stopping the entire narrative at the climax in order to inexplicably launch into a bone-dry description of Mormonism for seemingly 800 pages...brave. Bold. Unparalleled.
(I actually Wikipedia'd this book to make sure something wasn't wrong with the ebook I borrowed from the library. That's how much of a mindf*ck that switch-up was.)
Still, though, Sherlock Holmes rules and is very fun to read about, even if I have some association of his name with Benedict Cumberbatch and therefore have to occasionally feel fear strike my very heart when I think of his face while reading.
We take the wins with the losses in this life.
Similarly, I was browsing in a used bookstore recently and a cute boy started chatting me up about Sherlock Holmes, and then when I left to buy my book and a coffee he didn't chase me across the store / fall in love with me / hold a boombox playing In Your Eyes over his head.
Mixed history, really.
Bottom line: More Holmes, please!
January 22, 2012
The birth of a legend....
This is it...the novel in which Sir Arthur ushered the world’sgreatest second best detective (after Batman) into our collective consciousness. Being the non-conformist rebel that I am, I started off bassackwards by reading The Valley of Fear and then The Adventure of the Final Problem because those were the two stories with Moriarty in them. Shocking, I know, but that’s just how I roll. Btw, it still really chaffs my cheeks that Doyle wrote 56 short stories and 4 novels about Holmes and the arch-enemy appears in exactly TWO. I know less is sometimes more but, come on Doyle, that is on the scrimpy side of weak.
Anyway, I have now circled back and returned to the genesis of the Sherlockian mythos and begun with the tale that started it all. Now, for those that have never read any of the Holmes mysteries, I have come to believe that your level of enjoyment of these stories will be directly proportional to your feelings toward Sherlock Holmes himself. Sir Arthur’s a fine writer and his prose is concise and polished with enough flair to make reading him very enjoyable. In addition, his plotting and pacing are excellent and I think mystery fans will appreciate both the content and structure of the central investigation and the procedural components of clue-gathering and interpretation.
These things all point towards a pleasurable experience, However, in the end, the most important barometer in gauging your level of happy will be your reaction to Holmes himself. Thus, I thought I would focus most of my review’s attention on his character bio after briefly summing up the plot as follows:
PLOT SUMMARY:
Holmes and Watson meet....murder is committed...Holmes investigates....clues are found...Holmes figures it out....a murderer is caught...long flashback to America where Doyle does a Krakauer-style expose on Mormons describing and their child-stealing, polygamous ways...jump forward to present.... all is made clear..... Watson slobbers all over Holmes.......
A STUDY IN CHARACTER:
Now, let’s take a look at Sherlock’s profile. Whether you are a hater or a homey when it comes to Holmes, I think most people would agree with the following attributes:
** The man is unlikeable...very unlikeable...extremely unlikeable.
** He is self-absorbed to the point of being sociopathic.
** His has zero empathy for the victims of the crimes he investigates.
** He is so egotistical that it actually makes his general unlikeability pale in comparison
** While never explicitly diagnosed, he is a severe manic-depressive
** He is inconsiderate, callous, cold and socially inept.
From a personality standpoint, one of my buddies here on GR said it best...Holmes is “a dick.”
Despite that, I find myself very much in the “homey” camp and think he’s among the more fascinating creations in the annals of literature. Part of that appeal is precisely because he is such a prickish turd in the social skill department. However it his mental faculties, the trait he is best known for, that makes him so intriguing.
Yes, he is brilliant. However, that is not the end of the storyPaul Harvey because it is a unique and very specialized kind of brilliance. Holmes knows the details, and I mean details, of every major crime to have been perpetrated in Europe (and possibly beyond) over the last 500 years. He can also distinguish between every variety of dirt or soil in London and and can tell you the precise brand of tobacco/pipe/cigar simply by its ash.
However, as is divulged in this story, Holmes also has no idea that the Earth travels around the sun. Further, “of contemporary literature, philosophy and politics he appeared to know next to nothing.” How can a man of such singular ability be so woefully lacking in common knowledge. Holmes explains to Watson thusly:
I guess I just find Doyle’s profile of Holmes to be superb. He is like a “not quite human” storm of deduction. He’s dispassionate, callous and unimaginably effective. Additionally, he solves crimes not because of a perceived duty, but merely because it is the only thing that keeps the boredom of life away. That and the giant stroking his ego gets when he does “the big explain” which is always entertaining and makes each story worth reading all by itself.
Finally, I also see Holmes as a tragic figure. He is a sad, lonely and devoid of any lasting sense of contentment or pleasure. While alive and invigorated when the game is afoot, most of his time is spent as a mere husk of a man with no feeling of day-to-day happiness.
All of this makes Holmes an extraordinarily compelling figure to me and one I hope to spend a lot more time reading about. While I did not enjoy this as much as The Adventure of the Final Problem (my favorite so far), I was still glued to the page watching Holmes maneuver through his scenes and really enjoyed the flashback portion set in America.
I look forward to many more of his adventures.
4.0 stars. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
This is it...the novel in which Sir Arthur ushered the world’s
Anyway, I have now circled back and returned to the genesis of the Sherlockian mythos and begun with the tale that started it all. Now, for those that have never read any of the Holmes mysteries, I have come to believe that your level of enjoyment of these stories will be directly proportional to your feelings toward Sherlock Holmes himself. Sir Arthur’s a fine writer and his prose is concise and polished with enough flair to make reading him very enjoyable. In addition, his plotting and pacing are excellent and I think mystery fans will appreciate both the content and structure of the central investigation and the procedural components of clue-gathering and interpretation.
These things all point towards a pleasurable experience, However, in the end, the most important barometer in gauging your level of happy will be your reaction to Holmes himself. Thus, I thought I would focus most of my review’s attention on his character bio after briefly summing up the plot as follows:
PLOT SUMMARY:
Holmes and Watson meet....murder is committed...Holmes investigates....clues are found...Holmes figures it out....a murderer is caught...long flashback to America where Doyle does a Krakauer-style expose on Mormons describing and their child-stealing, polygamous ways...jump forward to present.... all is made clear..... Watson slobbers all over Holmes.......
A STUDY IN CHARACTER:
Now, let’s take a look at Sherlock’s profile. Whether you are a hater or a homey when it comes to Holmes, I think most people would agree with the following attributes:
** The man is unlikeable...very unlikeable...extremely unlikeable.
** He is self-absorbed to the point of being sociopathic.
** His has zero empathy for the victims of the crimes he investigates.
** He is so egotistical that it actually makes his general unlikeability pale in comparison
** While never explicitly diagnosed, he is a severe manic-depressive
** He is inconsiderate, callous, cold and socially inept.
From a personality standpoint, one of my buddies here on GR said it best...Holmes is “a dick.”
Despite that, I find myself very much in the “homey” camp and think he’s among the more fascinating creations in the annals of literature. Part of that appeal is precisely because he is such a prickish turd in the social skill department. However it his mental faculties, the trait he is best known for, that makes him so intriguing.
Yes, he is brilliant. However, that is not the end of the story
However, as is divulged in this story, Holmes also has no idea that the Earth travels around the sun. Further, “of contemporary literature, philosophy and politics he appeared to know next to nothing.” How can a man of such singular ability be so woefully lacking in common knowledge. Holmes explains to Watson thusly:
I consider that a man's brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose. A fool takes in all the lumber of every sort that he comes across, so that the knowledge which might be useful to him gets crowded out, or at best is jumbled up with a lot of other things so that he has a difficulty in laying his hands upon it. Now the skillful workman is very careful indeed as to what he takes into his brain-attic. He will have nothing but the tools which may help him in doing his work, but of these he has a large assortment, and all in the most perfect order. It is a mistake to think that that little room has elastic walls and can distend to any extent. Depend upon it there comes a time when for every addition of knowledge you forget something that you knew before. It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones.This just struck me as particularly awesome from a story perspective. Not only does such a philosophy provide a cloak of believability to Sherlock’s preternatural detecting skills, but his glaring knowledge deficiencies make him that much more fascinating as a character.
I guess I just find Doyle’s profile of Holmes to be superb. He is like a “not quite human” storm of deduction. He’s dispassionate, callous and unimaginably effective. Additionally, he solves crimes not because of a perceived duty, but merely because it is the only thing that keeps the boredom of life away. That and the giant stroking his ego gets when he does “the big explain” which is always entertaining and makes each story worth reading all by itself.
Finally, I also see Holmes as a tragic figure. He is a sad, lonely and devoid of any lasting sense of contentment or pleasure. While alive and invigorated when the game is afoot, most of his time is spent as a mere husk of a man with no feeling of day-to-day happiness.
All of this makes Holmes an extraordinarily compelling figure to me and one I hope to spend a lot more time reading about. While I did not enjoy this as much as The Adventure of the Final Problem (my favorite so far), I was still glued to the page watching Holmes maneuver through his scenes and really enjoyed the flashback portion set in America.
I look forward to many more of his adventures.
4.0 stars. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
December 9, 2021
Sherlock Holmes and the case of the Killer Mormons!
But more about that later...
Ok, the big deal about this one is that you get to see the Sherlock/Watson meet-cute. I mean, this is one of the most important meetings in the history of all literature! Come on, people! Get excited!
It's only fair to mention that I've read and reread all of these stories a bjillion times, and these are by far my favorite classic characters.
Well, except for Lizzie & Mr. Darcy...
But I know I haven't read P&P as many times as I have Sherlock's mysteries, which should tell you something right there.
I LOVE YOU, SHERLOCK!
And, just to be clear, I loved him before he was all sexified.
Ok, so Watson is back from the war (he basically just got trounced on and then came home), andhas wasted all of his money is running low on funds. Luckily, he runs into an old pal from school, who just happens to know of this guy who's looking for a roommate. One thing leads to another, and the next thing you know, Felix & Oscar have found their forever home!
Alright, as far as the mystery goes, it's just Sherlock running around sniffing things, (implausibly) being able to identify cigar ash, and tracing the movement of criminals using day-old (tromped on) footprints.
Given what we know about forensic evidence now, is any of this, in any small way, even remotely believable? Can Sherlock actually deduct the answer to this mystery from horse tracks, a dead man's bad breath, and a plain wedding band?
You're goddamn right, he can!
So...WhoDoneIt?
Now, I'm fully prepared to admit that I had forgotten about the Mormon Connection. I haven't read this one years, mostly because I prefer the short stories. Duh!
But, to uncover the reasons behind the killings, Doyle takes us on a journey to the wilds of America! Specifically, Utah.
Land of the Magic Underwear!
This was where the tale of one man's thirst for vengeance was born. And it's all Brigham Young's fault. He was eeeeeeevil!
Bwahahahahaha!
I'm assuming that Mormonism (like most religions) has its share of shady skeleton's in the closet. Now, I don't claim to be an expert on these guys. And I don't personally know very many Mormons, due to their predilection for Salt Lake City. All I know about that religion is what I've seen on tv or read in books, and it's not much.
They wear special underwear. They can't watch R-rated movies. And they used to go door-to-door, until the Jehovah's Witness got to be too much competition.
There's something else I'm forgetting though... What is it? It's right there on the tip of my tongue. Is it that they write best selling novels about sparkly vampires? No, there was something that looked like a big pink elephant...
Oh! I remember!
Yes. Well, from what I can tell, the only Mormons who practice polygamy now are fringe groups that are more or less shunned by their peers.
And while I'm not on board with any religion, I doubt that this one is much weirder than most, at this point anyway. Plus, at least most Mormons seem to be pretty educated and well-off. It's not like Salt Lake City is one huge trailer park filled with toothless hillbillies. And (bonus!) they seem to have the sense to keep their crazy old people off the airwaves...
Or so I thought! Now that I've read this, I'm going to have to rethink my plan to move west! Who knew these guys were so devious!?
Kidnapping, forced marriage, murder, and secret bird calls!?
Was this really a five star book?
Fuck, no. But it's my favorite character's first book, and I enjoyed the hell out of it.
Buddy read with my Non-Crunchy Friends!
But more about that later...
Ok, the big deal about this one is that you get to see the Sherlock/Watson meet-cute. I mean, this is one of the most important meetings in the history of all literature! Come on, people! Get excited!
It's only fair to mention that I've read and reread all of these stories a bjillion times, and these are by far my favorite classic characters.
Well, except for Lizzie & Mr. Darcy...
But I know I haven't read P&P as many times as I have Sherlock's mysteries, which should tell you something right there.
I LOVE YOU, SHERLOCK!
And, just to be clear, I loved him before he was all sexified.
Ok, so Watson is back from the war (he basically just got trounced on and then came home), and
Alright, as far as the mystery goes, it's just Sherlock running around sniffing things, (implausibly) being able to identify cigar ash, and tracing the movement of criminals using day-old (tromped on) footprints.
Given what we know about forensic evidence now, is any of this, in any small way, even remotely believable? Can Sherlock actually deduct the answer to this mystery from horse tracks, a dead man's bad breath, and a plain wedding band?
You're goddamn right, he can!
So...WhoDoneIt?
Now, I'm fully prepared to admit that I had forgotten about the Mormon Connection. I haven't read this one years, mostly because I prefer the short stories. Duh!
But, to uncover the reasons behind the killings, Doyle takes us on a journey to the wilds of America! Specifically, Utah.
Land of the Magic Underwear!
This was where the tale of one man's thirst for vengeance was born. And it's all Brigham Young's fault. He was eeeeeeevil!
Bwahahahahaha!
I'm assuming that Mormonism (like most religions) has its share of shady skeleton's in the closet. Now, I don't claim to be an expert on these guys. And I don't personally know very many Mormons, due to their predilection for Salt Lake City. All I know about that religion is what I've seen on tv or read in books, and it's not much.
They wear special underwear. They can't watch R-rated movies. And they used to go door-to-door, until the Jehovah's Witness got to be too much competition.
There's something else I'm forgetting though... What is it? It's right there on the tip of my tongue. Is it that they write best selling novels about sparkly vampires? No, there was something that looked like a big pink elephant...
Oh! I remember!
Yes. Well, from what I can tell, the only Mormons who practice polygamy now are fringe groups that are more or less shunned by their peers.
And while I'm not on board with any religion, I doubt that this one is much weirder than most, at this point anyway. Plus, at least most Mormons seem to be pretty educated and well-off. It's not like Salt Lake City is one huge trailer park filled with toothless hillbillies. And (bonus!) they seem to have the sense to keep their crazy old people off the airwaves...
Or so I thought! Now that I've read this, I'm going to have to rethink my plan to move west! Who knew these guys were so devious!?
Kidnapping, forced marriage, murder, and secret bird calls!?
Was this really a five star book?
Fuck, no. But it's my favorite character's first book, and I enjoyed the hell out of it.
Buddy read with my Non-Crunchy Friends!
December 6, 2025
This first investigation, revolving around the murder of a man in a suit whom Holmes found dead without apparent injury, is not particularly hectic. Still, it remains very intriguing and reads very quickly. The novel's second part, which corresponds to the investigation's resolution and the culprit's explanations, takes an unexpected yet fascinating turn. The Holmes-Watson duo works well in this novel as its adaptation, and it was an immense pleasure for me to find that again.
A study in red marks the beginning of the Sherlock Holmes saga, and it will be with great pleasure that I continue the adventures of this extraordinary character.
A study in red marks the beginning of the Sherlock Holmes saga, and it will be with great pleasure that I continue the adventures of this extraordinary character.
July 8, 2017
بالرغم من أعجابي الشديد بشخصية شيرلوك هولمز منذ الصغر بسبب مسلسل الانيمي الشهير في الثمانينات
والذي قدم بشكل "كلب"، بينما بنفس الوقت قدمه ديزني بشكل فأر، في فيلم وكوميكس بمجلة ميكي
وبعد سنوات طويلة، شاهدت بالصدفة فيلم شيرلوك هولمز لروبرت داوني جونيور..لم أتحمس له بالبداية، لكنه أيضا جذبني بذكاء الحبكة وقوتها
واخيرا، منذ أيام شاهدت الحلقة الاولي من مسلسل شيرلوك، بعد الضجة المثارة حول موسمها الاخير
يقدم المسلسل صورة معاصرة لشيرلوك، بشكل ذكي ومثير، الحلقة الاولي بعنوان "دراسة في اللون البمبي"، ذكرني بعنوان رواية شهيرة بعنوان "دراسة في اللون القرمزي"، وبقليل من البحث..أكتشفت أنه عنوان أولي روايات وألغاز شيرلوك هولمز نفسه كما كتبها السير آرثر كونان دويل 1887، منذ 130 عاما
والغريب انها هي ماجعلني واعطتني دفعة لابدأ القراءة لشيرلوك هولمز اخيرا بعد كل هذا الوقت
كانت لدي النسخة الالكترونية بما أن حقوق الملكية سقطت ، وبقراءة الفصل الاول فحسب ، أكتشفت أن المسلسل قام بعبقرية شديدة تحويل الخيوط الرئيسية للقصة نفسها حتي بمعظم مشاهدها ومقولات ابطالها الي المسلسل، في احداث معاصرة بعد 130 عاما من صدور القصة الاصلية
الاحداث
-ما أشبه البارحة باليوم، جون واتسون في المسلسل يعود من نفس المكان بعد قرنا من الزمان، سلسلة جي كي رولينج البوليسية الشهيرة أيضا بطلها جندي سابق مصاب بأفغانستان يعود في 2009 لبريطانيا ليعمل محقق-
وبالصدفة يشارك السكن في 221ب شارع بيكر مع شيرلوك هولمز، محقق خاص جدا غريب الاطوار .. حيث ستتعرف مع واتسون -الراوي- بسلاسة علي جزء من شخصية شيرلوك، وطريقة تفكيره العجيبة التي ترفض أستقبال أي معلومة لا يستخدمها في حياته اليومية الخاصة ، حتي إن كانت مهمة كأن الارض تدور حول الشمس مثلا
ستتعرف علي علاقة شيرلوك المعقدة مع البوليس، الذين يرفضون الاعتراف بفضل أي طرف خارجي في مساعدة القبض علي الجناة، مع ذلك يعترفون بعبقرية شيرلوك الإستثنائية في الاستنتاج والحدس والاستنباط
لتبدأ الجريمة الاولي الغامض وقائعها وهنا يبدأ الاختلاف الجذري في القضية بين المسلسل و الرواية
يشترك واتسون مع شيرلوك في رحلته البحث عن الجاني واسباب الجريمة لانه كان متشككا من تفاخر شيرلوك بدقته في قراءة الشخصيات والبشر والاماكن
ليكتشف أنه محقا بشكل مرعب
لدرجة أنه يقوم بأحضار والقبض علي المجرم أمام البوليس في بيته الخاص بنفسه
ليبدأ جزء ثاني من الرواية
الجزء الثاني من الرواية مختلف تماما
نصفه الاول سردي لا يرويه واتسون.. يرجع لبضع العقود الي الوراء في سهول أمريكا الواسعة بمنتصف القرن التاسع عشر
حول جماعة من المورمون ، تلك العقيدة الامريكية المتشددة ، تجوب سهول امريكا المقفرة للبحث عن مكان تبدأ فيه مدينة جديدة لهم ، يقومون بأنقاذ رجلا ما وفتاة صغيرة يتبناها بعد أن ماتت جماعته من الجوع والعطش بالصحراء المقفرة الامريكية
الجزء غني جدا، به رسم ديستوبيا لشكل الحياة المتشددة للمورمون بشكل مختصر لكن يضاهي رائعة جورج اورويل 1984 التي كتبها بعده بنصف قرن
ما علاقة كل هذا بالجريمة الثنائية بلندن؟
هذا ما يجيب عنه النصف الثاني من الجزء الثاني من الرواية بين واتسون وشيرلوك والجاني
************************
الاسلوب والشخصيات
لسبب ما لم يهتم كثيرا السير آرثر بكتابة ماض لشيرلوك أو حتي واتسون فيما عدا جزء من عادات الاول، وتجربة الاخير في الحرب البشعة بافغانستان
بل وببعض البحث ستجد أن هناك لعبة كبري يلعبها كل عشاق ومدمني ألغاز شيرلوك من يستطيع تجميع تاريخ حياة وعائلة شيرلوك النادر وجودها بين رواياته الاربع وال56 قصة قصيرة التي هي ميراث السير آرثر لشيرلوك
لم يكتب لسبب ما السير الكثير عن شيرلوك، مع ذلك ظل ملهما للكثير
الظريف هو ما كتبه السيد واتسون عن شخصية هولمز في هذا الكتاب يعتبر حجر الاساس لما سيحدث لاحقا
السلاسة في الاسلوب، رغم شئ من تطويل الجمل والفقرات كما هي عادة كلاسيكيات اواخر القرن 19 وأوائل العشرين، جعلت من الاحداث مثيرة وسهل التعايش معها.. تقديم الشخصية لأول مرة رغم كما قلت عدم رسم ماض او تاريخ له جاء سهل التعرف عليه والانجذاب لاسلوبه الغريب وذكاءه الاستنتاجي الممتاز
وكما قلت، تغيير الاجواء في نفس الرواية والانتقال بين الراوي وبين احداث في مكان اخر تماما، بالرغم من انها كانت مفاجئة لكنها منحت تنوع خاصا انها كتبت بشكل مثير للمتابعة وتسجل جزء من تاريخ تلك الجماعة الدينية في يوتاه بأمريكا، مما أثقل الحبكة بشكل عام كما يقول السيد شيرلوك دائما
The Plot Thickens
************************
التأثر والتأثير
خلال الاحداث يذكر الكاتب كثيرا بعض الاشارات لأدب الجريمة وقتها... اشهر تلك الاشارات هي للمحقق سي اوجست دوبين لمؤلف الرعب والاثارة الاشهر إدجار آلان بو
حيث يشبه واتسون شيرلوك بدوبين ، والذي ظهر في 3 روايات لإدجار منذ اقل من نصف قرن من ابتكار شخصية هولمز
دوبين مختلف، كما يقول شيرلوك نفسه في الاحداث، مع ذلك فهو شعر بالاطراء لهذا التشبيه.. ولكن فعلا يري الكثيرين ان السير آرثر استلهم الكثير من شخصية دوبين كما استلهم منها غيره كاجاثا كريستي وحتي دوستويفسكي
ولكن شيرلوك كان له نصيب اضخم من الاقتباسات ، سواء مباشرة او حتي مع تغيير الاسم
-فشخصية دكتور هاوس مثلا صاحب المسلسل التليفزيوني الشهير يعتبر مقتبسا بشكل غير مباشر من شيرلوك، والمسلسل نفسه مليء بالتلميحات لروايات دويل-
كما صار هناك الكثير من الروايات عن هولمز يكتبها مؤلفين جدد
اخرها نسخة نسائية ليدي شيرلوك، بعنوان شبه مماثل للرواية الاولي تلك
A Study in Scarlet
في كل اقتباس
Adaptation
من التي ذكرتها في البداية ستجد ملامح لشيرلوك التي ذكرها السير آرثر
شيرلوك هوند، الانيمي الياباني، للمبدع لهاياو ميازاكي له نفس النبرة الباردة الواثقة لشيرلوك... مع ظهور اكبر لموريانتي، عدوه اللدود رغم أنه لم يظهر في الروايات الاصلية سوي مرة واحدة فقط
هو وباسيل من شارع بيكر ، الفأر الذي ابتكره ديزني، يعزفان الكمان... ويحسب لكارتون ديزني والكوميكس هو الجو الضبابي البريطاني الغامض الذي اشتهرت به السلسلة الاصلية
كما أنها من المرات النادرة التي يلتزم فيها ديزني بالواقعية في الحجم ، فباسيل "شيرلوك" هو فأر بالحجم الطبيعي وليس كباقي شخصيات ميكي احجامها غير واقعية
ولكن عندما قدم روبرت داوني جونيور الشخصية قدمها بكثير من الغرور والانعزالية المشابه لطبيعة شيرلوك الاصلية ، وزادها بيندكت كامبرباتش جنونا في شخصيته المعاصرة
ولكن يحسب للنسخة الاخيرة الذكية تلك هي الدفعة التي دفعتها لي لقراءة تلك الرواية الكلاسيكية رغم عدم تحمسي للكلاسيكيات
مع ان -كما ذكرت بمراجعة رواية "ثم لم يبق أحد"،-ان والدتي كانت تدفعني لقراءتها قديما بجانب مجلة ميكي روايات اجاثا كريستي وارسين لوبين
لكني لم اجد ترجمات وقتها لشيرلوك رغم حماسي لفكرة المخبر السري بسبب كوميكس لغز ميكي الشهير
حسنا، هي مناسبة سعيدة اذن، وتركتني برغبة في قراءة المزيد عن شيرلوك والغازه والتي بالتأكيد سأبدأ بها هذا العام أن شاء الله
مع الرواية الثانية قريبا، ومجموعة قصصية تلحقها لنقرأ الاعمال بالترتيب
محمد العربي
من 15 يناير 2017
الي 17 يناير 2017
والذي قدم بشكل "كلب"، بينما بنفس الوقت قدمه ديزني بشكل فأر، في فيلم وكوميكس بمجلة ميكي
وبعد سنوات طويلة، شاهدت بالصدفة فيلم شيرلوك هولمز لروبرت داوني جونيور..لم أتحمس له بالبداية، لكنه أيضا جذبني بذكاء الحبكة وقوتها
واخيرا، منذ أيام شاهدت الحلقة الاولي من مسلسل شيرلوك، بعد الضجة المثارة حول موسمها الاخير
يقدم المسلسل صورة معاصرة لشيرلوك، بشكل ذكي ومثير، الحلقة الاولي بعنوان "دراسة في اللون البمبي"، ذكرني بعنوان رواية شهيرة بعنوان "دراسة في اللون القرمزي"، وبقليل من البحث..أكتشفت أنه عنوان أولي روايات وألغاز شيرلوك هولمز نفسه كما كتبها السير آرثر كونان دويل 1887، منذ 130 عاما
والغريب انها هي ماجعلني واعطتني دفعة لابدأ القراءة لشيرلوك هولمز اخيرا بعد كل هذا الوقت
كانت لدي النسخة الالكترونية بما أن حقوق الملكية سقطت ، وبقراءة الفصل الاول فحسب ، أكتشفت أن المسلسل قام بعبقرية شديدة تحويل الخيوط الرئيسية للقصة نفسها حتي بمعظم مشاهدها ومقولات ابطالها الي المسلسل، في احداث معاصرة بعد 130 عاما من صدور القصة الاصلية
الاحداث
"هناك الخيط القرمزي للجريمة يجري خلال نسيج الحياة عديم اللون وواجبنا أن نفك خيوطه ونفصله لكشف كل بوصة منه"تدور الأحداث حول جون واتسون العائد من بعثة عسكرية بريطانية من أفغانستان
-ما أشبه البارحة باليوم، جون واتسون في المسلسل يعود من نفس المكان بعد قرنا من الزمان، سلسلة جي كي رولينج البوليسية الشهيرة أيضا بطلها جندي سابق مصاب بأفغانستان يعود في 2009 لبريطانيا ليعمل محقق-
وبالصدفة يشارك السكن في 221ب شارع بيكر مع شيرلوك هولمز، محقق خاص جدا غريب الاطوار .. حيث ستتعرف مع واتسون -الراوي- بسلاسة علي جزء من شخصية شيرلوك، وطريقة تفكيره العجيبة التي ترفض أستقبال أي معلومة لا يستخدمها في حياته اليومية الخاصة ، حتي إن كانت مهمة كأن الارض تدور حول الشمس مثلا
ستتعرف علي علاقة شيرلوك المعقدة مع البوليس، الذين يرفضون الاعتراف بفضل أي طرف خارجي في مساعدة القبض علي الجناة، مع ذلك يعترفون بعبقرية شيرلوك الإستثنائية في الاستنتاج والحدس والاستنباط
لتبدأ الجريمة الاولي الغامض وقائعها وهنا يبدأ الاختلاف الجذري في القضية بين المسلسل و الرواية
يشترك واتسون مع شيرلوك في رحلته البحث عن الجاني واسباب الجريمة لانه كان متشككا من تفاخر شيرلوك بدقته في قراءة الشخصيات والبشر والاماكن
ليكتشف أنه محقا بشكل مرعب
لدرجة أنه يقوم بأحضار والقبض علي المجرم أمام البوليس في بيته الخاص بنفسه
ليبدأ جزء ثاني من الرواية
الجزء الثاني من الرواية مختلف تماما
نصفه الاول سردي لا يرويه واتسون.. يرجع لبضع العقود الي الوراء في سهول أمريكا الواسعة بمنتصف القرن التاسع عشر
حول جماعة من المورمون ، تلك العقيدة الامريكية المتشددة ، تجوب سهول امريكا المقفرة للبحث عن مكان تبدأ فيه مدينة جديدة لهم ، يقومون بأنقاذ رجلا ما وفتاة صغيرة يتبناها بعد أن ماتت جماعته من الجوع والعطش بالصحراء المقفرة الامريكية
الجزء غني جدا، به رسم ديستوبيا لشكل الحياة المتشددة للمورمون بشكل مختصر لكن يضاهي رائعة جورج اورويل 1984 التي كتبها بعده بنصف قرن
ما علاقة كل هذا بالجريمة الثنائية بلندن؟
هذا ما يجيب عنه النصف الثاني من الجزء الثاني من الرواية بين واتسون وشيرلوك والجاني
************************
الاسلوب والشخصيات
لسبب ما لم يهتم كثيرا السير آرثر بكتابة ماض لشيرلوك أو حتي واتسون فيما عدا جزء من عادات الاول، وتجربة الاخير في الحرب البشعة بافغانستان
بل وببعض البحث ستجد أن هناك لعبة كبري يلعبها كل عشاق ومدمني ألغاز شيرلوك من يستطيع تجميع تاريخ حياة وعائلة شيرلوك النادر وجودها بين رواياته الاربع وال56 قصة قصيرة التي هي ميراث السير آرثر لشيرلوك
لم يكتب لسبب ما السير الكثير عن شيرلوك، مع ذلك ظل ملهما للكثير
الظريف هو ما كتبه السيد واتسون عن شخصية هولمز في هذا الكتاب يعتبر حجر الاساس لما سيحدث لاحقا
معارفه في الأدب : صفر
معارفه في الفلسفة : صفر
معارفه في علم الفلك : صفر
معارفه في السياسة : ضعيفة
معارفه في علم النبات : متنوعة، جيدة في الحشيش والأفيون، والسموم عامة، لكن لا يعرف عن البستنة عاما
معارفه في الجيولوجيا : عملية لكن محدودة، يميز بسهولة بين أنواع التربة المختلفة، يميز البقع علي البنطلون من أي مكان لطخته بلندن من لونها وكثافتها
معارفه في الكيمياء : عميقة
معارفه في علم التشريح : دقيقة، لكنها بعيدة عن تشريح الاجهزة بالجسم
معارفه في أدب الإثارة : ضخمة، يعرف كل تفصيل في أي رعب حدث خلال القرن
يعزف على الكمان بشكل جيد
لاعب محنك بالعصا والملاكمة والمبارزة
لديه معرفة قوية عملية بالقانون البريطاني
السلاسة في الاسلوب، رغم شئ من تطويل الجمل والفقرات كما هي عادة كلاسيكيات اواخر القرن 19 وأوائل العشرين، جعلت من الاحداث مثيرة وسهل التعايش معها.. تقديم الشخصية لأول مرة رغم كما قلت عدم رسم ماض او تاريخ له جاء سهل التعرف عليه والانجذاب لاسلوبه الغريب وذكاءه الاستنتاجي الممتاز
وكما قلت، تغيير الاجواء في نفس الرواية والانتقال بين الراوي وبين احداث في مكان اخر تماما، بالرغم من انها كانت مفاجئة لكنها منحت تنوع خاصا انها كتبت بشكل مثير للمتابعة وتسجل جزء من تاريخ تلك الجماعة الدينية في يوتاه بأمريكا، مما أثقل الحبكة بشكل عام كما يقول السيد شيرلوك دائما
The Plot Thickens
************************
التأثر والتأثير
خلال الاحداث يذكر الكاتب كثيرا بعض الاشارات لأدب الجريمة وقتها... اشهر تلك الاشارات هي للمحقق سي اوجست دوبين لمؤلف الرعب والاثارة الاشهر إدجار آلان بو
حيث يشبه واتسون شيرلوك بدوبين ، والذي ظهر في 3 روايات لإدجار منذ اقل من نصف قرن من ابتكار شخصية هولمز
دوبين مختلف، كما يقول شيرلوك نفسه في الاحداث، مع ذلك فهو شعر بالاطراء لهذا التشبيه.. ولكن فعلا يري الكثيرين ان السير آرثر استلهم الكثير من شخصية دوبين كما استلهم منها غيره كاجاثا كريستي وحتي دوستويفسكي
ولكن شيرلوك كان له نصيب اضخم من الاقتباسات ، سواء مباشرة او حتي مع تغيير الاسم
-فشخصية دكتور هاوس مثلا صاحب المسلسل التليفزيوني الشهير يعتبر مقتبسا بشكل غير مباشر من شيرلوك، والمسلسل نفسه مليء بالتلميحات لروايات دويل-
كما صار هناك الكثير من الروايات عن هولمز يكتبها مؤلفين جدد
اخرها نسخة نسائية ليدي شيرلوك، بعنوان شبه مماثل للرواية الاولي تلك
A Study in Scarlet
في كل اقتباس
Adaptation
من التي ذكرتها في البداية ستجد ملامح لشيرلوك التي ذكرها السير آرثر
شيرلوك هوند، الانيمي الياباني، للمبدع لهاياو ميازاكي له نفس النبرة الباردة الواثقة لشيرلوك... مع ظهور اكبر لموريانتي، عدوه اللدود رغم أنه لم يظهر في الروايات الاصلية سوي مرة واحدة فقط
هو وباسيل من شارع بيكر ، الفأر الذي ابتكره ديزني، يعزفان الكمان... ويحسب لكارتون ديزني والكوميكس هو الجو الضبابي البريطاني الغامض الذي اشتهرت به السلسلة الاصلية
كما أنها من المرات النادرة التي يلتزم فيها ديزني بالواقعية في الحجم ، فباسيل "شيرلوك" هو فأر بالحجم الطبيعي وليس كباقي شخصيات ميكي احجامها غير واقعية
ولكن عندما قدم روبرت داوني جونيور الشخصية قدمها بكثير من الغرور والانعزالية المشابه لطبيعة شيرلوك الاصلية ، وزادها بيندكت كامبرباتش جنونا في شخصيته المعاصرة
ولكن يحسب للنسخة الاخيرة الذكية تلك هي الدفعة التي دفعتها لي لقراءة تلك الرواية الكلاسيكية رغم عدم تحمسي للكلاسيكيات
مع ان -كما ذكرت بمراجعة رواية "ثم لم يبق أحد"،-ان والدتي كانت تدفعني لقراءتها قديما بجانب مجلة ميكي روايات اجاثا كريستي وارسين لوبين
لكني لم اجد ترجمات وقتها لشيرلوك رغم حماسي لفكرة المخبر السري بسبب كوميكس لغز ميكي الشهير
حسنا، هي مناسبة سعيدة اذن، وتركتني برغبة في قراءة المزيد عن شيرلوك والغازه والتي بالتأكيد سأبدأ بها هذا العام أن شاء الله
مع الرواية الثانية قريبا، ومجموعة قصصية تلحقها لنقرأ الاعمال بالترتيب
محمد العربي
من 15 يناير 2017
الي 17 يناير 2017
March 2, 2022
When I read A Study in Scarlet first time I was very young and the tale seemed to be wonderfully mysterious…
I appear to be this sort of a fool – I drag to my attic everything that is within my reach and even beyond… And this makes me quite happy…
That’s the formula of Arthur Conan Doyle’s universal success.
Of course, now I see that A Study in Scarlet is rather short in plausibility so its main power lies in the charismatic nature of its two – now legendary – heroes: Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson. Thanks to them, the story managed to carry its charms all the way through the years.
Charisma is a weapon that wins over everyone.
I consider that a man’s brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose. A fool takes in all the lumber of every sort that he comes across, so that the knowledge which might be useful to him gets crowded out, or at best is jumbled up with a lot of other things so that he has a difficulty in laying his hands upon it. Now the skilful workman is very careful indeed as to what he takes into his brain-attic. He will have nothing but the tools which may help him in doing his work, but of these he has a large assortment, and all in the most perfect order.
I appear to be this sort of a fool – I drag to my attic everything that is within my reach and even beyond… And this makes me quite happy…
The proper study of mankind is man.
That’s the formula of Arthur Conan Doyle’s universal success.
Of course, now I see that A Study in Scarlet is rather short in plausibility so its main power lies in the charismatic nature of its two – now legendary – heroes: Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson. Thanks to them, the story managed to carry its charms all the way through the years.
Charisma is a weapon that wins over everyone.
January 1, 2021
Started 2021 with this classic from Arthur Conan Doyle. A reread and so worth reading again. Very enjoyable!
January 31, 2022
I think there’s no hope in near future: for Cumberbatch and Freeman’s reuniting to play in more Sherlock episodes. And I don’t know how many times re-binge watch those series! So I decided to read the books and learn more about adapted characters, getting lost in new adventures that didn’t have a chance to get adaptation into series!
Pros: this is amazing to go back to Baker Star, seeing how Sherlock and Watson’s paths were crossed.
Cons: it was a little complicated story Utah,mormons was not what I expected.
Overall: it was still promising beginning and I have to catch other books of the series!
Pros: this is amazing to go back to Baker Star, seeing how Sherlock and Watson’s paths were crossed.
Cons: it was a little complicated story Utah,mormons was not what I expected.
Overall: it was still promising beginning and I have to catch other books of the series!
September 26, 2025
This nifty novel ( really a novella) the first Sherlock Holmes book written in 1887, is rather strange since it is set both in the culture, of brimming Victorian London, 1881, and the
dry , very hot desolate deserts of the savage wastelands of Utah, 1847 , nothing here...before there was a state established there or giving that name. Or even part of the United States, since technically still Mexican territory , neglected by them and ruled by the Ute Indians... hence the appropriate appellation . The almost forgotten war between the U.S. and Mexico...1846-1848 caused the maps of the world, to alter significantly the long borders between these two giant but rather sparsely populated, combating nations...
Changed the status , the news surprised the Mormons who had fled persecution , seeking freedom, for their weird belief in polygamy (which men loved) but caused momentous trouble , in the American Midwest. Angry crowds killed many Mormons, including their founder , Joseph Smith, and escape was now impossible they thought...except this harsh, distant place from 19th century civilization, made them almost completely sovereign... The plot begins when the new Mormon prophet Brigham Young, soon to have 55 wives, leading the first 2,ooo Mormons to the promise land, an exodus of 1,300 miles ... his men, find two pathetic, starving people , a man and a girl child the only survivors of a lost wagon train, sleeping on a hill overlooking the wilderness ... an account about love , a forced marriage and revenge ... endlessly sought ... is revealed...Back to Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson ( pardon the history lesson but it is quite important for understanding this great book ). The actual narrative starts with young Dr. John Watson returning from the horrendous second British- Afghan war ...sadly there will be many more...Wounded, nearly fatally, then let go from the army , trying to recover his health and spirits , save money too, he rents a room at 221 b Baker street ...this is where the famous duo become friends, the reserved Holmes fascinates the good doctor with his many little shall we say eccentricities...what does he do to make a living. Obviously exceptionally brilliant but keeps to himself. NOT a medical man, yet knows much about medicine...interested in discussing grisly crime cases, the bloodier the better, an unusual obsession...why? Then Scotland Yard contacts Holmes , asking for help with a murder investigation...a mystery that only the violinist Sherlock can resolve, with an assist from the Baker street irregulars, nevertheless will not get credit for... The very different stories , unite masterfully at last , in the rather faraway England...Americans in London start being killed for no apparent reason... not political or for profit either, and all came from Salt Lake City...This will give readers a nice taste ...and why Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 's Sherlock Holmes is still popular today.
dry , very hot desolate deserts of the savage wastelands of Utah, 1847 , nothing here...before there was a state established there or giving that name. Or even part of the United States, since technically still Mexican territory , neglected by them and ruled by the Ute Indians... hence the appropriate appellation . The almost forgotten war between the U.S. and Mexico...1846-1848 caused the maps of the world, to alter significantly the long borders between these two giant but rather sparsely populated, combating nations...
Changed the status , the news surprised the Mormons who had fled persecution , seeking freedom, for their weird belief in polygamy (which men loved) but caused momentous trouble , in the American Midwest. Angry crowds killed many Mormons, including their founder , Joseph Smith, and escape was now impossible they thought...except this harsh, distant place from 19th century civilization, made them almost completely sovereign... The plot begins when the new Mormon prophet Brigham Young, soon to have 55 wives, leading the first 2,ooo Mormons to the promise land, an exodus of 1,300 miles ... his men, find two pathetic, starving people , a man and a girl child the only survivors of a lost wagon train, sleeping on a hill overlooking the wilderness ... an account about love , a forced marriage and revenge ... endlessly sought ... is revealed...Back to Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson ( pardon the history lesson but it is quite important for understanding this great book ). The actual narrative starts with young Dr. John Watson returning from the horrendous second British- Afghan war ...sadly there will be many more...Wounded, nearly fatally, then let go from the army , trying to recover his health and spirits , save money too, he rents a room at 221 b Baker street ...this is where the famous duo become friends, the reserved Holmes fascinates the good doctor with his many little shall we say eccentricities...what does he do to make a living. Obviously exceptionally brilliant but keeps to himself. NOT a medical man, yet knows much about medicine...interested in discussing grisly crime cases, the bloodier the better, an unusual obsession...why? Then Scotland Yard contacts Holmes , asking for help with a murder investigation...a mystery that only the violinist Sherlock can resolve, with an assist from the Baker street irregulars, nevertheless will not get credit for... The very different stories , unite masterfully at last , in the rather faraway England...Americans in London start being killed for no apparent reason... not political or for profit either, and all came from Salt Lake City...This will give readers a nice taste ...and why Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 's Sherlock Holmes is still popular today.
March 5, 2018
The Game is on!
ENTER THE DETECTIVE
It's in this very first novel where the great character Sherlock Holmes, along with Dr. John Watson, are introduced to the audience in their first case together.
It wasn't an instantenous success, but gladly it was appreciated soon enough to the point that when the author, Sir Arhur Conan Doyle, wanted to "kill" the character, not only their loyal fans wrote letters against the decision (something unheard at those times) for not saying that even people in London were seeing wearing mourning black bands showing respect to the "death" of the character, that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle finally "resurrect" the character writing even more adventures.
But everything began here...
...Dr. John Watson got injured in war, and when he got back to London, he isn't able to afford a decent apartment on his scarse pension, so he is introduced to a peculiar man who is a "consultant detective", the first and only in the world, that not only private detectives consulted him but even the very Scotland Yard was resigned that Holmes' help was needed, for not saying crucial to solve impossible crimes.
While this case, maybe wasn't that astounding, it is quite astonishing at the speed that Holmes is able to solve it, thanks to his uncanning deduction skills.
I think that the middle section where the culprit explained his background and the reasons to commit the murders, could be exposed in a less extended way, but still, it was the first story, so I am able to forgive this kinda of a deviation of the main storyline.
In this first novel, you met along with Holmes and Watson, also the Detective Inspector Lestrade, and the Baker Street Irregulars (which are vital for the search for people and clues to Holmes).
A literary legend was born here.
ENTER THE DETECTIVE
It's in this very first novel where the great character Sherlock Holmes, along with Dr. John Watson, are introduced to the audience in their first case together.
It wasn't an instantenous success, but gladly it was appreciated soon enough to the point that when the author, Sir Arhur Conan Doyle, wanted to "kill" the character, not only their loyal fans wrote letters against the decision (something unheard at those times) for not saying that even people in London were seeing wearing mourning black bands showing respect to the "death" of the character, that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle finally "resurrect" the character writing even more adventures.
But everything began here...
...Dr. John Watson got injured in war, and when he got back to London, he isn't able to afford a decent apartment on his scarse pension, so he is introduced to a peculiar man who is a "consultant detective", the first and only in the world, that not only private detectives consulted him but even the very Scotland Yard was resigned that Holmes' help was needed, for not saying crucial to solve impossible crimes.
While this case, maybe wasn't that astounding, it is quite astonishing at the speed that Holmes is able to solve it, thanks to his uncanning deduction skills.
I think that the middle section where the culprit explained his background and the reasons to commit the murders, could be exposed in a less extended way, but still, it was the first story, so I am able to forgive this kinda of a deviation of the main storyline.
In this first novel, you met along with Holmes and Watson, also the Detective Inspector Lestrade, and the Baker Street Irregulars (which are vital for the search for people and clues to Holmes).
A literary legend was born here.
August 15, 2025
Los libros cortos me producen algo extraño: no puedo entrar en la historia y en los personajes (Con excepción de los libros del único y gran Franz Kafka). Cuando siento que estoy camino a meterme en la historia, el libro se acaba y no puedo hacerme muy amigo con los personajes o incluso con la historia.
Es el caso de este libro. A pesar de la importancia que tiene Conan Doyle en la literatura policial, no me convenció. Es raro, Holmes conoce a Watson, investigan el caso de la casa abandonada, se mezcla con dinero y violencia... nada anormal cuando se trata de un asesinato. Si a esto le agregamos poligamia y mormones se convierte en algo bizarro.
¿Recomendable? Sí, se puede leer en una tarde, pero insisto: no me gustan mucho los libros tan cortos, prefiero saborearlos más y estoy totalmente consciente de la importancia que tiene Conan Doyle en la literatura universal.
Es el caso de este libro. A pesar de la importancia que tiene Conan Doyle en la literatura policial, no me convenció. Es raro, Holmes conoce a Watson, investigan el caso de la casa abandonada, se mezcla con dinero y violencia... nada anormal cuando se trata de un asesinato. Si a esto le agregamos poligamia y mormones se convierte en algo bizarro.
¿Recomendable? Sí, se puede leer en una tarde, pero insisto: no me gustan mucho los libros tan cortos, prefiero saborearlos más y estoy totalmente consciente de la importancia que tiene Conan Doyle en la literatura universal.
October 22, 2020
Quite clearly marvelous to see how the rules of detective fiction/noir are placed so meticulous and clear in this, the first Sherlock Holmes novel. Halfway the locale turns exotic--Holmes already knows who the culprit is--and, fittingly, the motive is but half the story! What a feeling of pervasive excitement the mid 19th century had with these cerebral, albeit universal, yarns of suspense.
As slight-yet-surprising a tome as (another English hero) James Bond's first foray, Ian Fleming's ultracool "Casino Royale."
As slight-yet-surprising a tome as (another English hero) James Bond's first foray, Ian Fleming's ultracool "Casino Royale."
August 4, 2020
August 2020 5 stars ⭐️
Group read for English Mysteries, as part of ongoing a complete Holmes buddy read.
So having just finished this book, I am seriously considering upping my rating to 5 stars. I had forgotten how good it was, even the bit that I had previously found rather boring, .
So I shall have to give serious thought over the next few days as to whether the wonderful scenes of the first encounters between Holmes and Watson, and the investigation into the "Study in Scarlet", warrant an upgrade to 5 stars.
January 2016 4 stars ⭐️
Having recently read some of ACD's Challenger books I was well used to and at ease with the writing style, and it felt like coming home to a cosy room. I have read a Study in Scarlet before, many years ago, but remembered little of it, now I realise it was certainly the weakest of the novels, given that half of it is background after the event.
Having said that it was enjoyable, and brought me back into the Holmes fold, where I haven't been for many a year. It re-reminded me that in my opinion Jeremy Brett is THE archetypal Holmes actor. I see his face and mannerisms as I read, or was he just so good in dedicating the remainder of his acting career and life to Holmes that his interpretation is just so accurate. Anyway having re-read this I shall endeavour to read more Holmes thru the year.
Group read for English Mysteries, as part of ongoing a complete Holmes buddy read.
So having just finished this book, I am seriously considering upping my rating to 5 stars. I had forgotten how good it was, even the bit that I had previously found rather boring, .
So I shall have to give serious thought over the next few days as to whether the wonderful scenes of the first encounters between Holmes and Watson, and the investigation into the "Study in Scarlet", warrant an upgrade to 5 stars.
January 2016 4 stars ⭐️
Having recently read some of ACD's Challenger books I was well used to and at ease with the writing style, and it felt like coming home to a cosy room. I have read a Study in Scarlet before, many years ago, but remembered little of it, now I realise it was certainly the weakest of the novels, given that half of it is background after the event.
Having said that it was enjoyable, and brought me back into the Holmes fold, where I haven't been for many a year. It re-reminded me that in my opinion Jeremy Brett is THE archetypal Holmes actor. I see his face and mannerisms as I read, or was he just so good in dedicating the remainder of his acting career and life to Holmes that his interpretation is just so accurate. Anyway having re-read this I shall endeavour to read more Holmes thru the year.
June 29, 2018
This was a reread. I have read this book many times. It still holds up well. Sherlock Holmes is here, intact, unchanged, canon.
Both Lestrade and Watson are a foil to Sherlock's genius. I liked reliving the case and its unraveling. It was a nicety to concentrate on the serious side but also the humor. Rache!
Books like this always hold up. The prose is so modern sounding. Books that came after ASiS, are sometimes so outdated. But not here. Sherlock's various incarnations - I wouldn't say pale in comparison - but they make me yearn for reading Doyle's masterpiece.
Both Lestrade and Watson are a foil to Sherlock's genius. I liked reliving the case and its unraveling. It was a nicety to concentrate on the serious side but also the humor. Rache!
Books like this always hold up. The prose is so modern sounding. Books that came after ASiS, are sometimes so outdated. But not here. Sherlock's various incarnations - I wouldn't say pale in comparison - but they make me yearn for reading Doyle's masterpiece.
November 21, 2018
The first Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John Watson novel, Arthur Conan Doyle's A Study in Scarlet is just lots of fun! The scenes, especially in part 1 are ones we've seen interpreted in shows like BBC's Sherlock, but it's definitely enjoyable to read about (as well as watch) how it all started. In my mind, this book is most compelling for bringing Holmes and Watson together (and for making Watson the chronicler and foil of Holmes' amazing deductions). Doyle makes Holmes every bit as interesting as the cases he solves (probably a reason for his continued success). Holmes isn't motivated by some moral duty to find the bad guy. For him, crimes are puzzles for his intellect, a way to combat boredom. (This is something we've seen in earlier detectives like Edgar Allan Poe's Dupin). While the first part here has the traditional London backdrop, the second part is a flashback which transports us to a frontier Utah. These seemingly disparate sections work well together and make for a compelling story. 4.5 stars.
September 11, 2012
An anti-review
I don’t read reviews of books, of which I am damn sure I will be reading it very soon. Now, I don’t know how this habit affects my reading.
So, what happened was..
I was not aware of the fact that “I had to be surprised when the second part of the book starts and wonder what happened to the story with Sherlock Holmes in it and how that mystery was solved! Moreover, I had to wonder whether the second part was from some other book, somehow got binded in my copy and curse the publishers”. I was not surprised and neither did I curse the publishers.
As I was ill-prepared for reading, this resulted in me being not disappointed like I was supposed to be.
I was not aware of the fact that “I had to loathe the second part because it didn’t have Sherlock Holmes but instead Mormons and whatnots”. I couldn't loathe it because it was equally good.
I was even not aware of the fact that “I had to drop my jaw when Sherlock Holmes says ‘Gentleman, let me introduce you to Mr. Jefferson Hope, the murderer of...’”. But I did, so atleast I got some expression right.
You see, I was not aware of such shortcomings and issues so I enjoyed it a bit more than I should have. It’s a promise that I will hate the second part and enjoy it less on my re-read.
And I mean no...
Earlier...
Okay, what the hell am I going to write for this review without writing spoilers, because everything turns out to be a spoiler.
Damn! This is hard.
I don’t know what to include and what not to include!
Maybe, I should include this line, for this is best:
This is going to be damn hard, I can't find a single thing to write about.
And what should I write about Sherlock Holmes?
Kemper wrote: “Sherlock Holmes is a dick.” and got bunch of votes. I should also write something like that.
Like, Sherlock Holmes is douchebag. Nah! that doesn’t sound nice and that is not correct either.
I don’t want to write about the same issue of disjointed second part being a problem and this part being boring too, I didn’t felt so. But almost every review says same thing.
I can’t think of anything to write. I should probably skip this one and write review of Cosmicomics, I need to edit that ‘FUCKING MINDFUCK’ I have left over there.
No, I must write something!
Maybe, I should review others' reviews and in this process the book will also be reviewed. This sounds like good idea, but may be offensive. So I should mention in my review at last that:
I mean noharmdisrespect, I just happen to love Sherlock Holmes.
I don’t read reviews of books, of which I am damn sure I will be reading it very soon. Now, I don’t know how this habit affects my reading.
So, what happened was..
I was not aware of the fact that “I had to be surprised when the second part of the book starts and wonder what happened to the story with Sherlock Holmes in it and how that mystery was solved! Moreover, I had to wonder whether the second part was from some other book, somehow got binded in my copy and curse the publishers”. I was not surprised and neither did I curse the publishers.
As I was ill-prepared for reading, this resulted in me being not disappointed like I was supposed to be.
I was not aware of the fact that “I had to loathe the second part because it didn’t have Sherlock Holmes but instead Mormons and whatnots”. I couldn't loathe it because it was equally good.
I was even not aware of the fact that “I had to drop my jaw when Sherlock Holmes says ‘Gentleman, let me introduce you to Mr. Jefferson Hope, the murderer of...’”. But I did, so atleast I got some expression right.
You see, I was not aware of such shortcomings and issues so I enjoyed it a bit more than I should have. It’s a promise that I will hate the second part and enjoy it less on my re-read.
And I mean no...
Earlier...
Okay, what the hell am I going to write for this review without writing spoilers, because everything turns out to be a spoiler.
Damn! This is hard.
I don’t know what to include and what not to include!
Maybe, I should include this line, for this is best:
I consider that a man's brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose. A fool takes in all the lumber of every sort that he comes across, so that the knowledge which might be useful to him gets crowded out, or at best is jumbled up with a lot of other things so that he has a difficulty in laying his hands upon it. Now the skillful workman is very careful indeed as to what he takes into his brain-attic. He will have nothing but the tools which may help him in doing his work, but of these he has a large assortment, and all in the most perfect order. It is a mistake to think that that little room has elastic walls and can distend to any extent. Depend upon it there comes a time when for every addition of knowledge you forget something that you knew before. It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones.No, I should not, since almost every reviewer has used this line. So I am not going to write it in my review too and lengthen it unnecessarily, I will skip this.
This is going to be damn hard, I can't find a single thing to write about.
And what should I write about Sherlock Holmes?
Kemper wrote: “Sherlock Holmes is a dick.” and got bunch of votes. I should also write something like that.
Like, Sherlock Holmes is douchebag. Nah! that doesn’t sound nice and that is not correct either.
I don’t want to write about the same issue of disjointed second part being a problem and this part being boring too, I didn’t felt so. But almost every review says same thing.
I can’t think of anything to write. I should probably skip this one and write review of Cosmicomics, I need to edit that ‘FUCKING MINDFUCK’ I have left over there.
No, I must write something!
Maybe, I should review others' reviews and in this process the book will also be reviewed. This sounds like good idea, but may be offensive. So I should mention in my review at last that:
I mean no
November 19, 2017
Mysteries are my go to palette cleanser in between denser reads. I have a few go to series, but as my current contemporary series may be winding down, I am always on the lookout for mysteries both old and new. Even though the phrase "elementary, my dear Watson," has become part of the vernacular, I have never read a single Sherlock Holmes story. Looking to alleviate that, I decided to encounter Holmes and Watson when they first met in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's first novella, A Study in Scarlet, composed in 1887. Complete with color engravings by Gus Grimsly, I immersed myself in a period piece written at the dawn of the golden age of mysteries and settled in for a fun ride.
Dr. John Watson was returning to London from his service in the British army after being stationed in Afghanistan. Looking for someone to split rent with, a mutual friend suggested a scientist and amateur detective who he thought Watson might be compatible with. Meeting at a university science lab, Watson first encountered Sherlock Holmes as he investigated the properties of blood in water. Holmes deemed Watson someone who he could live comfortably with and the partnership at 221B Baker Street began. As the two men kept different hours while Holmes dabbled in both his detective work and science experiments, Watson and Holmes had little contact in the early days of their living arrangement. Watson had little idea that Holmes was even a sleuth, that is until the day a letter arrived asking for Holmes' assistance on a case, which Holmes insisted that Watson accompany him for. The most famous of detective duos had embarked on their first case.
As in many modern detective stories featuring private investigators, Sherlock Holmes solved the mystery before the police detectives even began to suspect whodunit. Also similar to the modern cases I have read, the police receive all of the credit for solving the mystery even though it is Holmes who comes through in record time. In this case, Holmes' record as a scientist is linked to two murdered bodies with the word Rache written in blood on the wall above their corpses. The police immediately believe that the suspect attempted to write Rachel only to run out of blood, throwing them off the trail. Holmes points out, much to Watson's bewilderment as well, that rache signifies revenge in German. What is the revenge that the murderer is seeking? Only Sherlock Holmes is capable of finding this out.
Doyle's novella takes readers to the old west as he tells a backstory in the second half of this novella. In historical fiction focusing on the formation of the Mormon community in what is now Salt Lake City, Utah, Doyle paints his picture of religion, love, and later revenge. This story is augmented by Grimsley's engravings and black-and-white illustrations, which show the period of both 1850s Utah and 1880s London. I was captivated by the graphics as I had never encountered Holmes or Watson before and was curious as to how they were depicted on paper. The mystery itself is compelling as Doyle's tale moves across thirty years and two continents in a case that finally reaches its apex in London. Holmes scientific background and deduction skills come into play, and it was refreshing to read a mystery that takes place at a time when detectives had to do all of the sleuthing themselves without the aid of gadgets. Leaving the police baffled, it is obvious throughout that Sherlock Holmes is meant to be one eccentric yet intelligent sleuth.
As this is the first of many Holmes and Watson stories, Doyle is first introducing his cast of characters and does not give readers the full spectrum of the Holmes and Watson partnership. Yet, this novella was compelling enough that I have a feeling that this will not be the last time that I visit 221B Baker Street. Hopefully, in the next story I read, I will even be fortunate to hear Holmes utter the famous words, "elementary, my dear Watson." Palette cleansed.
4 stars
Dr. John Watson was returning to London from his service in the British army after being stationed in Afghanistan. Looking for someone to split rent with, a mutual friend suggested a scientist and amateur detective who he thought Watson might be compatible with. Meeting at a university science lab, Watson first encountered Sherlock Holmes as he investigated the properties of blood in water. Holmes deemed Watson someone who he could live comfortably with and the partnership at 221B Baker Street began. As the two men kept different hours while Holmes dabbled in both his detective work and science experiments, Watson and Holmes had little contact in the early days of their living arrangement. Watson had little idea that Holmes was even a sleuth, that is until the day a letter arrived asking for Holmes' assistance on a case, which Holmes insisted that Watson accompany him for. The most famous of detective duos had embarked on their first case.
As in many modern detective stories featuring private investigators, Sherlock Holmes solved the mystery before the police detectives even began to suspect whodunit. Also similar to the modern cases I have read, the police receive all of the credit for solving the mystery even though it is Holmes who comes through in record time. In this case, Holmes' record as a scientist is linked to two murdered bodies with the word Rache written in blood on the wall above their corpses. The police immediately believe that the suspect attempted to write Rachel only to run out of blood, throwing them off the trail. Holmes points out, much to Watson's bewilderment as well, that rache signifies revenge in German. What is the revenge that the murderer is seeking? Only Sherlock Holmes is capable of finding this out.
Doyle's novella takes readers to the old west as he tells a backstory in the second half of this novella. In historical fiction focusing on the formation of the Mormon community in what is now Salt Lake City, Utah, Doyle paints his picture of religion, love, and later revenge. This story is augmented by Grimsley's engravings and black-and-white illustrations, which show the period of both 1850s Utah and 1880s London. I was captivated by the graphics as I had never encountered Holmes or Watson before and was curious as to how they were depicted on paper. The mystery itself is compelling as Doyle's tale moves across thirty years and two continents in a case that finally reaches its apex in London. Holmes scientific background and deduction skills come into play, and it was refreshing to read a mystery that takes place at a time when detectives had to do all of the sleuthing themselves without the aid of gadgets. Leaving the police baffled, it is obvious throughout that Sherlock Holmes is meant to be one eccentric yet intelligent sleuth.
As this is the first of many Holmes and Watson stories, Doyle is first introducing his cast of characters and does not give readers the full spectrum of the Holmes and Watson partnership. Yet, this novella was compelling enough that I have a feeling that this will not be the last time that I visit 221B Baker Street. Hopefully, in the next story I read, I will even be fortunate to hear Holmes utter the famous words, "elementary, my dear Watson." Palette cleansed.
4 stars
September 26, 2015
A STUDY IN SCARLET!!! First group-read for the intact official Non-Crunchy-Sans Pants- for no reason that I can figure out...but none-the-less...NON pants wearing GRs classic reading group.
![]()
I read A STUDY IN SCARLET waaaaaaaay back in my younger days- and remembered very little of it. To be perfectly honest- I remembered the title...and reading it- but nothing else. Whether it is my memory...or the fact that it wasn't memorable can be argued- but I liked it. A LOT.
![]()
Setting:
221B Baker Street, London- 1881
A mutual acquaintance introduces: John Watson -physician, and Sherlock Holmes- detective consultant, to each other- both men in need of a room-mate. Thus starting a friendship and working relationship that will most definitely be a formidable pairing.
![]()
At first Sherlock's personality is somewhat off-putting (not unlike Dan 2.0's)...but as Watson settles in- he gets used to the detective's unusual ways.
Plot:
![]()
Scotland Yard detective Gregson asks Holmes to assist him in solving a recently committed crime...and in turn- Holmes asks Watson to accompany him. They travel to an empty house in a London- and there they observe a crime scene that includes: cab prints in the street...footprints in the yard...a dead man who has been poisoned, and the word RACHE- in blood on the wall.
![]()
The game is afoot!!! Need I say more?
I read A STUDY IN SCARLET waaaaaaaay back in my younger days- and remembered very little of it. To be perfectly honest- I remembered the title...and reading it- but nothing else. Whether it is my memory...or the fact that it wasn't memorable can be argued- but I liked it. A LOT.
Setting:
221B Baker Street, London- 1881
A mutual acquaintance introduces: John Watson -physician, and Sherlock Holmes- detective consultant, to each other- both men in need of a room-mate. Thus starting a friendship and working relationship that will most definitely be a formidable pairing.
At first Sherlock's personality is somewhat off-putting (not unlike Dan 2.0's)...but as Watson settles in- he gets used to the detective's unusual ways.
Plot:
Scotland Yard detective Gregson asks Holmes to assist him in solving a recently committed crime...and in turn- Holmes asks Watson to accompany him. They travel to an empty house in a London- and there they observe a crime scene that includes: cab prints in the street...footprints in the yard...a dead man who has been poisoned, and the word RACHE- in blood on the wall.
The game is afoot!!! Need I say more?
March 1, 2022
Ah, the first Sherlock novel. The one that introduced us to the world's greatest detective. The one he seemingly hands over to another narrator for a third of the book…
Do you want to hear Doyle rant about Mormons for a good third of the book? If that is the case, you my dear friend are in luck! For everyone else, the mystery of this book is fairly interesting, but the long section where we break away from our leads is more of a sad story with more than a touch of the author standing up and ranting.
The most entertaining aspect about the novel for me was, as someone who has read many of the stories prior to the novel, is how the characters changed after the initial book. I always think of Watson as something of the man of action, and here he talks about being lazy and being in such poor health that he feels it unlikely that he will fully recover. Seems quite a different Watson from the one most people I think generally know.
Overall I found the book entertaining, but I think Doyle greatly improved as he went on. Particularly in terms of his short stories plotting. 3/5 stars
Do you want to hear Doyle rant about Mormons for a good third of the book? If that is the case, you my dear friend are in luck! For everyone else, the mystery of this book is fairly interesting, but the long section where we break away from our leads is more of a sad story with more than a touch of the author standing up and ranting.
The most entertaining aspect about the novel for me was, as someone who has read many of the stories prior to the novel, is how the characters changed after the initial book. I always think of Watson as something of the man of action, and here he talks about being lazy and being in such poor health that he feels it unlikely that he will fully recover. Seems quite a different Watson from the one most people I think generally know.
Overall I found the book entertaining, but I think Doyle greatly improved as he went on. Particularly in terms of his short stories plotting. 3/5 stars
January 15, 2021
What you do in this world is a matter of no consequence. Thw question is, what can you make people believe that you have done?
Read
January 12, 2022“There is no satisfaction in vengeance unless the offender has time to realize who it is that strikes him, and why retribution has come upon him.”
Sherlock Holmes is a legend. I've watched movies and TV shows, heard stories and read adaptions, but to this day I never read the original work. I wondered if original Sherlock would own up to BBC Sherlock, and so he did. But while their personalities are quite similiar, their stories still differ a lot, which was to be expected. I have to admit that I got a little bored and annoyed throughout this book, and I blame five big chapters in Part II of A Study in Scarlet. Suddenly I was in the middle of America, reading a story about Mormons, Secret Societies and the Great Plains - a subplot that had, to my disappointment, no Holmes included. The murder mystery was interrupted by a large background story that I had no interest in whatsoever.
This novel was a classic example of a good story that took an undesired turn and therefore changed my formerly positive opinion of it. I still intend to pick up the sequels, this one was nevertheless promising.
Find more of my books on Instagram
Sherlock Holmes is a legend. I've watched movies and TV shows, heard stories and read adaptions, but to this day I never read the original work. I wondered if original Sherlock would own up to BBC Sherlock, and so he did. But while their personalities are quite similiar, their stories still differ a lot, which was to be expected. I have to admit that I got a little bored and annoyed throughout this book, and I blame five big chapters in Part II of A Study in Scarlet. Suddenly I was in the middle of America, reading a story about Mormons, Secret Societies and the Great Plains - a subplot that had, to my disappointment, no Holmes included. The murder mystery was interrupted by a large background story that I had no interest in whatsoever.
This novel was a classic example of a good story that took an undesired turn and therefore changed my formerly positive opinion of it. I still intend to pick up the sequels, this one was nevertheless promising.
Find more of my books on Instagram
November 4, 2015
This is an underwhelming debut for one of literature’s most famous characters.
Doyle’s Sherlock is in the nascent stage here and isn’t the fully fleshed out character, readers came to know. The steady and reliable narrator, Dr. John Watson gets introduced to Holmes in Watson’s attempts to find a roommate.
“Can two odd Victorian Era men share a flat without driving each other crazy?”
Sure, why not.
Watson takes measure of Holmes:
Although the illustration below belies it, the producers of the TV show pretty much took the first time Holmes and Watson encounter a dead body and lovingly re-produced it almost to the letter.
I think what most readers get put off by is the huge “evil” Morman digression that pops up around midway in this novella. It’s a jarring, uncomfortable fit. It gives credence to belief that Doyle’s Holmes should be read as short stories and not as longer narratives. For a little over a hundred pages, this took a lot longer to plow through than I would have initially thought
.
Recommended for those who have an interest in knowing where the legend began and for Sherlock completists.
This was a buddy read with a bunch of non-crunchy folks who like to read whilst pants free.
Doyle’s Sherlock is in the nascent stage here and isn’t the fully fleshed out character, readers came to know. The steady and reliable narrator, Dr. John Watson gets introduced to Holmes in Watson’s attempts to find a roommate.
“Can two odd Victorian Era men share a flat without driving each other crazy?”
Sure, why not.
Watson takes measure of Holmes:
Although the illustration below belies it, the producers of the TV show pretty much took the first time Holmes and Watson encounter a dead body and lovingly re-produced it almost to the letter.
I think what most readers get put off by is the huge “evil” Morman digression that pops up around midway in this novella. It’s a jarring, uncomfortable fit. It gives credence to belief that Doyle’s Holmes should be read as short stories and not as longer narratives. For a little over a hundred pages, this took a lot longer to plow through than I would have initially thought
.
Recommended for those who have an interest in knowing where the legend began and for Sherlock completists.
This was a buddy read with a bunch of non-crunchy folks who like to read whilst pants free.
![Profile Image for Imme [trying to crawl out of hiatus] van Gorp.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1700013408i%2F101358081._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
July 4, 2024
|| 3.5 stars ||
This was very unlike what I expected it to be, or at least, parts of it were.
The book is divided into two parts, and the first part did fit exactly what I thought the whole book would be like. We see Dr. Watson and Mr. Holmes meet, we see Watson being in awe and wonder at Holmes’ peculiar and genius personality, we see Holmes get involved in a mysterious and strange murder-case, and finally we see him easily solve the case with his own brand of deduction skills.
Opposingly, the second part completely abandons these two characters and dives into the past to give a detailed, intricate and tense backstory of the murderer and why he has decided to commit his crimes.
It is only at the very end that everything is tied back together again and we find out the full story at the same time as Dr. Watson.
Personally, I thought the first part was a little simplistic and nowhere near as smart or distinctive as I thought it would be. I wished we could have seen more of Sherlock’s actual deduction work, but considering the story is narrated by Watson, and he only gets short and simplified summaries of Sherlock’s deductions after the fact it has already taken place, this wasn’t the case at all. It was still fun and easy to read, but not as special as I was hoping it to be.
When I got around to the second part of this book I was honestly quite mystified and confused. At first, I didn’t have a clue as to what was happening or what I was even reading. However, once I started to realise that I was reading the backstory to the crime of the first part, I became more interested and eventually found myself very intrigued. It was actually a really good story that tug on my heartstrings more than once.
I especially found myself feeling the highest respect for John Ferrier and his perseverance in wanting to protect his adoptive daughter against the horrors of Mormon culture and against having to become one of the many brides in a polygamous harem. He would rather die than have his little girl be tied to these monsters, and it was admirable to say the least. Jefferson Hope, of course, also acquired my respect for all that he did and I honestly couldn’t help but feel that the men who were murdered didn’t quite get enough compared to all that they were guilty of. I’d have wished to see them die more gruesomely if it were up to me.
All in all, it was actually quite a tragic story with no happy ending for any of the good people involved.
All this said, I do think it is important to note that I believe this is one of those very rare cases where the tv adaptation is far better than the original text. I mean, the BBC’s Sherlock is seriously one of my favourite tv series of all time, while this was certainly not one of the best books I’ve ever read. Sure, it was still really good, and all the credits for the premise of the story and the idea of the characters should go completely to this, so I am glad I have read it, but still, the BBC’s adaptation just does it so much better. Therefore, if you’re only interested in exploring one version of Sherlock’s adventures, I’d recommend watching that instead. For die-hard fans (like me), however, this felt like an extra little bonus to read!
This was very unlike what I expected it to be, or at least, parts of it were.
The book is divided into two parts, and the first part did fit exactly what I thought the whole book would be like. We see Dr. Watson and Mr. Holmes meet, we see Watson being in awe and wonder at Holmes’ peculiar and genius personality, we see Holmes get involved in a mysterious and strange murder-case, and finally we see him easily solve the case with his own brand of deduction skills.
Opposingly, the second part completely abandons these two characters and dives into the past to give a detailed, intricate and tense backstory of the murderer and why he has decided to commit his crimes.
It is only at the very end that everything is tied back together again and we find out the full story at the same time as Dr. Watson.
Personally, I thought the first part was a little simplistic and nowhere near as smart or distinctive as I thought it would be. I wished we could have seen more of Sherlock’s actual deduction work, but considering the story is narrated by Watson, and he only gets short and simplified summaries of Sherlock’s deductions after the fact it has already taken place, this wasn’t the case at all. It was still fun and easy to read, but not as special as I was hoping it to be.
When I got around to the second part of this book I was honestly quite mystified and confused. At first, I didn’t have a clue as to what was happening or what I was even reading. However, once I started to realise that I was reading the backstory to the crime of the first part, I became more interested and eventually found myself very intrigued. It was actually a really good story that tug on my heartstrings more than once.
I especially found myself feeling the highest respect for John Ferrier and his perseverance in wanting to protect his adoptive daughter against the horrors of Mormon culture and against having to become one of the many brides in a polygamous harem. He would rather die than have his little girl be tied to these monsters, and it was admirable to say the least. Jefferson Hope, of course, also acquired my respect for all that he did and I honestly couldn’t help but feel that the men who were murdered didn’t quite get enough compared to all that they were guilty of. I’d have wished to see them die more gruesomely if it were up to me.
All in all, it was actually quite a tragic story with no happy ending for any of the good people involved.
All this said, I do think it is important to note that I believe this is one of those very rare cases where the tv adaptation is far better than the original text. I mean, the BBC’s Sherlock is seriously one of my favourite tv series of all time, while this was certainly not one of the best books I’ve ever read. Sure, it was still really good, and all the credits for the premise of the story and the idea of the characters should go completely to this, so I am glad I have read it, but still, the BBC’s adaptation just does it so much better. Therefore, if you’re only interested in exploring one version of Sherlock’s adventures, I’d recommend watching that instead. For die-hard fans (like me), however, this felt like an extra little bonus to read!
October 7, 2019
[4.5]
Excelente.
Lo leí para el día de leyendo 24 horas con Clau.
Y me encantó.
Desde que terminé el Sabueso de los Baskerville, me dije que iba a leer todas las obras de este autor.
Y empezar por el primer libro en donde aparece por primera vez nuestro Sherlock Holmes y Watson fue lo mejor que pude hacer.
Es increíble, la escritura sigue siendo asombrosa, y te atrapa de una manera impactante.
En este caso, a Sherlock le piden que investigue un asesinato de un hombre que nadie sabe como murió. Y ahí Sherlock se une con su compañero de departamento Watson y emprenden la búsqueda de este asesino misterioso.
Y que gran historia que hay detrás, todas las hipótesis y deducciones que sacaban estaban excelentemente hechas.
Sentí un poco pesada la lectura cuando cuentan toda la historia que pasó antes, ahí me obligaba a leer, pero sin embargo me encantó.
Y el final, estupendo.
Excelente.
Lo leí para el día de leyendo 24 horas con Clau.
Y me encantó.
Desde que terminé el Sabueso de los Baskerville, me dije que iba a leer todas las obras de este autor.
Y empezar por el primer libro en donde aparece por primera vez nuestro Sherlock Holmes y Watson fue lo mejor que pude hacer.
Es increíble, la escritura sigue siendo asombrosa, y te atrapa de una manera impactante.
En este caso, a Sherlock le piden que investigue un asesinato de un hombre que nadie sabe como murió. Y ahí Sherlock se une con su compañero de departamento Watson y emprenden la búsqueda de este asesino misterioso.
Y que gran historia que hay detrás, todas las hipótesis y deducciones que sacaban estaban excelentemente hechas.
Sentí un poco pesada la lectura cuando cuentan toda la historia que pasó antes, ahí me obligaba a leer, pero sin embargo me encantó.
Y el final, estupendo.
August 28, 2022
Dr Watson, I'd like you to meet Mr Sherlock Holmes!
As Agatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at Styles introduced a grateful reading public to Hercule Poirot, perhaps the second best known fictional detective of all time, Conan Doyle's A Study in Scarlet marked the debut appearance of the acknowledged master of detection, the one and only Sherlock Holmes!
John Watson, a medical doctor recently retired from the British military to recover his health and recuperate from wounds received in Afghanistan, is looking to stretch his limited budget by finding another gentleman with whom he can share accommodation. When a mutual friend introduced him to Sherlock Holmes, one might slyly suggest that the game was afoot and the rest, as they also say, became history. Already characteristically melancholy and moody, a jaded Holmes, who labeled himself the world's only consulting detective, is invited by Scotland Yard's Lestrade and Gregson to assist in the investigation of a baffling pair of murders.
With A Study in Scarlet, Doyle is clearly new to the craft of writing mysteries and the great detective's debut outing suffers from characteristic first novel and new character jitters. The style itself is markedly different from everything that follows in the Holmes canon with the story being told from a third-party perspective. The background to the mystery is revealed through the mechanism of a flashback to the western USA at the time of the Mormon migration to Utah. Feedback from the reading public must have been immediate and - we'll have to hand it to Doyle - he must have been a quick learner. Watson was thereafter appointed official narrator and diarist to the master and Doyle never looked back.
I leave it to others smarter than I to judge whether or not Doyle's historical characterization of the Mormons is justified or accurate! Suffice it to say, that the mystery is entertaining but the details are, quite frankly, entirely unimportant beside the overwhelming fact that this was the first time the world heard the name Sherlock Holmes. It took Doyle only a few pages for example to treat us to an aphorism that we would come to hear over and over again, "It is a capital mistake to theorize before you have all the evidence."
This novel is a cornerstone in the annals of crime fiction, an extremely important piece of the history of English literature and a darned good read! Enjoy it!
Paul Weiss
As Agatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at Styles introduced a grateful reading public to Hercule Poirot, perhaps the second best known fictional detective of all time, Conan Doyle's A Study in Scarlet marked the debut appearance of the acknowledged master of detection, the one and only Sherlock Holmes!
John Watson, a medical doctor recently retired from the British military to recover his health and recuperate from wounds received in Afghanistan, is looking to stretch his limited budget by finding another gentleman with whom he can share accommodation. When a mutual friend introduced him to Sherlock Holmes, one might slyly suggest that the game was afoot and the rest, as they also say, became history. Already characteristically melancholy and moody, a jaded Holmes, who labeled himself the world's only consulting detective, is invited by Scotland Yard's Lestrade and Gregson to assist in the investigation of a baffling pair of murders.
With A Study in Scarlet, Doyle is clearly new to the craft of writing mysteries and the great detective's debut outing suffers from characteristic first novel and new character jitters. The style itself is markedly different from everything that follows in the Holmes canon with the story being told from a third-party perspective. The background to the mystery is revealed through the mechanism of a flashback to the western USA at the time of the Mormon migration to Utah. Feedback from the reading public must have been immediate and - we'll have to hand it to Doyle - he must have been a quick learner. Watson was thereafter appointed official narrator and diarist to the master and Doyle never looked back.
I leave it to others smarter than I to judge whether or not Doyle's historical characterization of the Mormons is justified or accurate! Suffice it to say, that the mystery is entertaining but the details are, quite frankly, entirely unimportant beside the overwhelming fact that this was the first time the world heard the name Sherlock Holmes. It took Doyle only a few pages for example to treat us to an aphorism that we would come to hear over and over again, "It is a capital mistake to theorize before you have all the evidence."
This novel is a cornerstone in the annals of crime fiction, an extremely important piece of the history of English literature and a darned good read! Enjoy it!
Paul Weiss
July 29, 2025
What do you know, half of the first Sherlock Holmes is a western. Part one is the story of Wattson meeting Holmes and how they solve their first case together (well, Wattson looks on in amazement as Holmes figures out mostly everything about the case from a few footprints and some ashes). Holmes, as usual, can be quite unlikable, but I never minded that. The second part, on the other hand, unexpectedly turns into a western. The case is almost closed, the murderer has been caught, and now we come to you with an intermission about the perpetrator's entire backstory. It's jarring, but to be completely honest, I ended up enjoying it a lot - I was so there for the wild west drama. It also helped that Arthur Conan Doyle can spin a beautiful sentence and the slower-paced start of part two is full of them (minus the Anglo-Saxon supremacism rearing its nasty little head a couple times).
January 9, 2021
When I read The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in May, it stuck with me almost immediately. This did not. It has been like four months and I do not remember a single plot point and I frankly do not want to.
Study in Scarlet is not a bad book. Let’s just get that out there. It’s an interesting book, actually, towards the beginning—the first few scenes are exciting, and do an excellent job at setting up the characters of Holmes and Watson. It’s easy to see why these stories were such an overnight success.
I don’t know where exactly it begins to fall apart. I just know that it does.
Listen… Is this not just a short story that has been made novella length for no reason? Truly. Is it not that? There is no purpose to this being so long—frankly, the plot structure began suffering to me. And I honestly just didn’t sign up to be lectured about Mormonism for so many pages for a mystery that would’ve made a perfectly fine short story.
Is this a low-level take? Almost certainly. Is it honest? Absolutely.
Blog | Youtube | Twitter | Instagram | Spotify | About |
Study in Scarlet is not a bad book. Let’s just get that out there. It’s an interesting book, actually, towards the beginning—the first few scenes are exciting, and do an excellent job at setting up the characters of Holmes and Watson. It’s easy to see why these stories were such an overnight success.
I don’t know where exactly it begins to fall apart. I just know that it does.
Listen… Is this not just a short story that has been made novella length for no reason? Truly. Is it not that? There is no purpose to this being so long—frankly, the plot structure began suffering to me. And I honestly just didn’t sign up to be lectured about Mormonism for so many pages for a mystery that would’ve made a perfectly fine short story.
Is this a low-level take? Almost certainly. Is it honest? Absolutely.
Blog | Youtube | Twitter | Instagram | Spotify | About |
Displaying 1 - 30 of 21,323 reviews