The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes #12

by Arthur Conan Doyle

A young woman has been offered the post of governess at the Copper Beeches and has what seems like a mundane question for Holmes--should she take the job? But why does her employer ask her to cut her hair short and wear a special electric blue dress as part of her job? It is up to Holmes and Watson to find out.
--from copyright page

Genres: Mystery, Classics, Short Stories, Fiction, Crime, Audiobook, Detective

61 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1892

About the author

Sir 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.

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1892, ‘The Adventure of the Copper Beeches’ relates the tale of Governess Miss Violet Hunter. Violet is desperate to find a new position after being out of work for some time, and then comes an offer that is beyond her dreams - the salary is £100 a year but it comes with some rather odd stipulations. They’re so odd that Violet consults Sherlock Holmes. He believes she shouldn’t accept the offer, and she does so only with the assurance that should she need Holmes’s help he will be there.

Interesting little story with a strong female protagonist, and a knight in shining armour in the form of one Sherlock Holmes!

[Aishu Rehman · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Adventure of the Copper Beeches contains no great mystery for Sherlock Holmes, or the reader, and as a result, the story is simply one where the narrative is allowed to run its course. The lack of mystery though, doesn’t make the story a bad read.

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Sherlock Holmes short story wraps up the The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes collection, and does so creditably. Sherlock receives a letter from one Violet Hunter, asking for his help. Miss Hunter is a young, out-of-work governess who's now destitute and anxious to find a new position. She receives an offer from a Mr. Jephro Rucastle, for an unusually high salary of £100 a year - almost too good to be true.

But there are some odd conditions for this position: that she sometimes sit for a while in a particular chair in their country home, the Copper Beeches; that she sometimes wear a particular electric blue dress that they will give her; and that she cut her hair short. The last is the most difficult one for Miss Hunter, as she's proud of her long hair that's an unusual chestnut color. When the annual salary offer is increased to £120, triple the normal rate, though, she decides to go ahead and accept the job ... after consulting with Sherlock Holmes.

Holmes discourages her - the offer seems suspicious to him - but when Miss Hunter decides to go ahead and take the job anyway, he tells her to send him a telegram if she's ever in distress or danger. Sure enough, within two weeks there's an urgent telegram from Miss Hunter at the Copper Beeches, requesting him to secretly meet her as soon as possible.


The Sherlock Holmes Museum

Sherlock Holmes (and Dr. Watson) to the rescue!

The mystery itself is very Victorian but still interesting. There's an appropriately menacing villain, a giant dog that prowls the premises looking for people to eat, and a servant with a surprising story to tell.

A solid way to end my 2017 reading of original Sherlock Holmes short stories by Doyle!

[Francesc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emocionante relato en el que Holmes y Watson tienen que resolver un misterio que pondrá sus vidas en peligro.

A thrilling story in which Holmes and Watson have to solve a mystery that will put their lives in danger.

[Maliha Tabassum Tisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another story like The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb , where Holmes doesn't have much to do with his brain, but rather listens to the narrative of people and puts two and two together. Which is why even the reader can soon figure it all out with a little imagination.

Still a gripping story with a strong female character at its core.

[Isa Cantos (Crónicas de una Merodeadora) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Creo que este es uno de los relatos que menos me han gustado de toda esta primera colección...

Todo empieza siendo un gran misterio. Tenemos una casa extraña y unos dueños que tienen caprichos absurdos. Sin embargo, creo que la resolución podría haber sido más divertida y podrían haberle dado algo de voz a la chica secuestrada que se escapa o algo por el estilo, pues tal como está me pareció un poco meh.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read many Sherlock Holmes stories, but from what I have gathered, few of them feature a female heroine as independent and curious as Violent Hunter. In "The Adventure of the Copper Beeches," Holmes "helps" Miss Hunter (whose name should speak for itself) solve the mystery of her employer, who makes odd requests of her, such as asking her to cut her hair. However, Violet Hunter, who works as a Governess, does a lot of the detective work herself, and her narrative propels the tale forward to a thrilling and satisfying conclusion. Recommended to fans of mystery and to those who want a somewhat Victorian twist in their Sherlock Holmes stories.

[نورة · Rating 3 out of 5]

عودة لروايات صديق الطفولة المفضل شارلوك هولمز ❤️

[Mohammed Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

مغامرات شارلوك هولمز، تأليف السيد آرثر كونان دويل

قضية "منزل الأشجار النحاسية" هي المغامرة الثانية عشر من مغامرات شارلوك هولمز .

قصة غريبة مليئة بالقسوة، الأب الذي قرّر حبس ابنته طمعا في مال ورثته وخوفا من زواجها .

إن القضايا تحب شارلوك وتبحث عنه وهو بدوره يحب كل تفصيل من تفصيلاتها .

[Razvan Banciu · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is one merit here, just a single one: the reader asks himself what is the real intention of those which have employed Miss Hunter.
Otherwise, nothing worthy to be remembered for those who have high standards.

PS: I know, from time to time I'm too harsh on Lady Agatha and Mr. Doyle. Love is sometimes blind, but not always...

[Cora Tea Party Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 Words: Perfect length for a cuppa.

Ok, this was perhaps my favourite of these short stories.

I love how close they got, how Holmes was right.

And I'm getting better at this - I guessed this one too!

[ESRAA MOHAMED · Rating 4 out of 5]

في روايات مهما مر من الوقت ومهما الواحد قرأ هيرجع لها ويقرأها أكثر من مرة، منها روايات شيرلوك هولمز بالنسبة لي.
ملجأ ومتنفس من الضغوط والمشاكل اليومية، هفضل انبهر بها في كل مرة قراءة.

مربية تطلب من مستر هولمز مساعدتها في أخذ قرار القبول لوظيفة مربية لعائلة، العرض مغري ولكن طلبات هذه العائلة غريبة.
هولمز وواطسن اضطروا للسفر لتجميع باقي المعلومات الخاصة بالقضية.

عندما يطغى حب المال على حب الأبناء، وينسى الأب دوره طمعا في مال ابنته.

استمتعوا…
دمتم قراء... ❤❤❤

[Claudia DR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great!

[أيمن قاسمي · Rating 4 out of 5]

رواية أخرى عن شيرلوك هولمز

حسنا كعادتي لن أتكلم عن الرواية، لأنها تقريبا كأغلب روايات دويل الأخرى
بل سأثرثر فقط
أتهرب من القراءة الجادة، أحاول التغلب على المزاج السيء، أحاول أن أخرج من تلك الكوة
لكن و رغم هروبي ذاك و رغم أني كنت أتسلى بقراءتي تلك
إلا أنني لم أبقى أقرأ الروايات كما في السابق، أقصد أبتلعها فقط
بل تمر عليّ لقطات تجعلني أتأمل في أنّها لا تتوافق مع الإسلام و شخصية المسلم هذا رغم أنها من بيئة أدبية وزمن محافظين
و أيضا أتأمل مدى تعلق الناس و تأثرهم برواية و شخصية خيالية يرفضون أن تقتل في الرواية و كيف لهذه الشخصية أن تصبح مشهورة أكثر من الكاتب نفسه
يجعلنا كل هذا و أكثر نفكر في أهمية هذه الأشياء سواء الروايات أو الأفلام أو الكرتون أو الألعاب
يجعلنا نفكر كيف لنا بمزاحمة الباطل
كيف لنا بإنشاء بديل حيثما لا حل إلا بإيجاد بديل و كيف لنا تصحيح التصور حيثما لا حل إلا تصحيح التصور

الله المستعان

----------------------------
هنا أتحدث عن الكتب و أشارك أفكار
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbxV...

[Yousra · Rating 5 out of 5]

من جديد ألجأ لهولمز العزيز ليضعني على طريق العودة للقراءة وذلك بعد انشغالي بمشكلة سخيفة في مدرسة الطفلين لا تتعلق بالمدرسات ولله الحمد وإنما ببيئة الدراسة

بدأت بها وأنهيتها في ساعة على الأكثر، وهي واحدة من أكثر مغامرات المجموعة امتاعا فقد كان يغلفها الغموضالذي أحب مع جرعة جيدة من الإثارة ومسحة من الرعب

راقتني نهايتها كثيرا وأحببت المغامرة ككل بشكل خاص

أكاد انهي ما تبقى لدي من قصص ومغامرات العزيز هولمز ولا أعرف كيف سأتصرف لاحقا حينما أشعر بالتوتر أو الكآبة ... لعل الحظ يلقي في طريقي ببطل جديد لسلسلة من المغامرات يمتعني كما أمتعني العزيز رفعت إسماعيل ومن بعده هولمز

[SHOMPA · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this short mystery!

[Samia chellat · Rating 2 out of 5]

عادية جدا .. قصة وسرد ..

شرلوك لم يساهم في هذه القضية الى حد ما..
افتقد اراءه هنا.

[Jaksen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better (and longer) in the series featuring Mr. Holmes and his faithful sidekick, Dr. Watson.

Holmes is asked to investigate the circumstances behind a young woman's new position as governess, in that she's asked to some 'odd things' as part of her job. No, it doesn't involve sex, but it does involved wearing certain clothes, behaving in certain ways; as well, it pays about four times what the average governess would have earned at the time.

Now, I figured this one out early, but it took away none of the enjoyment of this story. Holmes is in his best form, Dr. Watson is eagerly at this side, and the young woman in question - named Violet, and one of four Violets which feature in the Holmes series - was well-portrayed. Sir Arthur didn't skimp on details, neither did he write her as clinging, weak-minded, or in need of 'male rescue.' In fact, all she wanted was help in figuring out the situation she found herself in.

And she got it.

Great Holmes story.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars & 5/10 hearts. This story is one of the more twisty, gripping, heart-stopping ones. The mystery was very curious, the characters unique, and the setting is quite interesting. I absolutely loved how concerned Holmes was about the girl—it was so sweet! She was such a nice, brave girl too… Every time I read this I’m surprised by how much I like it. :) Also, I’m fascinated by Holmes’ comment on crime in the country vs. in the city…

Content: swearing, violence (someone is mauled by a dog).

A Favourite Humorous Quote: “But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your interests were the same as his.”
“Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman,” said Mrs. Toller serenely.

[itsdanixx · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Adventure of the Copper Beeches" is the twelfth and final story in the The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes story collection, the third publication in the Sherlock Holmes series (after the first two novels, so the first story collection).

Holmes assists a young lady who has accepted an extremely well paying governess position, but that comes with very strange and specific requirements - She must cut off her lovely hair, and wear a specific dress to tea each day.

A stronger story, in my opinion, than the previous two in this collection, and a good way to finish The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last of the Sherlock Holmes short stories in the collection I read, and my favourite. It had a very gothic feel about it sometimes, the female "heroine" is not the classic good-for-nothing fainting type and the mystery is well set up. Plus, there's more of Holmes and Watson in this one than there has been for a while, and I really love the two.

Data, data, data!" cried Holmes. "I cannot make bricks without clay!"

Now I'm off to a full-length Sherlock story. The short stories were entertaining but too...well, short.

[Nada Majdy · Rating 3 out of 5]

These short stories are rather better than I ever anticipated. Sherlock receives a letter from Violet Hunter, asking for his help with her weird employers. This particular story I have to say is not as mysterious as the other ones but I still enjoyed it, and I would certainly recommend it to others. I wish I had Sherlock to sort things out with my boss.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my read at lunch today. It was just OK for me. Maybe as I read more of the Holmes short stories they start to become too similar or perhaps I had this meh feeling because the last one I read, The Adventure of the Speckled Band, was so very good!

[Ben-Ain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una obra corta pero muy entretenida, ideal para amenizar una tarde de aburrimiento o para hacer más divertida la espera mientras te arreglan el coche (como es el caso).

Sé que los relatos de Sherlock Holmes son casi todos similares en cuanto a la construcción y el desenlace, pero ese proceso resolutivo que tiene el personaje, su personalidad, las descripciones y el paso cadente de la puesta en escena del problema hacen que, en menos de un pestañeo, ya esté metido hasta las rodillas en ese Londres sórdido de oscuras callejuelas o en las neblinosas campiñas de sus alredores.

No es una obra maestra, pero es una obra que merece ser leída si lo que uno busca es relajarse y disfrutar de una buen lectura.

En este caso, Sherlock Holmes y Watson se enfrentarán a un encargo bastante especial. La señorita Hunter, una institutriz en busca de trabajo, ha encontrado a una oferta que, por el sueldo, es cuanto menos llamativa. No obstante, lo curioso o rocambolesco de algunas de las demandas de sus futuros patrones harán que la muchacha se acerque en busca de ayuda del famoso investigador por temer que haya algo más detrás de todo ello.

Son 50 páginas, se leen en un abrir y cerrar de ojos.

[Jack Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars. The protagonist in this delightful story is quite appealing. Women are not often portrayed as intelligent, resourceful and inquisitive in the 19th century, especially in short stories where character development usually comes a distant second to plot. Violet Hunter clears the bar with ease. Having no parents or relations, she needs her own steady income and, occasionally, someone to advise her. She chooses her adviser well by reaching out to a person whose reputation for intelligence and problem solving has been extolled in public, Holmes. The story? Hunter's previous governess position collapsed when the family relocated to Nova Scotia in Canada and she needs a new job quickly. She finds an offer but it's strange. The money's excellent but her potential new employer, Jephro Rucastle, wants her to cut her hair and wear special outfits. She asks Holmes that, if it becomes more difficult, could he come to Winchester? While at Copper Beeches she studies the house from the outside and discerns a closed-off section. Choosing her time carefully, she investigates further. What she finds is disturbing - the heart of the story. Wisely, she sends for Holmes. (June 2021)

[Amira Mahmoud · Rating 4 out of 5]

من بدايتها وهى مفعمة بغموض مثير ^_^
أعجبتنى النهاية >> تشوه الأب وهروب الأبنة :)
كنت أتوقع أن للطفل دور أكبر أو أنه محور الأحداث لما له من غرابة الأطوار , ولكن خابت توقعاتى :\
أحببتها ككل قصص شيرلوك هولمز ^_^
أنتهت سلسلة مغامراته , لأبدأ في سلسلة ذكرياته ;)

[Alyson Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another strong female protagonist and Holmes to the rescue, what's not to love? a x x

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorites in the collection

[Dhia Nouioui · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hmm. . . .not for me but I guess some people like it.

[Jason Parent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could see every detail of this one playing out in my mind, and it had the makings of a great horror tale as well as a mystery.