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The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes #1
Silver Blaze
One of the most popular Sherlock Holmes short stories. And one of the best mystery shorts of all time.
"Silver Blaze" focuses on the disappearance of the famous race horse, Silver Blaze, on the eve of an important race and after the apparent murder of its trainer. The tale is distinguished by its atmospheric Dartmoor setting and late-Victorian sporting milieu. It also features some of Conan Doyle's most effective plotting, hinging on the "curious incident of the dog in the night-time."
Librarian's note: this entry is for "Silver Blaze," the first of 11 short stories from the 1894 collection, "The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes." Collections and other stories by the author are located elsewhere on Goodreads. The Holmes series includes four novels and 58 short stories. Entries for the short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Sherlock Holmes Short Story."
"Silver Blaze" focuses on the disappearance of the famous race horse, Silver Blaze, on the eve of an important race and after the apparent murder of its trainer. The tale is distinguished by its atmospheric Dartmoor setting and late-Victorian sporting milieu. It also features some of Conan Doyle's most effective plotting, hinging on the "curious incident of the dog in the night-time."
Librarian's note: this entry is for "Silver Blaze," the first of 11 short stories from the 1894 collection, "The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes." Collections and other stories by the author are located elsewhere on Goodreads. The Holmes series includes four novels and 58 short stories. Entries for the short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Sherlock Holmes Short Story."
111 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1892
128 people are currently reading
11951 people want to read
About the author
Arthur Conan Doyle
16k 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 353 reviews
December 29, 2020
Silver Blaze is set in the world of horse racing, and one which Dick Francis would have been proud of, yet it is very much a Sherlock Holmes story.
The very elements of what make Holmes a great detective are on display in this tale; as although Inspector Gregory of Scotland Yard has made an arrest in the case, Holmes doesn’t think that the obvious suspect is the right one.
The police have looked at the available evidence and jumped to conclusions; Holmes looks at the evidence and sees what is missing. Holmes is then able to deduce missing details, and finds the evidence to back up his deductions. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle also ensures that the solution is delivered by Holmes with the showmanship that the detective was prone to indulge in.
Over the years, Silver Blaze has proved to be one of the most popular Sherlock Holmes stories, and one of the most memorable.
The very elements of what make Holmes a great detective are on display in this tale; as although Inspector Gregory of Scotland Yard has made an arrest in the case, Holmes doesn’t think that the obvious suspect is the right one.
The police have looked at the available evidence and jumped to conclusions; Holmes looks at the evidence and sees what is missing. Holmes is then able to deduce missing details, and finds the evidence to back up his deductions. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle also ensures that the solution is delivered by Holmes with the showmanship that the detective was prone to indulge in.
Over the years, Silver Blaze has proved to be one of the most popular Sherlock Holmes stories, and one of the most memorable.
August 17, 2016
This is the first Sherlock Holmes story I don't recall reading as a child. Not sure if that means I didn't read them all or I forgot this one because it was kind of boring. I don't think Doyle is very interested in horses. The plot was less far-fetched than many of these stories, however.
January 1, 2020
4.5 stars. A unique and intriguing Sherlock Holmes mystery about a valuable missing racehorse and a dead man. This one came close to making Arthur Conan Doyle’s list of his top 12 Sherlock Holmes stories, but he couldn’t quite forgive it for some errors he’d made regarding the rules of the horse racing world. But I think maybe it does make my own list of the top dozen Sherlock stories, because of the unusual plot and the fact that Doyle actually gives readers enough clues to solve the mystery for themselves.
February 26, 2025
5 Stars. One of the best and one of the most famous short stories of all time. What a way to lead off the second collection of Sherlock Holmes stories, 'The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes,' from 1894. First published in the 'Strand' in 1892. I read this one in 'Sherlock Holmes The Complete Novels and Stories,' a two volume collection from 2020. The whole country is in an uproar about the disappearance of the favourite horse for the imminent Wessex Cup. He's a beautiful 4-year-old named Silver Blaze. Gone without a trace. At the same time, trainer John Straker has died violently. The horse got it's name because of a distinct mark on its forehead. Could the kidnapping of Silver Blaze have been perpetrated by a punter hoping to make a bundle by betting on the second-best entry in the Cup? But where is Blaze? Colonel Ross who owns the horse and Inspector Gregory both send telegrams entreating Holmes and Watson to come to King's Pyland ASAP. Mystery lovers have surely heard of the curious case of the barking dog. Famous in its own way. It's part of this story. Doyle's writing is superb and so is Silver Blaze as a race horse. (Au2021/Feb2025)
April 18, 2025
This is one of the best stories involving Holmes.
He has some fine tricks under his sleeve (that regarding the sheep is really a genial one) , Hastings used to be a lot smarter than ever, quite a nice one indeed.
He has some fine tricks under his sleeve (that regarding the sheep is really a genial one) , Hastings used to be a lot smarter than ever, quite a nice one indeed.
February 24, 2024
8.1/10
Can the case of a disappearing horse capture the interest of the great Sherlock Holmes? Normally no. However, if the horse happens to be one of the best racing horses, and there is also a murder added into the mix, then yeah.
As with most cases, i thoroughly enjoyed this one. Doyle's writing is as always great.
Can the case of a disappearing horse capture the interest of the great Sherlock Holmes? Normally no. However, if the horse happens to be one of the best racing horses, and there is also a murder added into the mix, then yeah.
As with most cases, i thoroughly enjoyed this one. Doyle's writing is as always great.
November 2, 2015
5 Words: Perfetc length for a cuppa.
July 19, 2018
جريمة من نوع آخر.. أغرب ما فيها مجرمها :)!
January 19, 2020
Best of Sherlock Holmes and enjoyed it to the core. Explanation of his techniques were path breaking.
August 2, 2024
من الحالات القليلة محدش يقدر يعمل للجاني شيء بل لازم ياخدوا بالهم منه ويراعوه.
جريمة غريبة والأغرب المجرم.
استمتعوا...
دمتم قراء…❤❤❤
February 27, 2024
If you enjoy Sherlock Holmes and appreciate his ability to perceive things nobody else notices, this will be great for you! I suppose the stories are now pretty dated but their solutions have something restful and completely comprehensible about them (with Sherlock I don't have to ask the Goodreads community what actually happened at the end!)
April 25, 2018
Greatly atmospheric tale and it involves a horse!
Silver Blaze, the fastest horse in the upcoming Wessox Cup is missing. More so, his trainer is dead. So Holmes and Watson head to Dartmoor to investigate. The solution is simple, the trail leading there not so much, and though I thought I'd figured it out, I didn't.
The famous quote, 'see the value of imagination,' is in this one, which is at odds to how Holmes usually operates, or thinks. (Logic is Holmes' usual mantra.) Plus the even more famous one: 'the curious incident of the dog in the night-time,' which, of course, means the dog was silent, didn't bark, when it should have. (Thus, the 'curious incident.')
Anyhow, a quick and fascinating read, and so far one of my top #5 Holmes stories.
Silver Blaze, the fastest horse in the upcoming Wessox Cup is missing. More so, his trainer is dead. So Holmes and Watson head to Dartmoor to investigate. The solution is simple, the trail leading there not so much, and though I thought I'd figured it out, I didn't.
The famous quote, 'see the value of imagination,' is in this one, which is at odds to how Holmes usually operates, or thinks. (Logic is Holmes' usual mantra.) Plus the even more famous one: 'the curious incident of the dog in the night-time,' which, of course, means the dog was silent, didn't bark, when it should have. (Thus, the 'curious incident.')
Anyhow, a quick and fascinating read, and so far one of my top #5 Holmes stories.
December 25, 2022
শার্লক হোমস আমার বস!
May 22, 2025
I have always enjoyed Sherlock, no exception here. There is something about Doyle's writing that is just awesome. It could be that it is not so much older than our modern English but still has that classic feel. Holmes is just such a fantastic protagonist, always fun to go down his wormholes of logic.
This short story is about a missing racing horse and a murder of his trainer. Doyle does a great job as to masking the ending by providing many conclusions. I find a good author always gives you many conclusions to ponder in a good mystery. Sherlock and Watson team up and deduct the truth in a few short days. The conclusion of the race and the Coronel was a good place to end it. When he questions the wife about the dresses I figured it out but, but wasn't 100%, it was still great fun.
This short story is about a missing racing horse and a murder of his trainer. Doyle does a great job as to masking the ending by providing many conclusions. I find a good author always gives you many conclusions to ponder in a good mystery. Sherlock and Watson team up and deduct the truth in a few short days. The conclusion of the race and the Coronel was a good place to end it. When he questions the wife about the dresses I figured it out but, but wasn't 100%, it was still great fun.
July 1, 2023
Bueno, este nuevo libro de Las Memorias de Sherlock Holmes creo que no empieza tan fuerte como los demás. A pesar de que este caso incluye un asesinato y la solución es, como siempre, bastante rocambolesca e inesperada, no me enganchó tanto como otros relatos.
April 27, 2022
5 stars & 5/10 hearts. This mystery always fascinated me. The conclusion is so very unexpected! And Holmes’ work is simply phenomenal. All the characters are as interesting as ever—particularly the Colonel; it’s so much fun to watch him against Holmes—but it’s the plot that really shines. I love watching Watson watch Holmes and even help him! It’s just such an epic story, one of the very best in the series.
Content: Smoking, swearing, a man has a mistress.
A Favourite Quote: “I have already said that he must have gone to King’s Pyland or to Mapleton. He is not at King’s Pyland. Therefore he is at Mapleton. Let us take that as a working hypothesis and see what it leads us to.… See the value of imagination. It is the one quality which Gregory lacks. We imagined what might have happened, acted upon the supposition, and find ourselves justified. Let us proceed.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: The sun was beginning to sink behind the stables of Mapleton, and the long, sloping plain in front of us was tinged with gold, deepening into rich, ruddy browns where the faded ferns and brambles caught the evening light.
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “As a man of the world, Colonel, you know that men do not carry other people’s bills about in their pockets. We have most of us quite enough to do to settle our own.”
Content: Smoking, swearing, a man has a mistress.
A Favourite Quote: “I have already said that he must have gone to King’s Pyland or to Mapleton. He is not at King’s Pyland. Therefore he is at Mapleton. Let us take that as a working hypothesis and see what it leads us to.… See the value of imagination. It is the one quality which Gregory lacks. We imagined what might have happened, acted upon the supposition, and find ourselves justified. Let us proceed.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: The sun was beginning to sink behind the stables of Mapleton, and the long, sloping plain in front of us was tinged with gold, deepening into rich, ruddy browns where the faded ferns and brambles caught the evening light.
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “As a man of the world, Colonel, you know that men do not carry other people’s bills about in their pockets. We have most of us quite enough to do to settle our own.”
August 8, 2021
The one star rating is based solely on my enjoyment of the book and this was dreadful to me.
August 27, 2023
3,5 stars
If you are wondering about what the dog that didn't bark means, this is it.
This is a short and easy read.
If you are wondering about what the dog that didn't bark means, this is it.
This is a short and easy read.
January 10, 2020
`` মধু বিনে কথা নাই ''
November 18, 2015
'Silver Blaze' is a thoroughly enjoyable story featuring Sherlock Holmes at his finest. The story had some humorous parts, which is welcome, considering the one fault of Conan Doyle's work is often that it is too dry compared to some more modern writings from the 'Golden Age,' such as Christie's Poirot. However, 'Silver Blaze' does not have this flaw, and is gripping and witty read throughout. The final solution is supremely simple, yet elegant. Overall, I t's another excellent short story from the Sherlock Holmes collection.
February 10, 2017
الأجمل من بين ما قرأت من تلك المجموعة حتى الآن :))
سعيدة جدا لأني قرأتها وممتعضة لكوني أملك عددا واحدا متبقيا للقراءة من هذه المجموعة
May 12, 2018
To be honest the story did not capture my attention. I found it boring and at times tiresome to read. So far my least favourite story of Sherlock Holmes.
November 19, 2020
2.5 stelle
February 5, 2026
kurzweilig
February 18, 2025
ممتع وأنصح به، مجموعة قضايا ل شارلوك هولمز.
March 23, 2025
Solo tiene cuatro estrellas porque amé como unió todo Sherlock Holmes, simplemente un personaje él y Watson🫶🏻.
November 2, 2019
عندما يجتمع شيئان أحبهما في عمل واحد ك ذكاء شرلوك المعتاد و الخيول؛ تولد العظمة ♡
February 28, 2019
This is a great Sherlock Holmes mystery as he delves step by step into a mystery that will leave the reader baffled and confused until the very end, and then you realize that all the clues and answers were right in front of you the entire time. This is my favorite type of mystery, and fans of the genre should love this story.
June 13, 2021
One of the finest Holmesian tales, combining intrigue, suspense, complex characters showing different shades, and a final, brilliant comeuppance.
No matter how many times have I read this story, whenever I come across it, I start reading.
That's how classics and icons are defined.
No matter how many times have I read this story, whenever I come across it, I start reading.
That's how classics and icons are defined.
July 9, 2018
Clever and probably one of the more realistic Holmes mysteries.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 353 reviews