Sherlock Holmes: His Greatest Cases

by Arthur Conan Doyle

Uniquely combining Holmes' most famous novel, The Hound of the Baskervilles, with Arthur Conan Doyle's own 12 favorite Sherlock Holmes stories arranged in order of publication, this edition features an afterword by Conan Doyle's acclaimed biographer Andrew Lycett. Conan Doyle’s original list, arranged in order merit, is included, as is the abridged text of "Sherlock Holmes to His Readers," an article by Conan Doyle for the Strand Magazine, later published as the preface to The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes. The book's cover is by Michael Kirkham, whose clients have included Dazed & Confused, the Financial Times, the Independent, the New York Times, and Readers' Digest. Arthur Conan Doyle is one of the most revered writers of detective fiction. Through creating the characters of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, Doyle defined the mystery genre as a mix of wit, intelligence, and action.

This book contains the following stories of Sherlock:
1. The Hound of The Baskervilles (Novel)
2. The Scandal in Boemia
3. The Red-headed League
4. The Five Orange Pips
5. The Adventure of the Speckled Band
6. The Musgrave Ritual
7. The Reigate Squires
8. The Final Problem
9. The Adventure of the Empty House
10. The Adventure of the Dancing Men
11. The Adventure of the Priory School
12. The Adventure of the Second Stain
13. The Adventure of the Devil's Foot

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

501 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

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

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I've seen a number of Sherlock Holmes movies and TV shows over the years (The most recent BBC series, "Sherlock," being my favorite), this was the first time I'd ready the actual stories. This collection is an excellent starting point. Containing The Hound of the Baskervilles and Doyle's favorite twelve short stories, bound in a stunning clothbound edition from White's Books, this is a great collection. I was already familiar with some of the stories from their film adaptations, but it was fun reading the originals. One of the most interesting things I noticed is how the more recent adaptations seem to combine elements from multiple short stories into a single movie or TV show.

In terms of readability, all of it is of a rather easy affair; something to pick up and read for an hour, getting lost in the fun adventures of Holmes and Watson. A perfect light, summer read.

I don't think any of the stories will have a profound effect on me, but that's just fine. These are adventures, meant for the reader to get lost in, and sometimes that's just what I'm looking for. If you're new the Sherlock literary canon, this is a great place to start.

[Pat Rolston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is simply a magnificent selection of the worlds greatest detective’s cases and told in extraordinarily entertaining fashion. The reader who appreciates Sherlock Holmes will find great pleasure to had in this terrific volume.

[Oscar Maquito · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.1/5

[LouAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this compilation of Sherlock Holmes classics! They were as absorbing now as they were when I was younger! I think everyone should be exposed to Sherlock Holmes!!

[cj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holmes is a bit of a insufferable git, though, isn't he?

(Also: as I am currently discussing with a friend, why do these stories make me picture Holmes as a doddery old man who looks a bit like Monty Burns? When, thanks to the BBC, I know that he is fact a terribly handsome young man with piercing blue eyes and devastating cheekbones. MYSTERIOUS.)