The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1

by Arthur Conan Doyle, Douglas Wilmer (Reading)

Welcome to the residence of Sherlock Holmes. In these unassuming rooms, Holmes and his sidekick, Dr. Watson, solve four classic cases. "A Scandal in Bohemia" finds the sleuth committing a crime of his own to protect a royal reputation. Then, in "A Case of Identity", Holmes must unmask a devious disguise to trace a missing person. "The Red-Headed League" and "The Boscombe Valley Mystery" round out a quartet of diabolical deceptions sure to enthrall the armchair mystery listener. 2 cassettes.

Genres: Mystery, Classics, Fiction, Audiobook

Audio CD

Published February 1, 1998

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

[Mickey Knipp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite writing style but it was interesting

[Emma Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

endings were a little bland

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been a bit of a fan of mystery stories and in my childhood I read a lot of Cam Jansan and Encyclopedia Brown books. Yeah, they're picture books, but I still enjoy them. What I enjoy most about mystery and detective stories is that it connects with the reader in a very intellectual level - the working of the mind to crack the case along with the characters in the story.

Serlock Holmes, perhaps the greatest fictional detective of all time is a character that I will never forget. The fact that he knows so much about the art of crime and close to nothing about astronomy is surprising. This is because he believes that this knowledge is not in any ways related to his occupation and he'd rather just not know about it.

One of the short stories that I enjoyed most in this novel was 'The adventure of the Copper Beeches'. It was very cleverly written and the characters are well developed. My favorite part of the novel was when Serlock Holmes reasoned about the fact that a child's behavior is reflective of his/her parents. Therefore, when a child is seen killing even just mere insects with cruelty his parents must be cruel as well. Even if on the surface they may be all similey - that is not their 'true self'.

I feel that this is the way people are. I mean who doesn't go out to the streets and once in a while pretend to be someone that they're not?

[Jestine Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book via the Libby app.

I feel like I should know Sherlock Holmes from all of the movies, TV shows, and Holmes-style books I have read over the years. Because of this, I was afraid of being disappointed with the real thing. I was not! I loved listening to the stories, the narrator was fabulous, and I can't wait to find more! I was a bit sad that this first version only included four short stories, but I am definitely interested in tracking down more of them.

[Etta Mcquade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally, after all these years, I've read about the ultimate British detective and his pipe, cape and friend Watson. The first 12 stories are entertaining, and I enjoyed our superhero, the disguise-loving genuis, who can look at people and see right into their minds, who uses the power of good for mankind, and whom everyone in Victorian London, from the lowliest governess to the highest nobleman, comes to when they need help. Some very clever endings of the stories, too.

[Miki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be thoroghly entertaining and remarkably well written. Once I picked up this book I was not capable of setting it down until I had finished it. Sherlock Holmes has now become one of my greatest fictional heroes, and I believe that this will be true for anyone else who has read this.

[Beth Jusino · Rating 3 out of 5]

The game's afoot with this series of 12 original Sherlock Holmes tales. The early tales vary in quality, and aren't nearly as complex or unexpected as the longer novels. But they're lively and fun, with blustery London weather and a host of familiar characters who populate Victorian streets and classes. A pleasant diversion for a long airplane ride.

[arg/machine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The super sleuth's adventures are in the public domain, and a free electronic copy can be found here.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes the writing GOES ON AND ON but otherwise I love the humor and Holmes is great and even though the surprise solution to the case is only there for the first read, i still love re-reading the stories.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure if this is the same volume that I read. This was the first time I had read any Sherlock Holmes stories. The stories are quick reads. I enjoy the characters and reading about a different time period.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four classic mysteries from Sherlock Holmes including the Speckled Band, The Adventure of the Copper Beeches, The Stock-Broker's Clerk, and the Red-Headed League.
David Timson is okay but no Jeremy Brett or Basil Rathboone.

[LemontreeLime · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read these back in the 80s, and am revisiting them via an audiobook read by Derek Jacobi (which i cannot find a good link for on the site). What fun!

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was charmed by the 12 short adventures in this collection, and it has opened up a new genre to me--detective stories.

[Kim Hendrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these stories!!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of all time.

[Sabiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always been a fan of Sherlock books silence 6th grade this is an amazing book never will get old

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, ok. Not my type- really, I read it to count towards my books for English. Hated the fact how Sherlock jumped around in the way he talked. DID NOT get his reasoning, but he's a smart man I guess.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The master of deduction at his finest.

[Kenneth Holbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the stories in this book just as much as the other books I have read by this author an a few I have read before

[Scott Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like all things Holmes. Read it. I think he is one of the best literary characters ever written.

[Ansh Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for young readers.

[Jan Norton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listen to this with my husband as we traveled. Good stories. Hope to listen to more