The Return of Sherlock Holmes / His Last Bow

by Arthur Conan Doyle

However keen he was to polish off Holmes, in The Final Problem Conan Doyle forgot to produce a body; so, with willing suspension of disbelief by all concerned, the detective returned. These two collections, 21 tales in all, include some of the stories that Doyle himself regarded as his best.

Genres: Classics, Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Short Stories, Victorian, Novels

635 pages, Hardcover

First published September 19, 2005

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

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the greatest of the Sherlock Holmes compilations, but it's still got some great stories in here. Even though it was years ago that I read it, there are still stories that stand out in my memory. I suppose reading about Holmes in his later years lost a little of its charm, but I also feel that perhaps Doyle didn't have quite the vigor in writing these ones. Still great though, and your reading of Holmes is not complete if you've skipped this book.

[Evripidis Gousiaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Η συγκεκριμένη έκδοση περιλαμβάνει δύο βιβλία του Sherlock σε έναν τόμο. Την επιστροφή του Sherlock Holmes και την Στερνή του Υπόκλιση.

"Η Επιστροφή του Sherlock Holmes" περιλαμβάνει δεκατρείς μικρές ιστορίες του διάσημου ντετέκτιβ και του βοηθού του John Watson. Ο Arthur Conan Doyle επιστρέφει στην συγγραφή των σύντομων μικρών ιστοριών του αγαπημένου ήρωα έπειτα από δέκα χρόνια απουσίας, κάτι το οποίο γίνεται αμέσως αντιληπτό από τον αναγνώστη. Η γραφή του είναι πιο ώριμη και έμπειρη, όπως επίσης οι υποθέσεις έχουν γίνει περισσότερο περίπλοκες και σκοτεινές. Οι μεγαλύτεροι κίνδυνοι που θα κληθούν να αντιμετωπίσουν θα δείξει για άλλη μια φορά το πόσο δεμένοι είναι μεταξύ τους οι πρωταγωνιστές και θα αναδείξει την χημεία που έχουν μεταξύ τους. Εντύπωση προκαλεί η αντίδραση του John στην πρώτη περιπέτεια όπου βλέπει εντελώς ξαφνικά τον Sherlock "ανεστημένο" μπροστά του, καθώς τον θεωρούσε νεκρό εδώ και τρία χρόνια.
Η συλλογή περιλαμβάνει τις περιπέτειες:
1. Το κενό σπίτι
2. Ο οικοδόμος από το Νόργουντ
3. Οι μικροί χορευτές
4. Ο μοναχικός ποδηλάτης
5. Το αποκλειστικό σχολείο
6. Ο μαύρος Πήτερ
7. Κάρολος Αυγούστος Μίλβερτον
8. Οι έξι Ναπολέοντες
9. Οι τρεις σπουδαστές
10. Τα χρυσά γυαλιά
11. Ο αγνοούμενος επιθετικός
12. Η έπαυλη Αμπυ
13. Η δεύτερη κηλίδα
Για άλλη μια φορά ο αναγνώστης γνωρίζει την υπόθεση μέσα από τις σημειώσεις του John, ο οποίος καταφέρνει και παρουσιάζει την κάθε υπόθεση με τον καλύτερο δυνατό τρόπο.


"Η στερνή του υπόκλιση" περιλαμβάνει εφτά περιπέτειες (μερικές αμερικάνικες εκδόσεις έχουν οχτώ) του διάσημου Sherlock Holmes και του βοηθού του John Watson. Ο Arthur Conan Doyle συνεχίζει να κάνει εξαιρετική δουλειά σε κάθε περιπέτεια και καταφέρνει να κρατήσει το ενδιαφέρον του αναγνώστη μέχρι το τέλος παρόλο την πληθώρα των ήδη υπαρχόντων υποθέσεων.
Η συλλογή περιλαμβάνει τις περιπέτειες:
1. Η οικία Γουιστέρια
2. Το χάρτινο κουτί (συνήθως είναι στις αμερικάνικες εκδόσεις)
3. Ο κόκκινος κύκλος
4. Τα σχέδια του Μπρους-Πάρτινγκτον
5. Ο ετοιμοθάνατος ντετέκτιβ
6. Η εξαφάνιση της Λαίδης Φράνσις Κάρφαξ
7. Το πόδι του διαβόλου
8. Η στερνή του υπόκλιση
Η γνώριμη αφήγηση του John είναι παρόν και εδώ ενώ ιδιαίτερη συγκίνηση προκαλεί η τελευταία περιπέτεια στην οποία ο Sherlock του εξομολογείται την παραίτηση του και του απαγορεύει να δημοσιεύσει άλλη περιπέτεια.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Två novellsamlingar, 'The Return of Sherlock Holmes" (1904) och den kortare "His Last Bow" (1917), mästerdetektiven återupplivad på 1900-talet. Doyle försökte tidigt avliva Holmes, men tvingades skriva fler historier, först som Dr. Watsons minnen av deras tidigare äventyr. Men "The Return..." inleds med 'The Empty House" där den ovetande Watson chockas av Sherlocks 'vålnad'. Men nej, han var inte död, hade bara gått under jorden i tre år, utomlands, med sin bror Mycroft som enda kontakt, när han försökt dupera sina motståndare i brottssyndikatet.

Många historier återberättar fortfarande händelser från 1800-talet, det var där dessa analytiska detektivhistorier hörde hemma. Ändå smyger sig 1900-talet in, med den ena omvälvningen efter den andra. Sherlock Holmes sitter inte längre i länstolen och analyserar. Novellerna innehåller allt mer dramatiska scener, till exempel Holmes och Watson i slagsmål med brottslingar, alltså ett steg närmare hårdkokta deckare. Gestaltandet i bilder känns alltmer filmiskt, och mördarna är honom på spåren, och inte bara på avstånd, utan de stöter ihop. I 'The Empty House" stöter de ihop med en yrkesmördare i samma rum. Novellerna rör såväl italiensk maffia som anarkistiska rörelser på flera ställen, och Holmes sitter inte längre på Baker Street, utan är ute och rör på sig i den allt mer mullrande världen.

Samlingen "The Return of Sherlock Holmes", läste jag första gången för över tio år sedan. Min absoluta favorithistoria i den samlingeln är "Charles Augustus Milverton", om en professionell utpressare, som de finner helt motbjudande. Novellen roar mig för att den avlägsnat sig från det analytiska. Holmes och Watson bryter sig in hos utpressaren och snokar i hans handlingar, tills de nästan tas på bar gärning. När de dessutom bevittnar hur samme utpressare mördas inför dem i samma rum (om än dolda), utan att lyfta ett finger, beslutar sig Holms genast för att bränna upp brev och andra bevis han samlat från sina utpressningsoffer. Sedan flyr de ut över trädgårdsmuren, med trädgårdsmästaren hack i häl. När denne senare ger polisen signalement på den flyende Watson, viftar Holmes senare inför polisen som ber honom om hjälp, bort detta signalement som alltför vagt, "det skulle ju kunna vara Watson här". Holmes åtar sig inte fallet, med hänvisning till att hämnd på en sån skurk är rättmätigt. Holmes har sett mördaren och beslutat skydda henne. Detta är en helt ny humor hos Doyle, uppblandad med rent filmisk spänning, smygande skuggor, vittnen bakom gardiner, framrusande hämnare.

1900-talet har smugit sig in, där upprördheten inför en ny otrygghet, göra alla benägna att alltid skylla på 'galna anarkister', 'red republicans', 'hemliga rörelser', 'maffia'. En annan novell rör en rysk förrevolutionär grupp, som hyser anarkistiska ideal och strävar efter reformer. Men hur än höga ideal, finns det alltid några som försöker rädda sitt eget skinn, vissa flyr till England.

Holmes har alltid haft en benägenhet att låta nåd gå före rätt, en tendens som blivit allt starkare i dessa 1900-talssamlingar. Ibland känner Holms att hans avslöjande av brottslingen kan ha gjort mer skada än själva brottet i sig. Holmes samvete blir allt ömmare och han tar allt oftare lagen i egna händer.

I "The Second stain" berörs hemliga agenter och förvecklingar inom utrikespolitiken, där skuggorna tycks bli allt längre. Första världkriget och revolutionsåren rycker allt närmare.

Andra samlingen i den här utgåvan, "His Last Bow" (1917), som jag nu läst för första gången, blir detta drag än mer påtagligt. Novellerna tillkom 1908-1917, och är alltså bara sju historier på nio år. Doyle skrev bara ner intrig-idéer han tyckte var mödan värt, några åter igen förlagda till 1800-talet, även också några kommentarer till 1900-talet. Doyle är mer intresserad av mänskliga dramatik, än Holmes i sig själv. Därför är det relationen mellan Holmes och Watson som är den verkliga behållningen när man läser Sherlock Holmes.

I denna sena samling börjar Watson med att berätta att Holms numera är pensionerad och ägnar sig åt biodling på en liten gård i Sydengland. De tycker inte att de hör hemma i den nya politiska röran. Men ibland får Holmes en nyckelroll, blir katalysator i olika tragedier, som utspelas när världen som de känner verkar gå mot sin upplösning.

I "Wisteria Lodge" har en grym latinamerikansk diktator tvingats fly till England, men har en hämnare efter sig. En respektabel engelsman dras in i intrigen, för at han verkar vara det perfekta alibit. Historien tilldrar sig visserligen 1892, men visar på omvälvningar. I "The Cardboard Box", med sina grymma svartsjukeintriger, känner sig Holmes närmast uppgiven över meningen med livet, med tanke på allt våld och elände. "It must tend so some end, or else our universe is ruled by chance, which is unthinkable? [...] The human reason is as far from an answer as ever."

"The Red Circle" är ännu en sorts Maffiahistoria. Och Holmes låter hämnaren gå fri.
I "The Dying Detective" tycks Doyle åter försöka ta livet av Holmes, men denna gång var Holmes för smart. Men den novellen och två till rör förgiftningar - vilket kan tyda på författarens intresse som läkare. Dessutom, när det gäller gifthistorien i 'The Devil's Foot", som sägs tilldra sig i Cornwall 1897, men utsägs återberättad 1910, börjar Holmes kommentera sina egna rökvanor. Att Watson börjat tjata på honom att tobak är ett gift, så pass att han önskar sig rök som inte är giftig.
Även i den här historien får hämnaren fri, en "lawless lionhunter", som vistats större delen av livet i Afrika. "I have spsent much of my life outside the law [...] I have come at last to be a law to myself."

"The Bruce-Parrington Plans" är en historia om hemliga utbåts-ritningar, som säljs till främmande makt, alltså en spion-intrig, där Holmes bror, tungviktaren Mycroft är med för sista gången, inte bara som representant för Brittiska regeringen, ibland 'är' han deras regering. Nu har vi Första världskriget inpå knuten, ubåtskrig har blivit verklighet.

Men det är titelnovellen, som ligger sist, "Hist Last Bow", som är den verkliga kommentaren till kriget. När har Holmes lämnat sin lugna biodlartillvaro, och hjälper till att avslöja en tysk agent, den 2 augusti 1914, två dagar före krigsutbrottet. Tyskland krävde denna dag att få tåga in i Belgien. Är britterna så mjäkiga som tyskarna tycks tro, och överger Belgien som de lovat stödja?
I denna historia finns novellernas första bil, Baron Von Herling, på tyska ambassaden kör en "hundra hästkrafters Benz bil". Holmes och Watson kommer i en Ford, Holmes förklädd till Amerikansk medborgare med irländskt ursprung, och därför låtsas beredd att förråda England. Men han har naturligtvis endast infiltrerat det tyska agentnätet, och lämnat falska uppgifter för att förvirra.

Holmes sista ord: "Good old watson! You are the one fixed point in a changing age. There's an east wind coming [...] such a wind has never blew on England yet. It will be cold and bitter, Watson, and a good many of us may wither before its blast. But it's God's own wind none the less, and a cleaner, better stronger land will lie in the sunshine when the storm has cleared."

Så trodde han då, 1914 sett i backspegeln från 1917. Patriotiskt. Men mer skulle komma ...

[Khadeeja Yasser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this collection, and contrary to popular opinion, I liked it better than the Adventures and Memoirs (although I do have some favourites from those books), even though it is somewhat noticeable that Doyle is getting weary of Holmes here. Nevertheless, I just had to give the collection five stars, because I enjoyed reading every single story, and there are some wonderful quotes and hilarious scenes, which of course, naturally, I don't exactly recall now. I also felt we got to see Holmes fail quite a bit in some of these stories, which I found refreshing and pleasant.

Some of my favourite stories from this collection are: The Norwood Builder, The Dancing Men, The Solitary Cyclist, and The Dying Detective. Only reason I'm mentioning the Dying Detective as a favourite is because it showed the bond of Holmes and Watson beautifully, specifically Watson's unwavering loyalty. The Dancing Men because the ending was so tragic and really not what I foresaw, and I should say that His Last Bow did almost reduce me to tears at the end, with this line:

"An east wind's coming, Watson."

"No, I don't think so. Looks like another warm day."

"Good old Watson. The one fixed point in the changing age."

Looking forward to reading the Casebook now!

[Sir Robbiethehoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of which the quality of the story varies.

The Adventures of Wisteria lodge was a bit dry and could have done better with a few paragraphs shaven off. Simply okay as a read.
The Tiger of San Pedro was a more entertaining conclusion to the Wisteria Lodge mystery.

The Adventure of the Red Circle like the opening story I felt was overlong and lacking in interest and excitement. Again simply okay.

The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans sees an improvement in the quality of stories. Perhaps the inclusion of Mycroft, Sherlock’s brother increases the level of interest - a fairly decent read.

The Adventure of the Dying Detective, cannot say it was anything special but it was an enjoyable read and had the classic feel of a Sherlock Holmes story.

The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax - one of the stronger stories - again felt like a classic Sherlock Holmes story but more engaging than earlier stories from the collection.

The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot - the strongest of the stories in my opinion - dark and sinister, a well paced and well crafted story.

His Last Bow - sadly I was not in the least grabbed by this story, felt it went round the houses and was difficult to follow and unfortunately just dull - I did like the closing paragraph however.

[Carrie Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent the entire year of 2020 with Sherlock Holmes, and it's hard to believe the saga is finished. He became like a friend to me, and I believe he has influenced me for the better. The last installment of the Sherlock Holmes series was one of the best, along with the Memoirs; Doyle's writing seemed to just get better and better over time and it was a pleasure to observe. The very last story in The Last Bow could have been a little more tributary - it did seem a little anti-climactic after having spent so much time with him. But, it's nice to know he retired in good health as a bee-keeper! 😄

[Audrey McMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes, and from the beginning of this book it was evident the growing resentment that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had for his main character. Besides the lack of Sherlocks presence in the novel, the book still hooked me and kept me engaged the entire time. I loved how Doyle wrapped up his stories and left the readers to interpret the ending to their own will.

Highly recommended to read the other Holmes stories before reading this one. As well as reading the epilogue has it is very powerful and helps you understand why the stories end.

[Córdelum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leer los libros de Sherlock Holmes me da mucha paz, me encantan y adoro a sus protagonistas. Esto es un recopilatorio de dos libros de este personaje, y los dos son un conjunto de relatos varios. Aunque sigo prefiriendo las novelas de este famoso detective, creo que Arthur Conan Doyle va mejorando en cada libro de relatos. El primero me pareció en ciertos sentidos repetitivo, pero esa sensación va desapareciendo con cada volumen. Si le doy la nota que tiene es porque algunos relatos me parecieron mejores que otro, pero en general son bastante buenos, podría subirle a 5 estrellas quizás, pero creo que es una buena nota.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

The continuing stories of Sherlock Holmes and Watson. It is always fun to read the continuing saga of two characters, although, by The Last Bow, I felt the plots and story lines had become quite weak and mediocre.

[Zahrah Alawami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different cases in each we got to know Sherlock more and his singular personality and method.

[Runningrara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sherlock at his finest.

[Nutchapon Prasertsoong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. Great ending phrase.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just an okay collection of short stories, maybe not the best but still enjoyable.

[Natalia Manzoni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Un muy buen libro, aunque no mi favorito

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

those stories will always hold my heart bc damn, read them all instead of doing schoolwork <3

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the mental mysteries however I had to cringe at some period language and stereotypes.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just when I thought I was out...they pull me back in.

Holmes couldn't stay away forever, so "Watson's publicist" brought him back in this series of stories.

[Khalid Al Khalili · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed some of the stories contained within this long list of stimulating titles and found myself at the edge of my seat, figuratively, during some of the moments herein. I have to say that the personality and method of deduction of Sherlock Holmes has most definitely grown on me, and the acquiescent and amenable nature of Dr Watson has attached me further to this humble and kind character, and the idea that this series will soon draw to an end finds me feeling heavy-hearted.

Though with all that's been said, I have realized why these books have not earned a higher ranking (in my books) than what I have prescribed them. While the use of language is certainly exquisite, I have found that the stories lack the philosophical aspect I normally crave for. They are entertaining but simply unprovoking in matters of the mind. Nevertheless, I will continue forward to complete the series with the last book, "The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes".

Here's to hoping that it is of a worthy end to the marvelous Sherlock Holmes and his loyal companion, Dr. John H. Watson.

[Kally Sheng · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Return of Sherlock Holmes, A Collection of Holmes Adventures: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/108
The Return of Sherlock Holmes (The Strand Magazine Vol. 26 October, 1903): http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/221

CONTENTS
THE ADVENTURE OF THE EMPTY HOUSE
THE ADVENTURE OF THE NORWOOD BUILDER
THE ADVENTURE OF THE DANCING MEN
THE ADVENTURE OF THE SOLITARY CYCLIST
THE ADVENTURE OF THE PRIORY SCHOOL
THE ADVENTURE OF BLACK PETER
THE ADVENTURE OF CHARLES AUGUSTUS MILVERTON
THE ADVENTURE OF THE SIX NAPOLEONS
THE ADVENTURE OF THE THREE STUDENTS
THE ADVENTURE OF THE GOLDEN PINCE-NEZ
THE ADVENTURE OF THE MISSING THREE-QUARTER
THE ADVENTURE OF THE ABBEY GRANGE
THE ADVENTURE OF THE SECOND STAIN
His Last Bow: An Epilogue of Sherlock Holmes: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2350
(Part of a collection of stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle published as a book entitled His Last Bow)
His Last Bow (Audio): http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/9554

[Brett Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's easy to marvel at Doyle's creation Sherlock Holmes, but having read yet another load of the stories (and still very much enamoured), I wonder whether it is in fact the Holmes-Watson relationship that is key. You could view Watson as pure literary device, to stand in the place of the everyman and help evoke awe at the almost-supernatural gifts of his friend. But to reduce their relationship to a literary device misses so much of its richness.

The afterword of this edition comments that while there are perhaps less of the striking pieces of detective deduction in the collection, the scope of human existence encountered here is wider. ... whatever the case, it still works. Looking forward to reading The Hound of the Baskervilles for my next Holmes-Watson fix.

[Sean Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last set of Sherlock Holmes stories (although not the last written) are a mixed bag, but the final story ("His Last Bow") is a masterpiece despite its slow and rocky start. Here we see Watson and Holmes, aged, sensing a metaphoric storm coming to England which would see the end of the Edwardian age (and therefore, what is really their own age) - the first World War. Watson is described by Holmes as "the one fixed point in a changing age", and it is fitting that we say goodbye to them here.

[DAVID Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

As both a fan of the Victorian Era and Sherlock Holmes, "His Last Bow" does not disappoint. Doyle again departs from his contemporaries fixation on rosy romantic idealism, to paint us a word picture, howbeit a picture of fiction, that represents the real culture, beauty, woes, and yes, in his own descriptive at times the "grotesque" images of human nature in main London at the time. I enjoyed these stories tremendously, enjoyed the genius of both the artist and the brain he adeptly illustrated in Sherlock Holmes.

[Altado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Estupenda reaparición del genial detective Sherlock Holmes. Como casi todos los libros escritos por Sir Arthur Conan Doyle en los que relata las aventuras y los misterios que rodean al detective, encuentro éste, entretenido, lleno de nuevas aventuras y misterios curiosos, raros y que son resueltos con más o menos dificultad por el sempiterno Sherlock Holmes.

[Arlenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leí este libro después de la tercera temporada de Sherlock, y fue todo un acierto. Ya que en estos relatos se basa la tercera temporada:, Sherlock vuelve a casa y se enfrenta un nuevo villano, además de otros casos muy buenos.

Sherlock, ojalá hubieras existido. Y Watson también, claro.
No hay Sherlock Holmes sin John Watson.

[Moose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good collection of Sherlock Holmes stories; however, they are not the best. This was where Doyle returned to the books to make money, so he wasn't necessarily inspired to write. Still extremely enjoyable, though.

[Sarah Sammis]

Purchased at B&N a few months ago.

[Larissa]

cool

[Oxana Tomova · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's taken me 8 years, and I'm only at about 60-70%. It's fair to say that this won't ever happen.

[Felicity Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent collection of short stories. I love the writing style and story-lines, with many keeping you in suspense until the final page.

[Lorenzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best.