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The Sign of Four (Sherlock Holmes, #2)

Arthur Conan Doyle

Start date: November 1, 2023

Finish date: November 30, 2023

Why we're reading this: November 2023 Old School Classics Read
[close] November 2023 Old School Classics Read

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Nov 18, 2023 Franky rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: crime, classics, mystery, kindle, 2023-reading-challenge

“How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?” – Sherlock Holmes

It was good getting back to a vintage Sherlock Holmes read. The Sign of the Four is the second installment in the longer novel series with the dynamic duo of Watson and Holmes. After being slightly disappointed with A Study in Scarlet a few years ago, this one definitely redeemed the series. (And the short story collections with Holmes are top not “How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?” – Sherlock Holmes

It was good getting back to a vintage Sherlock Holmes read. The Sign of the Four is the second installment in the longer novel series with the dynamic duo of Watson and Holmes. After being slightly disappointed with A Study in Scarlet a few years ago, this one definitely redeemed the series. (And the short story collections with Holmes are top notch, in my opinion).

The Sign of the Four concerns itself with a mysterious and long sought for treasure and the pursuit of murderers. The novel begins with a troubled Miss Mary Morstan paying a visit to Holmes and Watson and relating her story about looking for her father and getting a mysterious letter asking her to meet at a theatre that night. A curious sign appears to be inscribed on the letter, which Holmes identifies as ‘the sign of the four.’ Holmes and Watson accompany Miss Morstan to the theatre to find out what mystery is afoot and to gain more information, and this is where the intrigue of the novel begins.

When a key individual with knowledge of the whereabouts to the treasure is murdered, and in the oddest of manners, it is up to Holmes to try to unlock the mystery. To make things even more difficult, it seems that there is a “locked room mystery” aspect to this crime. How did the suspect find means of entering and exiting? And to make matters even worse, Holmes must prove the innocence of a man charged with the crime.

I liked how Sir Arthur Conan Doyle structures the plot, and Holmes is in his top deductive form in having to put himself in the shoes of the criminals, get into their heads a little so to speak, in order to figure out their next move. The second half was quite fun, with Waston, Holmes and a member of Scotland Yard heading downstream along the Thames River in hot pursuit of the ruffians.

As usual, Watson is a great sidekick to Holmes, and his narration gives the novel that extra added touch of intrigue. It was also interesting how Watson has a love interest in this one.

Overall, The Sign of the Four is a solid Sherlock Holmes novel. I look forward to reading some others in the series that I haven’t been able to get to yet.

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Jan 22, 2013 Melanti rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: e-book, classics, mystery, audiobook, short-story-novella, 2013

I'm not a huge Sherlock Holmes fan, but I think I'm growing to appreciate him more after a few episodes of the current TV show. It's funny how that works sometimes. ...more

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