English Mysteries Club discussion
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Continuing Buddy Read of the Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, with Adrian
I nearly forgot about out Holmes read, so will grab The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes out of my bookshelf! :)
And so here we are now almost at the end of September, gosh this year seems to be flying past for various reasons.Anyway for all those still hanging on Sir Arthur's every word, for October and November we shall be reading The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes , but NOT the last story, The Adventure of the Final Problem. (Otherwise it ruins the reading order !! )
So as per Michaela, dig out that old paperback copy, order it from the library or switch on your Kindle and we shall return to Baker Street in a few day to marvel at Sherlock's intellect and accompany him and Dr Watson around Victorian London.
Allie wrote: "I’ll be there, Adrian!"Excellent, and I'm sure you won't be the only one Allie, Sir Arthur's Sherlock is just too good to miss.
I am in too! Ready to read sherlock's new adventures!
And now on the eve of October, I shall list the stories from Memoirs that we shall be reading for the next two months. And this is where it gets interesting, some editions will have 12 and some will have only 11.The definitive list is
SilverBlaze
The Cardboard Box (this may be the missing story in some editions)
The Yellow Face
The Stockbroker's Clerk
The "Gloria Scott"
The Musgrave Ritual
The Reigate Squire
The Crooked Man
The Resident Patient
The Greek Interpreter
The Naval Treaty
And the one we shall be leaving to read later is of course The Final Problem
Please feel free to comment on any story as you read, but as ever please spoiler any reveals. I hope to start in the next couple of days and will be reporting my thoughts and progress, enjoy
carolina wrote: "I am in too! Ready to read sherlock's new adventures!"Excellent carolina, I hope you continue to enjoy
Mod
As I remember, the radio version of all the Sherlock Holmes stories with Clive Merrison did include The Adventure of the Cardboard Box. Is that right, do you know?
Bionic Jean wrote: "Thank Ade. There are some great stories here :)As I remember, the radio version of all the Sherlock Holmes stories with Clive Merrison did include [book:The Adventure of the Cardb..."
There are some great stories here Jean
And yes you are entirely correct. The Cardboard Box was recorded by Clive Merrison in 1994 as part of his set of recordings as Holmes. His was amazingly the 5th RADIO version in the UK alone. With number 6 occurring in 2010. The most famous radio version was probably Basil Rathbone in August 1940
Bionic Jean wrote: "Wow! Well you can't beat Clive Merrison on radio for me :)"I have to say that I have a fondness (if thats the right word) for the old Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce versions, yes crackly and Nigel Bruce is at times an annoying Watson, but its what I was raised on I suppose.
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Bionic Jean wrote: "This read is now featured on our home page :)"Woo hoo, made it into the big time. I need to write an acceptance speech and get my tuxedo out of the wardrobe 😊
Mod
This book seems so central to what the group's about, and lasts for 2 months - and the page was looking a little bare ;)
Bionic Jean wrote: "LOL Ade - Make sure you rummage at the back for your deerstalker and pipe too!This book seems so central to what the group's about, and lasts for 2 months - and the page was looking a little bare ;)"
And I shall whip out my violin and bow.
Thanks Jean, I have to agree with you, certain authors and books just epitomise English Mysteries.
I know it was mentioned that the Cardboard Box may not be in every edition of Memoirs. In my set of books it is in His Last Bow. Maybe most of you were already aware of this.
Ellen wrote: "I know it was mentioned that the Cardboard Box may not be in every edition of Memoirs. In my set of books it is in His Last Bow. Maybe most of you were already aware of this."To be honest Ellen, I wasn't aware that for some countries/editions the story was in His Last Bow. I have probably 5 or 6 different anthology/compendium versions of the short stories (as well as numerous novel versions) and there are a number of differences in what stories are in what published group of stories.
If i'm honest until I started running this group read of all of ACD's Sherlock stories, I never realised that even my books had different stories in different editions.
The upshot is, that if you want to leave "Cardboard Box" until you read His Last Bow (if you are going all the way with us,), then that is fine.
This is a relaxed read and one story each way is not a problem.
Adrian wrote: "Ellen wrote: "I know it was mentioned that the Cardboard Box may not be in every edition of Memoirs. In my set of books it is in His Last Bow. Maybe most of you were already aware of this."To be ..."
I expect I will read on the same schedule as the group. The 3 versions I have are The Annotated Sherlock Holmes: The Four Novels and the Fifty-Six Short Stories Complete The Complete Sherlock Holmes ) which is read by Simon Vance and a Book of the Month Club version which is the one I pick up when I want to reread. I used to have a paperback set but it eventually had to be tossed. Thank you for hosting this buddy read. Since I was just now joining in I went back and read previous comments and I am looking forward to participating in the discussion.
Ellen wrote: "Adrian wrote: "I expect I will read on the same schedule as the group. Thank you for hosting this buddy read. Since I was just now joining in I went back and read previous comments and I am looking forward to participating in the discussion. f..."
Well Ellen it is fabulous to have you joining us. As you may have gathered this is a relaxed read, we are only reading an anthology or a novel every 2 months so that we finish next Christmas on Dartmoor.
So I commenced reading a couple of nights ago, and have so far read the following :-Silver Blaze - a wonderful visit to the west Country for H and W, looking for a missing horse and a murderer.
The Cardboard Box - a gruesome parcel delivered in the post to a lady in Croydon is initially seen as a joke in bad taste.
Two excellent short stories that demonstrate Holmes talents and also a nod to some, at the time, modern ideas on genetics.
Oh shoot. This reminds me I need to get back to it.
Read Silver Blaze again one of my favorites with one of Sherlock's famous quotes.“Is there any point to which you would wish to draw my attention?'
'To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time.'
'The dog did nothing in the night-time.'
'That was the curious incident,' remarked Sherlock Holmes.”
Ellen wrote: "Read Silver Blaze again one of my favorites with one of Sherlock's famous quotes.“Is there any point to which you would wish to draw my attention?'
'To the curious incident of the dog in the night..."
This is one of my favourites parts too. (The truth is there, in the obvious!)
And the countryside description. " 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" ...great!
Oh its wonderful to hear people quoting Sir ACD at me. ❤️I have to agree with Ellen that it is an amazingly descriptive and revealing quote, known by people who have never even read a Sherlock Holmes book.
And I have to say that I do think, like carolina, that Sir ACD has a wonderful turn of phrase when it came to nature, maybe as a result of his love for the great outdoors.
I look forward to our read of The Hound of the Baskervilles next year because the descriptions of Dartmoor and other local areas, are just so evocative of the region.
Adrian wrote: "Oh its wonderful to hear people quoting Sir ACD at me. ❤️I am glad you enjoy it too. !! 😊
Reread the Adventure of the Cardboard Box today. It has never been one of my favorites. I find it very depressing. I enjoyed the opening where Sherlock breaks in on Watson's thoughts.
Ellen wrote: "Reread the Adventure of the Cardboard Box today. It has never been one of my favorites. I find it very depressing. I enjoyed the opening where Sherlock breaks in on Watson's thoughts."I have never really thought of it as depressing, but I suppose the underlying story is a little depressing and a testament to the bad side of human nature.
And it is a good bit, where he follows Watson's mental travels and agrees with him out loud , much to Watson's astonishment.
That said, it does again showcase the talents of Sherlock in his investigations.
Well I have now finished all the short stories with the exception of The Adventure of the Final Problem which as you remember we are reading later That said this is a wonderful bunch of short stories from a variety of times in the partnership of Holmes and Watson. In addition there are also two stories from before their meeting, that Holmes finally discusses with Watson to get out of tidying up the flat. Add to the mix our first encounter with Holmes family and then finishing this read (over the next 5/6 weeks) with the fabulous Naval Treaty in which Homes demonstrates his superior intellect to save the career of a promising foreign office government employee.
Please feel free to post your own comments as you work your way through the stories, but bear in mind others may not be as far aheads as you, so please use the "spoiler" function if your giving anything away
Mod
Some of these are just so fiendishly clever :)
Bionic Jean wrote: "I like "Silver Blaze" too - and that quotation.Some of these are just so fiendishly clever :)"
Ah Silver Blaze is just an excellent story, so evocative of Sherlock's talent and the descriptive talents of Sir Arthur.
And as you say the quotation is so well known that most people don't know it comes from Sherlock Holmes.
Read the Adventure of the Yellow Face where we find out Holmes isn't always right. Genetically a bit unrealistic. The Stock-Broker's Clerk where we learn once again to be suspicious when things are to good to be true. I hope Mr. Hall Pycroft was able to find another job.
Ellen wrote: "Read the Adventure of the Yellow Face where we find out Holmes isn't always right. Genetically a bit unrealistic. The Stock-Broker's Clerk where we learn once again to be suspicious when things are..."It is interesting to note that Holmes acknowledges his error.
And I do love your comment about the Stockbrokers Clerk, as I think it is an echo of The Red Headed League, where what seems to good to be true is in fact too good to be true.
"Finished" it today - except the last story -, and thought it wasn´t as good as the Adventures, with a few exceptions. Liked Silver Blaze too, and was also reminded of The Red Headed League when I read The Stockbroker´s Clerk. I like the personal aspects in some of the stories though.
Michaela wrote: ""Finished" it today - except the last story -, and thought it wasn´t as good as the Adventures, with a few exceptions. Liked Silver Blaze too, and was also reminded of The Red Headed League when I ..."Isn't it strange, I actually prefer it to Adventures, but its just as well that we all have differing tastes otherwise it would be boring.
I agree entirely that Silver Blaze is one of the best of the collection, and I also enjoyed The Greek Interpreter and the Naval Treaty.
Read the next two stories The Gloria Scott and The Musgrave Ritual. Interesting that the only pre-Watson stories we have in the canon are right next to each other. Sherlock doesn't really solve anything in Gloria Scott but was important in that it encouraged him to become a detective. Again I like the intro to Musgrave Ritual where we hear about Sherlock's slovenly habits and he shoots a V.R. in the wall.
Ellen wrote: "Read the next two stories The Gloria Scott and The Musgrave Ritual. Interesting that the only pre-Watson stories we have in the canon are right next to each other. Sherlock doesn't really solve any..."I do like The Musgrave Ritual, especially as you say when it shows how untidy and lazy Holmes is without a case. And it is a good case, demonstrating his focus on the detail. One of my favourites I think.
Thanks Adrian for setting up this this Sherlock Holmes study. I am looking forward to a buddy read of The Sign of Four, likely near the end of December. I do not think I have read or seen a production of this short novel, so looking particularly forward to reading. See you then.
Cynda wrote: "Thanks Adrian for setting up this this Sherlock Holmes study. I am looking forward to a buddy read of The Sign of Four, likely near the end of December. I do not think I have read or ..."Hi Cynda, believe me it was no problem at all, Jean asked me if I was interested and I jumped at the chance. I have been a Sherlock fan for way too many years to think about , so to me this is a privilege .
And like you I am looking forward to The Sign of Four in December. You're right , it is a relatively short novel, but packed full of adventure, intrigue and true detection.
I am very late to the discussion - Adrian told me kindly about it earlier this week - but I have a volume containing half the Holmes stories and I can jump right in, if you'll have me!
Welcome Lauren, you can still comment on anything we read till now! :)
As Michaela says, welcome Lauren, good to have you join us, and yes, feel free to comment on any we have read so far.Our reading schedule is in message 100 I think it is.
And Rita, welcome officially or otherwise, please feel free to comment on any books we are reading even if you are not reading along with us.
(With regards Agatha Christie vs Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, its a close one to call, Agatha I think does better novels, and ACD is the King of short stories)
It is a relaxed read, so feel free either of you, to join in whenever you wish.
I'd be fascinated to know who else, like me, tried to figure out the riddle of The Muscgrave Ritual, and who just plowed straight through to the story's end? Usually I devour a Holmes story but I found myself trying to puzzle the riddle out for an embarrassingly long time!
Lauren wrote: "I'd be fascinated to know who else, like me, tried to figure out the riddle of The Muscgrave Ritual, and who just plowed straight through to the story's end? Usually I devour a Holmes story but I f..."I must admit I really liked the puzzle of The Musgrave Ritual and like you Lauren I wanted to really work it out. And it is a great short story
Yes! As usual, though, the ending was a surprise to me!
Lauren wrote: "Yes! As usual, though, the ending was a surprise to me!"I think that's why he is regarded as the King of the detective short story.
On to The Reigate Puzzle and The Crooked Man. In the first story Holmes gets his men my letting them underestimate him(even Watson). He sure fooled them. I confess that Crooked Man is one of my favorite stories I believe because of the strong romantic element in the story. And the last line goes back to a time when everyone knew their Bible stories. I wonder how many look it up.
Ellen wrote: "On to The Reigate Puzzle and The Crooked Man. In the first story Holmes gets his men my letting them underestimate him(even Watson). He sure fooled them. I confess that Crooked Man is one of my fav..."I must admit I really enjoyed both these stories, especially as I know Reigate !!
I finished the reading of Memoires and I agree whit Adrian, Sir ACD is the king of short stories! I must admit that I realized that I have read it before, but I didn´t remember. So I enjoyed the reading.
My favorite stories are Silver Blaze and The naval treaty.
I loved the characters so singular and human, how he describes natural landscapes and the city atmosphere, and the trust and friendship relation between SH and Watson. It is also very interesting how he depicts so vividly a world that doesn´t exist anymore.
English Mysteries Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Hound of the Baskervilles (other topics)The Hound of the Baskervilles (other topics)
The Annotated Sherlock Holmes (other topics)
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (other topics)
ABOUT SIXTY: Why Every Sherlock Holmes Story is the Best (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Graham Greene (other topics)Clive Merrison (other topics)
Clive Merrison (other topics)
Clive Merrison (other topics)
Clive Merrison (other topics)
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(Please refer back to the previous post, for the full schedule, everyone. Thanks.)