Buddy Read - Sherlock Holmes

[Kirti]

Hi. My sincerest apologies for not being active here. I think you guys might have finished the series. Congratulations! What are you guys reading lately? I'm going to start reading again slowly. Hope I can continue. Happy Holidays!

[Savita]

Hi , Kirti ! Nice to have you back !
Sehrish and I finished The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. Subsequently I missed msg 200 by Sehrish.
Happy reading!

[Kirti]

Which is the next one then? And when do we start?

[Savita]

Hi Kirti, Sehrish! Hi All !
We haven't read The Valley of Fear as yet. Would you all like to read it ? I can start immediately.

[Savita]

Would anyone like to read The Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle ?

[Kirti]

Sure let's

[Sehrish |]

hey people! long time! It's so good to hear from your guys. I hope you and your families are safe.. and I hope you all got lots of reading done too!

When re you guys planning to start?

[Kirti]

whenever everyone is ready. I might be a little slow now because I couldn't get any reading done in last few months so I'm a bit rusted.

[Savita]

@ Kirti and Sehrish: So nice to hear from you two again ! Hope everyone is keeping safe from Corona .
I can start from tomorrow. When are you two going to start ?
The ebook is free on Amazon .
Kirti, don't worry about your speed . You won't be slower than me ! 😁

[Kirti]

okay I'll start with you savita

[Kirti]

also the book ain't free on Amazon

[Savita]

Kirti wrote: "also the book ain't free on Amazon"

Yes , Kirti , I bought it for free . Look for The Valley of Fear , ( Penguin Sherlock Holmes Collection) , kindle edition .

[Jitesh]

I'll also this book on Sunday

[Savita]

Jitesh wrote: "I'll also this book on Sunday"

Hi , Jitesh ! Most welcome to this Buddy Read! Looking forward to having you join us on Sunday.

[Kirti]

Found it Savita thank you
Welcome Jitesh

[Savita]

Kirti wrote: "Found it Savita thank you
Welcome Jitesh"

Welcome, Kirti.
Starting today.

[Sehrish |]

awesome, I will start it tomorrow may be.

[Savita]

Sehrish wrote: "awesome, I will start it tomorrow may be."

Great ! 😊

[Savita]

Ch 1 : (view spoiler)[ This book must precede The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes .
I liked the way the coded message was deciphered by SH . (hide spoiler)]

[Savita]

Ch 2 (view spoiler)[ SH's reaction to the announcement of the murder of Mr Douglas: ' There was no trace then of the horror which I had myself felt at this declaration; but his face showed rather the quiet and interested composure of the chemist who sees the crystals falling into position from his oversaturated solution. '
Nice way to describe the typical and expected reaction from SH ! 😊 (hide spoiler)]

[Savita]

Hi everyone! Where have you all reached?
I've finished Ch 2 , and I'm enjoying the story so far . I had a laugh at Inspector MacDonald 's innocent comment on Prof Moriarty: (view spoiler)[ " When he put his hand on my shoulder as we were parting , it was like a father's blessing before you go out into the cold cruel world . " !!
" Come into my parlour , " said the spider to the fly ! 🙄 (hide spoiler)]

[Kirti]

Finished Chapter 2. This battle looks very exciting between Sherlock and Professor Moriarty. I might have missed his previous appearance in the series but I hope I don't miss any info for this one.

[Sehrish |]

Hi guys.. I was able to finish only one chapter.. It was so fun, the first chapter itself was a lot of mystery and puzzles.. I could actually sense Holmes' excitement and poor Watson being so clueless..

Prof. Moriarty is an arch enemy to Sherlock.. I enjoy their conversations a lot.. Hoping this will be an excellent read..

[Savita]

Kirti wrote: "Finished Chapter 2. This battle looks very exciting between Sherlock and Professor Moriarty. I might have missed his previous appearance in the series but I hope I don't miss any info for this one."

No . Actually, I think this book precedes The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. After reading The Final Problem ( The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes ) I've come to this conclusion . You should read The Final Problem sometime , Kirti .

[Savita]

Sehrish wrote: "Hi guys.. I was able to finish only one chapter.. It was so fun, the first chapter itself was a lot of mystery and puzzles.. I could actually sense Holmes' excitement and poor Watson being so cluel..."

Hi , Sehrish! Yes, the deciphering of the coded message was good fun!
Regarding The Final Problem, do you remember : (view spoiler)[ After it was published, the author was besieged by public letters demanding that he should bring back SH ! A C Doyle did bring SH back in a subsequent story , but I don’t think that was The Valley of Fear. (hide spoiler)]

[Sehrish |]

Savita wrote: "Sehrish wrote: "Hi guys.. I was able to finish only one chapter.. It was so fun, the first chapter itself was a lot of mystery and puzzles.. I could actually sense Holmes' excitement and poor Watso..."

Hey Savita... I don't think I read the Final Problem.. Is it a short story? If its helpful during The Valley of Fear, I can quickly read it...

I finished chapter 2.. The conversation between SH and inspector Mac was so fun.. And how after every conclusion, Mac is so impressed by SH.. Aahh! SH never seizes to impress! 😉

[Sehrish |]

Savita wrote: "Ch 2 SH's reaction to the announcement of the murder of Mr Douglas: ' There was no trace then of the horror which I had myself felt at this declaration; but his face showed rather the quiet and in..."

Hahaha! Absolutely, imagine the world would be falling apart and SH would rather sit in his arm chair, with his night robe, smoking a pipe and tell eveyone that he had already suspected this would happen.. 😂

[Savita]

Sehrish wrote: "Savita wrote: "Sehrish wrote: "Hi guys.. I was able to finish only one chapter.. It was so fun, the first chapter itself was a lot of mystery and puzzles.. I could actually sense Holmes' excitement..."

Sehrish , The Final Problem was the last short story in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. I don't know whether you happened to miss it . It’s really worth reading . But it has no relevance to The Valley of Fear.

[Savita]

Sehrish wrote: "Savita wrote: "Ch 2 SH's reaction to the announcement of the murder of Mr Douglas: ' There was no trace then of the horror which I had myself felt at this declaration; but his face showed rather th..."

😂 ! Haha ! I can just imagine SH sitting in his armchair, quietly smoking a pipe , while ...... 😂
Enjoying this story! 😊

[Kirti]

I like the imagination. Maybe Sherlock himself might have planted a scheme to destroy the world in the influence of drugs, superior intellect, skill, lack of sympathy/emotions and heartbreak. The buildings turning into rubbles. Sherlock in his chair smoking his pipe as Savita described. Only building standing is 221B. Dr Watson would be the one narrating to a non existent race.

[Savita]

Kirti wrote: "I like the imagination. Maybe Sherlock himself might have planted a scheme to destroy the world in the influence of drugs, superior intellect, skill, lack of sympathy/emotions and heartbreak. The b..."

Hahaha ! 🤣 ! I can just imagine poor Dr Watson solemnly and dutifully narrating to a non-existent race!! 😂

[Savita]

Finished Ch 4 : (view spoiler)[ I can't figure out why the culprit ( whether from inside the house , or from outside ) didn't use a silencer. Also , what significance did SH see in the abandoned bicycle? That it confirms the role of an outsider? Were they sure it belonged to the culprit?
Suicide had been ruled out. (hide spoiler)]

[Sehrish |]

I finished chapter 4 too.. I don't like this guys Barker guy.. He is behaving all nonchalant.. The incident itself is so extraordinary and I like how inspector Mac is thinking out of the box and giving more attention to the case

[Savita]

Sehrish wrote: "I finished chapter 4 too.. I don't like this guys Barker guy.. He is behaving all nonchalant.. The incident itself is so extraordinary and I like how inspector Mac is thinking out of the box and gi..."

Yes, you are right. There is something fishy about Cecil Barker . I don’t like him too . One thing I don't understand (view spoiler)[ is that if John Douglas was jealous of C.Barker , why did he continue to entertain him?
Also , the American background is very suspicious . Looks like the problem originated there . Not to forget that Professor Moriarty is also involved in this case . John Douglas must have got involved with the dirty underworld . (hide spoiler)]
Let's see what is revealed in Ch 5 🤔

[Savita]

Ch5 : Oh yes! Another thing has to be accounted for : (view spoiler)[ the disappearance of the wedding ring ! Why should a criminal from the underworld bother to take off the wedding ring ? This makes it a more personal matter. It's all rather confusing at present. 🤔 (hide spoiler)]

[Kirti]

done with chapter 4
(view spoiler)[
Barker's attitude is questionable. But as a character, I find White Mason irritating. He's too quick to form theories and judge.
Also, they said there was a footmark. I wonder if the mark wasn't anywhere else in the house. Mark should be left if someone enters not leaves right? especially through water.
And lastly, rather than the choice of weapon it's more curious to think that the culprit left the weapon there itself. Along with a card.
Doesn't make sense to me. it cannot be as easy as that stupid Mason is thinking. I now understand how common sense can be misleading at times. Though he's very logical and common sense is very shy these days.
(hide spoiler)]
Can you guys make sense of it?

[Savita]

@ Kirti. I don't mind White Mason. At least he's exercising his own brain and trying to find a solution to the problem, instead of leaving it all to SH to figure out. Are you confusing Sergeant Wilson with White Mason ?
(view spoiler)[ Footmarks behind the curtain and on the window sill would be very significant , especially the blood stained mark . Marks elsewhere would have to be differentiated from those belonging to the usual inmates of the house , including the servants .
The weapon could have been left behind in the hurry to leave. Further chapters may reveal the reason . I don't understand why a silencer was not used.
About the card: it is mentioned that it could have been purposely left behind to announce the work of a particular gang . The members of this gang would recognize the sign when a newspaper report was published. (hide spoiler)]
Hope this was helpful, Kirti ?

[Sehrish |]

Hey people.. I finished Part 1 of The Valley of Fear.. This case was good but I am not clear on somethings and I hope we slcan discuss more once you all are done with it.. I think there might some more clarification in Part 2.. Let's see

[Savita]

Sehrish wrote: "Hey people.. I finished Part 1 of The Valley of Fear.. This case was good but I am not clear on somethings and I hope we slcan discuss more once you all are done with it.. I think there might some ..."

I've finished Chapter 6 . (view spoiler)[ I can't make out if it is the job of an outsider, or done by someone from inside the house . Chapter 7 will give the solution.
SH has already come to a conclusion, but there is no hint of what is on his mind . (hide spoiler)]
We'll discuss when Kirti and I have caught up.

[Kirti]

I have finished part 1 as well. we can discuss it once everyone is on the same page. Savita a lot has been clear now that I've read more. thank you for you efforts to explain. we shall understand more in part 2 as Sehrish mentioned. I don't want to spoil it for you but I hope to make you more curious by saying you'd never have imagined what has happened. it's different. something we'd like to see in a mystery novel. to get things not expected or presumed.

[Sehrish |]

I didn't like a small part in the book where SH knew everything but he kept dragging the conversation.. Mac and Mason were getting irritated and I actually felt the same..

[Savita]

Kirti wrote: "I have finished part 1 as well. we can discuss it once everyone is on the same page. Savita a lot has been clear now that I've read more. thank you for you efforts to explain. we shall understand m..."

Wow ! Looking forward to reading Chapter 7 , the solution !
In Chapter 6 SH has already solved the case. He says, (view spoiler)[ " I say, Watson , would you be afraid to sleep in the same room with a lunatic, a man with softening of the brain , an idiot whose mind has lost its grip ? " (hide spoiler)]

[Kirti]

I agree Sehrish. but as he says it's the high of their profession. the drama.. but even I thought it to be stretching quite a bit

[Savita]

Sehrish wrote: "I didn't like a small part in the book where SH knew everything but he kept dragging the conversation.. Mac and Mason were getting irritated and I actually felt the same.."
@ Sehrish . I don't think SH unravels the whole mystery until the end of Chapter 6 . That's when he calls himself (view spoiler)[ a lunatic and an idiot. (hide spoiler)]

[Savita]

I finished Chapter 7 . I was totally Astonished! Never could I have imagined this sequence of events! I could never have guessed !

[Savita]

Chapter 7 : (view spoiler)[ SH warns John Douglas of some danger other than from the English law and from his pursuers . I wonder who he meant? (hide spoiler)]

[Savita]

@ Sehrish and Kirti . Would you all like to discuss some points here, or should we proceed to Part 2 ?

[Sehrish |]

Part1 was good but lot of background is unveiling in Part 2

It surely was an interesting case.. I actually was thinking that Barker would've been the guilty person..

I finished 3 chapters from Part 2.. (view spoiler)[It's a lot of background and character building.. It's good so far.. I think once you get to this point you can easily tell what the motive was behind Ted actually coming to kill Douglas.. If Ted planned to killed Douglas because he stole his girl then it's not very exciting.. I am hoping to see some more gang rivalry or something.. That would be more interesting to read.. Let's see.. (hide spoiler)]

[Sehrish |]

I finished the book....

OMG OMG.. This is what I was talking about... There has to be some bigger reason.. There has to be!! My heart is racing too hard, the twist is too damn good.. I somehow refused to believe that all this has been just for the sake of love story... Can't wait for you guys to finish it! I am dying.. 😆😆😆

[Savita]

Sehrish wrote: "I finished the book....

OMG OMG.. This is what I was talking about... There has to be some bigger reason.. There has to be!! My heart is racing too hard, the twist is too damn good.. I somehow re..."

Wow ! Looking forward to a great read !