Buddy Read - Sherlock Holmes

[Savita]

I finished Chapter 1 . Great description of the Iron and coal valleys. What an atmosphere A C Doyle builds up ! (view spoiler)[ The iron and coal valleys of the Vermissa district were no resorts for the leisured or the cultured . Everywhere there were stern signs of the crudest battle of life , the rude work to be done, and the rude , strong workers who did it .
( Viewed from the train ) Night had now fallen, and the flames of the frequent furnaces were roaring and leaping in the darkness . Against their lurid background dark figures were bending and straining, twisting and turning, with the motion of winch or of windlass, to the rhythm of an eternal clank and roar .
" I guess hell must look something like that . " (hide spoiler)]

[Savita]

Chapter 1 : (view spoiler)[ Is it Jack or John McMurdo ? Both names are used . I think he must have later changed his name to John / Jack Douglas .
John Douglas ' wife calls him " Jack " when he suddenly materializes in the study , in Chapter 7 , part 1 . (hide spoiler)]

[Savita]

Chapter 1 : (view spoiler)[ Jack McMurdo himself is a fugitive from justice . And now here he seems to be getting involved with a very dangerous gang , headed by Jack McGinty . I wonder where Prof Moriarty fits into this picture ? (hide spoiler)]

[Savita]

I've finished Chapter 2 / part 2 . I'm enjoying the story and the author 's powerful and vivid language . (view spoiler)[ Describing Jack McGinty: " It was only when when those dead , dark eyes , deep and remorseless , were touched upon a man that he shrank within himself , feeling that he was face to face with an infinite possibility of latent evil , with a strength and courage and cunning behind it which made it a thousand times more deadly . " (hide spoiler)] . The description causes a shiver down the spine ! I would run a mile from such a person ! 🤔

[Sehrish |]

Hey Savita.. Glad to know you are enjoying the read so far.. I am sure you will be as surprised as I was in the later chapters..

[Savita]

The author writes so well , Sehrish , that you keep wanting to turn the page to see what happens next . I thought part 2 wouldn't be so exciting because SH is not there . I was completely mistaken . You've got me very curious about what is going to happen in the later chapters . 🤔

[Savita]

I 've finished Chapter 3 . (view spoiler)[ I have never before read a book describing the underworld in such close details . What ruthless , odious souls can lie behind ordinary , everyday human faces ! How united they stand to protect each other from the law of the land . How cushioned they are by their evil wealth ! They have no fear of God at all ! Fools- puny human beings defying the Almighty !
But punishment does come slowly but surely . Some chronic afflictions are so severe , they can drive a human being to prayers for a swift , merciful death , rather than have a miserable , wretched life which drags on endlessly . Surely , then , after witnessing such suffering , the soul becomes enlightened enough to understand that it is foolhardy to fearlessly pursue an evil pathway . Heaven 's kindness and forgiveness should not be taken for granted. True , we appear to be given a long trial period for repentance . But this does not stretch to eternity . Who knows whether Divine punishment will come in this life itself , or wait till the next one.
It was horrible to read how they beat up the old editor . Fearlessly and ruthlessly! (hide spoiler)]

[Kirti]

omg! you guys are galloping. I was held up in my Christmas mood. I'll catch up ASAP!

[Sehrish |]

I agree Savita.. When I started Part2 I felt like all these descriptions are too good but why are we going so much in detail if it's a simple jealous-lover case.. But I couldn't have been more wrong.. You will know why Sir Doyle has given such intricate details..

The underworld is surely the worst place.. The kind of crimes these people commit and how far they go to support someone from the law no matter how awful the deed is.. Although its a bad bad world, the extent they go to protect their kind is commendable

[Sehrish |]

Haha! @Kirti.. Glad you enjoying your holidays

[Savita]

@ Sehrish and Kirti .. New Year is almost here ! Enjoy yourselves !
🔔 🎉🎊🎉🔔

[Savita]

Finished Chapter 4 - don't worry Kirti , you can take your time !
(view spoiler)[ I read Brother Morris ' account with full sympathy . So that 's how innocent , God fearing citizens get drawn into the evil net , and are trapped ! What a satanic organization ! How strangled the ensnared soul must feel ! Oh , how I hope Brother Morris is able to find a way out of this evil group ! The poor man has a wife and children to take care of ! (hide spoiler)]

[Kirti]

Done with ch-2.
The description as you guys mentioned is good.
(view spoiler)[
I don't like the idea that McMurdo is joining McGinty. I think at this point it seems predictable enough that McMurdo is our Douglas man and he'd run from McGinty. I hope to be wrong. I think Moriarty is handling such groups.
Also it looks a bit cliche - a hero in an underworld situation falling in love with the forbidden fruit. but I like it and I'd like for it to end happy but evidently it's not going to happen. unless the girl has changed her identity and is his wife.
(hide spoiler)]

Also, I'm not against descriptions but I think we'd expect more of Sherlock than the back stories yeah? I think in this entire novel until now we've seen hardly a couple of chapters of Sherlock. Otherwise it's setting the plot, briefing by officers and now the backstory.
As extraordinary the suspension or the story may be I'm disappointed in the absence in involvement of Sherlock Holmes in the story. Afterall it's a Sherlock Holmes series.

[Savita]

@ Kirti. (view spoiler)[ I, also , think Jack McMurdo is Jack Douglas . Ettiie could be his first wife who died . Remember he married twice ? Let's see if J.McMurdo marries Ettie . Incidentally , the second wife's name is not mentioned .
Prof Moriarty has not appeared as yet . Maybe he's the supreme head of this organization .
Sehrish has mentioned that there is a surprise in the later chapters which justifies the detailed descriptions . (hide spoiler)]

[Kirti]

finished Chapter 4
As I mentioned earlier I am still irritated reading some novel not about Sherlock Holmes or the case so far. I'm really getting impatient now. it's as if you go to a shopping market to get cheese and buy bread and butter and veggies and salt and pepper and milk and at the check out counter you remember cheese and go back and get a bigger pack. it might satisfy you eventually but you spend so much extra time and money!

[Sehrish |]

I can understand how you both feel.. Not having SH as the main narrative and honestly I felt the same.. Many times.. I wanted to just put the book aside and listen to the story from you guys instead.
. But trust me, the end is worth it

[Savita]

@ Kirti . Sorry to know that you 're not enjoying part 2 . Actually , I'm liking it so much myself ! (view spoiler)[ I'm reading about the underworld with great interest and curiosity . It's all so chilling and disgusting . And educative too ! It's good to realize that very satanic souls can exist behind ordinary , everyday faces . Poor Ettie ! She's just 19 , and full of trust in a stranger-- J . McMurdo . J . McMurdo is not a nice man at all . He enjoys evil , unlike Brother Morris . (hide spoiler)]
This story will touch back to part1 in an interesting way , as Sehrish has pointed out , and I can fully believe. ACDoyle is such a good author ! 🙂

[Kirti]

Finished it.
(view spoiler)[
I found the suspence amusing but it was still not enough for me to make up for the long unwanted descriptions/back story. The justification of it's relation to Moriarty was also a bit unsatisfactory. I don't argue with the fact that ACD is a good writer. but I was disappointed in this one.
I don't get how Baldwin and the others could get away from custody!
For time being I presumed the suspence to be that McGinty was the rat like in the movie The Departed. Sure the next suspect would have been McMurdo himself. But it was still fresh and I accept it. Though I feel like a baby promised a Dairy milk Silk chocolate and given a packet of Gems. Not at all compensating.
(hide spoiler)]

[Sehrish |]

Hey Kirti.. Sorry that you didn't enjoy this ones much as you wanted to.. I had a hard time with the back story and characters too.. But the end wss good, at least I enjoyed it

[Savita]

Oh, I 'm lagging behind ! Not to worry! I'll catch up soon !

[Kirti]

I enjoyed the end as well Sehrish but if you look at a couple hundred pages and you enjoy only 50 or so, that doesn't make it up for it. just my point of view. if the connection with Moriarty was much deeper than it was then it might have been worth it.

Savita you're not too far. There isn't much left now. and we'll be happy to wait for you. take your time and enjoy it

[Savita]

Thanks , Kirti , ! I'm on Chapter 7 , and holding my breath ! The suspense is electrifying ! (view spoiler)[ Remorseless men who " were as hardened to human murder as a butcher to sheep . " (hide spoiler)] .

[Savita]

I've finished the book. You were right , Sehrish ! There's a stunning surprise in the end ! Also , we wouldn't have appreciated the climax , if the author had not built it up so well .
At the end of Chapter 7 I thought , (view spoiler)[ ' Oh , this is nemesis ! This is nemesis ! Evil has been defeated at last ! Good has triumphed over Evil ! It took time , but it did happen ! ' (hide spoiler)] But after reading the Epilogue (view spoiler)[ I was crestfallen. Could 'nt the backing corporations give Birdy Edwards better protection ? In the end Evil still won in a way . Of course there is a hint that in time to come SH will confront Prof Moriarty , and may possibly rid the the world of a powerful , evil genius .
Prof Moriarty plays a small but important role. You would think the Scowrers were the worst kind of evil. But no ! They had to take the help of Prof Moriarty 's evil genius ! (hide spoiler)]
I give subdued (view spoiler)[ ( because Birdy Edwards died ) (hide spoiler)] 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kirti , Sehrish , you could read The Final Problem ( Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes) sometime . It's about SH and Prof Moriarty .

[Savita]

Wishing our Moderators , both of you , and all our members a Very Happy New Year ! 🔔🎉🎊🎉🔔

[Kirti]

Yes I will read the final problem soon

[Kirti]

A very happy healthy and prosperous new year to both of you :)
I'm glad for the support to read or I wouldn't have. thank you

[Savita]

Kirti wrote: "A very happy healthy and prosperous new year to both of you :)
I'm glad for the support to read or I wouldn't have. thank you"

Thanks , Kirti !
I, too , enjoyed our group read very much ! It was good fun !

[Sehrish |]

Wow.. Nice Savita! Glad you liked it..

Happy New Year folks!

[Savita]

Sehrish wrote: "Wow.. Nice Savita! Glad you liked it..

Happy New Year folks!"

Thanks, Sehrish ! 🎉🎉

[Kirti]

Are there more titles in this series? which one's next?

[Savita]

I looked up Google . Other titles are : 1) The Return of SH 2) His Last Bow 3) The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes.
Would you all like to read The Return of Sherlock Holmes ?

[Sehrish |]

The Return of SH was before The Hound of Baskerville I guess.. But we can start now

[Kirti]

cool

[Savita]

Will be able to start soon. Will let you all know shortly. Meanwhile you both could start immediately 🙂 .

[Savita]

Will start tomorrow . What about you two ?

[Sehrish |]

Tomorrow sounds good to me too if Kirti is okay.. Or we can wait till eveyone is able to join

[Kirti]

tomorrow it is then

[Sehrish |]

Hi People! Have you started reading The Return of SH yet? I started and finished the chapter 1 yesterday.. Honestly I had to re-read the Final Problem to jog my memory 🤭

(view spoiler)[It was such a delight to see SH come back! Dr. Watson's expressions were hilarious too.. He was so shocked and confused.. I also liked all the background information SH shared with him about what happened after the fall.. The actual murder wasn't discussed much in detail.. So I am a bit confused there.. When you both are done with the 1st chapter, do let me know what you thought about it..

Professor Moriarty met his fate, but I would've liked to read more about him and his actions.. There should've been more stories about Moriarty since he is considered such and important part in SH's life.. Not sure if the other stories have his mention..

Also, towards the end of the whole background, SH says In some manner he had learned of my own sad bereavement, and his sympathy was shown in his manner rather than in his words.“Work is the best antidote to sorrow, my dear Watson,”what does this mean? Did I miss any particular information about Dr. Watson? 😔 (hide spoiler)]

[Savita]

Hi , Sehrish ! Yes , I've read The Empty House too , and it is a sequel of The Final Problem . (view spoiler)[ It was lovely to have SH back and to read how he escaped ! 😳
Ronald Adair's murder was done by Col Moran , the same man who tried to kill SH in Switzerland . Thank God he gets arrested in the end . I enjoyed that .
Regarding the bereavement , I think it refers to the death of Dr Watson 's first wife . Later he marries again , but the details are hazy . (hide spoiler)]
Waiting for Kirti 's comment .

[Sehrish |]

Savita wrote: "Hi , Sehrish ! Yes , I've read The Empty House too , and it is a sequel of The Final Problem . It was lovely to have SH back and to read how he escaped ! 😳
Ronald Adair's murder was done by Col M..."

Thanks Savita.. :)

[Savita]

Welcome , Sehrish ! 😊

[Pruthvi]

Hi Everyone, I started Sherlock Holmes. Completed "A Scandal in Bohemia:, "The Red Headed League" and "A Case of Identity".

As I am already familiar with "A Scandal in Bohemia due to the new TV Series, didn't intrigue much. But "The Red Headed League" was fantastic.

Moving onto "The Boscombe Valley Mystery".
- Pruthvi Raj K

[Sehrish |]

Savita wrote: "Hi , Sehrish ! Yes , I've read The Empty House too , and it is a sequel of The Final Problem . It was lovely to have SH back and to read how he escaped ! 😳
Ronald Adair's murder was done by Col M..."

I couldn't stop thinking about the statement In some manner he had learned of my own sad bereavement, and his sympathy was shown in his manner rather than in his words. “Work is the best antidote to sorrow, my dear Watson.” I went ahead and Googled it and found this, I feel so sad.. I am not sure if there is any story detailing this but I feel so sorry for Dr. Watson. He had a sweet love story! 😟

From Wikepedia: In The Sign of the Four, John Watson becomes engaged to Mary Morstan, a governess. In "The Adventure of the Empty House", a reference by Watson to "my own sad bereavement" implies that Morstan has died by the time Holmes returns after faking his death; that fact is confirmed when Watson moves back to Baker Street to share lodgings with Holmes. In "The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier" (set in January 1903), Holmes mentions that "Watson had at that time deserted me for a wife", but this wife was never named or described.

[Savita]

Thanks , Sehrish , for sharing this interesting article . Really very sad about Mary ! Wish it could have been otherwise 🤔

[Savita]

Pruthvi wrote: "Hi Everyone, I started Sherlock Holmes. Completed "A Scandal in Bohemia:, "The Red Headed League" and "A Case of Identity".

As I am already familiar with "A Scandal in Bohemia due to the new TV S..."

Hi , Pruthvi ! Welcome to this Buddy Read ! We are reading The Return of Sherlock Holmes. Would you like to join us ?

[Sehrish |]

I have finished chapters 3 and 4...

The Adventure of the Dancing Men: (view spoiler)[This case had a very interesting story.. It blew my mind completely when SH actually deciphered the code.. Never in my life I can ever imagine anything like it.. It went above my head to be honest.. But SH is SH.. Never a dull read about him.. 😂 (hide spoiler)]

The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist: (view spoiler)[I liked this story too.. A touch of love story, I was glad that love changed a bad person into doing something good.. (hide spoiler)]

[Savita]

I've finished Chapter two- The Norwood Builder. Very interesting case - 4 stars. SH excelled as usual ! Sehrish , have you read it ?

[Kirti]

I could only manage chapter 1. I'd have to go back to the final problem as we last discussed. also thank you Sehrish for the wiki info. it's been long enough that we've been reading SH and the chronology is confusing at times.

[Savita]

Take your time , Kirti , I've only finished 2 chapters.

[Sehrish |]

@Savita.. I did read the 2nd chapter.. Forgot to post about it.. I liked this one.. I actually made notes about it but forgot to post.. I liked how extremely observant SH is, he thinks about things no one even pays attention too..

SH also appreciated that the crime was perfect.. He wished to improve that which was already perfect—to draw the rope tighter yet round the neck of his unfortunate victim— and so he ruined all. I was laughing at this so hard.. Oldacre was stupid