MOD CHOICE: The Sign of Four (Sherlock Holmes #2) by Arthur Conan Doyle - November 2021

[Gem , Moderator & Admin]

Hello fellow Crime, Mystery & Thriller readers,
Welcome to our discussion about The Sign of Four (Sherlock Holmes #2) by Arthur Conan Doyle, your discussion leader is Gem.
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Summary

As a dense yellow fog swirls through the streets of London, a deep melancholy has descended on Sherlock Holmes, who sits in a cocaine-induced haze at 221B Baker Street. His mood is only lifted by a visit from a beautiful but distressed young woman - Mary Morstan, whose father vanished ten years before. Four years later she began to receive an exquisite gift every year: a large, lustrous pearl. Now she has had an intriguing invitation to meet her unknown benefactor and urges Holmes and Watson to accompany her. And in the ensuing investigation - which involves a wronged woman, a stolen hoard of Indian treasure, a wooden-legged ruffian, a helpful dog and a love affair - even the jaded Holmes is moved to exclaim, 'Isn't it gorgeous!'

[Gem , Moderator & Admin]

Hi folks,

Sorry for the delay with this discussion. I received a copy a this book from the library and the text is so small it's giving me a headache. I'm looking for an audio copy. Is anyone else reading or going to read this one?

[ConnieD]

I've read this in the past. You can get it on audio from Librivox app.

[Gem , Moderator & Admin]

ConnieD wrote: "I've read this in the past. You can get it on audio from Librivox app."

Thank you Connie, I completely forgot about Librivox, I'll down load it today.

[Bruce]

Also, if you have a library card, there’s apps where you can listen to it that might be better quality. Librivox is good, but some of them aren’t as well read as others, although I like the concept that anyone can record books on there.

[Maggie]

I've just finished it. I always enjoy a Sherlock Holmes novel.

[Andy]

Maggie wrote: "I've just finished it. I always enjoy a Sherlock Holmes novel."

I don't think I've read them all, but have enjoyed each one I've read.

[Gem , Moderator & Admin]

I secured an audio copy and listen to this when I was fixing food for Thanksgiving. While I had a hard time reading it because the text was so small I enjoyed listening to it.

Did the title of the book give anything away for you?

What was your impression of Mary Morstan? (Admittedly my knowledge of her comes from British series Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch.)

Watson is almost immediately twitterpated with Morstan. As a man of science is this love at first sight (for lack of a better term) realistic?

I absolutely adore the Baker Street Irregulars. What do you think of Holmes employing the children? Do you think this is a wise strategy? Why, why not?

What was your impression of Jonathon Small and his relationship with Tonga?

The story concludes with the treasure being lost, Small being led away, Watson informing Holmes that Mary Morstan has agreed to marry him, and Holmes taking comfort in cocaine. Did the ending satisfy you? Why, why not?

[Nadine]

A Sherlock Holmes novel is always a treat. I have most of them and enjoyed them all. I know of course Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) but there are others (film: Robert Downey Jr en Jude Law).. Splendid. Sometimes rather bizarre sometimes rather unbelievable but knowing Holmes (an opium-addict and violin-player with an incredible wit), it is always a joy

[Bruce]

The Sherlock Holmes stories are probably my all time favorite, especially A Study in Scarlet and this one. The main drawback I find is that it’s probably the most racist, close to H Rider Haggard. There’s also a line or paragraph where Watson demeans the homeless. I’ll see if I can find it later. I read it last about a year or two ago, after having read it a few times before, and that line stuck out.

I enjoyed the ending as well. Mary is a good match, as they’re both relatively stable people, i.e. the part where she comforts the housekeeper, her general demeanor, she’s independent. As far as the treasure? It might have been interesting for some of the stories in Adventures and Memoirs, where Holmes is accompanied on cases by his millionaire partner/partner with a millionaire wife, although it wouldn’t have made much sense why he’d be doing it, putting himself at INCREDIBLE risk, i.e. possibly getting kidnapped for ransom.

As for small, he attracts some sympathy from the reader, although not as much as Jefferson Hope in A Study in Scarlet. Small is still a killer, although not entirely his fault, and he does get wronged. Hope had more just reasons.