A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - 4 stars

[annapi]

For a book published in 1887, this holds up remarkably well. Holmes is asked to assist Inspectors Gregson and Lestrade in the investigation of a murder that perplexes them - a dead American in an empty house, lots of blood but no wounds on the body. We are introduced to the characters that have become beloved in literature.

I was surprised by the complete shift to America and the Mormons in part II, and for awhile wondered if there had been a mistake in the book, but I kept reading and things became clear eventually. I did feel a bit disappointed that the reader wasn't given an opportunity to try to figure it out, but I guess that type of writing wasn't a thing back in the late 19th century. Still I thoroughly enjoyed this - an easy 4 stars.