colleen the convivial curmudgeon’s Reviews > Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Novels and Stories, Volume I > Status Update

Heh - I liked the final story, ' Second Stain'. Holmes' quip at the end is a charming way to end the set.

I like 'Abbey Grange' less for the mystery and more for what it shows, or reinforces, about Holmes' character - that he is a man who cares about justice more than law. I can appreciate the sentiment.

A sad tale for the missing three-quarter.

The 'three students' was just ok, but 'The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez' was quite fun and clever. One of the better stories by far.

The 6 Napoleons one was kinda fun, though a bit predictable. (Is it just me, or does Holmes sometimes come off as such a genius in these stories less for what he's done and more because he's surrounded by idiots?)

'Solitary Cyclist' was meh.

A side-point of interest. Between the time Holmes disappeared, and his sudden return, Mrs. Watson appears to have died or disappeared herself - without there ever being any mention of it whatsoever. Watson moves back in with Holmes, and we're never told what happened to poor Mrs. Watson...

Holmes' grand re-entry to the land of the living was a bit ho-hum (Empty Room), but the Norwood Builder story was good. The Dancing Men was ok, but a bit predictable.

'The Final Problem' was touching, though no longer the final. I wonder if Holmes was one of the first literary characters who had to be resurrected by popular demand.