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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
Wow! Reading this book reminded me why I love Sherlock Holmes stories so much. This one brought me back to the beginning, quite literally. The Valley of Fear shares a very similar structure to [b:A Study in Scarlet|102868|A Study in Scarlet (Sherlock Holmes, #1)|Arthur Conan Doyle|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348362236s/102868.jpg|1997473], both in how the book is built and the story.
The first part is set in Sherlock's England. You follow Holmes and Watson around as they try to solve the murder they have been called for. The second part, however, is set twenty years before in America. We follow McMurdo as he tries to make his way into the Freeman, an american organization. But the Brohers of the Vermissa Valley are quite different from what the organization really stands for. The gang is known for countless murders, but have never been caught because of the power they hold.
At first, I was a bit bored with the story, I have to admit. Somehow, this book seriously lacked Sherlock, who is the reason I enjoy these books so much. He was there in the first part, but without really being there. He was sort of a ghost, until the very end, where he swipes in and solves the case. I wish we had seen more of him and Watson during the solving process, instead of being stuck with the local authorities.
However, I was amazed at both plot twists (the one in the first part and the second part's). I never in a million years would have guessed it! Arthur Conan Doyle strikes again. I was left gaping. All of the story suddenly made sense.
The first part is set in Sherlock's England. You follow Holmes and Watson around as they try to solve the murder they have been called for. The second part, however, is set twenty years before in America. We follow McMurdo as he tries to make his way into the Freeman, an american organization. But the Brohers of the Vermissa Valley are quite different from what the organization really stands for. The gang is known for countless murders, but have never been caught because of the power they hold.
At first, I was a bit bored with the story, I have to admit. Somehow, this book seriously lacked Sherlock, who is the reason I enjoy these books so much. He was there in the first part, but without really being there. He was sort of a ghost, until the very end, where he swipes in and solves the case. I wish we had seen more of him and Watson during the solving process, instead of being stuck with the local authorities.
However, I was amazed at both plot twists (the one in the first part and the second part's). I never in a million years would have guessed it! Arthur Conan Doyle strikes again. I was left gaping. All of the story suddenly made sense.
medium-paced
For some reason I had lower expectations going into this, but I ended up really enjoying it.
The Sherlock mystery was fun, of course. The back story during the second half of the novel was actually fairly interesting this time, though still drawn out (this layout is the reason I tend to like the short story collections more than the novels). The ending was quite the twist, which made it more fun as well.
Overall, a decent Sherlock novel.
The Sherlock mystery was fun, of course. The back story during the second half of the novel was actually fairly interesting this time, though still drawn out (this layout is the reason I tend to like the short story collections more than the novels). The ending was quite the twist, which made it more fun as well.
Overall, a decent Sherlock novel.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is basically "A Study in Scarlet", but if it was executed better. The mystery part was quite entertaining as usual, but I think it's with the cult that this book shines. Part 2 was very well-written and engaging.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Maravilhoso, como todos os livros de Arthur Conan Doyle, porém a segunda metade deixou um pouco a desejar. Acho que talvez foi um pouco longo demais, e a presença de SH e Watson na história ficou muito reduzida para o meu gosto.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced