drako1357's review

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4.0

El signo de los cuatro es una novela de misterio de Arthur Conan Doyle, publicada en 1890. Es la cuarta novela de la serie protagonizada por Sherlock Holmes y su compañero el doctor Watson.

La historia comienza con la aparición de una nota críptica en el periódico The Times. La nota, firmada con un signo de cuatro, amenaza con asesinar a una persona cada semana hasta que se pague un rescate de 500.000 libras. El primer asesinato es el de un anciano millonario, John Openshaw. Holmes y Watson son contratados por el hermano de la víctima, Thaddeus Openshaw, para investigar el caso.

Los detectives descubren que John Openshaw había recibido una carta de su hermano, Elias Openshaw, desde América, en la que le advertía sobre una sociedad secreta conocida como el Signo de los Cuatro. Elias Openshaw había sido asesinado en circunstancias misteriosas, y su muerte parecía estar relacionada con la sociedad secreta.

Holmes y Watson viajan a América para investigar la muerte de Elias Openshaw. Allí, descubren que la sociedad secreta está formada por cuatro hombres poderosos: Jonathan Small, un antiguo convicto que fue liberado de prisión; John Clay, un estafador; Arthur Holder, un abogado; y Sholto, un coronel retirado del ejército.

Small, Clay, Holder y Sholto habían robado un tesoro de oro en la India, y habían escondido el tesoro en un lugar secreto. Sin embargo, el tesoro fue encontrado por Thaddeus Openshaw, y los cuatro hombres decidieron matarlo para recuperarlo.

Holmes y Watson logran detener a la sociedad secreta y recuperar el tesoro. El libro termina con la muerte de Small, quien se suicida para evitar ser capturado.

El signo de los cuatro es una novela bien construida y emocionante. La trama es compleja y llena de suspense, y los personajes son interesantes y bien desarrollados. Holmes y Watson están en su mejor momento, y demuestran su inteligencia y habilidades de deducción para resolver el caso.

dansmallhorn's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

gabilisantos's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious 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

3.0

octavia_cade's review against another edition

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mysterious fast-paced

3.0

The first two Sherlock Holmes books, collected together, and they were both surprisingly brief. I guess I'm more used to contemporary mysteries, which can run several hundred pages longer than either of these, but then I do appreciate concision in my reading!

The collection rating reflects that of each individual book, as I read and reviewed those separately (this being just for my own records). I gave both Scarlet and Sign three stars each, but on balance I prefer the latter. Not just for the romance, which introduces another side to Watson, but because it felt a tighter read. Both books have a long accounting of an adventure in another country (the USA and India) towards the end, but the Mormon interlude felt as if it made its novel a little more unbalanced when compared to the other. 

I have a vague recollection of giving a higher rating to one of the Holmes short story collections. Not surprising if so, as I do enjoy the shorts. 

denzelb's review against another edition

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4.0

A Study in Scarlet
3.5/5
The first five chapters of the second part felt a little bit unnecesary.

The Sign of the Four
4.3/5
Liked it more than A Study in Scarlet. At the beginning it has a more mysterious ring to it; at least more than A Study in Scarlet.

arielareads's review

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4.0

The novel is amazing, it's astonishing and breath-taking to watch the ways Sherlock Holmes solves all the riddles that he is putted into. I think that's part of why I'm in love with him, because he is kind of a role model to me and I want to become just like him so bad...
Anyway, the story was sticky and wild (it scared me a little bit to be honest thanks to those creepy descriptions in the beginning with that smiling-death). And, I wasn't expecting the romantic part, which also scared me because I thought that Watson may leave Sherlock Holmes, but I know for facts that he won't do that (the other books which I believe are narrated by Watson).
Also, the end was kind of sad but glorious at the same time to me.Yes, he only got himself, but hell yeah he got Sherlock Holmes, he got his mind and he got his own company that should be the greatest of honors.

rogeryoung117's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

4.0

papasfritass's review

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3.0

3.5
No es mi favorito de Sherlock ignorando los comentarios que se pueden tomar de discriminación(? eran otros tiempos claro-

El instalove de Mary y Wattson me molesto, por que me molesta el instalove casi me da bloqueo lector y todo (no)

Muy "bue" alguna cosa, aunque otras si que me gustaron.

jhallworth's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

ayannasarah's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0