Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For the past few years I had thought to myself that I really wanted to read some Sherlock Holmes. It seemed the sort of thing that I would really like. As a character, I'd always known him. Everyone does. I don't even know how, but growing up, I knew who Sherlock Holmes was, what he supposedly wore, looked like, and said. As well as the fact that his name, accompanied with a more vulgar word, was not okay to yell at your sibling when they said something dumb...
But anyways, I finally got the chance to read The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes because my mother was very kind and bought it for me at a yard sale. It certainly made my day! So, did Holmes live up to my expectations?
Oh my goodness, YES! These stories were everything that I had hoped to find and more! I love Watson's point of view, the chemistry between the two friends, the beginning of each mystery and the clues unfolding, but most of all, the dark insanity that is Sherlock Holmes. Reading about this character is fascinating, and I love that Watson thinks so too.
I really liked all of the stories and I'd be hard pressed to pick a favourite. Most of them left me baffled until the end, but when I managed to come to the answer before it was explained, I felt undeservedly clever. "The Man with the Twisted Lip" was the first one that I figured out and I was so proud of myself! I was also surprised by the fact that I actually felt a jolt of fear at a few parts in the book, especially in "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" and "The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb". There was some eerie imagery used very effectively.
Reading these stories was extremely fun and engaging. I recommend them wholeheartedly to absolutely everyone!
But anyways, I finally got the chance to read The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes because my mother was very kind and bought it for me at a yard sale. It certainly made my day! So, did Holmes live up to my expectations?
Oh my goodness, YES! These stories were everything that I had hoped to find and more! I love Watson's point of view, the chemistry between the two friends, the beginning of each mystery and the clues unfolding, but most of all, the dark insanity that is Sherlock Holmes. Reading about this character is fascinating, and I love that Watson thinks so too.
I really liked all of the stories and I'd be hard pressed to pick a favourite. Most of them left me baffled until the end, but when I managed to come to the answer before it was explained, I felt undeservedly clever. "The Man with the Twisted Lip" was the first one that I figured out and I was so proud of myself! I was also surprised by the fact that I actually felt a jolt of fear at a few parts in the book, especially in "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" and "The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb". There was some eerie imagery used very effectively.
Reading these stories was extremely fun and engaging. I recommend them wholeheartedly to absolutely everyone!
There's a reason we still make Holmes adaptations, and its bc the stories slap
A wonderful collection of short stories, a recommended read for any Sherlock Holmes fan.
1. A Scandal in Bohemia 4/5 Stars
A short introduction to the woman, and a possible hint to some hidden human tendencies lurking in Holmes' soul.
2. The Red Headed League 4/5 Stars
An amusing little short story. A red-headed gentleman wants to find out where a company he had been employed by has disappeared to. Cloak and dagger tactics try to mask a planned bank robbery.
3. A Case of Identity 3/5 Stars
Another quick short story. Full of the misogyny and sexism of the time it was written in – let’s not tell the lady that her step father was trying to deceive her, the poor girl wouldn’t be able to handle it! A lovely little read nonetheless.
4.The Boscombe Valley Mystery 3/5 Stars
Not the strongest short story in the Sherlock Holmes series. The end really let it down. Up until that point though, quite an interesting read and entertaining too.
5. The Five Orange Pips 3/5 Stars
Holmes comes up against the KKK, but someone else beats him to the chase. An interesting story, however it was let down by the rushed ending.
6. The Man with the Twisted Lip 3/5 Stars
A sweet little tale of a wife who is trying to find her missing her husband. Holmes on the case! From an opium den to the cells of the local jailhouse, Holmes does not fail to entertain as he hunts down the beggar who is purported to be involved.
7. The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle 4/5 Stars
A goose and a hat begin a case that could be worth a lot of money! We follow Holmes and Watson as they hunt down the journey the goose made, and hopefully the culprit who stole the precious gemstone.
8. The Speckled Band 4/5 Stars
A woman fears for her life, so she consults Sherlock Holmes. Her twin sister died two years previously and it seems like that the circumstances are repeating themselves and could lead to the death of the remaining twin. Exotic pets and a greedy step father are at the centre of this fast paced and interesting case.
9. The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb 3/5 Stars
An engineer arrives at Dr Watson’s office missing a thumb. As Watson treats his patient, he decides that Holmes needs to investigate this man’s stolen thumb. The ending is not entirely satisfying, but the story overall is a good case.
10. The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor 4/5 Stars
A light hearted mystery involving a disappearing bride. As always, Holmes and Watson do not fail to unravel the details and discover why the bride disappeared.
11. The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet 4/5 Stars
A wonderful web of mystery for Holmes and Watson to unravel. A banker takes a precious coronet as collateral for a large loan issued to a prominent public figure. The banker brings the diadem home with him for safekeeping, however he wakes one night to find his son holding the damaged coronet in what appears to be an attempted robbery. Holmes must discover the true thief and save the banker’s reputation in the process.
"It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
12. The Adventure of the Copper Beeches 4/5 Stars
The unusual case of a woman who is hired as a governess based upon her appearance rather than her abilities. She finds the appointment and the wages offered odd, so consults with Holmes prior to accepting the position. A number of weeks later, she contact Holmes once again with a case of intrigue and mystery.
1. A Scandal in Bohemia 4/5 Stars
A short introduction to the woman, and a possible hint to some hidden human tendencies lurking in Holmes' soul.
2. The Red Headed League 4/5 Stars
An amusing little short story. A red-headed gentleman wants to find out where a company he had been employed by has disappeared to. Cloak and dagger tactics try to mask a planned bank robbery.
3. A Case of Identity 3/5 Stars
Another quick short story. Full of the misogyny and sexism of the time it was written in – let’s not tell the lady that her step father was trying to deceive her, the poor girl wouldn’t be able to handle it! A lovely little read nonetheless.
4.The Boscombe Valley Mystery 3/5 Stars
Not the strongest short story in the Sherlock Holmes series. The end really let it down. Up until that point though, quite an interesting read and entertaining too.
5. The Five Orange Pips 3/5 Stars
Holmes comes up against the KKK, but someone else beats him to the chase. An interesting story, however it was let down by the rushed ending.
6. The Man with the Twisted Lip 3/5 Stars
A sweet little tale of a wife who is trying to find her missing her husband. Holmes on the case! From an opium den to the cells of the local jailhouse, Holmes does not fail to entertain as he hunts down the beggar who is purported to be involved.
7. The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle 4/5 Stars
A goose and a hat begin a case that could be worth a lot of money! We follow Holmes and Watson as they hunt down the journey the goose made, and hopefully the culprit who stole the precious gemstone.
8. The Speckled Band 4/5 Stars
A woman fears for her life, so she consults Sherlock Holmes. Her twin sister died two years previously and it seems like that the circumstances are repeating themselves and could lead to the death of the remaining twin. Exotic pets and a greedy step father are at the centre of this fast paced and interesting case.
9. The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb 3/5 Stars
An engineer arrives at Dr Watson’s office missing a thumb. As Watson treats his patient, he decides that Holmes needs to investigate this man’s stolen thumb. The ending is not entirely satisfying, but the story overall is a good case.
10. The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor 4/5 Stars
A light hearted mystery involving a disappearing bride. As always, Holmes and Watson do not fail to unravel the details and discover why the bride disappeared.
11. The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet 4/5 Stars
A wonderful web of mystery for Holmes and Watson to unravel. A banker takes a precious coronet as collateral for a large loan issued to a prominent public figure. The banker brings the diadem home with him for safekeeping, however he wakes one night to find his son holding the damaged coronet in what appears to be an attempted robbery. Holmes must discover the true thief and save the banker’s reputation in the process.
"It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
12. The Adventure of the Copper Beeches 4/5 Stars
The unusual case of a woman who is hired as a governess based upon her appearance rather than her abilities. She finds the appointment and the wages offered odd, so consults with Holmes prior to accepting the position. A number of weeks later, she contact Holmes once again with a case of intrigue and mystery.
adventurous
adventurous
mysterious
adventurous
mysterious
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
I really enjoyed all the stories and methods of deduction. I loved that I got so many Holmes stories in one book and with a quick ending. The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is that a few stories ended abruptly, without proper justice or explanation. But all the stories were very engaging to read.