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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This is a fun mystery with clues to put together. The chemistry between Watson and Holmes is really enjoyable.
Like the last book, there is a long departure from the narrative that is a sort of flashback that for me ruins the pacing. So it lost a lot of appeal for me there.
Like the last book, there is a long departure from the narrative that is a sort of flashback that for me ruins the pacing. So it lost a lot of appeal for me there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia
Minor: Death
dark
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:
Yes
Don't judge old books with current understanding and all that, but this story is mildly racist.
I still enjoy a good Sherlock Holmes story, but this one was lacking.
I still enjoy a good Sherlock Holmes story, but this one was lacking.
I listened to the new Stephen Fry recording of this and the audiobook is excellent. His introduction comments on the slight shift in tone with this work and connects it to Doyle's introduction to Oscar Wilde. Some of Wilde's extravagance is folded into the Holmes character and gives him a little more flair and depth. Both Watson and Holmes are richer characters in this than Study in Scarlet.
Doyle's lengthy explanations from the villains are thus far the least interesting sections in my mind, although this account was a vast improvement on the middle third of "Study in Scarlet."
Doyle's lengthy explanations from the villains are thus far the least interesting sections in my mind, although this account was a vast improvement on the middle third of "Study in Scarlet."
Nowhere near as good as the first. The political points feel racist rather than timeless. And I didn't particularly care about the mystery or the actors within it. I do really like Doyle's ability to tell the other person's side of the story to end the narrative, though. He did this better in A STUDY IN SCARLET - but I was interested in it here too.
Listened to the audiobook. Three stars!
Listened to the audiobook. Three stars!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes