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bethybookworm's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Lots of backstory of America, cult of murderers with an inside detective.
wardo2700's review against another edition
4.0
This may have been my least enjoyable of the four Sherlock Holmes novels but it was still good to read. Once again Doyle puts together a good tale of intrigue and mystery this time in two parts. The first is mostly about the murder and investigation. The second part is a look back in history to one of the characters as a younger person. I would recommend this book to any lover of mysteries especially to those fans of Sherlock Holmes.
owlish1's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Like many have said, the second half of the novel barely features Sherlock at all. It was a long segue to give backstory
storyteller_45's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
sseulb1's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.75
dmcke013's review against another edition
4.0
Sherlock Holmes stories I had previously heard of / knew (even if only a little bit) about:
The Hound of the Baskervilles (natch)
A Study in Scarlet
The Sign of Four
The Red-Headed League
The Final Problem
.. and a few others whose name I cannot currently recall.
None of them, however, were this one.
Like "The Hound...", this was a later-written story, but is also set before Holmes encounter with Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls. And like "A Study in Scarlet", it's also very much split into distinct sections: the first section in which Holmes and Watson are called to the English countryside to investigate a murder (or is it suicide?), and the a whole other section set in the United States of America filling in the backgrounds of the principal actor of the first section.
Being new to me, also, I have to say I did wonder - until the reveal! - just how this whole section (and the mention of the Pinkerton Detective Agency) fitted into the first part.
Perhaps because of its novelty (to me), I also fairly enjoyed this.
The Hound of the Baskervilles (natch)
A Study in Scarlet
The Sign of Four
The Red-Headed League
The Final Problem
.. and a few others whose name I cannot currently recall.
None of them, however, were this one.
Like "The Hound...", this was a later-written story, but is also set before Holmes encounter with Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls. And like "A Study in Scarlet", it's also very much split into distinct sections: the first section in which Holmes and Watson are called to the English countryside to investigate a murder (or is it suicide?), and the a whole other section set in the United States of America filling in the backgrounds of the principal actor of the first section.
Being new to me, also, I have to say I did wonder - until the reveal! - just how this whole section (and the mention of the Pinkerton Detective Agency) fitted into the first part.
Perhaps because of its novelty (to me), I also fairly enjoyed this.
kerrianne10's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
seolhe's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
thatgirlinblack's review against another edition
5.0
What a tale! Sinister evildoers and clever heroes abound. Sherlock Holmes starts by deciphering a book code while possessing just the code and missing the corresponding book to break it. All as nonchalantly as ever! Then he and and Dr. Watson are asked to come to a converted castle to solve a murder. There are obvious clues, but, strangely, things just don't add up. Who is lying, and what are they lying about? The local law officials, though they try hard and are smart, are, naturally, no match for Holmes. He quickly investigates the situation and comes up with the solution, which he presents to the others with characteristic flourish.
The actual crime and how it is solved only takes less than half the book. The rest provides the backstory, and why the murder was committed. It is a tale of the American West, dark deeds, black hearts, and surprising cleverness in the end. It's a sobering look at organized crime rings and the seeming powerlessness of ordinary people in the face of overwhelming corruption. Let me tell you, the ending to that tale is refreshing!
Back to the present, the mystery is solved, but a new threat is identified: that of Holmes' greatest enemy of all...Moriarty.
The actual crime and how it is solved only takes less than half the book. The rest provides the backstory, and why the murder was committed. It is a tale of the American West, dark deeds, black hearts, and surprising cleverness in the end. It's a sobering look at organized crime rings and the seeming powerlessness of ordinary people in the face of overwhelming corruption. Let me tell you, the ending to that tale is refreshing!
Spoiler
But there is a tinge of sadness in the end.Back to the present, the mystery is solved, but a new threat is identified: that of Holmes' greatest enemy of all...Moriarty.