You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
interesting structure. i don't think it worked for me personally but i loved the parts with sherlock holmes and watson! such fun characters that compliment each other well.
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
Read September 2025
I’ve been watching Elementary (slowly making my way through the seasons) and when I came upon an episode inspired by The Hound of the Baskervilles (Hounded s4e16), I was reminded of how that book is still the only Sherlock Holmes I have ever read, so I decided to change that.
At first I was enjoying A Study in Scarlet but then the abrupt ending of part one, and the complete shift in tone/story of part two really threw me. Why the hell was I reading some kind of Mormon western story? Once things became clear, I appreciated it a bit more, but by then I had already spent too much time not caring for the Mormon western to really enjoy the book.
I’ve been watching Elementary (slowly making my way through the seasons) and when I came upon an episode inspired by The Hound of the Baskervilles (Hounded s4e16), I was reminded of how that book is still the only Sherlock Holmes I have ever read, so I decided to change that.
At first I was enjoying A Study in Scarlet but then the abrupt ending of part one, and the complete shift in tone/story of part two really threw me. Why the hell was I reading some kind of Mormon western story? Once things became clear, I appreciated it a bit more, but by then I had already spent too much time not caring for the Mormon western to really enjoy the book.
Watson, I too would feel the need to correct all the newspapers who were calling my new friend an amateur who might one day learn something from Lestrade and Gregson. Also have to say, I love Sherlock’s enthusiasm for curiosity itself — his intro scene was great! Still sad about the dog though, and part one was generally more engaging to me.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
I couldn’t stop cheesing while reading this book. I just love a sassy detective with the power to shock and surprise the masses with his genius. The second part of the book dragged on a little, and was drastically different from the previous part. But all the loose ends were tied up by the end. The first of the Sherlock Holmes series was a great start and I loved it! It’s obviously a product of its time, but also a classic, so do with that what you will.
Also, I couldn’t help but picture Robert Downing Jr and Jude Law because they’re my favorite in the Holmes iterations. Aaaand now I want to go rewatch those movies.
Also, I couldn’t help but picture Robert Downing Jr and Jude Law because they’re my favorite in the Holmes iterations. Aaaand now I want to go rewatch those movies.
wanted more investigation and less mormonism
the bbc adaptation (which to be honest, i liked the first episode way better than this first book) completely removed the utah part for a reason: it’s boring (though now that i’m thinking about it, someone should make an adaptation that combines a study in scarlet set in the modern day with the secret lives of mormon wives, now that would be entertaining)
the bbc adaptation (which to be honest, i liked the first episode way better than this first book) completely removed the utah part for a reason: it’s boring (though now that i’m thinking about it, someone should make an adaptation that combines a study in scarlet set in the modern day with the secret lives of mormon wives, now that would be entertaining)
LISTENED TO THE STEPHEN FRY AUDIOBOOK
I have read this before, but not for many years so it did feel like the first time. Sherlock Holmes is one of those characters who is portrayed so much on TV and film that you do almost feel like you know the stories, so it was really nice to read the first book from scratch and see the origin or Holmes and Watson. I will admit that I spent most of part 2 confused, and wondering if I was reading a different book as it was so different from part 1 with nothing to explain that we were getting a background to the motive, but it all came together at the end and I thoroughly enjoyed it overall, and the audiobook was incredible.
I have read this before, but not for many years so it did feel like the first time. Sherlock Holmes is one of those characters who is portrayed so much on TV and film that you do almost feel like you know the stories, so it was really nice to read the first book from scratch and see the origin or Holmes and Watson. I will admit that I spent most of part 2 confused, and wondering if I was reading a different book as it was so different from part 1 with nothing to explain that we were getting a background to the motive, but it all came together at the end and I thoroughly enjoyed it overall, and the audiobook was incredible.
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
informative
mysterious
fast-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
A quick read to focus on the prompt of a book in the public domain. Holmes’s first outing and the setting up of the relationship between him and Watson.
Watson finds Holmes through the intervention of a close friend and their ability to read one another is quickly established. We follow Watson as he shadows Holmes on an investigation involving the discovery of a man in an empty room.
Strangely, this story is told in two parts. Having set up the initial premise we then shift in time to America and the circumstances that lead to Holmes’s case.
It was interesting and I do enjoy Holmes’s sense of showmanship as he talks through his findings.
Watson finds Holmes through the intervention of a close friend and their ability to read one another is quickly established. We follow Watson as he shadows Holmes on an investigation involving the discovery of a man in an empty room.
Strangely, this story is told in two parts. Having set up the initial premise we then shift in time to America and the circumstances that lead to Holmes’s case.
It was interesting and I do enjoy Holmes’s sense of showmanship as he talks through his findings.