Take a photo of a barcode or cover
mysteriousnorse 's review for:
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes
by Arthur Conan Doyle
The final volume of Sherlock Holmes stories isn't as bad as I feared, but doesn't have the steam of its predecessors.
"The Adventure of the Illustrious Client" 2.5/5 Stars
Watson relates a case that could not be told before. The Heiress Violet De Merville has fallen in love with Wife Murderer Baron Gruner, and Sherlock must prevent their marriage. This case has a very simple solution, involving no deduction or real skill.
"The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier" 3/5 Stars
A man requires Sherlock's expertise in discovering what happened to his army buddy. As the first tale related by Sherlock himself, this one is a unique and has a few genuinely surprising gothic turns. The ending might turn some off to the adventure, but it is a fitting end to this tale of friendship.
"The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone" 1/5 Stars
The 'Seven-Per-Cent Solution' Watson was right to name this one as a forgery. It reads like a cobbled together “Blue Carbuncle” and “Dying Detective.” Another puffed up villain who turns out to be even stupider than the one from “Wisteria Lodge.” This is rightfully seen as one of the worst stories.
"The Adventure of the Three Gables" 2.5/5 Stars
A strangely twisting tale that involves Holmes exploring the motives behind the purchase of a house. This one is also declared a forgery in 'The Seven-Per-Cent Solution. There is a fairly racist caricatured black man in it which brings down an otherwise solid story; however, I don't feel it is any worse than the racism in 'Wisteria Lodge' (not that it is excused).
"The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire" 2/5 Stars
A heartfelt, if disappointing tale, involving Sherlock clearing the suspicion from around a very simple case. The best part of this story comes from the emotion written into the Ferguson family.
"The Adventure of the Three Garridebs" 2.5/5 Stars
A melodramatic opening to a story is incredibly similar to “the Red-Headed League.” It differentiates itself by showing more of Sherlock's effect on the world and being one of the rare instances of Sherlock having an emotional outburst (a good one!).
"The Problem of Thor Bridge" 4/5 Stars
A wholly original case is a surprising thing from the final set of Holmes tales, but 'Thor Bridge' gives us a great story of evidence pointing to the wrong person. In this case, it is the lack of suspects and minimal evidence that dives the tale.
"The Adventure of the Creeping Man" 2.5/5 Stars
The Sherlock Holmes story that verges on Science Fiction: The Island of Doctor Moreau mixed with The Strange Case of Doctor Jeykll and Mr. Hyde. The horror elements make the case fascinating, but the ending explanation is so far from realism that it sounds ridiculous.
"The Adventure of the Lion's Mane" 2.5/5 Stars
Sherlock Holmes has retired, but must untangle the curious circumstances around the death of his neighbor. The imagery really captures life near the ocean. Unfortunately, Holmes looks foolish as the evidence leads Holmes, and the reader, away from the actual solution. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it was too trivial to fool Holmes. Perhaps he's slipping in his old age. This is another story narrated by Holmes and the third of the 'forged' stories according to “The Seven-Per-Cent Solution.”
"The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger" 1/5 Stars
Why was this adventure included? Sherlock Holmes has failed a case and has it told to him at a later date. There are plenty of Sherlock Holmes fails stories, and this one adds nothing new. It isn't even interesting, just a boring account. I suppose Doyle tries to drive some pathos for the Veiled Lodger, but it just comes off as baffling. There is a bit of Sherlockian persuasion at the end, but not enough to save this story. My version of Watson declares this one a forgery! I can do that, right?
"The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place" 7/10 (Short Story from The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes)
The last Holmes story to be written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but doesn't provide any finality. It is one of the more Gothic tales of a man trying to preserve his fortune. It has plenty of twists and horrors, though it might be somewhat convoluted.
"The Adventure of the Retired Colourman" 7/10 (Short Story from The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes)
Sherlock Holmes and Watson take the case of man whose wife ran off with another man and all his money. Sherlock also contends with an up and coming young detective. This case swings on Watson's report of paints fumes and the deduction follows.
"The Adventure of the Illustrious Client" 2.5/5 Stars
Watson relates a case that could not be told before. The Heiress Violet De Merville has fallen in love with Wife Murderer Baron Gruner, and Sherlock must prevent their marriage. This case has a very simple solution, involving no deduction or real skill.
"The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier" 3/5 Stars
A man requires Sherlock's expertise in discovering what happened to his army buddy. As the first tale related by Sherlock himself, this one is a unique and has a few genuinely surprising gothic turns. The ending might turn some off to the adventure, but it is a fitting end to this tale of friendship.
"The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone" 1/5 Stars
The 'Seven-Per-Cent Solution' Watson was right to name this one as a forgery. It reads like a cobbled together “Blue Carbuncle” and “Dying Detective.” Another puffed up villain who turns out to be even stupider than the one from “Wisteria Lodge.” This is rightfully seen as one of the worst stories.
"The Adventure of the Three Gables" 2.5/5 Stars
A strangely twisting tale that involves Holmes exploring the motives behind the purchase of a house. This one is also declared a forgery in 'The Seven-Per-Cent Solution. There is a fairly racist caricatured black man in it which brings down an otherwise solid story; however, I don't feel it is any worse than the racism in 'Wisteria Lodge' (not that it is excused).
"The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire" 2/5 Stars
A heartfelt, if disappointing tale, involving Sherlock clearing the suspicion from around a very simple case. The best part of this story comes from the emotion written into the Ferguson family.
"The Adventure of the Three Garridebs" 2.5/5 Stars
A melodramatic opening to a story is incredibly similar to “the Red-Headed League.” It differentiates itself by showing more of Sherlock's effect on the world and being one of the rare instances of Sherlock having an emotional outburst (a good one!).
"The Problem of Thor Bridge" 4/5 Stars
A wholly original case is a surprising thing from the final set of Holmes tales, but 'Thor Bridge' gives us a great story of evidence pointing to the wrong person. In this case, it is the lack of suspects and minimal evidence that dives the tale.
"The Adventure of the Creeping Man" 2.5/5 Stars
The Sherlock Holmes story that verges on Science Fiction: The Island of Doctor Moreau mixed with The Strange Case of Doctor Jeykll and Mr. Hyde. The horror elements make the case fascinating, but the ending explanation is so far from realism that it sounds ridiculous.
"The Adventure of the Lion's Mane" 2.5/5 Stars
Sherlock Holmes has retired, but must untangle the curious circumstances around the death of his neighbor. The imagery really captures life near the ocean. Unfortunately, Holmes looks foolish as the evidence leads Holmes, and the reader, away from the actual solution. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it was too trivial to fool Holmes. Perhaps he's slipping in his old age. This is another story narrated by Holmes and the third of the 'forged' stories according to “The Seven-Per-Cent Solution.”
"The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger" 1/5 Stars
Why was this adventure included? Sherlock Holmes has failed a case and has it told to him at a later date. There are plenty of Sherlock Holmes fails stories, and this one adds nothing new. It isn't even interesting, just a boring account. I suppose Doyle tries to drive some pathos for the Veiled Lodger, but it just comes off as baffling. There is a bit of Sherlockian persuasion at the end, but not enough to save this story. My version of Watson declares this one a forgery! I can do that, right?
"The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place" 7/10 (Short Story from The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes)
The last Holmes story to be written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but doesn't provide any finality. It is one of the more Gothic tales of a man trying to preserve his fortune. It has plenty of twists and horrors, though it might be somewhat convoluted.
"The Adventure of the Retired Colourman" 7/10 (Short Story from The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes)
Sherlock Holmes and Watson take the case of man whose wife ran off with another man and all his money. Sherlock also contends with an up and coming young detective. This case swings on Watson's report of paints fumes and the deduction follows.