lezreadalot 's review for:

A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle

5.0

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As I watched him I was irresistibly reminded of a pure-blooded well-trained foxhound as it dashes backwards and forwards through the covert, whining in its eagerness, until it comes across the lost scent.

REREAD 2024. However many times Goodreads says I've read this, I've probably read it 5 more times than that. I treat the audio version of it as a lullaby on so many nights when I can't get to sleep. Definition of a comfort read for me; especially the version read by Charlton Griffin. Every time I read it I notice a new little detail, and I become more enraptured. Idk, the start of Holmes and Watson's friendship genuinely makes me emotional?? Shut up. Stop looking at me.

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“They say that genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains,” he remarked with a smile. “It’s a very bad definition, but it does apply to detective work.”

REREAD 2022. Nothing much to say; loved this as always. Especially after recently rereading the last book in the series. It's so interesting to track Holmes' growth, and the changes (subtle and otherwise) in the way Doyle writes him.

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“Wonderful!” I ejaculated. 

“Commonplace,” said Holmes, though I thought from his expression that he was pleased at my evident surprise and admiration.

 
REREAD 2020: Loved it as always. A lot of my love is caught up with the nostalgia I always feel, because I mean, this clearly isn't perfect. But Holmes and Watson are two of my all time favourite characters.

I usually just read this or listen to the Charlton Griffin audiobook, but this time I listened to the new Stephen Fry audio while reading. I do like Stephen Fry's voice and I think his performance was great. But it did take me a while to get used to it because I've listened to the Griffin version (especially of this particular book) so many times that I practically have all his quirks and cadences memorised, and it was weird not to hear them. I particularly felt it when it came to Holmes' voice. I ADORE Griffin's Holmes voice, and Fry's voice for him is nothing like it. On the other hand, because I'm not used to this version, I paid a bit more attention, and found myself noticing a few more details that I might have glossed over before.

A treat, as always.

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Always a banger.