One thing I realized along the line while reading this book is I finished long ass novels more faster than one that has short stories in it. I mean I could actually feel myself a lil older than when I started this novel. LOL. but hands down greatest book ever, can totally understand why it got so famous and still is. Sherlock belongs to that category of people who I really admire from afar but hate them personally, mainly because I am jealous of them. OK got a lil personal my bad. But Watson was a total cool man took a girl out of the adventures, total playboy...jk . So I am just gonna start next volume in spite of me being busy af because self love is important and because idc. Peace out.

note to self: I LOVE THRILLER I JUST NEED TO SHOUT THIS OUT. read this in 4-6th grade something and it got me up most nights reading instead of doing school work. gotta love the book that makes u fall in love with reading in the first place

I'd never read these as a kid and my knowledge was strictly limited to the (excellent) Jeremy Brett BBC series from the 1980s. They're very much worth a read. One thing to keep in mind is that the novels and stories are written just as the genre of detective fiction got crystallized, i.e., the quirky detective, the sidekick, the 'big reveal.' Poe had done some work in this direction ("Murders in the Rue Morgue") about 50 years earlier, and Wilkie Collins' sensation fiction, notably The Moonstone (1868), first novelized the form, but this is the first real detective SERIES I can think of. Even Agatha Christie, who perfected the form in the 1930s, owes a debt to them. That is partly why when reading, you may be tempted to think "What's the big deal?" about some of the twists and turns. That's because Doyle basically invented all of them, and they've been cribbed so relentlessly since that they can seem old hat.
I wasn't overly fond of the two novels in this collection, A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of Four -- both are overshadowed by the later Hound of the Baskervilles. But the stories are all pretty good. My favorites are:
"A Scandal in Bohemia" (for Irene Adler, Holmes' real match in wits)
"The Red-Headed League" (such a great concept)
"A Case of Identity" and "The Man with the Twisted Lip" (nice twists in these)
"The Blue Carbuncle" (a jolly Christmas mystery and a lot of fun)
"The Adventure of the Copper Beeches" and "The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist" (good mysteries with spunky heroines)
"The Adventure of the Speckled Band" (chilling!)
"The Musgrave Ritual" (creepy!)
"The Final Problem" (Moriarty!)
"The Yellow Face" (interesting for trying to be progressive and falling flat on its face. But interesting)
"The Six Napoleons" and "The Golden Pence-Nez" (good illustrations of Holmes' methodical process).
Onward to Volume II!

I mean it's Sherlock guys what can I say

I have read stories of Sherlock Holmes times and times over.
It teaches you new view and way of thinking.

Sherlock Holmes - A huge disappointment

I've been reading Sherlock Holmes of late and I am unable to persist with it any longer. The stories are... not impressive to say the least and wearisome at best. It's sad, for I love this character, I love the idea of this character but the execution...

I have stopped at half a book of the first volume of Bantam Classic (at "the adventure of the empty house").Therefore I am going to cover my impressions up to this story. Please, take it cum grano salis.

By far this is the worst book I have read in this year.

My biggest remonstration as to the stories (except the first two novels, which are thrilling) is the lack of variety in the stories.

They have the exact same structure, varying only in setting, crime and suspects. Maybe Sir A.C. Doyle changes this formula later on, but it doesn't even matter because it's already unbearable to maintain reading.

I formulated a boilterplate of how Sherlock Holmes stories are structured:

1. Watson sits at Baker St./his home;
2. Holmes invites him on a case (telling him/sending a letter)
3. Holmes introduces the case and right after that the client appears (literally, in many stories Watson/Holmes say 'Oh, it's probably our client")
4. Exposition for the crime, what happened etc.
5. Watson is befuddled by the case, but Holmes had (almost) already solved the case and needs to check few facts. Watson says he doesn't understand and Holmes provides him few hints;
6. They arrive at the crime scene, where Watson is unable to wrap the mind around the case, but Holmes had already drawn intermediate conclusions;
7. They solve the case and Holmes explains the mystery;

It definitely palled and sucked out all the pleasure from reading.

Maybe I'm not into the detective genre as a whole, maybe I shouldn't have read them all at once, or maybe both. Perhaps all this commotion around this character in the different forms of media skewed my expectations and I expected from it something great, but received only anticlimax.

The iconic character of whom it is not interesting to read at all. Alas.

No one is surprised. I love Sherlock.

I love Sherlock

Okay, that was rather challenging for me to read because of the language. But one step at a time, and I have finished it :) I love Sherlock Holmes stories so much :3

See my review for Vol. 2.

Solving crime requires keen observation and deduction.

I have not yet completed the novel; however, I will be providing reviews on each part as I make progress.

A Study in Scarlet
Marks an important starting point in Conan Doyle's literary works as it introduces the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal companion Dr. Watson. The narrative elegantly showcases the initial encounter between these two extraordinary characters and establishes the foundation for the series to follow.

The story is effectively presented in two distinct parts, with the first part focusing on a compelling case involving a mysterious phrase, "RACHE", found at the scene of a murder. The second part delves into the intricate details of the motive behind the crime, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the case. While some readers may initially find this second part challenging, a more thorough reading experience reveals the masterful storytelling craftsmanship of the author.

Despite being first published in 1887, this short story retains a remarkably smooth and engaging flow. The pacing of the story is carefully managed, allowing for a seamless reading experience. Conan Doyle's writing style is characterized by its clarity and accessibility, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the story.

4 Stars
pp.120

Sign of the Four
Holmes and Dr. Watson have been engaged by Miss Mary Morstan, a governess who has been receiving peculiar correspondences and valuable pearls from an unidentified party. They accompany her to a rendezvous with the mysterious source, revealed to be a Mr. Thaddeus Sholto. He alleges that his brother, Bartholomew, is in possession of a valuable inheritance that once belonged to Miss Morstan's late father, potentially elevating her to a position of significant wealth in society. However, the situation takes a grim turn when Bartholomew is found deceased and the valuable treasure missing. Holmes and Dr. Watson must diligently pursue the perpetrator in order to safeguard the interests of their client.

In this installment, we are provided with a deep insight into the individual hiding behind the persona of Sherlock Holmes. While possessing exceptional intellectual abilities and unique skills, it is made evident in a direct and unequivocal manner that his genius does not necessitate kindness or amiability, often presenting as quite the antithesis. Despite his tendency towards rudeness and dismissiveness, as well as his recreational drug use stemming from mental stagnation, he remains a beloved character within the tale.

Watson is perceived as more of a gentle spirit rather than a battle-hardened warrior deeply affected by the traumatic images of war. I did not particularly care for Dr. Watson's sudden infatuation; it appeared somewhat hasty, lacking in deliberation and seemingly driven solely by superficial qualities.

3 Stars
pp.237

Bonuses - Quotes

“I consider that a man’s brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose.”

“Populus me sibilat, at mihi plaudo Ipse domi simul ac nummos contemplor in arca.”
-The public hiss at me, but I cheer myself when in my own house I contemplate the coins in my strong-box.

“When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”

I love Sherlock Holmes. Some stories were better than others, but I truly enjoyed it.