It's going to be sometime before I crack in with the second volume.
I know classics read differently to modern literature.. but dare I say the movie/series adaptation of this franchise far surpasses the writing. The stories are interesting, the cases ingenious... The style of narration takes all the excitement out of the story.
I understand why Sir Arthur hated Sherlock.. and I appreciate whoever read all these only to sprinkle little references in BBC's adaption of this narrative

My First Review
I had read the complete Sherlock Holmes collection when i was much younger. I remember being awed by the sleuth's remarkable feats of deduction. I am happy to report that my second reading has been even more satisfactory.

In my first attempt, I had, like many others, focused on the puzzles presented and often skimmed through parts that was foreign to it. The everyday lives and troubles of the average as well as noble londoners of the late 19th century, the author's precise use of words and above all the warm friendship between the 2 central characters, made the second reading well worth it.

If I had to pick a single reason as to why Sherlock Holmes is my favourite detective, it would be the manner in which he unravels the mystery: from a seemingly incoherent mess, to a maddeningly simple solution in matter of minutes!

A special mention goes to the introduction by Loren Estleman in praise of Dr. Watson. It's a great read for those who are already familiar with the character.

Holmes aha thats me!!!

I first devoured these stories and novels at the age of fourteen, curled up in my room on winter nights. It was a long winter, I remember. It was also quite a long book. Few points in my life have had circumstances come together and arrange themselves in such an agreeable manner so as to make a reading experience as memorable as this one.

Like most readers, I entered the world of Sherlock Holmes - at once stretching between the streets of London with in all its vividness, to the deeper, richer world beyond - into the mind of the man whose name this novel bears - with A Study In Scarlet. And from then on, there was no turning back.

Sherlock Holmes stories are interesting and endlessly entertaining. I still remember the initial scepticism (much like our dear Dr. Watson) and then the increasing awe and astonishment with which I read Holmes' descriptions of Dr. Watson without first having seen or heard of the man. (The awe and amazement that I speak of were provoked, of course, when Holmes explained how he deducted his findings. The findings were first greeted with scepticism when first pronounced in his typical, Holmes manner. 'Every thing is simple once it's explained,' Holmes once famously complained.)

To this day I remain in awe of Holmes intellect, his passion for rigorous mental athletics, his laid back approach, his suaveness and his style. If there's one man to have come out of the Victorian era who had style - encompassing both his intellectual rigour and individual eccentricity - it's this beloved fictional detective who has entertained countless generations of readers for decades, and will for years to come.

I will always look back on the December of 2005 with fond recollections of the wonder, thrill, fear and 'aha!' that I felt at various times, often simultaneously, and even after re-reads, while reading these stories.

There are few ways as good to spend long winter nights than escaping - for an escape is what these delicious stories offer us readers - into the adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

Here's to Holmes and Watson!