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Summary: One of the more complex Holmes stories.....
Review: Having read this book some years ago, I can say that it is one of the more complex Sherlock Holmes stories written. The murder is not what it appears, the motive for it takes many twists and turns and puts Holmes to the very limits as a detective to solve a case that turns out to be far more reaching in it's complexity and in the number of people whose lives are forever changed by it. The ending is somewhat sad but for Holmes himself, it was a case that he found refreshingly chalenging to solve. Read for yourself and see why.
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Summary: Absolutely wonderful!
Review: A full-cast BBC dramatization, A STUDY IN SCARLET is spellbinding! Clive Merrison and Michael Williams shine as Holmes and Watson, bringing humanity and clarity to the roles. No idiot Dr. Watsons or overly-serious Holmes' here. What a treat!
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Summary: The Fun Is In The Hunt
Review: A review of this book should center on the value of Leslie Klinger's editorial work rather than the story itself. Reviews of the story can be found elsewhere.
Mr. Klinger does a fine job of coalescing information from many sources into one place, both for the budding Sherlockian novitiate, and for the more experienced researcher in the lore. It is an excellent resource both for immediate information, and for direction in where to look for additional detail.
I applaud anyone who takes this kind of time to help us along in our research and followup of The Master.
Mr. Klinger's "Reference Library" (including this book) is a welcome addition to any Sherlockian's research tools.
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Summary: Introducing ... Sherlock Holmes!
Review: A Study in Scarlet is a good detective story, but certainly not Doyle's greatest. But it bears the distinction of being the novel which introduced the world to the legendary Sherlock Holmes. First appearing in 1887, it was not to be the greatest story about Sherlock Holmes, but it was the first. Doyle first introduces us to John H. Watson, a medical doctor recovering from duty in Afghanistan. Watson needs a room-mate, and a mutual acquaintance introduces both him and us to Holmes. So we come to know both Holmes, Watson, and the memorable 221B Baker Street.Watson's first impressions of Holmes are merely that he is a man enshrouded in mystery and eccentricity, and Watson politely restrains his curiosity by avoiding asking too many intrusive questions, despite the parade of strange individuals that come to their apartment to consult Holmes, and despite his bemusement at Holmes' passion for playing the violin and his egotism. Watson's perplexation at Holmes' character and profession is slowly unravelled in the second chapter which Doyle appropriately titles 'The Science of Deduction'. Watson observes that 'his zeal for certain studies was remarkable, and within eccentric limits his knowledge was so extraordinarily ample and minute that his observations have fairly astounded me 'His ignorance was as remarkable as his knowledge. Of contemporary literature, philosophy and politics he appeared to know next to nothing ' That any civilized human being in this nineteenth century should not be aware that the earth travelled round the sun appeared to me to be such an extraordinary fact that I could hardly realize it.'(p11). Holmes apparently is brilliant at identifying a stain on your trousers, but completely ignorant about the most elementary contemporary political events. Ironically, Watson's inability to deduce Holmes' profession proves that he lacks the very ability that he is seeking to uncover in Holmes: deduction. For Holmes doesn't just excel in specialized knowledge, but especially in the science of deduction and logic. By utilizing the skills of observation and analysis Holmes asserts that logic could solve all virtually all problems. In his words: 'From a drop of water, a logician could infer the possibility of an Atlantic or a Niagara without having seen or heard of one or the other. So all life is a great chain, the nature of which is known whenever we are shown a single link of it. Like all other arts, the Science of Deduction and Analysis is one which can only be acquired by long and patient study, nor is life long enough to allow any mortal to attain the highest possible perfection in it. Before turning to those moral and mental aspects of the matter which present the greatest difficulties, let the inquirer begin by mastering more elementary problems. Let him, on meeting a fellow-mortal, learn at a glance to distinguish the history of the man, and the trade or profession to which he belongs. Puerile as such an exercise may seem, it sharpens the faculties of observation, and teaches on where to look and what to look for. By a mans' finger-nails, by his coat-sleeve, by his boots, by his trouser-knees, by the callosities of his forefinger and thumb, by his expression, by his shirtcuffs ' by each of these things a man's calling is plainly revealed. That all united should fail to enlighten the competent inquirer in any case is almost inconceivable.' (p14-15). Watson calls this science of deduction 'ineffable twaddle', but as we know, this is the vintage Holmes we love and the very core of his being. Not only does he prove it to Watson by remarkably deducing that Watson had served duty in Afghanistan, but by collaring the criminal in a murder case. The story itself consists in two parts: the first part introduces us to Holmes and Watson, and describes the murder of Enoch Drebber and his secretary Joseph Stangerson, and several failed attempts of Scotland Yard detectives to solve it, concluding with Holmes unmasking the real perpetrator, to the complete astonishment of all present. The second part is a flashback, explaining the background and motives for the murder, as finally Holmes relates the observations and deductions that led him to solving it. In short, 'the crime was the result of an old-standing and romantic feud, in which love and Mormonism bore a part.' (p103) But what is fascinating about 'A Study in Scarlet' is not so much the mystery, but the man: Holmes himself. Doyle would later learn to eliminate some of the excess baggage present in this story (such as the extended flashback) and focus on Holmes and his deductions. The characterization of Holmes as an eccentric man driven by logic is wonderfully created for the first time in this novel. Already here is the foundation of the Sherlock Holmes that would become so successful in all of Doyle's later stories. A few quotes illustrate how the tone of the deductive Holmes is set: 'In solving a problem of this sort, the grand thing is to be able to reason backward. That is a very useful accomplishment, and a very easy one, but people do not practise it much.' (p99-100) 'There is no branch of detective science which is so important and so much neglected as the art of tracing footsteps.' (p100) 'You see, the whole thing is a chain of logical sequences without a break or flaw.' (p102) Here the successful formula is already established: Scotland Yard is baffled, so is his foil the bumbling doctor Watson, and so are we the readers. Holmes has long solved the mystery before we have even begun identifying red herrings, and it is when he sits by the fire and explains to Watson the process of deduction that we curl up in delight. The partnership between the super-sleuth Holmes and his beloved side-kick Watson all starts here, and if you love Sherlock Holmes, you won't want to miss it!
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Summary: Scarlet Suprises
Review: A Study in Scarlet is the first Sherlock Holmes book written by Arthur Conan Doyle. It begins by having Holmes and Watson meet for the first time and work on their first case together (or rather, Holmes does all of the work as he usually does) The book is divided into two parts, the first is how Holmes perceives the crime (a murder) and finally catches the killer. The second part is a flashback as the killer relates what his motives were and why he carried them out. The first part entices the reader, and I read it straight through. However, the second part drags on and seems a bit unbelievable (the killer was so obsessed with killing that he travelled from America to Europe as his last dying effort to instruct justice). Although its not my favortite Sherlock Holmes book, it opened the doors for the great dective and his sidekick to share many more adventures together.
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Summary: Facinating
Review: Any Holmes book is sure to be good but the first is excellent. It gives more info on Holmes' peculiar personally. I know this probably won't help but if you like mysteries where it is more reasoning than action this is the book you'll want to read (although there is action it isn't in every story) Thank you.
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Summary: BBC or BUST...the tape
Review: BBC is stellar! It took me a while to search for these fantastic audio titles - and there aren't enough reviews about them. They aren't just books on tape -they are books come to life. Sound effects galore, a FULL cast (make sure you get the ones that are), rousing, stirring music. I can't get enough of them. Start with Sherlock Holmes. The tales are short and gripping. The "Study in Scarlett" was great and it really follows the storyline well - with the dramatization you get everything, not just bad abridgements. Try also: The Hound of the Baskervilles -and- Agatha Cristie classics like, Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile Then, when you've had your fill of the mysteries, move on to the classics: Wuthering Heights, War and Peace, Pickwick Papers, Tale of Two Cities, Emma, Peter Pan, The Lion, the Witch , and the Wardrobe, David Copperfield, The Hobbit (this one is my favorite. the sounds effects are great), AND Lord of the Rings (13 tapes but way worth the listen to) BBC does them all! Look also for BBD. They're all in those coppery brown boxes.
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Summary: Holmes and Watson -- The Adventure Begins
Review: Dr. John Watson, invalided out of the army because of wounds sustained in Afghanistan, is looking for a roommate. He finds one in the person of Sherlock Holmes, a rather odd individual who displays astounding depth of knowledge in some areas and abysmal ignorance in others. Despite (or perhaps because of) his uneven education, Holmes displays acute powers of observation and deduction. Watson also finds Holmes to be a talented boxer, fencer, and violinist who conducts noxious chemistry experiments and entertains strange guests. Watson is mystified, but being too polite to ask blunt questions, he unsuccessfully tries to deduce what the devil his new friend is up to. All becomes clear when Watson is called on to assist Holmes as he solves a murder mystery which completely baffles Scotland Yard. The story moves quickly to the inevitable capture of the "bad guy," and then through a lengthy flashback sequence we discover the "bad guy's" motive. Next we return to the "present," where the story draws to its satisfying conclusion. Thus begins a crimefighting partnership that Conan Doyle took through four novels and fifty six short stories. And long after Conan Doyle put down his pen forever, the parternship continues to thrive in countless theatrical performances, radio plays, movies, and literary pastiches.
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Summary: The Begining of a Great Mystery
Review: Dr. Watson was an ordinary man with an ordinary job, until he met Sherlock Holmes, the deductive detective. No sooner had they settled down, when a man was reported dead. Some days later, another man was murdered and they must find the murderer and quick. If you love mysteries, then you'll love A Study in Scarlet. The book has inspired me to read all of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sheflock Holmes books.
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Summary: a must-read classic
Review: How can this story, the first full-length Holmes story by Sir Doyle, be given anything short of a maximum rating? It's a true classic, and a must-read for anyone who is interested in Holmes or, for that matter, the general subject of criminal investigation. The description of Holmes and his methods is not to be missed. A Study in Scarlet is historic on many fronts. First, it contains an interesting British perspective on some American history. Second, it describes London of the last century from the perspective of an author who was there. And third, it is history itself, a landmark work in detective fiction, and in the application of scientific method to forensics. But on top of all this, how can one resist the chance to read a work which goes to four levels of quotation? Watson quoting Gregson quoting Charpentier quoting Drebber, direct throughout, is alone worth the price of admission.
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