The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection

Title: The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection

Author: Arthur Conan Doyle

Published in: 1905

Date read: 1st September 2015

Score: 5/5

Genre: Detective, Crime, Mystery

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle encompasses all of the legendary detective's adventures, bringing together four novels and fifty-six short stories that collectively define the genre of detective fiction. Published between 1887 and 1927, these tales cemented Sherlock Holmes as an icon of logical deduction and forensic science.

The collection introduces Holmes, a brilliant, eccentric, and socially awkward "consulting detective," who resides at 221B Baker Street in London. He possesses unparalleled powers of observation, deduction, and knowledge in various specialized fields, particularly chemistry, toxicology, and the intricacies of criminal psychology. His unique methods, often involving disguises, chemical experiments, and a deep understanding of human nature, allow him to solve cases that baffle Scotland Yard.

Holmes's adventures are almost always narrated by his loyal friend and chronicler, Dr. John H. Watson. Watson, a former army surgeon, serves as the reader's eyes and ears, providing a grounded, often awestruck, perspective on Holmes's genius. His role is crucial, as he documents Holmes's cases, frequently misunderstands the detective's leaps of logic, and ultimately humanizes the brilliant but often detached Holmes.

The four novels are:

A Study in Scarlet (1887): Holmes and Watson's first meeting and their inaugural case, involving a murder with a mysterious American connection.

The Sign of the Four (1890): A complex tale of hidden treasure, colonial intrigue, and a one-legged man.

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902): A gothic masterpiece set on Dartmoor, involving a spectral hound and a family curse.

The Valley of Fear (1915): A story of murder, secret societies, and Holmes's confrontation with Professor Moriarty.

The fifty-six short stories are divided into five collections: "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," "The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes," "The Return of Sherlock Holmes," "His Last Bow," and "The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes." These stories showcase Holmes tackling a vast array of crimes, from seemingly impossible locked-room mysteries to international espionage, and from bizarre blackmail schemes to cold-blooded murders. They feature memorable villains, baffling clues, and Holmes's dazzling revelations.

Central to the collection is the recurring antagonist, Professor James Moriarty, Holmes's intellectual equal and the "Napoleon of Crime," whose existence poses the ultimate challenge to the detective's abilities. Doyle's works established many enduring tropes of detective fiction and continue to captivate readers worldwide with their intricate plots and timeless characters.

Comments:
There is no way that a fan of detective/mystery stories like myself would not love this collection. I actually started to read a few individual stories but managed to get a copy of the complete works and ploughed through them. As well as these stories that obviously influenced so many writers of the future, it is fascinating to read about the author and how he didn't particularly like these and used them solely to generate funds for his very unpopular books. Either way, I am not only grateful for these stories, I am grateful for his influencing of so many other writers to create so many other books and shows/films that we can all enjoy today.

Books that we've read by Arthur Conan Doyle (1):
The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection (1905)