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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
In my opinion, these are the best Sherlock Holmes stories yet. They are interesting and entertaining, and the resolutions don't feel outlandish like in "The Sign of the Four".
I was expecting so much more. People make such a big deal of Sherlock Holmes. I mean, these were fine, entertaining, little cozy mysteries. But the writing wasn't anything special, and every male character was so pompously full of themself to be laughable. A nice light read if that's what you're in for.
I think this book really fleshed out Sherlock for me. It made him feel like more of a person somehow, and he was a lot more likeable. I really loved this whole book.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I will never tire of the adventures of Holmes and Watson. Such classic tales, such wit and humor and such clever deductions to solve mysteries quite strange, especially for their time.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence
Minor: Abandonment
adventurous
challenging
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is the first Sherlock Holmes I’ve read, but I’ve read and watched many spin offs which I love. I didn’t realize that it would be a collection of short stories or cases. Most spin offs are of one case with a strong B-storyline. I think the mysteries were excellent but it was missing that B-storyline that pulls me through the narrative. I think even if every chapter was a new case as long as there was more characters development with the primary relationship with Watson and the recurring side characters then it wouldn’t of taken so long to read it. I didn’t have any urgency to pick the book up after each case. I’ve heard that there are stronger stories in his earlier work, but still now sure if I’ll revisit Sherlock’s original work.
Before I dive into The Hound of the Baskervilles, which I have high hopes for, I'm going to need a little break from Sherlock Holmes. The stories become a little more tiring at each turn and the portrayal of women is also becoming wearying after a few more hours with them. That said, I still admire what Doyle did in creating this character and how the influence is still pervasive today.
I’m really reading these out of order, but as my first venture into the world of Sherlock Holmes, it makes me wonder why I didn’t start sooner. I will fully say that my interest in reading this series is because of my love of Herlock Sholmes from the Great Ace Attorney video games. However, the reason I love this book is the same reason I love Who’s the Murderer and the earlier seasons of Elementary, which is that they are presented in mostly self-contained cases in which I can pick one up at anytime and understand what’s going on. I started reading this book to serve as a mental break from Life: A User’s Manual, and I never expected to finish it this fast, which really shows how much I loved the stories. Sherlock Holmes is kind of an asshole but in the best way possible. Anyway, I’ve already bought the first book of short stories, so I’m excited to continue my journey.