The Ultimate Guide to Unlocking Sherlock Holmes: Mastering the Art of Reading the Stories

Summary

Experiencing the stories in the Sherlock Holmes books in the chronological order of their publication, beginning with A Study In Scarlet in 1887 and ending with The Casebook Of Sherlock Holmes in 1927, allows readers to share the same journey as Doyle's original audience.

For a more comprehensive experience of Holmes' adventures, it is recommended to read the books in a hybrid order that incorporates both publication and chronological sequences. This order commences with A Study In Scarlet, where the detective is introduced, delves into the iconic tale of The Hound Of The Baskervilles, and culminates with his final chronological appearance in His Last Bow.

Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle have remained popular since they were first published. However, much like the intricacies of the detective's mysteries, there is more to reading the Sherlock Holmes books in a specific order than may initially meet the eye. Starting with "A Study In Scarlet" in 1887, Sherlock Holmes and his partner Dr. John Watson have been solving mysteries together for over a century, both on the page and on screen. Yet, despite the numerous adaptations over the years, many audiences may not be aware of the ideal way to enjoy the Sherlock Holmes books in a specific order.

At first glance, it may not seem like a complex task to choose the order in which to read the Sherlock Holmes stories. However, as they were not published chronologically, simply following the publication order is not necessarily the most logical approach to experiencing these classic works by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. There are various ways to tackle the Sherlock Holmes books: reading them in the order of their release, reading them in chronological order, or following a combined approach that presents the best way to enjoy the Sherlock Holmes books in a specific order.

Sherlock Holmes Books In Release Order

One way to fully immerse oneself in the world of Sherlock Holmes is to read his books in the order they were published. Starting from A Study In Scarlet in 1887 and finishing with The Casebook Of Sherlock Holmes in 1927, following the publishing order allows readers to experience the stories in the same sequence as Doyle's original audience would have.

A Study In Scarlet (1887)

Published in 1887, A Study in Scarlet marked the debut of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. The book's title derives from a memorable speech by Holmes, in which he refers to his murder investigations as "a study in scarlet," as he meticulously uncovers every detail. When a lifeless body is discovered in an abandoned residence in England, devoid of any visible signs of violence, a single word is ominously scrawled in blood on the wall. It is at this juncture that Holmes assumes the case and unravels a web of murder far surpassing the initial expectations of the authorities.

A Study in Scarlet, released in 1914 as a silent movie, was one of the earliest film adaptations of the famous Sherlock Holmes novel. However, in 1933, another movie bearing the same name was released, although its storyline bore no resemblance to the original Doyle story. The story also appeared on television in the 1954-1955 television series, but only the opening scene set up a different narrative. A more faithful adaptation was seen in the 1968 BBC series, featuring Peter Cushing as Holmes. In 2010, the first episode of the television series Sherlock adapted the story but gave it the new title A Study in Pink. Elementary, another television series, also had an episode titled A Study in Charlotte, which served as an adaptation of the same novel.

The Sign Of Four (1890)

The Sign of Four, the second installment of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series, revolves around a young woman seeking Holmes and Watson's assistance in locating her missing father. This initial request propels them on a captivating journey marked by a perplexing map and sparse clues. Noteworthy within this narrative is Watson's candid inquiry into Holmes' substance abuse, which adds an intriguing layer to the story. Additionally, the inclusion of the Baker Street Irregulars aids Holmes in his pursuit of solving different aspects of the case. As the plot unfolds, Watson finds himself captivated by Mary Morstan, ultimately leading to a heartfelt proposal of marriage.

The Sign of Four has been adapted multiple times throughout the years, including three different silent films from 1905 to 1923. It was also featured in the 1968 TV series, where Peter Cushing and Nigel Stock portrayed Holmes and Watson. In 1983, a TV movie was released with Ian Richardson and David Healy in the lead roles. Furthermore, the Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman series, titled The Sign of Three, adapted the story in its third season, released in 2014.

The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes (1892)

The next book in the Sherlock Holmes series is titled "The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes" and consists of 12 short stories revolving around the renowned detective. These tales primarily revolve around a significant theme - Holmes' relentless pursuit of rectifying societal injustices. Unlike many law enforcement officials who prioritize expediency, Holmes dedicates his time to ensuring a fair sense of justice prevails. Notably, this book marks the sole appearance of Irene Adler (in "A Scandal in Bohemia"). Despite her limited presence, she has become one of the most beloved characters in movies and TV shows.

Sherlock Holmes has been the inspiration for various movies and TV shows, extending to his collection of short stories, which includes this particular book. The title of this book was even used as the name for some TV series. Moreover, Irene has made appearances as the romantic interest in both Elementary and BBC's Sherlock. Rachel McAdams also portrayed Irene in the Sherlock Holmes movies starring Robert Downey Jr. The stories from this book were featured in the 1921 film series and the 1984 TV series.

The Memoirs Of Sherlock Holmes (1893)

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes is a subsequent compilation of short stories, representing the second installment in the series of Sherlock Holmes books. Within this collection, there are a total of 12 stories. Initially, these tales were individually published in The Strand Magazine prior to being consolidated into this volume. Significantly, it was intended to serve as Holmes' demise as indicated in The Final Problem, the closing narrative in this compilation. Nonetheless, due to overwhelming demand from fans, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle relented and resurrected the brilliant detective.

Almost all the stories featured in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes have been adapted into television shows or movies throughout the years. The entire collection of stories was made into a film series in 1921. Furthermore, in the 1984 TV series, eight out of the twelve stories were transformed into individual episodes. Interestingly, "The Cardboard Box" was also included in the series, although it was given the title The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.

The Hound Of The Baskervilles (1902)

Sherlock Holmes was initially killed off by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in The Final Problem, and for the following nine years, the famous detective remained deceased. However, in 1902, Doyle revived the character in a new story titled The Hound of the Baskervilles, which was set in the past. This captivating tale revolved around an attempted murder that contributed to the creation of the legend surrounding the sinister Hound of the Baskervilles. While maintaining the essence of Holmes' mysterious nature, this particular story incorporated a significant amount of gothic horror, centered around the mythical creature. The novel achieved remarkable success and played a crucial role in resurrecting Holmes' character from oblivion.

The story underwent several adaptations, including several short films and its inclusion in the 1921 film series. Moreover, in 1939, a high-budget Hollywood movie featuring Basil Rathbone as Holmes arrived, titled "The Hound of the Baskervilles." Additionally, another film based on the same story was released in 1959, starring Peter Cushing in the lead role as Holmes. The popular Benedict Cumberbatch series, as part of the second season of BBC's Sherlock, also incorporated this story. Furthermore, it served as the inspiration for two separate episodes of Elementary, specifically "The Hound of the Cancer Cells" and "Hounded."

The Return Of Sherlock Holmes (1905)

In 1905, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle revived his famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, through the publication of The Sherlock Holmes books. This came a decade after Sherlock's supposed demise. The Adventures of the Empty House serves as an account of Holmes' explanation of his survival. Interestingly, the final tale within the collection declared Holmes' retirement and stated that he would not return, yet Doyle eventually succumbed to the demand and brought him back a few years later. In total, this anthology included 13 captivating short stories.

Many of the stories featured in The Return of Sherlock Holmes underwent various adaptations. The 1921 film series incorporated several of these stories. With the exception of three, all the tales were also included in the 1984 TV series. The Benedict Cumberbatch BBC Sherlock series drew inspiration from the first story in the book, elaborating on how the protagonist faked his own death after the second season. Additionally, the episode "Dead Man's Tale" from the TV show Elementary utilized the plot of "Black Peter". Moreover, both the TV series Sherlock and Elementary adapted the story "The Pearl of Death".

The Valley Of Fear (1915)

In the final novel of the Sherlock Holmes series, which takes place ten years after his retirement in the previous collection of short stories, Doyle delves into a thrilling tale called The Valley of Fear. Loosely inspired by the real-life Pinkerton agent James McParland and the enigmatic Molly Maguires, the story begins with Holmes and Watson arriving at an elegant countryside mansion. There, they are confronted with a mysterious death or possible suicide and become entangled in a web of secrets surrounding a clandestine society.

There have been four films that adapted the story. This includes a silent film in 1916, a movie titled The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes in 1935, a 1962 film called Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace which incorporated some elements from the story, and a 1983 animated movie featuring Peter O'Toole as the voice of Holmes. The story was also featured in the 1954 TV series and referenced in the final episode of the fourth season of BBC's Sherlock, titled The Final Problem.

His Last Bow (1917)

Released two years after the final Sherlock Holmes novel, His Last Bow is a compilation of previously published stories. Originally printed in various magazines from 1908 to 1917, these tales reaffirm Holmes' retired status and robust well-being. Surprisingly, the book delves into Holmes' war service rather than his usual detective work, making it a unique addition to his literary repertoire.

All the stories in this collection, except for The Last Bow, were featured in the 1984 TV series. The Adventures of the Cardboard Box was incorporated into Elementary, but with the title "Ears to You." The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans was partially utilized in BBC's Sherlock, specifically in season 1 episode, "The Great Game." The Adventure of the Dying Detective served as inspiration for the Elementary episode in season 1 titled "You Do It Yourself." Furthermore, the Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax served as the basis for the Elementary episode entitled "The Ballad of Lady Frances."

The Case Book Of Sherlock Holmes (1927)

The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes was published 10 years following the previous collection and three years prior to the passing of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This final collection consists of 12 short stories, all released between 1921 and 1927.

Sherlock Holmes Books In Chronological Story Order

All except for three stories in this collection of short stories were adapted for the 1984 television series. In the third season of the series, Elementary introduced Kitty Winter and Adelbert Gruner, who were characters from The Adventure of the Illustrious Client. The premiere of season 2 for Elementary was based on The Adventure of the Three Gables. The mystery from The Problem of Thor Bridge was used in Murder, She Wrote, CSI, and Elementary.

In theory, it would make the most sense to read the Sherlock Holmes stories in chronological order. However, in practice, this can become messy. The series consists of novels and short story collections, with some short stories taking place before certain novels, while others from the same collection occur later. Reading the books in chronological order may not perfectly align with the actual Sherlock Holmes chronology. Nevertheless, for those who wish to experience the adventures of the detective and his assistant in the same order they did, reading Doyle's books chronologically is the way to go.

A Study In Scarlet

The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes

The Valley Of Fear

The Sign Of Four

The Hound Of The Baskervilles

The Memoirs Of Sherlock Holmes

The Return Of Sherlock Holmes

The Case-Book Of Sherlock Holmes

His Last Bow

The Best Reading Order For Sherlock Holmes Books

Reading Doyle's books in either publication or chronological order has its merits, but neither is the optimal way to fully appreciate the series. Although this order shares similarities with the chronological sequence, it does differ slightly. The first three entries introduce the renowned detective, while The Casebook Of Sherlock Holmes and The Valley Of Fear are perfect for indulging in his captivating mysteries.

The Memoirs Of Sherlock Holmes and The Return Of Sherlock Holmes center around Sherlock Holmes' demise and subsequent resurrection, thus following a chronological pattern. The Hound Of The Baskervilles stands out as Sherlock's most iconic story, while His Last Bow marks his final appearance in chronological order. While there might exist multiple ways to savor Sherlock Holmes' mysteries, this approach is undeniably the finest.