Author: Arthur Conan Doyle
First published: 1893
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Rating: ★★★★★
This is the second collection of Sherlock Holmes short stories, and the one where he dies (which is hardly a spoiler, as well as that he will be revived again :) ) Needless to say, the last story, the one with prof. Moriarty, Reichenbach falls and the last confrontation between the "Napoleon of crime" and the most famous "consulting detective" of all times, is the most awesome of all. It's actually a thriller, not a mystery, as there is no case in the story, but the mood is perfect for waving goodbye to Sherlock. It's very sad. What is also surprising is that it's also the first story in which Moriarty appears ever, and what a powerful character this obscure maths professor immediately becomes! It's like Irene Adler: she is also mentioned only in one short story and yet, as Moriarty, she is present in every S.H. adaptation since then.
As for other stories, I especially liked "The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual", "The Adventure of the Reigate Squire" and "Silver Blaze". The first one is about treasure hunt, the latter two are sometimes really funny, and all involve some nice deductions. I was however a bit disappointed with "The Adventure of the Stockbroker's Clerk", because it reminded me so much of "The Adventure of the Red-Headed League". They are really twin stories and I was wondering if Doyle had run out of plots or he was simply experimenting how the same device would work in a slightly different story.
In my book:
Although this collection doesn't contain as many all-time favourites as The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, it is very nice overall, and the ending is just wonderful!
Great review! I still hope to read this book before the year is over. It was interesting to read your thoughts on the collection and that's a good point about how Moriarty and Irene Adler are so popular even though they only make brief appearances. I really look forward to reading the story where Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty have their showdown. Are you a fan of the BBC Sherlock series?
ReplyDeleteThanks! And oh yes, I LOVE the new BBC Sherlock! I think it's awesome how they transport all the stories to modern world with all the devices and publicity and everything. And the main characters a super-cool! :)
DeleteI am totally fascinated by the world I have ahead of me with Sherlock Holmes. I fell in love with the BBC adaptation, and now I can't wait to delve into the written works.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad BBC adaptation is bringing more and more fans to the books! I read them all before watching any adaptation, so I already was a fan, but if I wasn't, the series would definitely have made me!
DeleteI enjoyed reading your review! It hadn't occurred to me to think of Final Problem as a thriller, but you're so right. I was just a kid when I first read it, and it convinced me he actually died! :(
ReplyDeleteWell, that was Doyle's initial plan - to really-really kill him! It is believed that he didn't want to write any more stories with him, but then he dodged to public opinion. So, for me, his death is much more believable then his miraculous returning :)
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