A Reading Guide to the Sherlock Holmes Books by Arthur Conan Doyle

The archetypal publication published and the archetypal successful the immense chronology, A Study successful Scarlet introduced the satellite to Sherlock Holmes, his mustachioed companion Dr. John Watson, and their iconic residence, 221B Baker Street (which LEGO has turned into a beauteous neat publication nook). In it, the duo analyse a gruesome execution and traverse Victorian London and beyond successful hunt of an answer.

2. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

This postulation of 12 abbreviated stories diagnostic Holmes and Watson successful their prime. The archetypal communicative " A Scandal successful Bohemia" introduces Irene Adler, who has been reinterpreted implicit the years arsenic Holmes' emotion involvement and is simply a salient fig successful the mythos. All of these abbreviated stories diagnostic detective cases of assorted magnitudes, and service arsenic a large mode to get deeper into minds of Holmes and Watson aft finishing A Study successful Scarlet.

3. The Valley of Fear

The Valley of Fear is really the past afloat magnitude caller that was published, but fits determination adjacent the mediate of the greater chonology. Holmes and Watson are erstwhile again called upon to analyse a grisly murder, this clip taking them each the mode to Vermissa Valley (the Valley of Fear, arsenic it were) successful the United States. A information of the publication is told from Pinkerton cause Birdy Edwards' constituent of view, offering a person look into the caput of motivations of the antagonist.

4. The Sign of Four

Next up is the Sign of Four, which introduces Watson's eventual emotion interest, Mary Morstan, arsenic good arsenic Sherlock's struggles and dependancy connected drugs. Mary brings the lawsuit of her missing begetter to the duo, who disappeared 10 years prior. Once a twelvemonth for six years, Mary receives a pearl successful the mail, with the sixth pearl including an invitation to yet conscionable this mysterious sender. What follows is different large communicative of enigma and intrigue with larger consequences.

5. The Hound of the Baskervilles

Probably the astir fashionable and recognized Sherlock Holmes tales, the Hound of the Baskervilles (the 3rd caller to beryllium published) is simply a veritable shade communicative rife with suspense and chills. Naturally, not everything is arsenic it seems, arsenic the duo has to contention against clip and contend with a phantom hound to prevention the endangered Baskerville heir. Some folks similar to work this a spot later, but arsenic this is simply a chronogical speechmaking order, it stays here.

6. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes is made up of 12 abbreviated stories and is the archetypal quality of some Sherlock's older member Mycroft Holmes, and his deadly nemesis, Professor James Moriarty. Moriarty's sanction has been sprinkled passim the stories starring up to his archetypal phyical quality successful the abbreviated communicative "The Adventure of the Final Problem", successful which Sherlock Holmes falls to his decease astatine the Reichenbach Falls. Or did he?

7. The Return of Sherlock Holmes

Moreso a real-world fiscal inducement for Arthur Conan Doyle than a originative literate strategy, The Return of Sherlock Holmes sees our favourite detective instrumentality from the dead. The archetypal abbreviated communicative successful this postulation of 13 is "The Adventure of the Empty House", successful which Watson is investigating the execution of a justice with the assistance of a disguised Sherlock Holmes. Holmes reveals himself to Watson, and tells the communicative of however helium really was victorious implicit Moriarty and spent years traveling crossed the globe.

8. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes

The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes tin beryllium work astatine immoderate time, arsenic the postulation of 12 abbreviated stories (and the past to beryllium published) is meant to beryllium enjoyed arsenic a standalone experience. It's astatine this spot connected our list, however, due to the fact that a quality from the abbreviated communicative "The Advenure of the Illustrious Client", mentioned successful erstwhile stories, dies. What tin I say, I don't similar spoilers.

9. His Last Bow

The last postulation of 8 abbreviated stories, and the existent decision of the tales of Sherlock Holmes. It includes a meta, "in-universe" connection from Dr. Watson assuring readers that Sherlock is live and well, though retired. We besides get an atypical look astatine Sherlock's beingness during his warfare service. This postulation has grander stakes than the previous, with Sherlock coming retired of status to assistance the authorities successful the events starring up to World War I.

Everything outline supra tin beryllium picked up successful 1 spot with the Sherlock Holmes Complete Collection. It includes each 9 books; the 4 novels and each abbreviated communicative compilation. This mentation besides includes a diary for you to instrumentality notes and support way of events with. Even the publishers cognize however analyzable the timeline tin be.

The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection (Leather-bound)

If similar a much classical consciousness erstwhile speechmaking these timeless stories, I'd suggest the 1,000+ leafage leather-bound postulation of each the Sherlock Holmes stories. It looks amended connected the bookshelf with its monolithic spine oregon serves arsenic a centerpiece for a java table. It's presently lone $18.65 (38% off), not a atrocious woody for specified a monolithic postulation of unthinkable mysteries.

Myles Obenza is simply a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him connected Bluesky @mylesobenza.bsky.social.

Originally posted:

Jul 18, 2025 10:30 pm