THE CANON PART FOUR - THE NOVELS

It is in the short stories that Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes are at their best but there were also four novels about the great detective written by Doyle.


A Study in Scarlet - Originally published in 1887 in Beaton's Christmas Annual. This is the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes. The story is padded with much of the second half being redundant. However Holmes is a tremendous creation and springs fully realised from the page. 5/10

The Sign of Four - A major disappointment and Doyle seems not to have taken the story at all seriously. At one point we are told it is July and then the next moment we are in September and yet later in the story Holmes remarks it will be light at 3am which suggests we are back in mid-summer. Watson's war wound, always in his shoulder has here travelled to his leg. 4/5


The Hound of the Baskerville's - Perhaps the best known Holmes story and thankfully it holds together well as a longer work. Doyle takes his time in building up the narrative and more depth than usual is given to the supporting characters. It's also successful in creating the Gothic atmospheric that has made it one of the most filmed adventures.9/10

Valley of Fear- Essentially two novellas stuck together to make a longer work. The story works rather well and it is no wonder that many have called it the first hardboiled story. It is generally the most unpopular novel among Holmes fans but a favourite with casual readers. Personally I'd give it a 7/10