s missing. The exact date the story takes place is not specified but since Watson is still sharing room with Holmes it must have been before the doctor was married. Holmes' client is unnamed but it has been speculated he was based on Prince Albert, the second son of Queen Victoria. 8/10The Adventure of the Copper Breeches- A highly paid governess fears for her safety in an eccentric country house. From this story we learn that Holmes smokes a long Cherrywood pipe when he is in a foul mood.This is not one of the better stories and Doyle seems to be merely writing by numbers. 4/10
The Adventure of the Silver Blaze -Holmes investigates the theft of a champion racehorse. Holmes' character is developed further in this story and it is revealed that he is a champion boxer but rarely takes exercise for its own good. 6/10
The Adventure of the Cardboard Box-A grisly case starts when a spinster receives two severed ears in the post. In this story Holmes buys a Stradivarius for the bargain price of 55 shillings. A great story, darker than most with a strong sense of atmosphere. 9/10
The Adventure of the Yellow Face- A husband hired Holmes to discover if his wife is playing away from home. This story is interesting in that it reveals the racism of the Victorian era but it doesn't really work otherwise. 3/10
The Adventure of the Stockbroker's Pipe - A city worker consults Holmes when he learns that two employers are actually the same man. A clever reworking of the plot from The Red Headed League. 8/10
The Adventure of th
e Gloria Scott- A friend of Holmes' from his student days reveals that is father is under danger from a mysterious stranger. This is an odd tale, more swashbuckler than crime drama. Still it sheds some light on Holmes' youth and it is interesting for this.7/10The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual-Holmes investigates the disappearance of a butler and maid. This is one of the more famous stories and one of the very best. 10/10
The Adventure of the Crooked Man -A colonel is murdered and his wife is the main suspect. We learn that Holmes has a working knowledge of the bible. A workmanlike story. 6/10
The Adventure of the Resident Patient-A wealthy man with a heart condition fears for his life. Another great story with bags of atmospheric doom.9/10
The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter - A Greek interpreter is coerced into interviewing a restrained man. Holmes talks about his brother, Mycroft and his appearance lifts the story. Once again excellent. 10/10
The Adventure of the Naval Treaty - A top secret treaty goes missing from the foreign office. Another great story. 9/10
The Adventure of the Final Problem- Fed up with his creation, Doyle kills Holmes off. Perhaps revitalised because he thought this would be the final Holmes story, Doyle turned in a powerhouse of a tale. 10/10
4 comments:
Great stuff, these canon posts. Thanks. Out of all the anthologies out there, I'm wondering which are the best ones to acquire.
LAURIE -Get the Adventures collection as these are the first set of Strand stories up to The Final Problem.BUt of course all of the stories can be read online. And I will be looking at many of the different collections in one of the final posts of the weekend. Stay tuned some great interviews to come.
I'd say sample of couple of Gary's highly rated stories online. If you like 'em (and why wouldn't you?), you'll want them all, so you can go the whole hog and get the massive 3-volume New Annotated Sherlock Holmes set.
Dashed good plan, my dear Evan
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