The Penguin Complete Sherlock Holmes

Shortly thereafter, I purchased what purported to be the 'only complete Sherlock Holmes available', compiled by Christopher Morley. This became my favourite book. However, I have continued to collect editions of the Sherlock Holmes stories, and this is one of those collections. It does contain all the short stories and all the novels. It does not have illustrations or other commentary, and the print (in a double-column format) is rather small, but it is nonetheless a useful text for those who don't want to have a heavier book in their hands.

The original stories, which appeared in The Strand magazine, were illustrated, by the great illustrator Sidney Paget.

From the beginning introduction of Holmes and Watson to Holmes' gentle retirement to beekeepping on the southern coast of England, this book contains all the essential stories (none of the apocryphal, anecdotal, or tribute-written pieces are contained here). Holmes was often thought to be a real person, and Sherlockians the world over still search for 'evidence' to prove that he was. During his 'lifetime', the post office for the Baker Street area regularly received mail addressed to Holmes or Watson at 221B Baker Street. While such an address does not (and did not during the late Victorian era) exist, there is a business on the site that would be 221B, and they have dedicated a desk to Holmes, and strive to answer mail received in the great detective's name.

Perhaps the two elements that made Holmes and Watson the world-renowned figures that they became are, first, the dominance of the British Empire globally at the time Conan Doyle was writing, which made English things sought-after, admired, and to be emulated, and secondly, the introduction of a method of detection hitherto unknown, both in the annals of detective stories (save perhaps in a proto-form in Poe and a few other obscure pieces of dubious literary merit) and in real life.

Holmesian tales became required reading in the training of police and detectives in many parts of the world. It is still recommended even when it is not required.

Holmes permeates other literature and venues as well. When Data on Star Trek: The Next Generation looks for images of Holmes, he is being guided by the descriptions in the stories as well as by the illustrations in The Strand. When the BBC produced Jeremy Brett's rendering of Holmes, the same holds true. When Basil Rathbone's films were cast, these illustrations and stories were uppermost in the directors' minds.

So, pull some tobacco from your persian slipper, stoke your pipe, scratch out a tune on your violin, and re-enter the gas-lit world of the foggy London, where danger is afoot and one detective can always save the day.


All the stories in ONE volume   February 17, 2005
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

For anyone who does not know Holmes or has a few of the stories and would like more, this is perfect. A great book to read from start to finish and a great book to dip into again and again.

It has all of the Holmes stories from the first meeting of Watson and Holmes to the Reichenbach falls - and beyond to the return of Holmes (who starts to tell his own stories). Includes also the Hound of the Baskervilles.

The only tip that I would give is (if you can afford it) spend a little extra on the hardback - this book is read so much that the pages soon get bent! The paper back cover is very flimsy, but for the price it doesn't really matter.


Absolutely Fantastic!   March 1, 2004
 44 out of 45 found this review helpful

This hardcover volume contains the complete works of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It contains "A Study in Scarlet", "The Sign of Four", "The adventures of Sherlock Holmes", "Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes", "The Return of Sherlock Holmes", the acclaimed classic, "The Hound of the Baskervilles", "The Valley of Fear", "His Last Bow", and "The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes". It really is the complete complete works. It tells of Watson's first meeting with Sherlock Holmes and all the small case they solve (or rather Holmes solves, Watson goes "ahhhh")

The whole book is attractively bound and would make an excellent gift. The hard back cover and dust jacket make it look like it's worth alot more than Amazon charge!

I would recommend this book to anyone, and I mean anyone. Most people who haven't read Sherlock Holmes turn their nose up at it. I was the same. Then I read it! After all, it's elementary, dear reader!!!!!! Sorry, couldn't resist!