Sherlock Holmes is one of the most enduring characters in literature. His skill and brilliance were unparalleled. He was super-human. As the precursor to the modern day superhero, Holmes dazzled readers with his exploits and adventures for 40 years. So, it comes as no surprise that Robert Downey, Jr. of Iron Man fame is set to play the yet another superhero in Guy Ritchie’s upcoming Sherlock Holmes.
The original 4 novels and 56 short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle have inspired over 200 films, dozens of radio shows, television series, countless pastiches and even museums and international clubs dedicated to Holmes. More than 120 years after his first appearance, people still can’t get enough of the Great Detective. Here are ten of the best Sherlock Holmes stories.
1.The Adventure of the Speckled Band – Holmes must solve the mystery of a woman who dies in a room locked from the inside. Along the way, he battles a cheetah, a baboon and an evil step-father. It’s a gothic thriller with more fun and melodrama than most Holmes stories. The Speckled Band is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s personal favorite.
2. The Red-Headed League – Why would someone pay a man a princely sum to merely sit in an empty office day after day for no other reason than his fiery red hair? It’s an odd, quirky and wonderfully woven mystery.
3. The Adventure of the Dancing Men – Coded messages in the shapes of little dancing men are the key to solving this mystery of a woman’s secret past. Holmes shows off his skills as a cryptologist in this tragic love-triangle.
4. A Scandal in Bohemia – Holmes must recover incriminating photographs and letters that threaten the King of Bohemia’s impending marriage. The first Sherlock Holmes story to appear in the famous Strand Magazine is also the only one where he faces defeat, and at the hands of a woman no less, the beautiful Irene Adler. Filled with disguises and twists, this story shows a seldom seen side of Holmes. As Watson says, “To Sherlock Holmes she is always the woman.”
5. The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle – The only story set during the Christmas holiday, Holmes solves the case with a hat as his only clue. This story shows the true friendship between Holmes and Watson. It’s a story of mercy triumphing over the rule of law and is a perennial favorite.
6. The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual – A college friend of Holmes asks for help when his maid and butler mysterious disappear. A cryptic 17th century ritual holds the key and leads Holmes on an intricate treasure hunt. Enticing bits of anecdotes of Holmes’ youth give the enigmatic detective even more depth.
7. The Adventure of the Final Problem – This was to be last Sherlock Holmes story and it left readers all across London in a state of mourning. It introduced Holmes’ arch enemy, the brilliant and diabolical Professor Moriarty. It’s a thrill to see Holmes duel with a truly worthy adversary. On the run, Holmes and Watson travel to Switzerland where Holmes and Moriarty face off in one of the most famous and shocking endings of all time.
8. The Adventure of the Empty House – Holmes returns! Bowing to pressure, Conan Doyle “resurrected” Sherlock Holmes. The Empty House fills in the blanks of Holmes’ missing years. But, Holmes still isn’t safe as more attempts are made on his life.
9. The Adventure of the Six Napoleons – In this clever tale, Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard asks Holmes for help in solving a series of what appear to be the acts of a madman. Someone is destroying plaster busts of Napoleon. Holmes knows better, of course, and soon finds himself on the trail of a jewel thief. It’s a fun fast-paced read.
10. The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans – This story gives readers another glimpse at Sherlock’s older (and, believe it or not!) smarter brother. Mycroft Holmes works secretly for the British government and Holmes describes him as “the most indispensable man in the country.” Mycroft asks Holmes for help in solving the mystery of missing pages from a top-secret military plan. The story is engaging, but it’s the peek at Holmes’ private life that is the most intriguing.
You can read or download these stories and all of the other wonderful Sherlock Holmes adventures here.
