A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle | Book Review

This first Sherlock Holmes book is really fun because you get to see Dr. Watson meeting him for the first time. You get to see them discovering each other's peculiarities and watch as they become the famous roommates at 221b Baker Street. I also love when they use the phrase, "What the deuce?" There are many fantastic phrases in the writing and besides that Doyle's descriptive diction is top notch. So you get a cool fun mysterious plot with fantastic prose. The best of both worlds I dare say. 

I love Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's writing. He captures the voice of Watson so well. The cunning mind of Sherlock Holmes makes the story intriguing and he is a great character I love. One shouldn't ignore, however, that the beautiful writing with which the stories of Sherlock's adventures unfold make them sharper, more richly rendered, and more inspiring. The hunt for the criminal is awesome to read, but the gorgeous prose that delivers the mood, sights, sounds, and smells make the Sherlock stories instant classics to be held up as great works of literature. I particularly like the way Doyle describes characters in his stories. I get a keen vision of them in my mind. Another favorite line of Doyle's, though not from this book, is when Watson describes a visitor to their flat as "decidedly nautical." The flavor of these stories is one I keep coming back to because they're so great.

The last story in this book was a bit odd, but if you stick with it there are exciting scenes to be had. It has to do with other characters in the American west. I just wish it would have been another story that started at 221b Baker Street. It all kind of ties in, though, if you pay attention to the character's names and Sherlock and Watson do find their way back into the story in the end. All in all this is a special Sherlock Holmes book because you get to see the genesis of the fantastic duo of Watson and Holmes form. I can't wait to read the next one!

Get the book on Amazon:
A Study in Scarlet (Wisehouse Classics Edition - with original illustrations by George Hutchinson)

Check out the late author's website:
http://www.arthurconandoyle.com/