Short Stories: Sherlock Holmes

Book: The Five Orange Pips & Other Cases
Author: Arthur Conan Doyle
Publisher: Penguin English Library
Edition Year: 2012


I have been trying to catch up on my classic literature. Perhaps not so much on the classics, but "Must Reads." I was introduced to a few Sherlock Holmes stories last year during a short stories class. I originally wasn't thrilled by the selection because I am not a fan of the mystery genre. Doyle's stories, however aren't quite like the mysteries we read today. He spins very original and well-written tales of Holmes' work as a detective that are seen through the eyes of his trusted colleague, Dr. Watson. Like Watson, the reader isn't always aware of Holmes' thoughts and therefore he has to spill out his full conclusion at the end of the story.

Like Watson, Doyle's profession was as a medical doctor. He was born in 1859 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He also wrote historical and political pamphlets, but it was the creation of the scientific detective that made him famous. After killing off Holmes in The Adventure of the Final Problem, he was forced to resurrect him due to popular demand.

The Holmes' stories were split into four main collections:

The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes (1892)

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1894)

The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1905)

His Last Bow (1917)

The twelve stories chosen for this edition were taken from a competition by The Strand Magazine (who originally printed the series) in 1927 asking fans to guess Doyle's favourite stories. Doyle was then asked to list his twelve favourite and to state his reasons. These were some of my favourites from his picks:

1. The Adventure of the Speckled Band

The Speckled Band is a story about a young girl named Helen Stoner who seeks out Holmes after her sister's death. Though she died a few years prior, sudden events have made Helen suspicious of her stepfather. Her stepfather is a doctor with a passion for Indian culture. Having exotic animals roaming the grounds, Dr. Roylett is unpredictable and has a wild temper. Helen has recently become engaged (just as her sister was) and similar and strange events during the night have been occurring, which have her fearing for her life. With a steady income being lost with the engagement of his stepdaughter, Holmes suspects Dr. Roylett is trying to keep Helen's funds secure. Holmes and Watson set out to solve the case, but no one can predict what the doctor is planning except for Holmes.


2. The Adventure of the Red-Headed League

The story begins with a pawnbroker, Jabez Wilson seeking Holmes advice after being tricked out of a job. After his assistant pointed out an ad for an opening in the very exclusive and unknown group called the Red-Headed League, Wilson gets hired to copy out the Encyclopedia. After a few weeks, the League suddenly closes and leaves Wilson out of money. Upset, he seeks council from Holmes on how to find the man who owes him money. Holmes (and the reader) quickly realizes the league was fake to get the red-headed pawnbroker out of his home. Holmes and Watson begin to investigate why the assistant would want him out of the shop.

3. The Adventure of the Devil's Foot

Holmes and Watson are on vacation because of Holmes' poor health and they soon find themselves helping in a major investigation. After playing cards with his siblings, Mortimer Tregennis comes calling the next morning to ask Holmes for help. His sister is dead and his two brothers are being sent to an insane asylum after being found in the same position as the previous night. This investigation involves a mysterious drug, a doctor from Africa, and a unresolved family conflict. Holmes halts his vacation to investigate.