Out of his smoke-filled rooms in Baker Street stalks a figure to cause the criminal classes to quake in their boots and rush from their dens of iniquity . . . The twelve mysteries gathered in this first collection of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson's adventures reveal the brilliant consulting detective at the height of his powers. Problems involving a man with a twisted lip, a fabulous blue carbuncle and five orange pips tax Sherlock Holmes's intellect alongside some of his most famous cases.
Out of his smoke-filled rooms in Baker Street stalks a figure to cause the criminal classes to quake in their boots and rush from their dens of iniquity . . . The twelve mysteries gathered in this first collection of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson's adventures reveal the brilliant consulting detective at the height of his powers. Problems involving a man with a twisted lip, a fabulous blue carbuncle and five orange pips tax Sherlock Holmes's intellect alongside some of his most famous cases.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh in 1859 and died in
1930. He studied medicine at Edinburgh University and later set up
practice as a doctor at Southsea. It was while waiting for patients
to arrive that he began to write and it was the success of his many
adventure stories that allowed him to actively pursue the many
causes that captured his attention, whether it was divorce law
reform or the issuing of steel helmets to troops. However, it is
for the enduring appeal of his Sherlock Holmes' stories that Conan
Doyle will always be remembered.
Sherlock Holmes is the world's most famous consulting detective. He
resides at 221B Baker Street in London, where prospective clients
can always reach him. While the police are known to make extensive
use of his talents and the criminal fraternity to tremble with fear
or fury at mere mention of his name, it is to the most bizarre or
thoroughly inexplicable of mysteries that Sherlock Holmes -
together with his dogged companion and amanuensis Dr Watson - is
most often drawn.
This is a nice but flawed entry in an already crowded field (a WorldCat search for Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle produces 137 records for audiobooks). Five of these six stories were written after Doyle resurrected Holmes following the character's death in "The Final Problem." While none are especially well known, all are worth hearing. Actor Edward Hardwicke, who played Dr. Watson in the BBC/PBS adaptation of these tales, does an excellent job narrating. Overlooking the omission of a portion of "The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans," which makes for a confusing conclusion to the story, this fine production is recommended for all collections.--Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia Univ. Lib., Parkersburg Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
Edward Hardwicke, who played Dr. Watson to the late Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes in the celebrated television series, is in top form for this second installment of Conan Doyle's classic mystery stories. Hardwicke's narration is perfect as he again brings to life the lovable Watson and guides the listener through some of Holmes's most exciting and intriguing cases: the adventures of the Sussex Vampire, Creeping Man, Speckled Band, Crooked Man, Greek Interpreter and Naval Treaty. As the great detective gathering clues, utilizing his famed methods and unraveling each mystery, Hardwicke provides a superlative rendering of these treasured stories, which might leave listeners longing to hear Brett's Holmes reply to Hardwicke's Watson, and creates an audio book that will be adored by Holmes fans and provide newcomers with a compelling introduction to the gentlemen at 221B Baker St. (Aug.) Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
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