Blurb
The Return of Sherlock Holmes is a collection of 13 Sherlock Holmes stories, originally published in 1903-1904. The stories were published in the Strand Magazine in Great Britain, and Collier’s in the United States. It was the first Holmes collection since 1893, when Holmes had “died” in “The Final Problem.” Having published The Hound of the Baskervilles in 1902, which was set before Holmes’ “death,” Doyle came under intense pressure to revive his famous character. The first story is set in 1894 and has Holmes returning in London and explaining the period from 1891-1894, a period called “The Great Hiatus” by Sherlock enthusiasts.
My Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎
5+ stars (8/10 hearts). I enjoyed seeing Sherlock’s ‘return to life.’ I’m sorry for Doyle, but I’m personally glad that he kept writing. 😉 This collection holds some of my favourite stories: The Three-Quarter, and The Three Students. I also really loved Jack from the Abbey Grange mystery… and Mr. Hilton from the Dancing Men mystery. I enjoyed all the deduction and detective-work; it’s hard to say which book shows it best, because each story differs! But I still feel like this one shows Holmes at his best. He really does care for people, deep inside; and he can be very kind and understanding. He’s a complex, interesting man, admirable in many things. And as usual, I love the humour. 😉 It’s particularly good in this book! Recommended ages: 16+
Individual reviews:
I. The Adventure of the Empty House
5 stars. Seriously such a brilliant return! It’s an epic story. I absolutely loved seeing Holmes & Watson meet again, and immediately be launched in a mystery. Seeing what Holmes had been up to was fascinating, and all his marvellous masterful work was splendid. And his interaction with Lestrade… and the actual adventure… and his meeting with the “human tiger”… yes, a wonderful story!!!
Content: Card-playing; smoking; brandy used to restore consciousness; murder; “good heavens” x2.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “That you, Lestrade?” said Holmes.
“Yes, Mr. Holmes. I took the job myself. It’s good to see you back in London, sir.”
“I think you want a little unofficial help. Three undetected murders in one year won’t do, Lestrade. But you handled the Molesey Mystery with less than your usual—that’s to say, you handled it fairly well.”
II. The Adventure of the Norwood Builder
5 stars. This is such a fun story! It’s so amusing to see Holmes complaining once again of how bored he is and then be plunged into a problem. As usual, the deductions and work were fascinating, and I loved Holmes’ interactions with Lestrade. (I say that every time but it’s truly a reason I love the stories so much!!) The plot was intriguing and the characters remarkable—the villain being truly a despicable person, although the victim isn’t very prepossessing.
Content: smoking; “heavens” x2.
A Favourite Quote: “But he had not that supreme gift of the artist, the knowledge of when to stop.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “How many constables have you[, Lestrade]?”
“There are three within call.”
“Excellent!” said Holmes. “May I ask if they are all large, able-bodied men with powerful voices?”
“I have no doubt they are, though I fail to see what their voices have to do with it.”
“Perhaps I can help you to see that and one or two other things as well,” said Holmes. “Kindly summon your men, and I will try.”
III. The Adventure of the Dancing Men
5 stars. I say this every time, but I do really love this story. For one, the plot is very interesting. I have a particular interest in codes, and it was pleasant to see a case paralleling The Adventure of the Yellow Face yet be totally different… perhaps proving Sherlock had indeed retained the lesson he had learned in the latter story? The characters were delightful—the ending was dismayingly sad, yet once more made the story more realistic. A unique, baffling mystery, and a splendid addition to the Holmesian canon.
A Favourite Quote: “What one man can invent another can discover,” said Holmes.
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: …we were passing through as singular a countryside as any in England, where a few scattered cottages represented the population of to-day, while on every hand enormous square-towered churches bristled up from the flat green landscape and told of the glory and prosperity of old East Anglia. At last the violet rim of the German Ocean appeared over the green edge of the Norfolk coast….
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Now, it was not really difficult, by an inspection of the groove between your left forefinger and thumb, to feel sure that you did NOT propose to invest your small capital in the gold fields.”
“I see no connection.”
“Very likely not; but I can quickly show you a close connection.”
IV. The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist
5 stars. This story always reminds me of The Adventure of the Copper Beeches—Holmes’ fatherly interest in Violet Smith is sweet, although very different to his brotherly anxiety for Violet Hunter of the Copper Beeches. She is a nice little woman, and the villains pleasantly villainous. C. is rather a grey character… I can never decide whether I like or dislike him. I enjoyed seeing Watson try to do the work for Holmes and failing, followed by Holmes’ humorous rundown of his own failure. The ending was unexpected, but it was so fun to see Holmes acting in a law-enforcing capacity!
Content: a handful of language; a man tries to force a woman to kiss him.
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: …for the road runs between the open heath on one side and an old yew hedge upon the other, surrounding a park which is studded with magnificent trees. There was a main gateway of lichen-studded stone, each side pillar surmounted by mouldering heraldic emblems, but besides this central carriage drive I observed several points where there were gaps in the hedge and paths leading through them. The house was invisible from the road, but the surroundings all spoke of gloom and decay. The heath was covered with golden patches of flowering gorse, gleaming magnificently in the light of the bright spring sunshine.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: That a man should lie in wait for and follow a very handsome woman is no unheard-of thing, and if he has so little audacity that he not only dared not address her, but even fled from her approach, he was not a very formidable assailant.
V. The Adventure of the Priory School
4 stars. Now this is a truly fascinating story. Seeing Sherlock so baffled and really working—very hard—is really cool! The plot is baffling, and the characters unique—the Duke, the secretary, the innkeeper, the teacher, and the little Lord S. made for an intriguing cast. My favourite part of it all though is just Watson observing Holmes & Holmes affectionately and happily including Watson in his investigation once again. ❤
Content: murder; plot includes an illegitimate child; “heavens” x2; mention of brandy; mention of smoking.
A Favourite Quote: “I must take the view, your Grace, that when a man embarks upon a crime, he is morally guilty of any other crime which may spring from it.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Can you suggest any fallacy?”
“He could not have fractured his skull in a fall?”
“In a morass, Watson?”
VI. The Adventure of Black Peter
5 stars. This is one of the more somber Sherlock stories, where the victim cannot be bewailed and the villain seems a good man. Black Peter is definitely a dark figure in the Holmesian canon, yet makes for a very interesting plot. Stanley Hopkins is a delightful young policeman—it’s quite enjoyable to see him respectfully seek out Holmes and his advice. The two main suspects were interesting in their own right; and I feel like this is one story where we can see Sherlock’s work very clearly and marvel at how clear and clever it is.
Content: Slight language; violent murder; drinking; smoking; mention that a man beats his wife + daughter.
A Favourite Quote: “One should always look for a possible alternative, and provide against it. It is the first rule of criminal investigation.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: It was a long and melancholy vigil, and yet brought with it something of the thrill which the hunter feels when he lies beside the water-pool, and waits for the coming of the thirsty beast of prey. What savage creature was it which might steal upon us out of the darkness? Was it a fierce tiger of crime, which could only be taken fighting hard with flashing fang and claw, or would it prove to be some skulking jackal, dangerous only to the weak and unguarded?
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “There were no footmarks.”
“Meaning that you saw none?”
“I assure you, sir, that there were none.”
“My good Hopkins, I have investigated many crimes, but I have never yet seen one which was committed by a flying creature. As long as the criminal remains upon two legs so long must there be some indentation, some abrasion, some trifling displacement which can be detected by the scientific searcher. It is incredible that this blood-bespattered room contained no trace which could have aided us. I understand, however, from the inquest that there were some objects which you failed to overlook?”
VII. The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton
5 stars. This is a FASCINATING story. Milverton is the most horrid of the villains from the Sherlockian canon—just so utterly cruel, calculating, merciless—but he was an epic antagonist for Holmes. Seeing Holmes & Watson as burglars was absolutely crazy and cool all at once. The ending was totally shocking and sad, yet somehow hard to condemn… and the mysterious personage absolutely intriguing.
Content: Drinking, smoking, murder.
A Favourite Quote: “Since it is morally justifiable, I have only to consider the question of personal risk. Surely a gentleman should not lay much stress upon this, when a lady is in most desperate need of his help?”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “You know, Watson, I don’t mind confessing to you that I have always had an idea that I would have made a highly efficient criminal. This is the chance of my lifetime in that direction…. This is a first-class, up-to-date burgling kit, with nickel-plated jemmy, diamond-tipped glass-cutter, adaptable keys, and every modern improvement which the march of civilization demands…. Have you a pair of silent shoes?”
“I have rubber-soled tennis shoes.”
“Excellent! And a mask?”
“I can make a couple out of black silk.”
“I can see that you have a strong, natural turn for this sort of thing.”
VIII. The Adventure of the Six Napoleons
5 stars. Interestingly, this is somehow a more light-hearted story than most of the Sherlock stories. The mystery is twisty and interesting, although the characters aren’t very nice. The interaction between Lestrade & Holmes was as enjoyable as ever, though, and the overall plotline is epic—and the ending is simply excellent!
Content: smoking, murder.
A Favourite Quote: “Well, Mr. Holmes, what are we to do with that fact?”
“To remember it—to docket it. We may come on something later which will bear upon it.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “There are no limits to the possibilities of monomania,” I answered. “There is the condition which the modern French psychologists have called the ‘IDÉE FIXE,’ which may be trifling in character, and accompanied by complete sanity in every other way. A man who had read deeply about Napoleon, or who had possibly received some hereditary family injury through the great war, might conceivably form such an IDÉE FIXE and under its influence be capable of any fantastic outrage.”
“That won’t do, my dear Watson,” said Holmes, shaking his head, “for no amount of IDÉE FIXE would enable your interesting monomaniac to find out where these busts were situated.”
“Well, how do YOU explain it?”
“I don’t attempt to do so. I would only observe that there is a certain method in the gentleman’s eccentric proceedings.”
IX. The Adventure of the Three Students
5 stars. I have to say this is one of the sweetest Holmes’ stories. He is such a great counsellor and helper! The characters, the storyline, are all so enjoyable and excellent. The mystery is simple, yet very pleasant; the humour excellent. I love it all so much!
A Favourite Quote: “As to you, sir, I trust that a bright future awaits you in Rhodesia. For once you have fallen low. Let us see, in the future, how high you can rise.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “He looked at us in a queer way.”
“So would you, if a flock of strangers came in on you when you were preparing for an examination next day, and every moment was of value. No, I see nothing in that. Pencils, too, and knives—all was satisfactory. But that fellow DOES puzzle me.”
“Who?”
“Why, ———. What’s his game in the matter?”
“He impressed me as being a perfectly honest man.”
“So he did me. That’s the puzzling part.”
X. The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez
4 stars. The plot was interesting, although I didn’t really care for the characters—Anna was brave, but mistaken, and the professor was rather despicable. But the deductions were excellent, as always, and I enjoyed seeing Holmes work—especially the way he wormed the information out! And the humour is quite fun—Sherlock’s gentle sarcasm against Hopkins is fully as amusing as his sarcasm against Lestrade.
Content: a married woman may have had a lover; smoking; suicide.
A Favourite Quote: “However, it is not for me to cause the frail thread to be snapped before God’s time.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Did you see anything of the Yoxley case in the latest editions?”
“I’ve seen nothing later than the fifteenth century to-day.”
“Well, it was only a paragraph, and all wrong at that, so you have not missed anything. I haven’t let the grass grow under my feet. It’s down in Kent, seven miles from Chatham and three from the railway line. I was wired for at 3: 15, reached Yoxley Old Place at 5, conducted my investigation, was back at Charing Cross by the last train, and straight to you by cab.”
“Which means, I suppose, that you are not quite clear about your case?”
“It means that I can make neither head nor tail of it.”
XI. The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter
5 stars. This story is so sweet, sad, and humorous all at once. I feel like I say this every time, but I enjoy watching Holmes work so much! The characters were as epic as always—I loved seeing Dr. Armstrong matched against Sherlock—wish he showed up again! And Holmes’ humour is really the best, and shows strongly in this story. Then the plot is so puzzling and the ending so unexpected… It’s another of my very favourite cases. 😉
Content: language, smoking.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “And what is the third source from which each of them sought for help against pressing danger? Our inquiry has already narrowed down to that.”
“We have only to find to whom that telegram is addressed,” I suggested.
“Exactly, my dear Watson. Your reflection, though profound, had already crossed my mind. But I daresay it may have come to your notice that, counterfoil of another man’s message, there may be some disinclination on the part of the officials to oblige you.”
XII. The Adventure of the Abbey Grange
5 stars. I have a very special place in my heart for this story. For some reason, it completely appeals to me—probably because of one specific character. 😉 The plot is superb, and I really love how clearly we can see Holmes’ methods—they’re really brilliantly simple. The characters are splendidly alive and fascinating, and the ending of the story is just excellent!
Content: language; some disturbing description of a death; a married woman meets a man but it is in all innocence & [MAJOR SOILER! he is only trying to see how to protect her from her abusive husband END OF SPOILER].
A Favourite Quote: (contains mild spoilers) “No one but an —— could have got up to that[.] Only once had this lady been brought into contact with ——, and that was on her voyage, and it was someone of her own class of life, since she was trying hard to shield him, and so showing that she loved him. You see how easy it was for me to lay my hands upon you when once I had started upon the right trail.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “We have not yet met our Waterloo, Watson, but this is our Marengo, for it begins in defeat and ends in victory.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “But I have had a bad setback.”
“A setback?”
“Yes, Mr. Holmes. T[hey] were arrested in New York this morning.” 5a murder in Kent last night.”
XIII. The Adventure of the Second Stain
5 stars. For some reason, I always confuse this story with The Adventure of the Naval Treaty —probably because of the similar basic incident and because I frequently forget exactly what happened. But The Second Stain is really completely different from The Naval Treaty. I really enjoy how twisty this plot is and how Watson entirely surprises Holmes in the beginning. The characters, especially the Lady, are most interesting persons—although MASSIVE SPOILERY RANT INCOMING[, honestly, it bugs me that she was stupid enough to “not understand business” and handed it over without a problem—like duh, are there any women who are that dumb? I know she was told it wasn’t important but really… knowing her husband’s job… she should have SUSPECTED it could have been and the bare possibility should have stopped her. Why couldn’t she just explain to her husband as she did to Holmes? Didn’t she trust him at all? END OF SPOILER] But despite my slight annoyance at this fact, I still really enjoy the story and how it wraps up, and how Holmes shines… as always.
A Favourite Quote: “It is a capital mistake to theorize in advance of the facts.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “What do you make of that, Mr. Holmes?”
“Why, it is simple enough. The two stains did correspond, but the carpet has been turned round. As it was square and unfastened it was easily done.”
“The official police don’t need you, Mr. Holmes, to tell them that the carpet must have been turned round. That’s clear enough, for the stains lie above each other—if you lay it over this way. But what I want to know is, who shifted the carpet, and why?”
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