Holmes's first short-story adventures

"Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of lectures into a series of tales."

- Holmes to Watson, "The Adventure of the Copper Beeches"

"I believe in hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories."

- Inspector Lestrade, "The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor"

I’ve arrived in my chronological listening to the Sherlock Holmes tales to the 56 short stories that form the real meat of the canon. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes collects the first 12 of these stories and includes several well-known classics, including “A Scandal in Bohemia,” which introduces Irene Adler, the crafty woman who outwits Holmes, and the often-assigned school reading, “The Adventure of the Speckled Band.” (The latter is rightfully familiar, as it contains all the ingredients of the best Holmes stories: a brisk plot, brooding atmosphere, a fiendishly clever crime, and Holmes and Watson risking life and limb for a client.)

Here are tales of a priceless jewel found in the throat of a Christmas goose (“The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle”), of long-simmering resentment and revenge (“The Boscombe Valley Mystery”), of an inexplicable disappearance (“The Man with the Twisted Lip”) and of a complicated and hilarious diversion meant to facilitate robbery (“The Adventure of the Red-Headed League”). Each story lasted about 45 minutes to an hour – the perfect length for my commute – so I looked forward for several days to hearing the details of a new case presented in the morning and finding out how Holmes unraveled the mystery in the evening.

One story in particular (“The Adventure of the Copper Beeches”) contained enough Gothic elements – dark family secrets, inexplicable behavior, a locked wing of rooms and a plucky, resourceful governess – to fill an entire novel. I would happily have spent more time in the company of Violet Hunter, Holmes’s perceptive and brave client. She deserved a book of her own.

A few of the solutions seemed a bit cliché, which I attribute to the legions of imitators who have followed Holmes, and to how indelibly these characters have been a part of popular culture for nearly 130 years. Only one story frustrated me outright with its weak ending (“The Five Orange Pips”). Holmes solved some of the cases while barely leaving his Baker Street rooms, but my favorites involved him and his trusty Watson conducting more active investigations in and around London.

I enjoyed Derek Jacobi’s performance once again (although he really should avoid doing American accents!) Besides his familiar, pitch-perfect readings of Holmes and Watson, I particularly liked his characterizations of the pompous King of Bohemia and self-important “Noble Bachelor.” Sir Arthur Conan Doyle poked fun at the nobility with these two clients, both puffed up with pride but inwardly dull and vacuous.

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16 people found this helpful

For the Fun of It

What a great narrator Derek Jacobi is! His reading of "Sherlock Holmes" unabridged is just flawless. Sherlock Holmes cannot be beat for sheer fun and enjoyment. Try these books in the car -- each story is not too long but still really compelling. There is a reason that Doyle and Holmes are classics -- add Jacobi and you have a winning combination indeed! Elementary!

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11 people found this helpful

Timeless!

I've read these books many times before and wanted to listen to them on my ride between jobs. Great narration is the key to the Holmes Cannon of work. It delievered in spades. Loved it!

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7 people found this helpful

classic story. classic narration

Any additional comments?

Derek Jacobi's narration is one of the best ever. It's a true performance, not just a reading. I have bought all of his Holmes recordings and re-listen to them often.

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6 people found this helpful

Elementary!

Derek Jacobi delivers Sherlock in fantastic form, the adventures seem short to begin with but as you get further into the book the stories get longer and more involved, which is quite a stroke of genius by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. the audio presentation sounds very authentic and as sherlock should be (I still only ever picture sherlock as jeremy brett), I would recommend this version of the adventures over any others.

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4 people found this helpful

Derek Jacobi rocks

A PERFECT narrator. Can audiobook publishers please hire him for every recording? Thanks. (Jim Dale too)

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The Game is Afoot!

If you could sum up The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in three words, what would they be?

Jacobi and Holmes!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes?

This collection of stories contains many of my favorites, including A Scandal in Bohemia, The Red Headed League, and The Speckled Band. Sir Derek is as wonderful as you would expect him to be. What stands out are the scenes of Holmes and Watson bantering back and forth at their Baker Street rooms.

Which scene was your favorite?

There are so many to choose from but I loved everything about The Speckled Band.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Sir Derek wonderfully captures the many moods of those who come to consult Holmes. Some express fear, others concern or confusion, some are angry. I love those moments which so eloquently convey the frame of mind of Holmes's clients.

Any additional comments?

I have all of the Sherlock Holmes collections read by Derek Jacobi and they're all so very well done. In addition to this, I can highly recommend The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes which contains two of my favorite stories: The Musgrave Ritual and The Resident Patient.

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Classic Sherlock Holmes

Classic Sherlock Holmes--everyone knows the stories but with Derek Jacobi's performance they are fresh and entertaining. Excellent for family road trips.

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Never enough Sherlock Holmes

If you could sum up The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in three words, what would they be?

Amusing, intriguing, historical

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Sometimes. They're short stories, not a novel. I'd read them before but I didn't remember everything.

Which character – as performed by Derek Jacobi – was your favorite?

No favorite.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Here and there Doyle brings out a touching scene or character. Not really about being moved, these stories.

Any additional comments?

Jacobi and Holmes are perfect together.

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Excellent!

Very good reader of an amazing author. The characters are solid and I've listened to this 3 times now. Sherlock Holmes is the original sleuth. I highly recommend this audio book.

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