kindlereads's review against another edition
4.0
It was less fun then the first book. It felt slower and felt like it took longer then a study in scarlet.
sietskedew's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
celine03's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
dorhastings's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I swear I thought I'd read a whole lot of Sherlock Holmes not that long ago, and this story just eluded my memory. So far I'm 0 for 2 for these first two books about Sherlock Holmes. But at least I'm enjoying them!
I finished A Study in Scarlet on the same day I started The Sign of Four, so my memory of the transition between the two books is a bit hazy (in terms of one conversation between Holmes and Watson). In the foreword, Fry talks about The Sign of Four being a sequel to A Study in Scarlet, and that made me think the two were more connected than they are. Certainly Watson and Holmes do reference the mystery involved in A Study in Scarlet, and you also see that Watson is learning more about how to live with Holmes. But otherwise, you don't have to have read A Study in Scarlet to appreciate this book if you know anything about Sherlock Holmes.
In comparison to A Study in Scarlet, this book seemed more complex (in a neutral way) As with A Study in Scarlet, there is a mystery in the present to solve, and the novel does involve some telling of the backstory at the end (not quite as much as the former book). I would say the mystery is also more challenging and adventurous, as Holmes decides to dress up as a sea captain to be able to move about more discreetly in his investigation. You also understand a bit more about Holmes's process of deduction by his having to explain it more directly to Watson, who is not a fool but does not understand Holmes's procedure without explanation. (He's still no dummy; if anything, he's fairly humble.) We also see an unmotivated Sherlock Holmes, who alternates between opium and cocaine when he's not stimulated by a case. Some of the references do not date particularly well, but I suppose they are consistently with how folks spoke at the time.
In this book, you do see a bit more of Holmes and Watson engaging in some verbal sparring. Holmes finds their exchanges more entertaining, whereas Watson seems a bit peeved some of the time, but you do get the sense that Holmes is pleased to have a companion around. He does not generally come right out and say it, but he does value Watson's presence, intelligence, and diligence.
I will say I didn't enjoy this book as much in terms of the backstory. But Stephen Fry is an amazing narrator.
I finished A Study in Scarlet on the same day I started The Sign of Four, so my memory of the transition between the two books is a bit hazy (in terms of one conversation between Holmes and Watson). In the foreword, Fry talks about The Sign of Four being a sequel to A Study in Scarlet, and that made me think the two were more connected than they are. Certainly Watson and Holmes do reference the mystery involved in A Study in Scarlet, and you also see that Watson is learning more about how to live with Holmes. But otherwise, you don't have to have read A Study in Scarlet to appreciate this book if you know anything about Sherlock Holmes.
In comparison to A Study in Scarlet, this book seemed more complex (in a neutral way) As with A Study in Scarlet, there is a mystery in the present to solve, and the novel does involve some telling of the backstory at the end (not quite as much as the former book). I would say the mystery is also more challenging and adventurous, as Holmes decides to dress up as a sea captain to be able to move about more discreetly in his investigation. You also understand a bit more about Holmes's process of deduction by his having to explain it more directly to Watson, who is not a fool but does not understand Holmes's procedure without explanation. (He's still no dummy; if anything, he's fairly humble.) We also see an unmotivated Sherlock Holmes, who alternates between opium and cocaine when he's not stimulated by a case. Some of the references do not date particularly well, but I suppose they are consistently with how folks spoke at the time.
In this book, you do see a bit more of Holmes and Watson engaging in some verbal sparring. Holmes finds their exchanges more entertaining, whereas Watson seems a bit peeved some of the time, but you do get the sense that Holmes is pleased to have a companion around. He does not generally come right out and say it, but he does value Watson's presence, intelligence, and diligence.
I will say I didn't enjoy this book as much in terms of the backstory. But Stephen Fry is an amazing narrator.
claibookish's review against another edition
3.0
3.5? meh, no me gusto el romance super random de John y la chica, y el misterio fue bastante normalito. Estuvo bastante bien.
Creo que mi parte favorita fue la interacción de Sherlock y John, siempre es genial leerlos, es raro que un libro tan viejo tenga interacciones tan divertidas y fluidas, por eso me encanta las historias de Sherlock Holmes.
Creo que mi parte favorita fue la interacción de Sherlock y John, siempre es genial leerlos, es raro que un libro tan viejo tenga interacciones tan divertidas y fluidas, por eso me encanta las historias de Sherlock Holmes.
ronitjauthor's review against another edition
3.0
A much more interesting mystery and overall story compared to ASIS. Wasn’t the best, but definitely a better narrative and pacing than the first. Didn’t like how the last chapter was expository but I guess it’s just a product of its time. Also hated the racist stereotypes and representation of colonised India but those again are a product of their time.
Overall an improvement, but still far from what I expected from a Sherlock Holmes story.
3/5
Overall an improvement, but still far from what I expected from a Sherlock Holmes story.
3/5
sarahreadsbooks123's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
salot3's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5