A review by gallerymoth
A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle

adventurous funny informative lighthearted 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

4.0

It’s my first time reading/listening to a Sherlock Holmes and I really enjoyed it. It was a great introduction to the characters of Sherlock and Watson, and how their circumstances brought them together in an unlikely friendship. I really like the no nonsense character of Sherlock and of course his powers of deduction, which are so obvious to him. I found that the backstory in part 2 was a bit jolting and slowed the pace, but it’s clever that the author got us hooked in familiar circumstances before sending us to the wilderness. I couldn’t help thinking about when this was written and published - 1887. Knowledge of the  lives and culture of Mormons in Salt Lake City I imagine would be a lot less accessible back then and thus a very interesting part of the story. That said, this is definitely a timeless story and the writing style could have just as easily been written today, but giving us a real-world insight into 19th century life in London. The talk and use of street children and killing a dog to prove a point would be a lot less palatable today!