Customer Reviews

The Complete Sherlock Holmes, Volume I (Barnes & Noble Classics Series)

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Why this series, when there are so many editions of Sherlock Holmes? I wanted a complete anthology, and I settled on this series because it was (1) inexpensive and (2) the text was big enough for 50+ eyes to read comfortably. This 2-volume series is all those things, plus it has excellent foot- and end-notes to explain references and concepts that are not contemporary. I recommend it highly.

I really can't find anything to complain about with this edition. You get twenty-three classic Sherlock Holmes mystery stories, The Hound of The Baskervilles, A Study in Scarlett, and The Sign of Four for less than $8. This is a great value - you might expect to pay $8 or more for a copy of The Hound of the Baskervilles alone.

Granted, this collection doesn't contain much analysis and the Introduction is brief, as are the additional comments and whatnot at the end of the book. But I didn't purchase this book for the literary analysis - I wanted the stories!

And the stories are wonderful. It's easy to see why so many people were upset when Arthur Conan Doyle killed off Sherlock Holmes. He is one of the most popular and enduring literary figures of all time and has been the inspiration for countless imitators and devotees. If these stories were being published today, they would be a bestseller, right up there with the Kinsey mysteries of Sue Grafton and the Harry Potter books (okay - maybe not THAT big).

This is also an interesting time for historical literature because Conan Doyle is one of the first (to my mind, anyhow) pioneers of genre fiction. Though he didn't "invent" the detective story, he certainly mastered it. And aspiring mystery writers would be well-advised to read these stories for clues on how good stories should be told.

The book itself is light and easy to carry - perfect for bringing along in your suitcase or backpack while travelling. The binding is solid and the type is readable, if not particularly large.

All in all, this is a great collection of stories that no mystery fan should be without. And at this price, there's no reason not to own them.

I love Sherlock Holmes but having to buy all the books is an admittedly daunting and wallet emptying process.Barnes and Nobles cleverly put half of Doyles Holmes stories in this volume.Not only was it cheaper but it was also convenient for people who don't want to carry around 20 books.

I bought this book for my 15 year old granddaughter. She is an avid reader and 1st encountered Sherlock Holmes in a mystery collection, entitled "Murder For Christmas," a collection of 28 sories by various mystery writers that included "The Blue Carbuncle" by Arthur Conan Doyle.
I spoke with her about the PBS series with Jeremy Brett that also included "The Blue Carbuncle." She loved the story so I got her this book. She loves it.

Can't beat it, it's a classic. I think I'd go with a hardcover and smaller volumes for my collection but I've read this three times. Time for the next volume!