A Study in Scarlet (The Sherlock Holmes Reference Library) [Paperback]

Arthur Conan Doyle (Author), Leslie S. Klinger (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2001

Join Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson on their very first case together! A Study in Scarlet recounts their first meeting, as well as Watson's initial impressions of the Great Detective's unusual traits and habits.

The Sherlock Holmes stories have inspired a vast body of literature dedicated to the proposition that the Great Detective was not a mere work of fiction, but an actual historical person. Since the 1920s these “writings about The Writings” have contributed fascinating new insights into the stories, enhancing the pleasure of reading them. The Sherlock Holmes Reference Library, which will eventually number nine volumes, puts the entire history of this “Higher Criticism” at your fingertips! Each illustrated volume is bursting with scholarly annotations and features a sturdy, smythe-sewn soft cover binding.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1859. He abandoned a promising medical career for the life of a full-time author. Without a doubt, the famous detective Sherlock Holmes is his most popular creation. However, in addition to detective stories, Doyle wrote historical romances, tales of horror and the supernatural, and was a pioneer in the field of Science Fiction. In his later years, Doyle’s increasing devotion to Spiritualism became his primary mission in life, and he travelled the world as an evangelist for his beliefs. He was knighted in 1902, and died in 1930.

Leslie S. Klinger
is an avid Sherlockian collector and scholar. He is the author of Life and Times of Mr. Sherlock Holmes, John H. Watson, M.D., Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Other Notable Personages: A Table of Major Events, co-author of “The Date Being—?”: A Compendium of Chronological Data, co-compiler of the Index to Ronald DeWaal’s Universal Sherlock Holmes, and numerous articles on the Canon. Les is invested in the Baker Street Irregulars as “The Abbey Grange” and is a member of many domestic and international societies devoted to Arthur Conan Doyle and the Great Detective. He teaches a course on “Sherlock Holmes and His World” for UCLA Extension and has lectured at several Sherlockian conferences. He also practices law in Los Angeles, where he lives with his wife Sharon Flaum Klinger. They have five children, two dogs, and a cat.

Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: Gasogene Books (January 1, 2001)
• ISBN-10: 0938501321
• ISBN-13: 978-0938501329
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #626,710 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #95 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery > Sherlock Holmes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Fun Is In The Hunt, October 8, 2001

By 

Lloyd R. Hedberg Jr. "l_hedberg" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Study in Scarlet (The Sherlock Holmes Reference Library) (Paperback)

A review of this book should center on the value of Leslie Klinger's editorial work rather than the story itself. Reviews of the story can be found elsewhere.
Mr. Klinger does a fine job of coalescing information from many sources into one place, both for the budding Sherlockian novitiate, and for the more experienced researcher in the lore. It is an excellent resource both for immediate information, and for direction in where to look for additional detail.
I applaud anyone who takes this kind of time to help us along in our research and followup of The Master.
Mr. Klinger's "Reference Library" (including this book) is a welcome addition to any Sherlockian's research tools.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Scarlet Suprises, July 17, 2001

By 

Laura (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Study in Scarlet (The Sherlock Holmes Reference Library) (Paperback)

A Study in Scarlet is the first Sherlock Holmes book written by Arthur Conan Doyle. It begins by having Holmes and Watson meet for the first time and work on their first case together (or rather, Holmes does all of the work as he usually does) The book is divided into two parts, the first is how Holmes perceives the crime (a murder) and finally catches the killer. The second part is a flashback as the killer relates what his motives were and why he carried them out. The first part entices the reader, and I read it straight through. However, the second part drags on and seems a bit unbelievable (the killer was so obsessed with killing that he travelled from America to Europe as his last dying effort to instruct justice). Although its not my favortite Sherlock Holmes book, it opened the doors for the great dective and his sidekick to share many more adventures together.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for your Sherlockian library!, June 9, 2002

By 

meiringen "meiringen" (the Midwest) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Study in Scarlet (The Sherlock Holmes Reference Library) (Paperback)

Mr. Klinger has taken a great deal of time and effort to research this novel, and his notations really do bring the book to life, adding an entire new dimension to it.

The footnotes are detailed, yet informative and easy to follow. These notes give us a new insight into the novel, and clear up many points that might confuse some readers.

This was my first exposure to Mr. Klinger's series, and I certainly will purchase the rest of them--they are an essential addition to a Sherlockian's library.

Well done, sir!