“[Holmes] is probably the only literary creation since the creations of Dickens which has really passed into the life and language of the people.” G. K. Chesterton
Description
Two American travelers have been killed—one with poison, the other with a knife through the heart—and the only clues at the scene are a woman's wedding ring and the German word for "vengeance" written in blood. The military surgeon Dr. John Watson is brought in to investigate, along with his clever, arrogant new roommate, Sherlock Holmes. Thus begins one of the most famous crime-solving partnerships of all time and the debut of one of literature's most remarkable detectives.
Doyle borrowed his major elements—the detective of superhuman intellect; cases as fantastical as they are criminal; the final, dramatic resolution—from the works of Edgar Allan Poe, adding his own distinctive touches: a strong feeling for the atmosphere of late Victorian London, an interest in the methods of science, and a chivalric concern for justice and the oppressed.
Praise
“[Holmes] is probably the only literary creation since the creations of Dickens which has really passed into the life and language of the people.” G. K. Chesterton
“Valuable to Sherlockians as the beginning of an ageless saga, this novel is also an interesting mystery…Sure to be a hit with mystery readers.” Library Journal
“The end of a detective story is always the most entertaining part, and listeners and fans of Holmes and Watson will have little difficulty staying with this performance until its climax.” AudioFile
Details
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Release Day | Jul 31, 1999 |
| Release Date | August 1, 1999 |
| Number in Series | 1887 |
| Series Display String | The Sherlock Holmes Series |
| Release Date Machine | 933465600 |
| Imprint | Blackstone Publishing |
| Provider | Blackstone Publishing |
| Categories | Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Mystery, Literature & Fiction, Classics, Traditional Detectives, Most Popular, Most Popular, Fiction - All, Fiction - Adult |
Author Bio
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) was born of Irish parentage in Scotland. He studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, but he also had a passion for storytelling. His first book introduced that prototype of the modern detective in fiction, Sherlock Holmes. Despite the immense popularity Holmes gained throughout the world, Doyle was not overly fond of the character and preferred to write other stories. Eventually popular demand won out and he continued to satisfy readers with the adventures of the legendary sleuth. He also wrote historical romances and made two essays into pseudoscientific fantasy: The Lost World and The Poison Belt.
Narrator Bio
Frederick Davidson (1932–2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile’s Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings.
Overview
Two American travelers have been killed—one with poison, the other with a knife through the heart—and the only clues at the scene are a woman's wedding ring and the German word for "vengeance" written in blood. The military surgeon Dr. John Watson is brought in to investigate, along with his clever, arrogant new roommate, Sherlock Holmes. Thus begins one of the most famous crime-solving partnerships of all time and the debut of one of literature's most remarkable detectives.
Doyle borrowed his major elements—the detective of superhuman intellect; cases as fantastical as they are criminal; the final, dramatic resolution—from the works of Edgar Allan Poe, adding his own distinctive touches: a strong feeling for the atmosphere of late Victorian London, an interest in the methods of science, and a chivalric concern for justice and the oppressed.
Reviews
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