A Study in Scarlet (Penguin Classics)

A real gem, in this book Conan Doyle relates how Watson and Sherlock Holmes meet and become flatmates. I did thoroughly enjoy Watson's descriptions of Holmes' habits and his first impressions when they meet. The case they cover in this book is nowhere near the most interesting from all Sherlock Holmes' adventures tho. The narrative presents a wee bit of a break from the main storyline by doing a retrospective on the Salt City events half way through the book, which at first was a bit confusing. Nonetheless Conan Doyle's writing style is always enjoyable and his storytelling skills always sublime. For all Sherlock Holmes' fans is a must read.

This is now one of my favorite books! A quick read that I couldn't beat to put down! It truly is amazing how novels written over a hundred years ago can be so much greater in literacy, wit, and overall interest than any work published today. Sherlock shall forever be one of the most fascinating characters I have ever read! Thank you Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, thank you.

Sherlock Holmes #1- I first read this when I was 12, and apparently, I loved it then, and I gave it five stars in my book journal. I reread it as an adult because my dad had The Complete Sherlock Holmes and it's the first in the collection. Maybe more of a 4 star, because seriously why is this story all over Utah, and why doesn't the murderer just use a fake name? But delightful in its vengefulness.

I read this in October and took no notes, so I'm wingin' this. Prepare yourself.

Here are a couple tidbits (confessions) about me as it relates to Sherlock Homes:
-I've never seen the Sherlock TV series.
-My experience with Sherlock consists of the Robert Downey Jr. of which I remember absolutely nothing and the Great Mouse Detective, which I watched more times as a kid than I care to admit.

You have to start somewhere, right? So let's start at the very beginning (a very good place to start). I bought this and the half a dozen after it on a wing and a prayer that I would enjoy them. And lo and behold...I did!

I can see why Sherlock is such a beloved character. He is distracted, moody, impersonal, and pompous. Swoon.

Alright alright. He is also brilliant in a way that makes him more of a machine than a man. He says what he is thinking but only when it's worth saying. What he says counts. The best thing about Sherlock? He is 100% himself and makes no apologies.

On to the story itself!
Uh.
Uhm.
There's not a ton I can remember that I can say that wouldn't spoil it. I can say, however, that I enjoyed that this mystery had a real motive that wasn't "I just felt like being an evil person and going on a killing spree."

It's not too late to start Sherlock if you haven't already! I did and I'm old enough that I can't sleep in a tent without throwing out my back.

4 Stars for being the start of something I think will be really, really cool

“It's quite exciting," said Sherlock Holmes, with a yawn.”
I personally love this book for two main reasons:
1. It's the first book in the Sherlock Holmes series! Origin stories (well, how the doctor and detective met) is something I'll always throw hearts at.
2. Sir Doyle's/ Dr Watson's format of part one being the reminiscences of Dr Watson and part two partially being a third person narration was unique in my eyes.