Review: A Study in Scarlet

A Study in Scarlet
by Arthur Conan Doyle

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Study in Scarlet / 1-420-92553-9

The world's first introduction to Sherlock Holmes, "A Study in Scarlet" encompasses the detective's first adventure in a whole book, rather than in the later short story format that Doyle favored. The first half of the book follows Holmes' normal case-solving routine, with the second half explaining the background and motive of the captured criminal - an unusual detail since later stories usually summed up the motive in a few brief sentences and then left to the reader to decide whether or not to sympathize with the captured villain.

The book and the mystery is quite gripping and fascinating, like all Holmes stories, but potential readers are warned that certain historical members of the early Church of Latter Day Saints (also known as "Mormons") are shown in an extremely unfavorable light. Whether or not this will discomfort the reader will be a matter of individual choice, but if you love Holmes and haven't yet read his first (and possibly longest) case, then this book is definitely worth a read.

~ Ana Mardoll

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