Federico DN's Reviews > The Valley of Fear
The Valley of Fear (Sherlock Holmes, #7)
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Moriarty-less.
Mr. Douglas of Birlstone Manor is found dead of a shotgun wound to the head, apparently the product of a long standing feud with the infamous Professor Moriarty. A devastated Mrs. Douglas and gentleman Cecil Barker meet detectives Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, in an investigation that will prove much more difficult than originally thought, with implications that may point to a secret society, and an old grievance carried from many decades ago.
Fourth and final novel in the Sherlock Holmes series, the rest being collections. A seemingly unconnected two-part story taking place at different times with different characters, until they converge at the end with the final resolution; very similar in style and format to A Study in Scarlet, although with a smoother transition between the two.
Another good yet not great addition to the series, with its pros and cons. Must say the first part is as good as any average short story found in the many SH collections, except longer and unnecessarily drawn out; the second part a lot more entertaining and engaging, with the introduction of new characters like John McMurdo, Ettie Shafter, Ted Baldwin, and Birdy Edwards. The final conclusion, decently satisfying.
However, I must point out it was EXTREMELY disappointing hearing about Professor Moriarty and thinking during the whole book this may be a prequel story, only to realize at the end that it is, but with near nonexistent participation of the great arch nemesis, with merely a mention of him at the beginning and end, and that being it. So, be warned. Personally I think it would have been better to just scratch out that whole mention of him in favor of saving time, and disappointment.
On the whole I enjoyed the two stories and its little twists enough, yet not nearly as much as to be Recommendable.
It’s public domain, you can find it
Still missing, the BBC series.

-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1915] [195p ] [Classics] [Not Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★� 1. A Study in Scarlet [3.5]
★★★☆� 2. The Sign of Four [2.5]
★★★☆� 3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
★★★★� 4. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes [3.5]
★★★★� 5. The Hound of the Baskervilles
★★★★� 6. The Return of Sherlock Holmes
★★★☆� 7. The Valley of Fear
★★★★� 8. His Last Bow [3.5]
★★★☆� 9. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes [2.5]
★★★☆� 10. The Complete Sherlock Holmes
-----------------------------------------------
Sin Moriarty.
El Sr. Douglas de la Mansión Birlstone es hallado muerto de un escopetazo a la cabeza, aparentemente producto de un largo feudo con el infame Profesor Moriarty. Una devastada Sra. Douglas y el caballero Cecil Barker se encuentran con los detectives Sherlock Holmes y Dr. Watson, en una investigación que probará ser mucho más dificultosa de lo que originalmente se pensaba, con implicaciones que podrÃan apuntar a una sociedad secreta, y un antiguo rencor de muchas décadas atrás.
Cuarta y última novela en la serie de Sherlock Holmes, el resto siendo colecciones. Una aparentemente inconexa historia de dos partes que toma lugar en diferentes tiempos y con diferentes personajes, hasta que convergen en el desenlace con la resolución final; muy similar en estilo y formato a Un Estudio en Escarlata, aunque con una transición mucho más suave entre las dos.
Otra buena pero no genial adición a la serie, con sus pros y contras. Debo decir que la primera parte es tan buena como cualquier cuento corto promedio hallado en cualquiera de las muchas colecciones de SH, excepto que más larga e innecesariamente prolongada; la segunda parte mucho más entretenida y cautivante, con la introducción de nuevos personajes como John McMurdo, Ettie Shafter, Ted Baldwin, y Birdy Edwards. La conclusión final, decentemente satisfactoria.
Sin embargo, debo señalar que fue EXTREMADAMENTE decepcionante escuchar hablar del Profesor Moriarty y pensar durante todo el libro que esta podrÃa ser una historia precuela, sólo para darte cuenta al final que lo es, pero con una casi inexistente participación del gran archienemigo, con apenas una mención de él al principio y al final, y siendo eso todo. Asà que quedan advertidos. Personalmente creo que hubiera sido mejor haber eliminado toda mención de él en favor de salvar tiempo, y desilusión.
Dentro de todo disfruté de las dos historias y sus pequeños giros de trama lo suficiente, aunque ni de cerca tanto como para ser Recomendable.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
Queda pendiente, la serie de BBC.

-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1915] [195p] [Clásicos] [No Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
Mr. Douglas of Birlstone Manor is found dead of a shotgun wound to the head, apparently the product of a long standing feud with the infamous Professor Moriarty. A devastated Mrs. Douglas and gentleman Cecil Barker meet detectives Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, in an investigation that will prove much more difficult than originally thought, with implications that may point to a secret society, and an old grievance carried from many decades ago.
Fourth and final novel in the Sherlock Holmes series, the rest being collections. A seemingly unconnected two-part story taking place at different times with different characters, until they converge at the end with the final resolution; very similar in style and format to A Study in Scarlet, although with a smoother transition between the two.
Another good yet not great addition to the series, with its pros and cons. Must say the first part is as good as any average short story found in the many SH collections, except longer and unnecessarily drawn out; the second part a lot more entertaining and engaging, with the introduction of new characters like John McMurdo, Ettie Shafter, Ted Baldwin, and Birdy Edwards. The final conclusion, decently satisfying.
However, I must point out it was EXTREMELY disappointing hearing about Professor Moriarty and thinking during the whole book this may be a prequel story, only to realize at the end that it is, but with near nonexistent participation of the great arch nemesis, with merely a mention of him at the beginning and end, and that being it. So, be warned. Personally I think it would have been better to just scratch out that whole mention of him in favor of saving time, and disappointment.
On the whole I enjoyed the two stories and its little twists enough, yet not nearly as much as to be Recommendable.
It’s public domain, you can find it
Still missing, the BBC series.

-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1915] [195p ] [Classics] [Not Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★� 1. A Study in Scarlet [3.5]
★★★☆� 2. The Sign of Four [2.5]
★★★☆� 3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
★★★★� 4. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes [3.5]
★★★★� 5. The Hound of the Baskervilles
★★★★� 6. The Return of Sherlock Holmes
★★★☆� 7. The Valley of Fear
★★★★� 8. His Last Bow [3.5]
★★★☆� 9. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes [2.5]
★★★☆� 10. The Complete Sherlock Holmes
-----------------------------------------------
Sin Moriarty.
El Sr. Douglas de la Mansión Birlstone es hallado muerto de un escopetazo a la cabeza, aparentemente producto de un largo feudo con el infame Profesor Moriarty. Una devastada Sra. Douglas y el caballero Cecil Barker se encuentran con los detectives Sherlock Holmes y Dr. Watson, en una investigación que probará ser mucho más dificultosa de lo que originalmente se pensaba, con implicaciones que podrÃan apuntar a una sociedad secreta, y un antiguo rencor de muchas décadas atrás.
Cuarta y última novela en la serie de Sherlock Holmes, el resto siendo colecciones. Una aparentemente inconexa historia de dos partes que toma lugar en diferentes tiempos y con diferentes personajes, hasta que convergen en el desenlace con la resolución final; muy similar en estilo y formato a Un Estudio en Escarlata, aunque con una transición mucho más suave entre las dos.
Otra buena pero no genial adición a la serie, con sus pros y contras. Debo decir que la primera parte es tan buena como cualquier cuento corto promedio hallado en cualquiera de las muchas colecciones de SH, excepto que más larga e innecesariamente prolongada; la segunda parte mucho más entretenida y cautivante, con la introducción de nuevos personajes como John McMurdo, Ettie Shafter, Ted Baldwin, y Birdy Edwards. La conclusión final, decentemente satisfactoria.
Sin embargo, debo señalar que fue EXTREMADAMENTE decepcionante escuchar hablar del Profesor Moriarty y pensar durante todo el libro que esta podrÃa ser una historia precuela, sólo para darte cuenta al final que lo es, pero con una casi inexistente participación del gran archienemigo, con apenas una mención de él al principio y al final, y siendo eso todo. Asà que quedan advertidos. Personalmente creo que hubiera sido mejor haber eliminado toda mención de él en favor de salvar tiempo, y desilusión.
Dentro de todo disfruté de las dos historias y sus pequeños giros de trama lo suficiente, aunque ni de cerca tanto como para ser Recomendable.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
Queda pendiente, la serie de BBC.

-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1915] [195p] [Clásicos] [No Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
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Reading Progress
January 10, 2024
– Shelved
February 8, 2024
–
Started Reading
February 10, 2024
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 68 (68 new)
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Alexandra
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Feb 27, 2024 11:10PM

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Moriarty-less is the ultimate flavor of the book lol. Thank you so much Alexandra <3!

Oh no this is not the ending to the series, just the final novel, the rest of the books are collections of short stories. Thank you Debbie!


It just wasn't meant to be lol. Thank you Coco :D !

yeah! this was my problem with this book as well. I liked it at some points, it was interesting, but not like the others.

Thank you Ian! An interesting sequel featuring the amazingly chameleonic John McMurdo xD

yeah! this was my problem with this book as well. I liked it at some points, it was interesting, but not like the others."
Thank you Tina! Yes, entertaining, but sadly not one Doyle's finest works :p

Thank you Inci! Disappointing because of the whole Moriarty business mainly. Otherwise I think it'd been even better than A Study in Scarlet 😕

I'm sure you had your reasons, but looks to me you were even more extremely disappointed with it than me lol. Thank you Helga <3!

I'm sure you had your reasons, but looks to me you were even more extremely disappointed with it than me lol. Th..."
Haha! To be fair it was years ago. But in general, Holmes and I aren't on good term with one another. ;)

Oh no this is not the ending to the s..."
Oh, ok! There’s still hope then. :D


Yeah somewhat average, especially the first part. Meh, had better. Thank you Heather :) !

Thank you Dmitri! I'm done with Doyle, missing a few Poe and Christie is next. You know it takes a bit of work at first to do it but it's SO worth it. I save templates so it's just copy paste most of the time, adding a new line for each new book I read. What I like most is that it allows me to jump instantly in a sec between reviews whenever I want to. Somehow even searching your own reviews in GR is quite messy sometimes lol. Lots of clicking or typing and stuff, it just saves time in the long run xD

Wow, Christie will be an undertaking, she was prolific. I’m looking forward to it! Anything about process intrigues me; it’s a process itself deciding what to read.

One


Thank you Diana! Ah maybe, but then again, you have a full reading life ahead of you ;)



An unnecessary and terribly misleading teaser lol. Thank you Nora :) !


Thank you Srivalli! Well, hopefully now that you are on the know you can enjoy it much more than I did without the disappointment ;)

m going to have to go back and read these! Great review Federico!

Not the best series ever but sure enjoyable and quite memorable sometimes. Thank you SLR! Hope you enjoy them too when the time is right :)


Thank you Imme! It's a pickle alright. Haven't watched the BBC series so can't tell you if the books live up to the show, although my heart tells me it doesn't. I mean truly, what can ever match the one and only Benedict Cumberbatch?? Such an idea is preposterous lol. But maybe now that you know it's possible you won't be as disappointed as I was with this one ;)



Thank you for the rec Valerie! Moriarty is a great nemesis but after nine books I had my fill with Sherlock for the time being lol. but in a few years in the future, who knows :D

We were all deceived, but the grand deception has been unmasked lol. Thank you Thibault :D !

I was played for a fool, for a FOOL! But nevermore, you are dead to me Doyle; oh sorry you already are, well rip then. Thank you Karen!

More-iarty LOL. Perfectly put Kay <3 !

Gran conocedor JAJAJAJ. Gracias Pedro! Me hizo reir. Si quiere saber la verdá, si no escribiera estas reseñas tratando de salvaguardar algo, probablemente olvidarÃa todo lo que leà en cuestión de semanas xD


Thank you PB! Glad to hear you enjoyed Sherlock Holmes too <3. Read a few of his non Sherlock works and they were not bad at all, really looking forward to a few more of his horror stories :)
