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Here is the thread for the continuing Buddy Read, of all the Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, including 4 novels and 56 short stories.

Without more ado, I'll pass you over to Adrian who will explain how he thinks of organising this, with timings, order etc.

Sherlock buddy read

So chronologically speaking the stories were published as follows:-

* 1887: A Study in Scarlet
* 1890: The Sign of the Four
* July 1891 to December 1892: Stories that would make up The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes published in The Strand magazine
* December 1892 to November 1893: Stories that would make up The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes published in The Strand
* 1901-2 (serial): The Hound of the Baskervilles
* October 1903 to January 1905: Stories that would make up The Return of Sherlock Holmes published in The Strand
* 1908��1913, 1917: Stories that would make up His Last Bow (short stories).
* 1914-15: The Valley of Fear
* 1921��1927: Stories that would become The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes.

However, and this may be a tad controversial, but I would suggest especially for newbies to Holmes that we read them in the follow order :-

* The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (although Scandal in Bohemia must be the last read not the first) (12 short stories)
* A Study in Scarlet (novel)
* The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (without The Final Problem) (12 short stories)
* The Sign of the Four (novel)
* The Final Problem from “Memoirs��
* The Return of Sherlock Holmes (13 short stories)
* His Last Bow (7 short stories - 8 in America)
* The Valley of Fear (novel)
* The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes (12 short stories) (Ending in “Shoscombe Old Place��)
* The Hound of the Baskervilles (novel)


Why the change to the published order, well :-
1. Whilst Study in Scarlet does introduce us to "Holmes" and "Watson", and them to each other, it is not a great introduction to them in a story situation
2. In addition I feel one should get to know “Holmes�� (and Watson) in his short stories before reading a novel
3. Short story wise again, one should not start “Holmes�� with Scandal in Bohemia, it should be read after knowing more about “Holmes��.
4. It is mandatory that one should read The Final Problem just before “The Return…��
5. To mix it up, novels should be read mixed in with the short stories ( with the exception of “Study�� none of the other novels are really timelined with the short stories, so can be read anytime )
6. Although it isn’t the end chronologically, one should end with his greatest triumph - “The Baskerville Hound��


So how long am I anticipating it should take to read all these stories? Well I know some of us have a little more time now than we did a couple of months ago, but we all also have a lot of other challenges and commitments, both to books and other important things in life. So I’m going to take it easy and not force the pace, so I’m anticipating somewhere in the region of 18 months (plus), to read 5 books of short stories and 4 novels.

I would envisage the books of short stories taking 2 months each (so 6 stories a month roughly) and likewise the novels taking two months

I am more than open to suggestions re book order and timescale, so anyone who is interested in joining in or dropping in and out please let me know your thoughts. I just didn’t want it to be a chore or to create so much pressure that people didn’t want to participate.

So for anyone who does want to join in, please let me know and we can work out when to start. “Wexford Buddy Read�� starts in May (I believe) so how’s June ?? That way we could finish around Christmas 2021 on Dartmoor !!!

Hi Adrian,
This all sounds excellent! Very well planned and I'm with your reasoning all the way :) I'm in!

Bionic Jean wrote: "Hi Adrian,
This all sounds excellent! Very well planned and I'm with you reasoning all the way :) I'm in!"

Me too. You can count me as a newbie (I know about Sherlock stories but I'm not sure which one I read before and I don't remember the story I read at all). Thank you, Adrian.

Order and timing all looks good to me Adrian!

Wow! I had no idea this was even in the works! Thank you for organizing it! I own the complete collection but have never cracked it open and would like to do so now.

June sounds swell :)

I've read all the Sherlock Holmes stories over the course of a few years. You are in for a treat-they're so much to read.

Bionic Jean wrote: "Hi Adrian,
This all sounds excellent! Very well planned and I'm with your reasoning all the way :) I'm in!"

Thanks Jean, it took a while to plough through all the info out there, but I wanted to ensure that it would be as enjoyable as possible for all participants.

Thanks also to all who have said they would like to participate whether thats dropping in and out, reading with us all the way, or even just people who can add their Sherlock reading experience to any of our discussions.

I will publish which 6 stories we shall read in June and July nearer the time, but for anyone who wants to participate, get yourself a copy of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and prepare for some enjoyable mysteries.

This sounds great Adrian and thanks for organising it all. I've popped it in my calendar for June.

Lots of us will enjoy this, I think, whether they are familiar, or new to us.

Thanks Jean, I hope we do get a view people joining in. I'm really looking forward to getting reacquainted with Sherlock and company.

The great thing about this is, that even if some of us are still in lockdown, with no libraries, we can still access these free online or on kindle :)

Hope to join in too, though most will be a re-read. At least I got printed books at home, though possibly not all of them in English.

I think Michaela, that for a lot of us, this will be a re-read, but given the relaxed nature of the timescale I'm hoping that it will prove popular for both new and old Sherlock readers.

Great idea! I am in! I will try to get a copy of the book. I have read some stories a lot of time ago. It will be fun to re read it again.

carolina wrote: "Great idea! I am in! I will try to get a copy of the book. I have read some stories a lot of time ago. It will be fun to re read it again."

Thats really great carolina. I look forward to hearing your thoughts along with other peoples when we start next month.

Not long now so get your copy of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes ready for June !!

So with a week to go, Jean has kindly added our first book to the Group Home Page, as a reminder to us of what is to come next month The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. (and the month after - so no rush to read quickly or to gallop through the stories, just relax)

Over the next week I shall detail in which order we shall read the short stories in the book (as I mentioned above, I'm changing the published order, sorry Sir Arthur). So don't start yet !!

So with 2 days to go until the start of the "read", I thought I would list the first six stories from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes that we shall be reading commencing June.

I know in some countries some of the same named books contain slightly different collections of stories, so I shall always detail the stories we shall be reading each month.

And as I mentioned we shall give the first story in the book a miss until later in our reading extravaganza, namely A Scandal in Bohemia .

So therefore, in June we shall be reading:-
The Red-Headed League
A Case of Identity
The Boscombe Valley Mystery
The Five Orange Pips
The Man With The Twisted Lip
The Blue Carbuncle

Please feel free to comment on each story as you read it, but remember that others may be yet to read a story, so please use the spoiler facility.

I'll probably write a bit more tomorrow, about the first story we shall be reading.

Ooh Ooh, tomorrow is nearly here, and I'm really looking forward to people's thoughts on firstly The Red Headed League, and then A Case of Identity.

There are some really great short stories in these first six mentioned above, so I hope others enjoy as much as I do/will.

Have fun, and welcome to 221B Baker Street !!

I'm so glad we're starting with The Red Headed League as it's one of my favourites :)

I read the two stories you mentioned Adrian, and remembered them immediately. Love The Red Headed League too, which I can read again and again!

Thanks Michaela and Jean, I have to say I love The Red Headed League as well. In my mind I can see Jeremy Brett as SH speaking to Jabez Wilson, and almost sniggering when he explains what has happened to him, just magic.

And A Case of Identity, I think, and maybe its because I've read it before many times, seems to me a little obvious. I know there are a couple of mentions to stories we haven't read yet, but I ask you to bear with me, we will get there. Still an enjoyable story, demonstrating so many aspects of Holmes life, most notably his filing system.

I started reading The Red Headed League and I am imagining Sax Coburg Square and the part behind Mr Wilson house. I wonder if these places have changed since then... (and copy the encyclopedia! what an idea!!)

carolina wrote: "I started reading The Red Headed League and I am imagining Sax Coburg Square and the part behind Mr Wilson house. I wonder if these places have changed since then... (and copy the encyclopedia! wha..."

Hi Carolina, glad to have you join us on our Sherlock Holmes journey. Unfortunately whilst there are many small "dingy" squares just off The Strand, Saxe Coburg is not one of them, and never has been. That said Sir Arthur would actually recognise many places from his 19th Century knowledge of London, especially around The Strand, which has changed hardly at all.
I think that one of Conan Doyle's talents is to draw in his readers heads a vision of many differing parts of London, from dingy squares to wide thoroughfares, and also the leafy suburbs (some now in Greater London).

Like many of us have said, this is one of my favourite Sherlock Holmes stories. I love the way it starts off in quite a light-hearted fashion, with this red-haired gentleman coming to SH for advice about a very odd situation which he has found himself in. We find ourselves smiling indulgently at the naivety of this man who thought he had (view spoiler)[ found a little gold-mine to exploit. (hide spoiler)] But then the atmosphere changes as we realise that (view spoiler)[ there might be something more serious, more dangerous, going on. (hide spoiler)] My own favourite section is (view spoiler)[ the scene where SH & Co. are waiting in the cellar for the criminals to appear. There's a real sense of tension in the air. (hide spoiler)]

Sue wrote: "Like many of us have said, this is one of my favourite Sherlock Holmes stories. I love the way it starts of in quite a light-hearted fashion, with this red-haired gentleman coming to SH for advice ..."

I think you're exactly right about the (view spoiler)[tension in the vaults of the bank. The manager thinking nothing was really going to happen, until the chink of light is seen (hide spoiler)] Sue.
It is such a memorable short story and a great place to start the journey through Holmes.

Well its good to "see" that there are a few people reading along with this Holmes buddy read. Of course the more the merrier so I hope that a few more people join in.
I know its only the 11th of June, but I have to admit I have already read all 6 of this month's short stories, I know, I know, I just couldn't resist 😊
Anyway I look forward to seeing other peoples thoughts through the next few weeks.

I am a bit late joining the party but I reread "The Red-Headed League" today.

I had hoped to reread this via the Tantor audiobook I got in 2017 but for reasons I don't understand, although this story is supposed to be included, it isn't - it skips from "A Scandal in Bohemia" to "A Case of Identity". Luckily for me, I have a Kindle edition of The Complete Sherlock Holmes so I was able to compensate for this omission!

I had forgotten Watson's observations about Holmes' bipolar personality. It's interesting that Doyle had in this early story laid the foundation for the idea that Holmes, while brilliant, was mentally unstable.

I read The Boscombe Mystery, which showed Sherlock´s means of working, and The Five Orange Pips, which was a rather poor story imo. Loooking forward to reading more soon!

Leslie wrote: "I am a bit late joining the party but I reread "The Red-Headed League" today...."

It's never too late to join Leslie, you know that you are always welcome.
Yes it is interesting that this early in his writings about Sherlock Holmes that he "allowed" Watson to document his problems, as Holmes says "My life is spent in one long effort to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little problems help me to do so"

Michaela wrote: "I read The Boscombe Mystery, which showed Sherlock´s means of working, and The Five Orange Pips, which was a rather poor story imo. Loooking forward to reading more soon!"

I really enjoyed the Boscombe Valley Mystery which as you say showed wonderfully how Holmes works.
I didn't mind 5 Orange Pips, but don't think it is one of the best as you say.

It’s late on a Sunday, the 14th of June, and I’m just about to close on, The Demon in the Freezer by Richard Preston. I’ll soon be starting the Sherlock Holmes group read by midnight, and a half a month later than most, if not all of you. Please excuse this latecomer for I’m a Sherlock fan and love to read along with friends. So thank you in advance.
Staci

Good to see you Staci - you can join in any time! :)

I read The Man With The Twisted Lip and The Blue Carbuncle today. The first story was original imo, thought we didn´t quite find out how Holmes "did it", but I was disappointed by (view spoiler)[Holmes letting the criminal get away (hide spoiler)] in the second story. His methods (view spoiler)[were reduced to following the way of the goose (hide spoiler)].

Staci wrote: "It’s late on a Sunday, the 14th of June, and I’m just about to close on, The Demon in the Freezer by Richard Preston. I’ll soon be starting the Sherlock Holmes group read by midnight, and a half a ..."

Glad my garbled instructions were good enough for you to find your way to our Group read Staci. I look forward to your thoughts.

Michaela wrote: "I read The Man With The Twisted Lip and The Blue Carbuncle today. The first story was original imo, thought we didn´t quite find out how Holmes "did it", but I was disappointed by [spoilers removed..."

Yes I too thought that [book:The Man with the Twisted Lip|5459311] was a really good short story and very original as you say.

Do any of you feel like Watson? Holmes continually gives Watson tid bits here and there then allowing you, oops I mean Watson, more than enough time to figure out the mystery.
I’m sure your answers are all a resounding yes and lol, did I just figure this out now? Even though I’ve always enjoyed Holmes giving me the time to see the clues I seriously just made the connection between Watson and the reader. I’ve been played and just now figured it out; silly me.

I have finished (like Adrian, I was unable to restrain myself to a single story a day!). I think that out of this selection of stories, my favorite is "The Man with the Twisted Lip" though I found them all enjoyable.

The reason I liked that particular story so much was that it so clearly illustrated the danger of preconception. A man is seen at the window of an opium den - his wife and others make assumptions based on what they believe rather than upon proven facts.

Staci wrote: "Do any of you feel like Watson? Holmes continually gives Watson tid bits here and there then allowing you, oops I mean Watson, more than enough time to figure out the mystery.
I’m sure your answer..."

Ha ha, thats very perceptive Staci. yes I agree entirely I think Watson is "us". He is not super intelligent like Holmes, so we as Watson see the normal things, whilst Holmes sees more. However there will be adventures when Watson provides the clue to solve the mystery, as Hastings does with Poirot, sometimes unintentionally.

Leslie wrote: "I have finished (like Adrian, I was unable to restrain myself to a single story a day!). I think that out of this selection of stories, my favorite is "The Man with the Twisted Lip" though I found ..."

I'm glad i'm not the only impetuous one. I think of the 6 stories I have read so far, The Man with the Twisted Lip has to be my favourite, like Leslie. And for exactly the same reason. ACD sets up a situation where everyone assumes one thing, but the reality is something else, without giving the game away.

Adrian wrote: "Staci wrote: "Do any of you feel like Watson? Holmes continually gives Watson tid bits here and there then allowing you, oops I mean Watson, more than enough time to figure out the mystery.
I’m su..."

I think ACD set the precedent (which was then followed by Agatha Christie with Poirot & Hastings); the super-observent or smart detective with the more 'human' sidekick which allows the author to explain things to the reader. I recently finished R. Austin Freeman's Dr. Thorndyke series which also follows this pattern, with Dr. Thorndyke's associate Dr. Jervis being the 'Dr. Watson' (complete to the fact that the story is related from his point of view, at least in large part).

This convention doesn't bother me but perhaps it is because I am so inured to it! But it is a clever device which sometimes (less often than I would like) lets me as the reader figure something out before the sidekick, bringing a glow of satisfaction and triumph :-)

Leslie wrote: "This convention doesn't bother me but perhaps it is because I am so inured to it! But it is a clever device which sometimes (less often than I would like) lets me as the reader figure something out before the sidekick, bringing a glow of satisfaction and triumph :-)..."

It is as you say a clever device to allow us to feel superior when ( or if in my case) you actually solve it before Watson/Hastings/Jervis/Milner/Havers/Lewis/Burden. And it works.

So I did start with “A Study in Scarlet��....my ocd brain wasn’t going to let me get away with not reading Holmes and Watson’s introduction to each other first.

But I have been reading “The Red-Headed League�� this evening and will continue on in the suggested order. Happy to join you all :)

Allie wrote: "So I did start with “A Study in Scarlet��....my ocd brain wasn’t going to let me get away with not reading Holmes and Watson’s introduction to each other first.

But I have been reading “The Red-Hea..."

Ha ha, never mind, I'm glad you're with us. Maybe if I hadn't have read A Study in Scarlet myself already I would've felt the same. I just think whilst it does introduce us to them, and them to each other, it is better read when we know more about the characters. You can be all smug when we do get to read it.

Hope you enjoyed the Red Headed League.

Haha, Adrian!

I did, thank you :)

Sue wrote: "Like many of us have said, this is one of my favourite Sherlock Holmes stories. I love the way it starts off in quite a light-hearted fashion, with this red-haired gentleman coming to SH for advice..."

Yes!! That cellar scene was great!

Michaela wrote: "I read The Boscombe Mystery, which showed Sherlock´s means of working, and The Five Orange Pips, which was a rather poor story imo. Loooking forward to reading more soon!"

I agree...I feel in all the tv/movie versions that this is rather a bigger, well-known case and after reading it I was like, uhhhh why?!

I’m a little annoyed with all the French sayings...in today’s books, the English is usually said right after it so we know what the character is saying. Did more people speak French then and that makes all the French sayings acceptable for the readers of his day?? Not that I have anything against the French language, I’d just like to know what the man’s talking about (without having to stop my reading and google a smattering of French words every five minutes)!!

French was the common language then, as English is today. Esp. in Europe people of class learned French well, so could speak and understand it.