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The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb and Other Cases
The Penguin English Library edition
As usual with the Sherlock Holmes stories it is very hard to say which are the best - but there are many stories here which would get the vote - ranging from The Boscombe Valley Mystery to the wonderful Adventure of Silver Blaze, from the Adventure of the Norwood Builder to A Case of Identity, but above to the uniquely strange and macabre Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb.
As usual with the Sherlock Holmes stories it is very hard to say which are the best - but there are many stories here which would get the vote - ranging from The Boscombe Valley Mystery to the wonderful Adventure of Silver Blaze, from the Adventure of the Norwood Builder to A Case of Identity, but above to the uniquely strange and macabre Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb.
371 pages, Paperback
First published September 4, 2014
30 people are currently reading
618 people want to read
About the author
Arthur Conan Doyle
15.4k books24.1k followersSir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was a British writer and physician. He created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Holmes and Dr. Watson. The Sherlock Holmes stories are milestones in the field of crime fiction.
Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.
Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 28, 2021
Uma colectânea de contos tirados de vários livros do Sherlock Holmes. Na sua maioria podemos verificar reviravoltas macabras e configurações misteriosas. Também dà-nos a possibilidade de observar o desenvolvimento da amizade entre Holmes e Watson.
Destaco os seguintes:"The adventure of silver blaze" (envolvendo um desaparecimento de um cavalo de corrida), " The adventure of the golden pince nez" ( um crime que envolve intrigas familiares) , " The boscombe valley mystery" ( um oportunista que engana mulheres inocentes) e " The adventure of the greek interpreter" ( neste caso o mais interessante é a apresentação do irmão de Holmes).
Esta edição possui uma nota final, informando aos leitores que Doyle se tornou um escritor de renome graças aos seus romances históricos. Demonstrando a sua luta intensa para dissociar da figura de Sherlock Holmes.
Destaco os seguintes:"The adventure of silver blaze" (envolvendo um desaparecimento de um cavalo de corrida), " The adventure of the golden pince nez" ( um crime que envolve intrigas familiares) , " The boscombe valley mystery" ( um oportunista que engana mulheres inocentes) e " The adventure of the greek interpreter" ( neste caso o mais interessante é a apresentação do irmão de Holmes).
Esta edição possui uma nota final, informando aos leitores que Doyle se tornou um escritor de renome graças aos seus romances históricos. Demonstrando a sua luta intensa para dissociar da figura de Sherlock Holmes.
December 28, 2019
80% of the book was the engineer telling his story and explaining what happened to his thumb..
January 12, 2020
Not as thrilling as other stories but still it was good reading the strange narrative has suggested by dr.watson.
January 5, 2021
This was an other great adventure by the Master of detectives Sherlock Holmes.
November 26, 2021
There is something about reading Sherlock Holmes that has you longing for a good fireplace and a brandy (and Brandy is not my poison of choice). I love the setup of every Sherlock tale. How Watson is the narrator and is forever one step away from the truth, how Sherlock so effortlessly solves the mystery only to have to explain all the clues and realisations to Watson at the very end where he is inevitably left enamoured saying, “By Jove!”.
It’s as if Watson is there to simply bear witness to the brilliance of Holmes and it works. It’s as if to say, you’d be forgiven dear reader for missing all the clues, because so did Watson! I like too how Holmes can come off as pompous but the way Watson receives his behaviour is so trusting and adoring that the idea of Holmes ever being self-righteous never even occurs to Watson which makes all the interactions like this light and funny. Really how could Watson ever contemplate that Holmes may be arrogant when all he can see is the stars in his eyes, Holmes is simply so smart and wonderful? It’s a genius dynamic that builds our protagonist up to one that is both likeable and inspiring despite his overt self-confidence.
The dynamics between Holmes and Watson are unsurpassed in their ability to entertain and slowly unravel the mysteries to us as if we the reader were Watson being educated by Holmes himself. Stupendously clever!
However as I read short story after short story, I did get fatigued. They are very formulaic which can get tiresome and cause them to lose their sheen after too much repetition. I also found myself irritated at times when there is no way you could solve the mystery, given there are parts shared by Holmes only in his final explanations upon solving the case, the details of which were not shared with the reader during the natural course of the story.
It seems like true grumblings though to take away from the fun that is Sherlock Holmes!
It’s as if Watson is there to simply bear witness to the brilliance of Holmes and it works. It’s as if to say, you’d be forgiven dear reader for missing all the clues, because so did Watson! I like too how Holmes can come off as pompous but the way Watson receives his behaviour is so trusting and adoring that the idea of Holmes ever being self-righteous never even occurs to Watson which makes all the interactions like this light and funny. Really how could Watson ever contemplate that Holmes may be arrogant when all he can see is the stars in his eyes, Holmes is simply so smart and wonderful? It’s a genius dynamic that builds our protagonist up to one that is both likeable and inspiring despite his overt self-confidence.
The dynamics between Holmes and Watson are unsurpassed in their ability to entertain and slowly unravel the mysteries to us as if we the reader were Watson being educated by Holmes himself. Stupendously clever!
However as I read short story after short story, I did get fatigued. They are very formulaic which can get tiresome and cause them to lose their sheen after too much repetition. I also found myself irritated at times when there is no way you could solve the mystery, given there are parts shared by Holmes only in his final explanations upon solving the case, the details of which were not shared with the reader during the natural course of the story.
It seems like true grumblings though to take away from the fun that is Sherlock Holmes!
January 10, 2022
I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I love Arthur Conan Doyle’s writing style and thought process. On the other hand, short stories really aren’t my cup of tea.
Even though I think almost all these stories were amazing in their own right, I didn’t have enough time to care about the plots. I love following a mystery from beginning to end - seeing all the clues slowly falling into place and starting to make sense. We obviously don’t get the whole process here.
I went into this knowing I probably wouldn’t enjoy it as much as the full length novels, though, so I already knew this wouldn’t become a favourite. But I’m still glad I picked it up, and still think it was worth the read.
Even though I think almost all these stories were amazing in their own right, I didn’t have enough time to care about the plots. I love following a mystery from beginning to end - seeing all the clues slowly falling into place and starting to make sense. We obviously don’t get the whole process here.
I went into this knowing I probably wouldn’t enjoy it as much as the full length novels, though, so I already knew this wouldn’t become a favourite. But I’m still glad I picked it up, and still think it was worth the read.
August 7, 2021
For some reason I can't get into Holmes. I know he's famous because of his style but I find it overrated and poorly written. I don't know what it is about Doyle's writing that I don't like.
February 3, 2022
An engaging and well written collection of mysteries. Most of the stories included were enticing and entertaining enough but I did find the titular tale of the Engineers Thumb to be less so. Overall worth the read.
February 28, 2019
It is a rather odd story and a bit more violent than Sherlock Holmes stories normally are, but you must tip your hat to the greatest detective, because he's the only one who can make heads or tails of this odd mystery.
May 8, 2024
he leído este libro entero imaginándome la estética u caracterización del capítulo victoriano d sherlockBBC. no hay quejas tho, benedict y martin pueden vivir rentfree en mi cabeza
sherlock walked para q spencer reid pudiese correr x cierto
doyle te amo ojalá no fueses un misógino solo te perdona el contexto histórico 💔💋❤️🩹
sherlock walked para q spencer reid pudiese correr x cierto
doyle te amo ojalá no fueses un misógino solo te perdona el contexto histórico 💔💋❤️🩹
April 21, 2025
One more mention of a woman uncovering hidden truths through her feminine intuition or being swept off her feet by a scoundrel who only wants her fortune, and I’ll be forced to bang my womanly head against a wall in a most unbecoming fashion. Nevertheless, a nostalgic banger!
August 27, 2020
I have a couple of issues with this story.
First, is the double-narration. The story is narrated overall, by Watson. Within this, the Engineer is narrating his adventure to Holmes and Watson. When the Engineer is telling his story, it is not differentiated in speech nor style from Watson, as it should be. For example, the Engineer describes scenes in vivid detail, down to how thin a beam of light is coming through a doorway and how rich the fabric of a woman’s dress is. A normal person would simply say there is a pretty woman with a lamp in a dark dress. Short and sweet. But Watson is relaying events in his own words. So either Doyle is bad at differentiating his characters or Watson is adding his own romantic flair to the Engineer’s story, making it his own. Yes, it's done well and helps the consistency of the telling making everything engaging and interesting, but it feels dodgy.
Second, is that this is only a story. Watson bandages up a stub, Holmes doesn't solve anything beyond figuring out where the events described took place, and a group of people, including the Engineer, Holmes, and Watson, watch a building burn. There's nothing for our daring detective to really do. It's a bit underwhelming.
Beyond this, the story is really good. The engineer has quite a dangerous adventure and tells it well. Overall, this isn’t so much a mystery to be solved but more akin to a story that Doyle wanted to tell, one that Holmes and Watson just happen to be audience to.
First, is the double-narration. The story is narrated overall, by Watson. Within this, the Engineer is narrating his adventure to Holmes and Watson. When the Engineer is telling his story, it is not differentiated in speech nor style from Watson, as it should be. For example, the Engineer describes scenes in vivid detail, down to how thin a beam of light is coming through a doorway and how rich the fabric of a woman’s dress is. A normal person would simply say there is a pretty woman with a lamp in a dark dress. Short and sweet. But Watson is relaying events in his own words. So either Doyle is bad at differentiating his characters or Watson is adding his own romantic flair to the Engineer’s story, making it his own. Yes, it's done well and helps the consistency of the telling making everything engaging and interesting, but it feels dodgy.
Second, is that this is only a story. Watson bandages up a stub, Holmes doesn't solve anything beyond figuring out where the events described took place, and a group of people, including the Engineer, Holmes, and Watson, watch a building burn. There's nothing for our daring detective to really do. It's a bit underwhelming.
Beyond this, the story is really good. The engineer has quite a dangerous adventure and tells it well. Overall, this isn’t so much a mystery to be solved but more akin to a story that Doyle wanted to tell, one that Holmes and Watson just happen to be audience to.
Read
July 31, 20247,5 ⭐
Me ha gustado pero claro al ser un libro de historias cortas no se puede esperar lo mismo que de un libro normal porque cada una de ellas tiene como unas 30 páginas y ni los personajes ni la trama se pueden desarrollar mucho.
Lo primero voy a ordenar las historias de mejor a peor (para mi gusto) y a hacer algún comentario sobre ellas. Luego diré alguna cosilla más que me ha llamado la atención durante la lectura.
Las que más me han gustado han sido:
-La 3, que era la del baron gruner creo que se llamaba que la verdad no era un misterio en sí pero esque me ha gustado como se presentaban los personajes y también el contraste entre dos mujeres vinculadas en la historia, una siendo como el fuego y otra como el hielo.
-La 7, que es la que da título al libro y más de lo mismo tampoco era un misterio pero me ha gustado simplemente la historia, aunque como muchas otras del libro era muy fantasiosa.
-La 8
-La 11 me ha gustado también bastante por los personajes aunque lógicamente con tan pocos el resultado no sorprende
-La última estaba bien, he visto que hay gente a la que no le ha gustado porque dice que no se resuelve el misterio, no sé que historia se han leído ellos pero sí que se resuelve y el final se entiende.
Las que no me han gustado:
-LA 10. Ni la he terminado la verdad porque me ha parecido aburridisima por la manera en la que estaba escrita. La trama era interesante pero esque llegó un momento en el que dije vale ya, y pasé a la siguiente historia.
-La 1 sin más la verdad,sin comentarios.
-La de los estudiantes también me ha parecido un tostón es que me daba igual que copiaran que no y me daba igual también quien fue el culpable.
Y las demás no son destacables para bien ni para mal.
Alguna cosa extra:
-Sherlock y Watson me daban muchas vibes de Poirot y Hastings, aunque estos están enamorados a mi no me engañan.
-La última historia me gustó porque nos presentaron a Mycroft.
-Stanley Hopkins me ha caído super bien tb
-Yo a veces me quedo flipando con la capacidad de observación de Sherlock pero más con la de Conan Doyle de inventase las historias, debió de ser muy inteligente sinceramente.
-Ahora quiero ser detective 💋
Me ha gustado pero claro al ser un libro de historias cortas no se puede esperar lo mismo que de un libro normal porque cada una de ellas tiene como unas 30 páginas y ni los personajes ni la trama se pueden desarrollar mucho.
Lo primero voy a ordenar las historias de mejor a peor (para mi gusto) y a hacer algún comentario sobre ellas. Luego diré alguna cosilla más que me ha llamado la atención durante la lectura.
Las que más me han gustado han sido:
-La 3, que era la del baron gruner creo que se llamaba que la verdad no era un misterio en sí pero esque me ha gustado como se presentaban los personajes y también el contraste entre dos mujeres vinculadas en la historia, una siendo como el fuego y otra como el hielo.
-La 7, que es la que da título al libro y más de lo mismo tampoco era un misterio pero me ha gustado simplemente la historia, aunque como muchas otras del libro era muy fantasiosa.
-La 8
-La 11 me ha gustado también bastante por los personajes aunque lógicamente con tan pocos el resultado no sorprende
-La última estaba bien, he visto que hay gente a la que no le ha gustado porque dice que no se resuelve el misterio, no sé que historia se han leído ellos pero sí que se resuelve y el final se entiende.
Las que no me han gustado:
-LA 10. Ni la he terminado la verdad porque me ha parecido aburridisima por la manera en la que estaba escrita. La trama era interesante pero esque llegó un momento en el que dije vale ya, y pasé a la siguiente historia.
-La 1 sin más la verdad,sin comentarios.
-La de los estudiantes también me ha parecido un tostón es que me daba igual que copiaran que no y me daba igual también quien fue el culpable.
Y las demás no son destacables para bien ni para mal.
Alguna cosa extra:
-Sherlock y Watson me daban muchas vibes de Poirot y Hastings, aunque estos están enamorados a mi no me engañan.
-La última historia me gustó porque nos presentaron a Mycroft.
-Stanley Hopkins me ha caído super bien tb
-Yo a veces me quedo flipando con la capacidad de observación de Sherlock pero más con la de Conan Doyle de inventase las historias, debió de ser muy inteligente sinceramente.
-Ahora quiero ser detective 💋
February 20, 2023
"life is infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent."
Thanks to the Radio Times back in 2017, I was able to obtain all three of these volumes as cases from them were used to inspire and add to episodes of Season 4 of BBC's Sherlock. I've been a fan of the show since 2012.
As for the book, I enjoyed the cases but some of them were more engaging overall. For someone who wishes to read ACD's Sherlock Holmes works, these volumes are great for bitesized amount of cases rather than overwhelming yourself.
Thanks to the Radio Times back in 2017, I was able to obtain all three of these volumes as cases from them were used to inspire and add to episodes of Season 4 of BBC's Sherlock. I've been a fan of the show since 2012.
As for the book, I enjoyed the cases but some of them were more engaging overall. For someone who wishes to read ACD's Sherlock Holmes works, these volumes are great for bitesized amount of cases rather than overwhelming yourself.
December 31, 2024
Preface: Not a particularly huge fan of mystery but I do enjoy the classical literature style of writing in general. Prior to this, my only exposure to Holmes was of movies and shows (which I'm sure is the case for most). I definitely do see the need for recreating these stories on the big screen as each mystery felt short and I find myself not even having time to be curious of the incidents that ensue. I would like to try again reading a longer version of Sir Arthur's Sherlock as I feel it has the potential to really have me gripping the edge of my seat.
May 18, 2023
As far as these short stories go, this is one of the most interesting in the bunch.
A mysterious gentlemen hires an engineer for some covert repairs. High secrecy, little regard for the lives of those they hire… the men in question make for an intriguing subject of the story.
I still miss the long investigative process of the longer Sherlock novels. Only a very small bit of this short story contains Sherlock’s actual investigation.
A mysterious gentlemen hires an engineer for some covert repairs. High secrecy, little regard for the lives of those they hire… the men in question make for an intriguing subject of the story.
I still miss the long investigative process of the longer Sherlock novels. Only a very small bit of this short story contains Sherlock’s actual investigation.
December 15, 2018
Not as good as the first collection I read 'The Five Orange Pips and Other Cases' but I still enjoyed it. Listening to the Stephen Fry audiobook really makes the stories shine even more.
Honourable mentions - The Adventure of the Naval Treaty, The Adventure of the Abbey Grange & The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez.
Honourable mentions - The Adventure of the Naval Treaty, The Adventure of the Abbey Grange & The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez.
July 20, 2019
It's Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, one of the irrefutable and quintessential kings of detective fiction. Do I even need to say anything more!
This book is a compilation of 13 adventurous and classic stories of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John H. Watson. Overall, it was a fun and enjoyable read. If you haven't ever read any of Doyle's work, then you must!
This book is a compilation of 13 adventurous and classic stories of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John H. Watson. Overall, it was a fun and enjoyable read. If you haven't ever read any of Doyle's work, then you must!
September 2, 2019
I was really sad this collection was over when I finished it, so it has to be five stars for enjoyment factor. I may have guessed a few of the solutions, but I really loved the variety of scenarios and the deadpan silliness of some of the stories. A man nearly being squashed to death in a giant press is still making me giggle for it’s wonderful ridiculousness.
August 25, 2021
Interesting with the title story that this is one of the mysteries that remain unsolved - in that the assailants get away with it. Although the stories all follow essentially the same format - I enjoy the process and the different scenarios that Conan Doyle invents, bringing in groups duck as the Coiners in this tale.
December 31, 2017
3.5
Some stories were more enjoyable than others, and at times I felt like I needed to take a short break between reading them. Nevertheless, it was a good way to read some Sherlock Holmes adventures that I wasn't that familiar with. Overall an enjoyable and entertaining read.
Some stories were more enjoyable than others, and at times I felt like I needed to take a short break between reading them. Nevertheless, it was a good way to read some Sherlock Holmes adventures that I wasn't that familiar with. Overall an enjoyable and entertaining read.
April 3, 2024
Great stories individually and build a great world when reading in order. Final story being placed where it is, does however leave the entire book left slightly unfinished when it could close properly if the order of stories had been swapped.
October 28, 2024
The Victorian English used in this book makes the short stories "appear" longer than they really are. Great book for those who haven't heard about Sherlock Holmes and are eager to quickly get to know the history of this No. 1 legend of a detective
October 11, 2018
I really enjoyed this one also maybe because it was the first time for me, where Sherlock did not manage to bring the villais to justice! :)
January 6, 2020
Dr. Watson retells the case file, that he himself presented to Sherlock Holmes when one of his patients told him of how he came to lose his thumb in a ghastly manner.
July 17, 2020
A good selection of Sherlock Holmes stories put together by Arthur Conan Doyle.
October 18, 2020
Always wonderful.
I really enjoyed all of the stories.
I really enjoyed all of the stories.
February 15, 2021
He was almost a Jill Sandwich hahaha
June 3, 2023
5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews