SA Book & Challenge Lovers discussion

A discussion thread for A Study in Scarlet, which can be read from 1st January until 30th June 2022. Please note that spoilers are permitted in this thread.

A Study in Scarlet is a popular Sherlock Holmes book written by author Arthur Conan Doyle. Being the first novel is the Holmes detective series by Doyle, A Study in Scarlet largely introduces the reader to the forthcoming series by Doyle. The story features the introduction of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson through mutual friends and a mystery revolving around a corpse found at a derelict house in Brixton, England. A Study in Scarlet is highly recommended for those who enjoy Sherlock Holmes detective novels and also individuals who enjoy the works of Arthur Conan Doyle. [www.amazon.com/Study-Scarlet-Arthur-C...]

As a life-long reader of mysteries I should have read Sherlock Holmes by now, but somehow never managed it. I enjoyed the introduction to the characters and the writing is easy.

Same here Carolien. I must have read excerpts every now and again, but never a complete novel. I agree with the characterisation and the easy reading. I can also see a parallel between Dr Watson and Captain Hastings, Poirot's soundingboard.

I was commenting earlier in the Reading the Detectives Group on the influence of technology on the mystery genre. In the old books, a lot of it is painstakingly following the clues and slogging on. The difference here for me is that Holmes has done some of the work earlier in his research and experiments. He can then find answers and make statements based on the prior information rather than doing the work during the investigation. Since the reader doesn't have the information, it then requires a big leap of faith by the reader.

I'm reading The Three Taps: A Detective Story Without a Moral and he has a paragraph where he introduces the detective as follows: He carried neither lens nor a forceps, not even a revolver; he had no stupid confidential friend, but a private detective he was for all that."

A fairly obvious dig at Holmes and Watson!

I'm not ecstatic about the two stories in my copy.

A Study in Scarlet ends with an arrest, but absolutely no discussion of motive. I know it's a classic, but it feels under developed. There's no bridge to the second part.

The second story is the romance/adventure set in Utah and I am underwhelmed to put it mildly. I'm gritting my teeth to complete the book. I have now figured out the second one being the backstory to the first, but it is so horribly overdramatic, that I am not finding it fun at all.

I tagged onto this rather last minute when I saw you discussing this book. So I immediately got a copy off Project Gutenberg.
I quite enjoyed it, it was easier reading than I thought it would be. I was initially confused with the dramatic setting change in Utah, thinking my ebook had been mixed up with another book.

I agree with Carolien that it is overdramatic and rather a stretch to believe that Holmes could've tied it altogether so neatly.

Yes, there is quite a huge jump from the murders in England and a telegram to the USA.

What did you think of Holmes' research methods, especially the rough handling of cadavers?

Diane wrote: "I tagged onto this rather last minute when I saw you discussing this book. So I immediately got a copy off Project Gutenberg.
I quite enjoyed it, it was easier reading than I thought it would be. ..."

I had the same reaction - thought it was two separate stories in one book.

Wayne wrote: "Yes, there is quite a huge jump from the murders in England and a telegram to the USA.

What did you think of Holmes' research methods, especially the rough handling of cadavers?"

It was bit grim. I wonder how he procured his cadavers?

Diane wrote: "Wayne wrote: "Yes, there is quite a huge jump from the murders in England and a telegram to the USA.

What did you think of Holmes' research methods, especially the rough handling of cadavers?"

I..."
Well, I guess working in the hospital laboratory helped a fair bit.

Ah, yes - I forgot about that part. I guess he could run his experiments on the John and Jane Does. Plus there was the vigorous Victorian cadaver trade in the slums.

True.