【 THE SIGN OF FOUR 】

book #2 in the Sherlock Holmes series

Genre: Mystery, Classic
Audience: Adult
Author: Arthur Conan Doyle
Published: February 1890
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Pages: 146 (paperback)

This little mystery has stuck with me since I turned the final page. I thought I liked it – thought it was fine – but the more I thought on it, the more I realised that this was a damn good read and very unique. I didn’t just like it, I loved it.

To me, this one-ups A Study in Scarlet because a) the relationship between Holmes and Watson has (inevitably) developed more making everything better, and b) the structure of the mystery felt more well rounded. There was a nice back and forth in explaining the mystery and the context of the mystery that was much less jarring than the extensive backstory in A Study in Scarlet.

But what ultimately made this stand out for me was the sheer fun of the mystery. We have gems, we have a perceived curse on the gems, we have a complicated inheritance of said cursed gems and we have men dying of fright (always a fun way for them to go in these books).

Plus, we have India. And I’m now firmly of the belief that every Sherlock Holmes mystery needs to either have a setting in a far-flung land or be involved with some major international phenomena of the time. So many of the good stories are built upon the sturdy building bricks of Doyle’s excellent research into history. It grounds everything in that intense level of realism that sucks everyone into these stories.

There are just so many little mysteries wrapped up in this big one, that it will keep your attention right the way throughout. Plus! Added bonus of meeting Mary – a sturdy female character who catches Watson’s eye – who is a great addition to the stories going forward (minor parts though she might play).

I confess that prior to reading this in a bound up collection, I wasn’t familiar with the title of the piece nor the plot, and I’m surprised. This is just as enjoyable as some of Doyle’s other famous pieces, so I do hope that if you haven’t dived into this one that you will add it to your list. It’s surely worthy!

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Title: The Sign of Four
Series: Sherlock Holmes
Author: Arthur Conan Doyle
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A dense yellow miasma swirls in the streets of London as Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson accompany a beautiful young woman to a sinister assignation.

For Mary Morstan has received several large pearls – one a year for the last six years – and now a mystery letter telling her she is a wronged woman. If she would seek justice she is to meet her unknown benefactor, bringing with her two companions.

But unbeknownst to them all, others stalk London’s fog-enshrouded streets: a one-legged ruffian with revenge on his mind – and his companion, who places no value on human life . . .