A Study in Scarlet
A Sherlock Holmes adventure by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This book treats us to a chapter introducing Sherlock Holmes as well as a chapter devoted to the Science of Deduction.
The adventure itself starts when Sherlock receives a letter from Tobias Gregson, a Scotland Yard detective, requesting Sherlock's assistance in the murder of a Enoch J Drebber, a visitor from the USA, whose body was found in an empty house in Brixton.
Holmes and Watson arrive at the scene of the crime and search for clues, the most interesting of which seems to be the word RACHE, scrawled in blood-red letters on the wall. Holmes resolves to solve the case and to assist him in this endeavour he uses a wedding ring that he found at the scene of the crime. Holmes places an advertisement in a newspaper stating that he has found a ring. An old woman, it turns out to be a man in disguise, claims the ring but she manages to evade Holmes when he follows her after she departs from his Baker Street residence.
Later Holmes is visited by Gregson, one of the police detectives assigned to the case, who claims that the case has been solved and the murderer is now jailed. After Gregson finishes explaining how he solved the case Lestrade arrives to announce that there has been a second murder - it is clear that the man the police have arrested is innocent. The police are now completely at a loss - both detectives have arrived at dead ends. Holmes announces that he himself has solved the murder and will shortly arrest the killer. Packing his bags for a journey, he asks the waiting cab driver to come and assist him with his luggage.
The story then moves to the United States of America. The motive for the murder is explained to the reader against the backdrop of the Mormon community, incorporating a depiction of the Danites. This part of the narration includes a less than flattering appearance by Brigham Young. As in so many murders the motive turns out to be a woman and revenge.
As a lover of Sherlock Holmes stories I liked this one but that's all. Not one of the most enjoyable Holmes adventures. I would rate it no more than 5/10.
|