Sherlock Holmes Short Stories Read Along!

[thiskurt]

Yes, it's great! I couldn't help but think the step father was dumb not to disguise the means of the murder better, though, like seriously, there should have been a real bell at least, sheesh xD

Well, you have to remember training animals to murder for you was not nearly as common as it is now back in the day so no one would consider it unlike today where you hear about pigeons related murders all the time.

[thiskurt]

I'd totally forgotten to mention that the Speckled Band has one of my favorite moments???

It's the one where the guy is trying to intimidate Holmes and bends the iron poker before stalking out, and Holmes is just totally unfazed but then afterwards just casually straightens it out again. Like. You know he's showing off!! He's just showing off only for Watson it's adorable

Holmes just wants his friend to think he's a badass. I love that and the moment where Watson's smile just keeps getting wider as Holmes is being insulted.

[Bee]

YAY KURT IS BACK

[thiskurt]

YAY KURT IS BACK

Where!?

[skysailor]

YAY KURT IS BACK

Where!?

You just missed him

[Bee]

Yes, it's great! I couldn't help but think the step father was dumb not to disguise the means of the murder better, though, like seriously, there should have been a real bell at least, sheesh xD

Well, you have to remember training animals to murder for you was not nearly as common as it is now back in the day so no one would consider it unlike today where you hear about pigeons related murders all the time.

We do NOT talk about pigeons, lest they come after you

[InspectorCaracal]

I should be very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen who can twist steel pokers into knots.

Holmes manages to be both an American hard boiled detective and very Victorian British man in that quote.

I hadn't thought of it that way but that's such a lovely description lmfao

I wonder if the mention that there is a baboon in the house is in any way a reference/red herring to 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue' seeing as that's one of the first locked room mysteries and in that (SPOILERS) an orangutan is the murderer. (/SPOILERS)

Ooohhh I didn't know that, but now that I do, I am 1000% sure you're right. I mean he opened the whole Holmes canon with talking about other mystery fiction and Holmes' entire character is a deliberate subversion of the French rationalist detective.

"In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in your room."

Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment.

"Do you know, Watson," said Holmes, as we sat together in the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you to-night. There is a distinct element of danger."

"Can I be of assistance?"

"Your presence might be invaluable."

"Then I shall certainly come."

You know, maybe the shippers have a point.

they absolutely have points lmfao

qpp 5everrrr

"Subtle enough, and horrible enough, When a doctor does go wrong, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet pipe, and turn our minds for a few hours to something more cheerful."

This story was published four years after the Jack the Ripper murders, I wonder if the theory he was a doctor too was already around then and if it at all had an influence here. Probably not, these two are morbid enough.

good question tho, but I think it's more just Doyle's own interest in doctors? He based Holmes on the real-life Dr. Watson, and fictional Watson is a doctor too, and there's quite a few doctors-gone-wrong further along in the canon

[Bee]

This is a very nice example of the "Holmes and Watson go to the country to ~~have a lovely trip~~ ~~go on an adventure~~ solve a mystery" subset of stories. And you can never go wrong with a locked room mystery. Bring back locked room mysteries I say. CSI: Room would have a tiny budget and thus great profits.

According to at least one source[^1] this is Doyle's favourite story, I don't remember if that other source from a few stories back said the same.

"I know you, you scoundrel! I have heard of you before. You are Holmes the meddler."

My friend smiled.

"Holmes the busybody!"

His smile broadened.

"Holmes the Scotland-yard Jack-in-office!"

This is a lovely exchange, Watson smiling at his buddy getting ribbed. We should call him Holmes the Medler, because the man isn't wrong, is he? The whole mystery genre is founded on medlers.

I know it's cliche of me but Holmes the Medler sounds like an anime (I would watch, of course)

I should be very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen who can twist steel pokers into knots.

Holmes manages to be both an American hard boiled detective and very Victorian British man in that quote.

Never say Holmes is one-dimensional? /runs



[/quote]

[Bee]

https://en.m.wikisource.org/wiki/The_St ... %27s_Thumb

Just went ahead and read the next one! So horrifying it needed a ghost or two, imo

Also I'm absolutely dying at the idea of a morning smoke consisting of the remains of the previous day's??

just reminding people that I've already read this one too so feel free to talk about it :)

[InspectorCaracal]

https://en.m.wikisource.org/wiki/The_St ... %27s_Thumb

Just went ahead and read the next one! So horrifying it needed a ghost or two, imo

Also I'm absolutely dying at the idea of a morning smoke consisting of the remains of the previous day's??

just reminding people that I've already read this one too so feel free to talk about it :)

oooh is that the one that's next?? i love this one but i still gotta reread it