A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of Four (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

I have been a fan of detective stories for most of my life. My favorite writers of this genre include the late Mickey Spillane and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It is an interesting contrast on the detective methods used by these two legendary detectives. Doyle's Sherlock Holmes uses logic and deduction to solve crimes, where Spillane's Mike Hammer is a hard-boiled detective who cracks heads to get information to solve crimes. Both methods seem to work. The interesting thing about this book (A study in Scarlet and The sign of Four), is that it is the first meeting between Dr. John Watson and Sherlock Holmes. Though Watson cannot decide at first whether he even likes Holmes, they both become good friends and partners while working on these cases.The first story we are introduced to both Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. Watson cannot figure out exactly what kind of work Sherlock Holmes is qualified for, but this story moves along and we find out the method of deduction Holmes uses to solve various mysteries. The second story (The sign of Four) involves Holmes and Watson and a beautiful young woman, with greed and revenge as the theme.In conclusion, if you are a Sherlock Holmes fan you will find these two tales interesting and exciting.Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Predator Hunter: A warrior's memoir)

Great condition

Get this instead of the standalone editions of A Study in Scarlet or The Sign of Four. Worth picking up for anyone who wants an introduction to the famous detective and his partner.

I have read these several times along with many other SH stories. These 2 are classics in terms of side stories. Extremely well written and the stories flows seamlessly. Always enjoy reading a little Sherlock Holmes.

The first piece in this two tale collection is A Study In Scarlet. I first read this long story/short novel in high school. Read it again in college after receiving THE ANNOTATED SHERLOCK HOLMES, Ed. William S. Baring-Gould, as a superlative going away gift. Since those two readings, I spent a number of years in law enforcement, mostly as an intelligence analyst and investigator. Upon rereading the story, I found that I have a greater appreciation of Holmes as well as a few professional quibbles with his methods and with his creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Continuing to read, I found that I do not care. Doyle is such a master of the English language and Holmes, Watson and the rest are such wonderfully drawn characters that I still enjoy them immensely.A STUDY IN SCARLET introduces Holmes and Watson to the public as well as to each other. Doyle says a few unkind words about Mormons in this story. If you are so sensitive that you can not stand a few harsh words there is a bowdlerized and censored version of the story called Sherlock Holmes Remastered: A Study in Scarlet by Leo Zanav. An abysmal, poor effort at rewriting Conan Doyle's work, I recommend staying away from it. If you are that sensitive, I also recommend that you skip Doyle altogether and stick with modern politically correct twaddle.The second tale, THE SIGN OF FOUR, has been one of my two favorite Sherlock Holmes books since I was a child. What red-blooded American boy or girl for that matter wouldn't like an adventure and mystery tale of stolen treasure; India during the mutiny; strange, exotic characters invading a stately home of England in search of the treasure stolen from the thieves by double dealing "gentlemen" ; murder and more. The only thing I didn't like was the ultimate fate of the treasure. As an adult, I understand that this enabled Dr. Watson to find an even greater treasure but....

All Holmes stories are well done. I enjoyed Study in Scarlet a bit more than Sign of Four but each was entertaining, so will rate them 5.

Classic who-dun-it stories. Even though the stories were written in the 1880's they're still entertaining reading.

Of course, with the current Sherlock craze it's easy to forget how good Conan Doyle is at storytelling. These two of his original stories are no exception.

Not quite as good as say Hound of the Baskervilles or the later novels but it is still a really engaging and entertaining novel, really well woven plots that keep you guessing and excellently informative with regards to the background of the stories, a must for any Conan Doyle fan

L'ho comprato per darlo in regalo e mi è piaciuto per quel poco che ho visto, molto comodo il fatto che contiene 2 storie e non una sola.

Compared to most of his novels, this is rather a bit too simple,lacks suspense, surprise or a climactic end. Things are bit too predictable

Very nice , I like it. I solved it before the ending . I love it. Good job, sir Arthur

Excellent