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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.8
EAN num: 9780140439076
ISBN number: 0140439072
Label: Penguin Classics
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 160
Printing Date: October 01, 2001
Publishing house: Penguin Classics
Release Date: October 02, 2001
Sale Popularity Level: 127458
Studio: Penguin Classics
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Product Description:
As a dense orange fog swirls through the streets of London, a deep melancholy has descended on Sherlock Holmes, who sits in a cocaine-induced haze at 221B Baker Street. His mood is only lifted by a visit from a beautiful but distressed young woman Mary Morstan, whose father vanished ten years before. Four years later she began to receive an exquisite gift every year: a large, lustrous pearl. Now she has had an intriguing invitation to meet her unknown benefactor and urges Holmes and Watson to accompany her. And in the ensuing investigation which involves a wronged woman, a stolen hoard of Indian treasure, a wooden-legged ruffian, a helpful dog and a love affair even the jaded Holmes is moved to exclaim, Isn't it gorgeous!'
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Rated by buyers 
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The story leaves a little to be desired, but the reading is wonderful. This is not the best Holmes mystery (it's a little too predictable)). If you're a Holmes fan this is for you. If you're looking for an introduction to Holmes, you should try Hound of the Baskervilles.
Rated by buyers -
The Sign of the Four marks the second trip I have taken with the famed detective Sherlock Holmes, but the very first written by Arthur Conan Doyle, the very first being Caleb Carr's 'The Italian Secretary'.
Doyle's Holmes, as described by his faithful companion and chronicler of his extraordinary accumen with detection, Dr. John Watson, is a cocaine-using enigma of a man, unable to 'rest' unless his keen analytical skills are being taxed to their fullest. Holmes himself admits that the greatest unease he feels comes with inactivity.
This feeling of malaise is ended by the arrival of a young woman, Mary Morstan, who has been made aware that a great 'wrong' has been done to her, regarding the death of her father and a certain treasure that has lied in wait for many years while the 'rightful owners' have been imprisoned for their efforts.
Holmes and Watson immediately take up the case, and are hot on the trail of the missing treasure. A locked room in which a corpse awaits them, with no seeming manner of entry to have allowed the killer in, marks the start of their trail to find the murderer and recover the missing treasure.
Sherlock Holmes, known the world over (to readers) for over a century now is in fine form as he hunts down the perpetrator(s) of this crime, and works to restore the treasure to Mary Morstan that her father acquired before his untimely death. While this is perhaps not the most 'thrilling' novel I have ever read, it is nevertheless an entertaining work of fiction from one of the most clever minds that ever put pen to paper.
A fine introduction for myself into the works of the true creator of Sherlock Holmes, this novel serves as an enticement to read the other Holmes escapades in the future.
Rated by buyers 
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The Sign of Four
This story begins with Dr. Watson advising Sherlock Holmes against dabbling with drugs because of the long-term dangers. Holmes observes a watch and deduces the habits of the previous owner. Miss Mary Morstan visits with her problem. Her father disappeared ten years earlier. For the last six years she received a large pearl in the mail. Now she received a letter telling her she was wronged and asking for a meeting. Holmes and Watson will accompany her. Their carriage arrives at a house in a new terrace. They meet Thaddeus Sholto, one of the sons of Major Sholto, the best friend of Mary Morstan's father Captain Sholto. Thaddeus tells why what he knows about the story. His brother Bartholomew discovered the hidden treasure. When they arrive they find Bartholomew murdered in a locked room and the treasure missing! The police are called. They arrest Thaddeus and the servants as accomplices.
Sherlock Holmes borrowed a dog to follow the scent of the small man who stepped in creosote. They follow the scent to the water's edge; they look around and find information. Holmes sends the Baker Street Irregulars to search for the missing steam launch. Holmes himself locates the 'Aurora', and the police launch later chases it downstream in a wild chase. Holmes and Watson shoot the Andaman islander, then Jonathan Small is captured with the treasure chest. Watson gained a treasure (Chapter 11). Small tells about the Agra treasure from the time of the India Mutiny, and has the last laugh (Chapter 12).
The story about the Agra fort and the mutiny shows the attitudes of the English public. The English conquered India for its loot, just as in other wars. But the Four decided to enrich themselves and follow the example set by the royal rulers, English or Indian. A double-dealing rajah straddled the conflict and split his assets; it failed because of others who took advantage of their position. But their plan failed because of an unforeseen watcher. The Four who killed for riches were swindled out of their fortune by a clever liar who took advantage of his position. Was Doyle mocking the English system of purchased offices in his story of Sholto and Morstan?
Rated by buyers -
Perhaps my least favorite of the longer Holmes works, at least the last time I read it, causing it to slip below the magic number. To be revisited at some stage. This in no way means it is bad, just not as beloved, or perhaps as brilliant as the others. You still can't go wrong with Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes.
Rated by buyers -
Timson is an able interpreter of these beloved tales. Each character has individuality and the overall tone is faithful to Conan Doyle. The musical interludes are used sparingly and effectivley lending a heightened sense of atmosphere. Naxos is to be commended for putting the entire Holmes canon before an admiring public in these fine new editions.
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