by 
Title and Author: The Adventure of the Speckled Band
by Sir Arthur Conan DoylePrint Length: 61 Pages
Publication Date: 1892
Language: English
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Short Story, Detective Fiction, Classics
My Review:
Julia Stoner died mysteriously and very dramatically in her
room with the last words out of her mouth being “…it was the speckled band!”
Now her twin, Helen Stoner is here in Baker Street to ask the help of the
famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. She is afraid of her violent step father who
likes baboons and cheetah as pets and has a soft spot for the gypsies who are
allowed to camp on his grounds. Helen is afraid and suspicious about her
sister’s death just before her marriage. Now as Helen’s own marriage is near,
the mysterious whistle and a heavy metal clang sound is heard again in the
middle of the night and she has been shifted in the room where her sister died
under the pretext of having repairs in her own room.
famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. She is afraid of her violent step father who
likes baboons and cheetah as pets and has a soft spot for the gypsies who are
allowed to camp on his grounds. Helen is afraid and suspicious about her
sister’s death just before her marriage. Now as Helen’s own marriage is near,
the mysterious whistle and a heavy metal clang sound is heard again in the
middle of the night and she has been shifted in the room where her sister died
under the pretext of having repairs in her own room.
Can Sherlock Holmes solve the mystery of Julia Stoner’s
sudden death and the mystery of her last words?
sudden death and the mystery of her last words?
Is the speckled handkerchief worn by the gypsies in any way
related to Julia’s last reference to a speckled band?
related to Julia’s last reference to a speckled band?
Can Helen’s story be believed?
Why is Helen’s father, Dr. Roylott against any investigation
in his daughter’s death?
in his daughter’s death?
This story is one of the
fifty six short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and one of the four “locked
room mysteries” written by him. This story was first published in 1892 in the
Strand Magazine. Arthur Conan Doyle considered this story his best Holmes
story. He also published this story under a different name in the US and also
wrote and produced a play based on it. The character of Sherlock Holmes is
based on Doyle’s professor in college, Dr. Bell who treated his patients using
his skills of observation and deduction.
fifty six short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and one of the four “locked
room mysteries” written by him. This story was first published in 1892 in the
Strand Magazine. Arthur Conan Doyle considered this story his best Holmes
story. He also published this story under a different name in the US and also
wrote and produced a play based on it. The character of Sherlock Holmes is
based on Doyle’s professor in college, Dr. Bell who treated his patients using
his skills of observation and deduction.
The
story is narrated by Dr. Watson, friend and assistant of Sherlock Holmes, in
first person. The author takes the role of Dr. Watson who gives the details of
the mystery from the point of view of an ordinary man who is often amazed and
wowed by the deductions of Sherlock Holmes. The plot is tightly plotted and
admirably executed with the author succeeding in intriguing and mystifying the
reader. The solutions when they come leave the reader shocked and totally
bowled over. The mystery is ingenious in its construction and execution. The
circumstances are crisply explained and the writing is simple with no specific
emphasis on the usage of difficult words.
story is narrated by Dr. Watson, friend and assistant of Sherlock Holmes, in
first person. The author takes the role of Dr. Watson who gives the details of
the mystery from the point of view of an ordinary man who is often amazed and
wowed by the deductions of Sherlock Holmes. The plot is tightly plotted and
admirably executed with the author succeeding in intriguing and mystifying the
reader. The solutions when they come leave the reader shocked and totally
bowled over. The mystery is ingenious in its construction and execution. The
circumstances are crisply explained and the writing is simple with no specific
emphasis on the usage of difficult words.
I
have read this story numerous times and still felt awed by the ingenious way in
which the crime happens. Sherlock Holmes is one of my favorite detectives and I
have grown up reading his mysteries. This particular short story is my favorite
among the other fifty five short stories by Doyle mostly because I totally
loved the novel way in which the crime was committed. Guaranteed to shock you
and impress you, this is a must read from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 5/5 super shiny stars to it. 🙂
Buy From:
Amazon.com: Paperback | Kindle Ebook
Amazon.in: Paperback
| Kindle Ebook
Flipkart.com: Paperback
Snapdeal.com: Paperback
have read this story numerous times and still felt awed by the ingenious way in
which the crime happens. Sherlock Holmes is one of my favorite detectives and I
have grown up reading his mysteries. This particular short story is my favorite
among the other fifty five short stories by Doyle mostly because I totally
loved the novel way in which the crime was committed. Guaranteed to shock you
and impress you, this is a must read from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 5/5 super shiny stars to it. 🙂
Buy From:
Amazon.com: Paperback
| Kindle EbookAmazon.in: Paperback
| Kindle EbookFlipkart.com: Paperback
Snapdeal.com: Paperback
You know, I was never able to 'get into' Sherlock Holmes when I was a kid, maybe because I had to study it at one point – and that school can make me bitter about just anything. I read these recently after I loved Doyle's Lost World and you're right, it's ingenious, both in construction and execution.
I love all Sherlock Holmes books and this is definitely one of the best.. 🙂