Review: A Study in Scarlet

The first Sherlock Holmes novel details the meeting of Watson and Holmes. If you ever wondered how they became friends and came to live in the same apartment, this book spells it out. It was particularly enjoyable to see their bromance begin and how it was that Watson came to see Sherlock for the intelligent mystery he is.

I was surprised by this book as the mystery is solved by Sherlock about half way through the book. Then the book takes a detour to a foreign country and secret society. The story told there is relevant to the reader understanding the plot, but it is a bit jarring when it happens.

Like many people, I began my Sherlock journey in the middle of the story. That experience was quite enjoyable and understandable. You don’t need to start at the beginning to make sense of the Sherlock stories. However, for anyone getting into it for the first time, this seems like the best place to start. You get to learn about the eccentric Sherlock first hand as Watson meets him and grows to understand him.

I enjoyed this novel and I think you will too.

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Overall I give this book 4 stars.

Up Next: The Dispatcher by John Scalzi