Only the novels can convey the mystery, intrigue, and originality of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. The Sherlock Holmes stories are engaging and fascinating. You won’t want to miss out on reading these. You will love reading these stories, whether with your family or by yourself.
So, how many books of Sherlock Holmes are there? The entire episodes of this excellent book series will be listed in the article below by Penn Book. Continue reading.
How Many Sherlock Holmes Books Are There Written By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?
1887-1927 saw Arthur Conan Doyle publish 62 Sherlock Holmes adventures.
There are four novels and 58 shorter pieces.US and UK periodicals serialized 56 short tales.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, The Return of Sherlock Holmes, His Last Bow, The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes (x13), and His Last Bow (x7) collected them. How Watson Learned the Trick (1924) and The Field Bazaar (1896) were special occasion short stories.
Even Adrian Conan Doyle’s stories are pastiches. Sherlock Holmes study cannot use them.Watson cites unpublished stories as Untold Stories.
Original Sherlock Holmes Books List
Title (1st UK ed. — 1st US ed.)
01. A Study in Scarlet 1887 — 1890
02. The Sign of Four 1890 — 1890
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
03. A Scandal in Bohemia 1891 — 1891
04. The Red-Headed League 1891 — 1891
05. A Case of Identity 1891 — 1891
06. The Boscombe Valley Mystery 1891 — 1891
07. The Five Orange Pips 1891 — 1891
08. The Man with the Twisted Lip 1891 — 1891
09. The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle 1892 — 1892
10. The Adventure of the Speckled Band 1892 — 1892
11. The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb 1892 — 1892
12. The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor 1892 — 1892
13. The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet 1892 — 1892
14. The Adventure of the Copper Beeches 1892 — 1892
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
15. The Adventure of Silver Blaze 1892 — 1892
16. The Adventure of the Cardboard Box 1893 — 1893
17. The Adventure of the Yellow Face 1893 — 1893
18. The Adventure of the Stockbroker’s Clerk 1893 — 1893
19. The Adventure of the Gloria Scott 1893 — 1893
20. The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual 1893 — 1893
21. The Adventure of the Reigate Squire 1893 — 1893
22. The Adventure of the Crooked Man 1893 — 1893
23. The Adventure of the Resident Patient 1893 — 1893
24. The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter 1893 — 1893
25. The Adventure of the Naval Treaty 1893 — 1893
26. The Adventure of the Final Problem 1893 — 1893
27. The Field Bazaar — 1896
28. The Hound of the Baskervilles 1901 — 1902
The Return of Sherlock Holmes
29. The Adventure of the Empty House 1903 — 1903
30. The Adventure of the Norwood Builder 1903 — 1903
31. The Adventure of the Dancing Men 1903 — 1903
32. The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist 1904 — 1903
33. The Adventure of the Priory School 1904 — 1904
34. The Adventure of Black Peter 1904 — 1904
35. The Adventure of Charles us Milverton 1904 — 1904
36. The Adventure of the Six Napoleons 1904 — 904
37. The Adventure of the Three Students 1904 — 1904
38. The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez 1904 — 1904
39. The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter 1904 — 1904
40. The Adventure of the Abbey Grange 1904 — 1904
41. The Adventure of the Second Stain 1904 — 1905
His Last Bow
42. The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge 1908 — 1908
43. The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans 1908 — 1908
44. The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot 1910 — 1911
45. The Adventure of the Red Circle 1911 — 1911
46. The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax 1911 — 1911
47. The Adventure of the Dying Detective 1913 — 1913
49. His Last Bow 1917 — 1917
48. The Valley of Fear 1914 — 1914
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes
50. The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone 1921 — 1921
51. The Problem of Thor Bridge 1922 — 1922
52. The Adventure of the Creeping Man 1923 — 1923
53. The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire 1924 — 1924
54. How Watson Learned the Trick 1924
55. The Adventure of the Three Garridebs 1925 — 1924
56. The Adventure of the Illustrious Client 1925 — 1924
57. The Adventure of the Three Gables 1926 — 1926
58. The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier 1926 — 1926
59. The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane 1926 — 1926
60. The Adventure of the Retired Colourman 1927 — 1926
61. The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger 1927 — 1927
62. The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place 1927 — 1927
The Essential Guide for Reading Sherlock Holmes Books
It cannot be very clear to read the many Sherlock Holmes books, novels, and short stories collections. It was also impossible to read the books in the correct order. We are here to help you get started with Arthur Conan Doyle’s works.
Below is our reasoning. But without further ado, here are the Sherlock Holmes books in order that we recommend.
- A Study in Scarlet
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
- The Sign of Four
- The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes
- The Valley of Fear
- The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
- The Return of Sherlock Holmes
- His Last Bow
- The Hound of the Baskervilles
- Shadows Over Baker Street
- The House of Silk and Moriarty
- The Beekeeper’s Apprentice
- The Final Solution
1. A Study in Scarlet (1887, novel)
The first book’s success is expected.Sherlock Holmes’ debut book was 1887’s A Study in Scarlet.Please put your phones, automobiles, and GPS systems away while watching BBC’s Sherlock.
Benedict Cumberbatch must also leave.The novel introduces late Victorian Sherlock and Watson. Their first meeting.
Watson, the narrator and protagonist, tries to grasp Sherlock’s extraordinary mind.They move to 221B Baker Street, London.
They investigate a wedding ring and pill murder there. Watson joins. To understand the duo chronologically, we suggest reading the whole work. Please finish the second half.
2. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1892, short story collection)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes reveals Sherlock’s interesting personality.”A Scandal In Bohemia” includes Irene Adler.Even though it wasn’t the first Sherlock story, it sparked the fandom.
To appreciate Sherlock Holmes’ intriguing methods and approach, we recommend deviating from the publishing date.This book will satiate your Sherlock Holmes cravings.
3. The Sign of Four (1890, novel)
The Sign of Four is Holmes’ second book. Sherlock’s drug use begins here. Readers also meet the detective.Mary Marston, Dr. Watson’s future wife, appears in the novel (130-year spoiler).
Strange London streets, annual pearl shipments, and a missing father characterize this disturbing book. Most short stories have simpler plots.
4. The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes (1927, short story collection)
This book should be read before The Memoirs or The Return, despite the publication sequence.Holmes and Watson’s Casebook features simple investigative adventures. Read these separately.Sherlock narrates two of these stories, making reading entertaining.
Last note: If you’re selective but can’t read the full Sherlock Holmes canon, this book is frequently considered the poorest. The author gets tired with the detective at this point.
Avoid omissions.Even if you’re reading them in publication order, don’t read this book last. It’s disappointing.
5. The Valley of Fear (1915, novel)
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes follows The Valley of Fear. Sherlock denies ever meeting Moriarty.A book cipher message about a manor house murder yields intriguing but promising clues.Best Sherlock novel.
Holmes and Watson’s investigation work is intriguing and well-planned, unlike Conan Doyle’s shorter novels.The Valley of Fear is a gripping story about hidden societies.
6. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1894, short story collection)
Did you know Arthur Conan Doyle killed Sherlock Holmes in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes because he was bored writing them? However, popular uproar forced him to save him.
That’s right. Conan Doyle told his mother that Sherlock “took his mind from better things.” She was appalled and advised him to stop. The Memoirs introduce Sherlock’s sibling Mycroft and archenemy Professor James Moriarty.
7. The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1905, short story collection)
The Return of Sherlock Holmes “revived Sherlock Holmes” for Conan Doyle. No zombies, though.Conan Doyle’s readers were satisfied with Memoirs’ finale, and the legend lingered three years after Sherlock’s apparent suicide.
Dr. Watson helps the reader understand Sherlock’s reappearance, as usual.The couple is back in their Baker Street apartment, however things are different. Their witty banter is back!
8. His Last Bow (1917, short story collection)
Sherlock’s chronology ends with His Last Bow. Despite Watson’s guarantee that Holmes had retired and would not allow him to write additional volumes, it is not the last. (The Casebook is set in the past).
His Last Bow, written during the First World War, ends with Watson and Sherlock working for British intelligence.They caught spies and gave Germany inaccurate intelligence.
The trio no longer solves mysteries.Regardless of chronology, don’t finish this book.
9. The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902, novel)
The Hound of the Baskervilles, Conan Doyle’s first book after killing Sherlock, was set before the plot.It’s considered Sherlock Holmes’ best novel. The best’s last.
Charles Baskerville, a man found dead in Devon’s moors with a startled look, raises the possibility that a local demon hound is real.Sherlock investigates this Gothic novel. Marshes, suspense, and candle signals from nocturnal windows.
This terrible novel is gripping and fulfilling.The Hound of the Baskervilles combines otherworldly terror with suspense and mystery.
10. Shadows Over Baker Street, eds. Michael Reaves and John Pelan
Shadows Over Baker Street is an anthology of short stories edited by John Pelan and Michael Reaves. Twenty contemporary writers, including Neil Gaiman, are featured here. Contribute a story in which Sherlock must solve a mystery set in H. P. Lovecraft’s world. These stories are a perfect blend of the supernatural worlds of horror and logic.
11. The House of Silk and Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz
Anthony Horowitz’s Sherlock Holmes pastiche was approved by the Conan Doyle estate. Alex Rider series author.The novels are Moriarty and The House of Silk.First, 1890.
Sherlock investigates a troubled art dealer. Sherlock uncovers a global conspiracy as the story progresses.
After ‘The Final Problem’, Detective Frederick Chase and Inspector Jones follow a criminal genius who wants to replace Moriarty in the second novel.These novels let you revisit Sherlock Holmes. They’re thrilling and rewarding.
12. The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King
The Beekeeper’s Apprentice is the first of a long-running series. It sees a retired Sherlock and Mary Russell, a teenage detective talent. When she is made the detective’s pupil, her life changes, as they discover that they are facing a formidable opponent, the book follows them from the Sussex Downs to Oxford and Wales, Palestine, and back.
13. The Final Solution by Michael Chabon
The Final Solution by Michael Chabon sees a retired Sherlock Holmes (referred to as “old man”) deciphering the meaning of a parrot’s list of seemingly random German numbers.
A young German-Jewish refugee owns the parrot, and his interest in his mumblings abruptly ends. Sherlock Holmes is now faced with another mystery. Sherlock Holmes fans will love this suspenseful novella for its clever and funny mystery.
What Is The Sherlock Holmes Canon?
Arthur Conan Doyle’s sixty Sherlock Holmes stories comprise the Canon. The stories were first published in 1887–1927 short story collections and novels.
Since its creation, the Canon has been adapted for theatre, film, television, and radio and analyzed by literary critics.
The Sherlock Holmes Canon is credited with popularizing detective fiction.
Holmes’s keen observation, innovative storylines, and deductive thinking have earned accolades. Racist, sexist, and unrealistic police depictions have also been attacked in The Canon.
The Sherlock Holmes Canon is one of the most popular detective novels and a significant part of British culture, despite its contentious content.
What Are The Sherlock Holmes Stories Not In The Canon?
Non-canonical Sherlock Holmes stories exist. These include magazines, newspapers, and non-Arthur Conan Doyle fiction. Many of these stories are well-known and pleasant.
The Strand Magazine published “The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter” in 1903, one of the most renowned non-canonical Sherlock Holmes stories. Rugby School’s star rugby player disappears. Sherlock Holmes investigates and solves.
“The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone” is another Strand Magazine non-canonical fiction. Holmes’ most famous remark, “I never guess,” appears in this British Museum robbery incident. It destroys reasoning.
Many authors have written non-canonical Sherlock Holmes adventures. If you like the world’s finest detective, why not try these stories?
What Other Works Have Been Inspired By The Sherlock Holmes Stories?
The Sherlock Holmes stories have been a source of inspiration for many other works over the years. This is due to the popularity of the stories and the iconic character of Sherlock Holmes himself. Some of the works that have been inspired by the Sherlock Holmes stories include the following:
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – This is a 1984 American television series that was inspired by the Sherlock Holmes stories. The series starred Peter Cushing as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Stock as Dr. Watson.
- Sherlock – This is a British television series that started airing in 2010. The series was created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, who are both huge fans of the Sherlock Holmes stories. The series stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson.
- Elementary – This is an American television series that started airing in 2012. The series was created by Robert Doherty and stars Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as Dr. Watson.
- Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows – This is a 2011 American action mystery film that was inspired by the Sherlock Holmes stories. The film stars Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. Watson.
There are many other works that have been inspired by the Sherlock Holmes stories, but these are just a few of the most notable ones.
FAQs About Canon Of Sherlock Holmes
What Was The First Sherlock Holmes Story Ever Written?
A Study in Scarlet, his first Sherlock Holmes tale, was released in Beeton’s Christmas Annual in 1887. Once Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes tales began to appear in The Strand magazine in 1891, he could give up his medical practice and focus exclusively on writing.
When Was Sherlock Holmes First Popular?
A Study in Scarlet (1887) and The Sign of the Four (1890), the first two Sherlock Holmes tales, were only moderately successful. Still, it wasn’t until the first six Sherlock Holmes short stories appeared in The Strand Magazine in early 1891 that the detective gained enormous popularity.
Can You Read Sherlock Holmes Out Of Order?
Because there are so many Sherlock Holmes volumes (novels and collections of short stories), it might be challenging for newbies to know which sequence to read them in. Regarding the plot, the novels were not written in chronological order, and reading them in the order of publication doesn’t help either.
Why Read Sherlock Holmes?
The Sherlock Holmes stories are enjoyable and straightforward to grasp (you might need to look up a word or two if you don’t read the annotated versions). The appropriate amount of mystery, suspense, humor, and incredible brilliance are all present in them.
Conclusion
Sherlock Holmes is one of the most famous fictional characters ever created. He has been portrayed in many ways, but the essential character remains the same. He is a brilliant detective who uses his deductive powers to solve crimes.
The Sherlock Holmes books are trendy and translated into many different languages. They are still being read today and are considered to be classics. Thank you for reading!
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