About the Author-

• Arthur Conan Doyle, a Scottish writer whose works include science fiction stories, historical novels, plays, romances, poetry, and nonfiction, is best known as the creator of the detective Sherlock Holmes. While Holmes was the embodiment of scientific thinking, Doyle himself did not exhibit the same rationality, believing in fairies and occultism. His Sherlock Holmes stories have been translated into more than fifty languages and have been made into plays, films, radio and television series, cartoons, and comic books. By 1920, Doyle was one of the most highly paid writers in the world. Other works by Doyle include The Lost World, the first book in the Professor Challenger series; The White Company, one of his many historical novels; and The Great Boer War. Doyle was born at Picardy Place, near Edinburgh, in 1859. He was educated in Jesuit schools and studied at Edinburgh University. In 1884, he married Louise Hawkins. Doyle qualified as a doctor in 1885 and practiced medicine as an eye specialist in Hampshire until 1891, when he became a full-time writer. Doyle's first Sherlock Holmes story, A Study in Scarlet, was published in 1887 and introduced the detective's faithful associate, Dr. Watson. During the Boer war in South Africa (1899-1902), Doyle served several months as the senior physician at a field hospital. There he wrote The War in South Africa, in which he expressed the imperial view. He twice ran unsuccessfully for Parliament but nevertheless was knighted in 1902. In 1907, fourteen months after his wife died, Doyle married Jean Leckie. After his son Kingsley died in the first World War, Doyle dedicated himself to spiritualistic studies at his home in Windlesham, Sussex. He died himself in 1930.

Reviews-

• In a gravelly voice, Ralph Cosham becomes the voice of Dr. Watson as he narrates 12 of his adventures with Sherlock Holmes. Dashing round London and the English countryside, Watson and Holmes search for villains, deceivers, and the perpetrators of crimes both physical and psychological. Cosham brings these immortal tales to life once again, replete with details both significant and trivial and the sights and sounds of late-nineteenth-century London. Cosham uses subtle accents to differentiate the characters. Watson is characterized with droll, smoky tones, and Holmes is portrayed with an even cadence and soft tones. The other characters have accents reminiscent of their stations, nationalities, and gender. Cosham captures the genius of Sherlock Holmes, the faithful friendship of Dr. Watson, the language of their time, and their zest for adventure. M.B.K. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine
• Everyone's favorite sleuth is brought vividly to life by Edward Hardwicke, the definitive Dr. Watson of the Sherlock Holmes PBS series of the mid-1990s. Hardwicke's long familiarity with the material is delightfully evident in this excellent rendition. His delivery is distinct, his pacing is perfect, and his performance sounds effortless. The iconic characters we have come to love in these increasingly mythic tales are superbly wrought. Despite the fact that these stories were penned in the early 1900s, Hardwicke's narration captures the timeless quality of a story well told, drawing the listener in, creating a mood, and casting a spell. Among the stories is "The Adventure of the Empty House," the tale of Holmes's triumphant return after his presumed death at Reichenbach Falls. M.H.N. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine
• Rebecca K. Reynolds deftly renders this lively series, which is oriented to kids. Six stories offer an excellent sampling of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Reynolds introduces Holmes as confident, clever, and sometimes vague, while her Dr. Watson is kind, humble, and has a subtle sense of humor. In "A Scandal in Bohemia," listeners will savor meeting wisecracking, indomitable Irene Adler, the only woman to outsmart an almost speechless Holmes. "The Adventures of the Speckled Band" is Reynolds's most frightening account, with Helen Stoner bravely assisting Holmes in solving the murder of her sister. Finally, in "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle," the clever use of a Christmas goose is instantly compelling, and listeners will be moved by a compassionate conclusion. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
• Robert Louis Stevenson, in a letter to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle "My compliments on your very ingenious and very interesting adventures of Sherlock Holmes…."

Title Information+

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  Blackstone Publishing

• OverDrive Listen

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