As I continue my book challenge, I’ve decided to give Sir Arthur Conan Doyle one more spin through the fog-draped streets of Victorian London—this time with The Sign of Four. My experience with A Study in Scarlet was mostly positive: it’s a clever and spirited introduction to the world’s most famous consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, and his steadfast companion, Dr. John Watson. But while the first novel carries historical significance and charm, it also shows the marks of a young writer still growing into his voice. The structure was unconventional, and the pacing sometimes uneven. Still, it was enough to intrigue me—and clearly enough to captivate readers in Doyle’s time and beyond.
Doyle would eventually pen four Holmes novels and 56 short stories, many of which have become staples of detective fiction. His decision to "kill off" Holmes in The Final Problem caused such a public uproar that he was eventually pressured into resurrecting the character—a testament to Holmes’s powerful grip on the popular imagination. It’s one thing for a book to be successful in its time; it’s another to become a cornerstone of literary history.
This realization has shaped how I approach reading series, especially when tackling prolific authors or multi-book sagas. It’s often not the first entry that fully demonstrates an author's range or the potential of their characters. Rather, it’s the books that follow where you begin to see depth, evolution, and narrative maturity. That’s why I don’t feel obligated to read every installment of a long series—but I do want to see how things grow. Series like The Chronicles of Narnia or The Wheel of Time offer rich worlds and extended lore, but they also carry the risk of formulaic repetition. Some stories expand and elevate; others circle the same ideas, slightly rebranded.
Another challenge with series reading is balance. It’s easy to get caught up checking off books in a multi-volume saga, but that sometimes leaves less room for stand-alone novels or hidden gems that might offer just as much insight, emotion, or enjoyment. So, for this challenge, I’ve decided to take a curated approach: dip into each major author or series, spotlight a few titles that feel essential, and leave the door open for further exploration—either for myself or anyone following along.
The Sign of Four feels like a perfect next step. Right from the start, Holmes is more fully formed—his brilliance, quirks, and sharp edges on clear display. You get the sense that Doyle is becoming more confident in how he writes Holmes, not just as a puzzle-solver, but as a character with distinct personality and philosophy. The mystery at the heart of the story is layered and intriguing, drawing Holmes and Watson into a case that blends personal stakes, coded messages, and secrets buried in the past.
While I’m keeping this post spoiler-free, I will note that The Sign of Four introduces several characters from varied cultural backgrounds, and this serves as a reflection of both Doyle’s world-building and the time in which he wrote. The late 19th century was marked by British imperialism, particularly in regions like India and the Middle East, and this colonial context inevitably shaped the way people—and therefore characters—were portrayed. Some depictions can feel dated or biased by today’s standards, and it’s worth acknowledging that even as we appreciate the literary craft. Reading stories like this invites us to engage both with the fiction and the era that produced it, critically and thoughtfully.
Another striking element that may catch modern readers off guard is Holmes’s use of substances that, while now considered illicit, were common medicinal treatments at the time. Doyle presents this aspect of Holmes’s character without romanticizing it. In fact, it’s Watson who often serves as the moral compass, quietly challenging Holmes’s habits and highlighting the tension between genius and personal health. This dynamic adds nuance to their friendship and reminds us that even brilliant minds are not without their flaws.
What stands out most to me in The Sign of Four so far is the atmosphere: that blend of foggy London streets, cryptic messages, and cool logic cutting through emotional chaos. It’s what makes a Holmes mystery feel distinct. Doyle’s London is a city of secrets—where justice might be found down a quiet alley or in the pages of a forgotten diary. It’s a world that feels both grounded in realism and heightened by the mythos Holmes brings to every case.
So while I’m still early in the journey, this second novel confirms for me that Holmes isn’t just a clever detective—he’s a character who rewards continued reading. Doyle’s writing is maturing. The mysteries are deepening. And the Victorian world he builds is both a thrilling escape and a mirror reflecting the complexities of its time.
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