But every mystery reader already knows this. I'm pointing out this marvelous book because it has been extensively annotated by a fine Sherlockian scholar, Les Klinger, who has brought to all serious students of the Holmesian canon a level of erudition seldom encountered. In addition to the expected illustrations from The Strand magazine and meticulous scrutiny of chronological evidence of various events, there are references to primary sources and a staggering helping of information from the thousands of works about Sherlock Holmes by others.

More than 30 years ago, another great Sherlockian scholar, William S. Baring-Gould, produced a ground-breaking volume that enjoyed more than 35 printings in its original two-volume format and probably sold just as many copies in a slightly less elaborate one-volume size. The Annotated Sherlock Holmes became the single most essential volume in the library of any true Sherlockian, of which the world has far more than you think.

Les Klinger has acknowledged Baring-Gould in every way imaginable, and it was an act of extraordinary courage to attempt to supercede that monumental work. But that is exactly what he appears to be doing. The first volume, his annotated edition of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, was introduced by the same publisher last year. There are seven yet to come.

If you want to master just about everything there is to know about The Great Detective and The Good Doctor, to understand what Holmes meant when he referred to "a comet vintage" of wine, and to know what discrepancies there are between the English and American editions of the works, plus a thousand other things relating to Holmes, Watson, and the England of the Victorian era, you must have this volume, as well as all the others in the series as they become available over the next few years. --Otto Penzler --This text refers to the Paperback edition.



From Library Journal

This BBC radio production presents all 12 short stories in Conan Doyle's 1893 Memoirs collection, which includes such gold as "Silver Blaze," "The Musgrave Ritual," and "The Final Problem." This is radio drama in the grand tradition, and the programs feature fine acting, moody sound effects, and original violin music. The stories are generally convincing, with Clive Merrison and Michael Williams taking on the roles of the consulting detective and his doctor friend Boswell. Williams is quite fine as the dutiful and often perplexed Watson, but Merrison's Holmes at times comes across as confused and even pompous. Generally, however, he does the role justice. Pop in a tape, close your eyes, and be transported back to Victorian London. The lights on Baker Street are always on. Recommended.?Michael Rogers, "Library Journal"

Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.



Review

Eleven adventures from the crowded life of Sherlock Holmes, including 'The Final Problem', with which the author intended to close the career of his famous detective. But Holmes was a match for his creator, and 12 more stories follow in 'The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes'. (Kirkus UK) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.



Product Description

Dr Watson records eleven stories revealing the astonishing abilities of the famous consulting detective similar only in exhibiting those unusual and outre features so dear to Holmes, his chronicler and their myriad readers. Watson includes the earliest case of the champion of the law and what tragically seems to be his last. In their Baker Street rooms the two men have heard many a strange secret and brought peace to more than one troubled soul. But murderers and thieves - and even that Napoleon of crime, Professor Moriarty - can never escape from the untiring and indefatiguable Holmes... --This text refers to the Paperback edition.



From the Publisher

8 1-hour cassettes --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.



About the Author

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh in 1859 and died in 1930. His greatest achievement was, of course, his creation of Sherlock Holmes and of Dr Watson. Penguin publish all the books about the great detective, A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of Four, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Return of Sherlock Holmes, The Valley of Fear, His Last Bow, The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, The Uncollected Sherlock Holmes and The Penguin Complete Sherlock Holmes. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.