The Return of Sherlock Holmes
First edition (US)
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| Author | Arthur Conan Doyle |
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| Illustrator | Sidney Paget |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Sherlock Holmes |
| Genre | Detective fiction short stories |
| Publisher | George Newnes |
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Publication date
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1905 |
| Media type | Print (hardback) |
| Pages | 403 pp |
| Preceded by | The Hound of the Baskervilles |
| Followed by | The Valley of Fear |
The Return of Sherlock Holmes is a collection of 13 Sherlock Holmes stories, originally published in 1903-1904, by Arthur Conan Doyle. The stories were published in the Strand Magazine in Great Britain, and Collier's in the United States.
The book was first published in February 1905 by McClure, Phillips & Co. (New York) then on March 7, 1905 by Georges Newnes, Ltd. (London) and was the first Holmes collection since 1893, when Holmes had "died" in "The Final Problem". Having published The Hound of the Baskervilles in 1901–1902 (setting it before Holmes' death) Doyle came under intense pressure to revive his famous character.
The first story is set in 1894 and has Holmes returning in London and explaining the period from 1891–94, a period called "The Great Hiatus" by Sherlockian enthusiasts. Also of note is Watson's statement in the last story of the cycle that Holmes has retired, and forbids him to publish any more stories.
The Adventure of the Empty House
Sherlock Holmes astonishes Dr. Watson and the world by reappearing in London and revealing that he was not killed at the Reichenbach Falls in 1891, as stated in "The Final Problem". Holmes outwits and defeats "the second most dangerous man in London," Colonel Sebastian Moran, who attempts to kill Holmes, and resumes his practice as a consulting detective.
The Adventure of the Norwood Builder
A young lawyer named John Hector McFarlane asks Holmes to clear him of the charge murdering Jonas Oldacre soon after McFarlane prepared Oldacre's will. Inspector Lestrade believes McFarlane to be guilty, but by using some forensic science and staging a fake fire, Holmes is able to flush the still-living Oldacre out of hiding.
The Adventure of the Dancing Men
Holmes and Watson stop a man from stalking a woman. Hilton Cubitt hires Holmes to help him find out who has been sending him weird encoded messages that are disturbing his wife. Holmes cracks the code. He arrives too late to prevent the death of Hilton and the attempted suicide of his wife, but is able to identify the criminal.
The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist
Violet Smith consults Holmes because an unknown man has been following her by bicycle on her weekly trips from the house where she works as a music teacher to the railroad station. Smith recently met two friends of her deceased uncle. One of the men, Carruthers, hires Smith as a governess and then proposes to her, but Smith is already engaged and declines. The other man, Woodley, disturbs Smith with his comments and behavior. Holmes connects the clues and arrives in time to save Smith after she is kidnapped by Woodley.
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Wikipedia