A Study in Scarlet (Penguin Classics)

This is now one of my favorite books! A quick read that I couldn't beat to put down! It truly is amazing how novels written over a hundred years ago can be so much greater in literacy, wit, and overall interest than any work published today. Sherlock shall forever be one of the most fascinating characters I have ever read! Thank you Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, thank you.

Sherlock Holmes #1- I first read this when I was 12, and apparently, I loved it then, and I gave it five stars in my book journal. I reread it as an adult because my dad had The Complete Sherlock Holmes and it's the first in the collection. Maybe more of a 4 star, because seriously why is this story all over Utah, and why doesn't the murderer just use a fake name? But delightful in its vengefulness.

I read this in October and took no notes, so I'm wingin' this. Prepare yourself.

Here are a couple tidbits (confessions) about me as it relates to Sherlock Homes:
-I've never seen the Sherlock TV series.
-My experience with Sherlock consists of the Robert Downey Jr. of which I remember absolutely nothing and the Great Mouse Detective, which I watched more times as a kid than I care to admit.

You have to start somewhere, right? So let's start at the very beginning (a very good place to start). I bought this and the half a dozen after it on a wing and a prayer that I would enjoy them. And lo and behold...I did!

I can see why Sherlock is such a beloved character. He is distracted, moody, impersonal, and pompous. Swoon.

Alright alright. He is also brilliant in a way that makes him more of a machine than a man. He says what he is thinking but only when it's worth saying. What he says counts. The best thing about Sherlock? He is 100% himself and makes no apologies.

On to the story itself!
Uh.
Uhm.
There's not a ton I can remember that I can say that wouldn't spoil it. I can say, however, that I enjoyed that this mystery had a real motive that wasn't "I just felt like being an evil person and going on a killing spree."

It's not too late to start Sherlock if you haven't already! I did and I'm old enough that I can't sleep in a tent without throwing out my back.

4 Stars for being the start of something I think will be really, really cool

I love Doyle's writing style and characters (though naturally the racist and sexist views are more than a little irksome). In this one, I found the middle section revealing back story that departs from the main storyline a bit cumbersome, but the overall story was right up there with Sherlock's best and I especially enjoyed the opening scenes where Holmes and Watson establish their friendship.

“It's quite exciting," said Sherlock Holmes, with a yawn.”
I personally love this book for two main reasons:
1. It's the first book in the Sherlock Holmes series! Origin stories (well, how the doctor and detective met) is something I'll always throw hearts at.
2. Sir Doyle's/ Dr Watson's format of part one being the reminiscences of Dr Watson and part two partially being a third person narration was unique in my eyes.