The Sign of Four
(Sherlock Holmes #2)
by Arthur Conan Doyle
murder mystery
copyright 1890
read (again) in February 2015
rated 7/10: well worth reading
The second Sherlock Holmes book. Do you like Sherlock Holmes ? Then this is a good book :-)
If you have never read a Sherlock Holmes book -- this is a good place to start. Just like A Study in Scarlet, there is a lot of detective work, then a jump to the back story. The Sign of Four makes that jump more obvious... I was not left wondering, What has this to do with the story ?!
As a product of its times, there are plenty of stereotypes who would not be allowed into a modern book. Various ethnic groups have their distinct racial characteristics... Possibly more accurate then than now, since the world has grown smaller and people have mixed and changed.
As with many old books, there is the story -- and there is the insight into attitudes and actualities of the author's times. I enjoy this book as much for the environment as for the murder and the mystery.
Then there is the chase across London... I bet there are tours which follow the trail ! And I bet that what a tourist sees now is vastly different to what was seen by Holmes and Watson.
This is a book which is well worth reading -- for several reasons: adventure, murder mystery, history... and, it's a classic. And if you are embarrassed when the woman faints from stress, and the man in love is nervous with his love interest -- be glad that these stereotypes are banned from modern books. And be sad that these displays of emotion are banned from everyday life.
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