Estudio en Escarlata: Clásicos de la literatura

Por Arthur Conan Doyle

Este ebook presenta "Estudio en Escarlata" con un sumario dinámico y detallado".
Estudio en escarlata (A Study in Scarlet) es una novela de misterio escrita por Sir Arthur Conan Doyle y publicada en julio de 1887. Un cadáver hallado en extrañas circunstancias en una casa deshabitada provoca que los agentes de policía de Scotland Yard se pierdan en divagaciones equivocadas. Y, por si fuera poco, un nuevo asesinato parece complicar aún más la historia. Para resolver el misterio, habría que remontarse en el tiempo a otros asesinatos ocurridos hace 30 años en la ciudad mormona de Salt Lake City... Sólo Sherlock Holmes, gracias a sus implacables poderes deductivos y forenses, será capaz de solventar el crimen.
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle (1859 - 1930) fue un escritor y médico escocés. Además de haber creado al inmortal detective Sherlock Holmes, escribió novelas del género fantástico, como "El mundo perdido", otras de corte histórico, obras de teatro, y poesía.

• Idioma: Español
• Editorial: e-artnow
• Fecha de lanzamiento: 10 jul 2015
• ISBN: 9788026835387

Arthur Conan Doyle

Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was a Scottish author best known for his classic detective fiction, although he wrote in many other genres including dramatic work, plays, and poetry. He began writing stories while studying medicine and published his first story in 1887. His Sherlock Holmes character is one of the most popular inventions of English literature, and has inspired films, stage adaptions, and literary adaptations for over 100 years.

Vista previa del libro

Escarlata

Primera parte

Índice

(Reimpresión de las memorias de John H. Watson, doctor en medicina y oficial retirado del Cuerpo de Sanidad)

1. Mr. Sherlock Holmes

Índice

En el año 1878 obtuve el título de doctor en medicina por la Universidad de Londres, asistiendo después en Netley a los cursos que son de rigor antes de ingresar como médico en el ejército. Concluidos allí mis estudios, fui puntualmente destinado en el 5º de Fusileros de Northumberland en calidad de médico ayudante. El regimiento se hallaba por entonces estacionado en la India, y antes de que pudiera unirme a él, estalló la segunda guerra de Afganistán. Al desembarcar en Bombay me llegó la noticia de que las tropas a las que estaba agregado habían traspuesto la línea montañosa, muy dentro ya de territorio enemigo. Seguí, sin embargo, camino con muchos otros oficiales en parecida situación a la mía, hasta Candahar, donde sano y salvo, y en compañía por fin del regimiento, me incorporé sin más dilación a mi nuevo servicio.

La campaña trajo a muchos honores, pero a mí sólo desgracias y calamidades. Fui separado de mi brigada e incorporado a las tropas de Berkshire, con las que estuve de servicio durante el desastre de Maiwand. En la susodicha batalla una bala de Jezail me hirió el hombro, haciéndose añicos el hueso y sufriendo algún daño la arteria subclavia. Hubiera caído en manos de los despiadados ghazis a no ser por el valor y lealtad de Murray, mi asistente, quien, tras ponerme de través sobre una caballería, logró alcanzar felizmente las líneas británicas.

Agotado por el dolor, y en un estado de gran debilidad a causa de las muchas fatigas sufridas, fui trasladado, junto a un nutrido convoy de maltrechos compañeros de infortunio, al hospital de la base de Peshawar. Allí me rehice, y estaba ya lo bastante sano para dar alguna que otra vuelta por las salas, y orearme de tiempo en tiempo en la terraza, cuando caí víctima del tifus, el azote de nuestras posesiones indias. Durante meses no se dio un ardite por mi vida, y una vez vuelto al conocimiento de las cosas, e iniciada la convalecencia, me sentí tan extenuado, y con tan pocas fuerzas, que el consejo médico determinó sin más mi inmediato retorno a Inglaterra. Despachado en el transporte militar Orontes, al mes de travesía toqué tierra en Portsmouth, con la salud malparada para siempre y nueve meses de plazo, sufragados por un gobierno paternal, para probar a remediarla.

No tenía en Inglaterra parientes ni amigos, y era, por tanto, libre como una alondra —es decir, todo lo libre que cabe ser con un ingreso diario de once chelines y medio—. Hallándome en semejante coyuntura gravité naturalmente hacia Londres, sumidero enorme donde van a dar de manera fatal cuantos desocupados y haraganes contiene el imperio. Permanecí durante algún tiempo en un hotel del Strand, viviendo antes mal que bien, sin ningún proyecto a la vista, y gastando lo poco que tenía, con mayor liberalidad, desde luego, de la que mi posición recomendaba. Tan alarmante se hizo el estado de mis finanzas que pronto caí en la cuenta de que no me quedaban otras alternativas que decir adiós a la metrópoli y emboscarme en el campo, o imprimir un radical cambio a mi modo de vida. Elegido el segundo camino, principié por hacerme a la idea de dejar el hotel, y sentar mis reales en un lugar menos caro y pretencioso.

No había pasado un día desde semejante decisión, cuando, hallándome en el Criterion Bar, alguien me puso la mano en el hombro, mano que al dar media vuelta reconocí como perteneciente al joven Stamford, el antiguo practicante a mis órdenes en el Barts. La vista de una cara amiga en la jungla londinense resulta en verdad de gran consuelo al hombre solitario. En los viejos tiempos no habíamos sido Stamford y yo lo que se dice uña y carne, pero ahora lo acogí con entusiasmo, y él, por su parte, pareció contento de verme. En ese arrebato de alegría lo invité a que almorzara conmigo en el Holborn, y juntos subimos a un coche de caballos.

—Pero ¿qué ha sido de usted, Watson? —me preguntó sin embozar su sorpresa mientras el traqueteante vehículo se abría camino por las pobladas calles de Londres—. Está delgado como un arenque y más negro que una nuez.

Le hice un breve resumen de mis aventuras, y apenas si había concluido cuando llegamos a destino.

—¡Pobre de usted! —dijo en tono conmiserativo al escuchar mis penalidades—. ¿Y qué proyectos tiene?

—Busco alojamiento —repuse—. Quiero ver si me las arreglo para vivir a un precio razonable.

—Cosa extraña —comentó mi compañero—, es usted la segunda persona que ha empleado esas palabras en el día de hoy.

—¿Y quién fue la primera? —pregunté.

—Un tipo que está trabajando en el laboratorio de química, en el hospital. Andaba quejándose esta mañana de no tener a nadie con quien compartir ciertas habitaciones que ha encontrado, bonitas a lo que parece, si bien de precio demasiado abultado para su bolsillo.

—¡Demonio! —exclamé—, si realmente está dispuesto a dividir el gasto y las habitaciones, soy el hombre que necesita. Prefiero tener un compañero antes que vivir solo.

El joven Stamford, el vaso en la mano, me miró de forma un tanto extraña.

—No conoce todavía a Sherlock Holmes —dijo—, podría llegar a la conclusión de que no es exactamente el tipo de persona que a uno le gustaría tener siempre por vecino.

—¿Sí? ¿Qué habla en contra suya?

—Oh, en ningún momento he sostenido que haya nada contra él. Se trata de un hombre de ideas un tanto peculiares..., un entusiasta de algunas ramas de la ciencia. Hasta donde se me alcanza, no es mala persona.

—Naturalmente sigue la carrera médica —inquirí.

—No... Nada sé de sus proyectos. Creo que anda versado en anatomía, y es un químico de primera clase; pero según mis informes, no ha asistido sistemáticamente a ningún curso de medicina. Persigue en el estudio rutas extremadamente dispares y excéntricas, si bien ha hecho acopio de una cantidad tal y tan desusada de conocimientos, que quedarían atónitos no pocos de sus profesores.

—¿Le ha preguntado alguna vez qué se trae entre manos?

—No; no es hombre que se deje llevar fácilmente a confidencias, aunque puede resultar comunicativo cuando está en vena.

—Me gustaría conocerle —dije—. Si he de partir la vivienda con alguien, prefiero que sea persona tranquila y consagrada al estudio. No me siento aún lo bastante fuerte para sufrir mucho alboroto o una excesiva agitación. Afganistán me ha dispensado ambas cosas en grado suficiente para lo que me resta de vida. ¿Cómo podría entrar en contacto con este amigo de usted?

—Ha de hallarse con seguridad en el laboratorio —repuso mi compañero—. O se ausenta de él durante semanas, o entra por la mañana para no dejarlo hasta la noche. Si usted quiere, podemos llegarnos allí después del almuerzo.

—Desde luego —contesté, y la conversación tiró por otros derroteros.

Una vez fuera de Holborn y rumbo ya al laboratorio, Stamford añadió algunos detalles sobre el caballero que llevaba trazas de convertirse en mi futuro coinquilino.

—Sepa exculparme si no llega a un acuerdo con él —dijo—, nuestro trato se reduce a unos cuantos y ocasionales encuentros en el laboratorio. Ha sido usted quien ha propuesto este arreglo, de modo que quedo exento de toda responsabilidad.

—Si no congeniamos bastará que cada cual siga su camino —repuse—. Me da la sensación, Stamford —añadí mirando fijamente a mi compañero—, de que tiene usted razones para querer lavarse las manos en este negocio. ¿Tan formidable es la destemplanza de nuestro hombre? Hable sin reparos.

—No es cosa sencilla expresar lo inexpresable —repuso riendo—. Holmes posee un carácter demasiado científico para mi gusto..., un carácter que raya en la frigidez. Me lo figuro ofreciendo a un amigo un pellizco del último alcaloide vegetal, no con malicia, entiéndame, sino por la pura curiosidad de investigar a la menuda sus efectos. Y si he de hacerle justicia, añadiré que en mi opinión lo engulliría él mismo con igual tranquilidad. Se diría que habita en su persona la pasión por el conocimiento detallado y preciso.

—Encomiable actitud.

—Y a veces extremosa... Cuando le induce a aporrear con un bastón los cadáveres, en la sala de disección, se pregunta uno si no está revistiendo acaso una forma en exceso peculiar.

—¡Aporrear los cadáveres!

—Sí, a fin de ver hasta qué punto pueden producirse magulladuras en un cuerpo muerto. Lo he contemplado con mis propios ojos.

—¿Y dice usted que no estudia medicina?

—No. Sabe Dios cuál será el objeto de tales investigaciones... Pero ya hemos llegado, y podrá usted formar una opinión sobre el personaje.

Cuando esto decía enfilamos una callejuela, y a través de una pequeña puerta lateral fuimos a dar a una de las alas del gran hospital. Siéndome el terreno familiar, no precisé guía para seguir mi itinerario por la lúgubre escalera de piedra y a través luego del largo pasillo de paredes encaladas y puertas color castaño. Casi al otro extremo, un corredor abovedado y de poca altura torcía hacia uno de los lados, conduciendo al laboratorio de química.

Era éste una habitación de elevado techo, llena toda de frascos que se alineaban a lo largo de las paredes o yacían desperdigados por el suelo. Aquí y allá aparecían unas mesas bajas y anchas erizadas de retortas, tubos de ensayo y pequeñas lámparas Bunsen con su azul y ondulante lengua de fuego. En la habitación hacía guardia un solitario estudiante que, absorto en su trabajo, se inclinaba sobre una mesa apartada. Al escuchar nuestros pasos volvió la cabeza, y saltando en pie dejó oír una exclamación de júbilo.

—¡Ya lo tengo! ¡Ya lo tengo! —gritó a mi acompañante mientras corría hacia nosotros con un tubo de ensayo en la mano—. He hallado un reactivo que precipita con la hemoglobina y solamente con ella.

El descubrimiento de una mina de oro no habría encendido placer más intenso en aquel rostro.

—Doctor Watson, el señor Sherlock Holmes —anunció Stamford a modo de presentación.

—Encantado —dijo cordialmente mientras me estrechaba la mano con una fuerza que su aspecto casi desmentía—. Por lo que veo, ha estado usted en tierras afganas.

—¿Cómo diablos ha podido adivinarlo? —pregunté, lleno de asombro.

—No tiene importancia —repuso él riendo por lo bajo—. Volvamos a la hemoglobina. ¿Sin duda percibe usted el alcance de mi descubrimiento?

—Interesante desde un punto de vista químico —contesté—, pero, en cuanto a su aplicación práctica...

—Por Dios, se trata del más útil hallazgo que en el campo de la Medina Legal haya tenido lugar durante los últimos años. Fíjese: nos proporciona una prueba infalible para descubrir las manchas de sangre. ¡Venga usted a verlo!

Era tal su agitación que me agarró de la manga de la chaqueta, arrastrándome hasta el tablero donde había estado realizando sus experimentos.

—Hagámonos con un poco de sangre fresca —dijo, clavándose en el dedo una larga aguja y vertiendo en una probeta de laboratorio la gota manada de la herida. —Ahora añado esta pequeña cantidad de sangre a un litro de agua. Puede usted observar que la mezcla resultante ofrece la apariencia del agua pura. La proporción de sangre no excederá de uno a un millón. No me cabe duda, sin embargo, de que nos las compondremos para obtener la reacción característica.

Mientras tal decía, arrojó en el recipiente unos pocos cristales blancos, agregando luego algunas gotas de cierto líquido transparente. En el acto la mezcla adquirió un apagado color caoba, en tanto que se posaba sobre el fondo de la vasija de vidrio un polvo parduzco.

—¡Ajá! —exclamó, dando palmadas y alborozado como un niño con zapatos nuevos—. ¿Qué me dice ahora?

—Fino experimento —repuse.

—¡Magnífico! ¡Magnífico! La tradicional prueba del guayaco resultaba muy tosca e insegura. Lo mismo cabe decir del examen de los corpúsculos de sangre... Este último es inútil cuando las manchas cuentan arriba de unas pocas horas. Sin embargo, acabamos de dar con un procedimiento que actúa tanto si la sangre es vieja como nueva. A ser mi hallazgo más temprano, muchas gentes que ahora pasean por la calle hubieran pagado tiempo atrás las penas a que sus crímenes les hacen acreedoras.

—Caramba... —murmuré.

—Los casos criminales giran siempre alrededor del mismo punto. A veces un hombre resulta sospechoso de un crimen meses más tarde de cometido éste; se someten a examen sus trajes y ropa blanca: aparecen unas manchas parduzcas. ¿Son manchas de sangre, de barro, de óxido, acaso de fruta? Semejante extremo ha sumido en la confusión a más de un experto, y ¿sabe usted por qué? Por la inexistencia de una prueba segura. Sherlock Holmes ha aportado ahora esa prueba, y queda el camino despejado en lo venidero.

Había al hablar destellos en sus ojos; descansó la palma de la mano a la altura del corazón, haciendo después una reverencia, como si delante suyo se hallase congregada una imaginaria multitud.

—Merece usted que se le

Comentarios para Estudio en Escarlata

[carsonkicklighter · Calificación: 2 de 5 estrellas]

I was not expecting the Church of Latter-Day Saints but maybe Sherlock was.

[doihachiro · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

This story is the first work about Homes.For the widespread oh this story, his name has been famous.And this story shows the first contact of Homes and watson.You can know the root oh their relationship, if you read this.

[kenzen-2 · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Sherlock Holmes, Mormons, murder. Great read!

[nohablo · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

On one hand, it's lovely to meet young Sherlock and Watson before they've formed their scabrous, mean adult exoskeletons, but goddamn is the second half of this book DUMB. On one hand, it's pretty hilarious to see Conan Doyle's version of a BODICE RIPPIN WESTERN. On the other hand HOW THE HELL IS THIS EVER A PUBLISHABLE SENTENCE: "an old-standing and romantic feud, in which love and Mormonism bore a part." Sweet Jesus.

[andreablythe · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

A Study in Scarlet is both Doctor Watson's and the world's first introduction to the frustrating, arrogant, and brilliant Sherlock Holmes. Watson in seeking a new flat to in which to live ends up paired with the consulting detective at 22B Baker Street. While at first Sherlock's profession and strange behavior is a mystery to the Doctor, he soon finds himself following Sherlock along in seeking out the truth behind the mysterious death of an American traveler. While I didn't like it as much as I enjoyed the tales in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, the novel is short and a quick read with a compelling mystery.

[ct4bergeron · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

This is the first Sherlock Holmes I read on my own. I remember reading the hound of baskerville in school, but forced to do so, didn't remember that I enjoyed it.With the movie that came out recently, I found myself wanting to know more about sherlock and watson. There relationship and the type of intrigue that they would solve.I really enjoyed this one, it is short and sweet, but a good read nonetheless.

[seriousgrace · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Study in Scarlet is in two parts. Part one: "Being a Reprint from the Reminiscences of John H. Watson, M.D., Late of the Army Medical Department." It's here that Dr. Watson and Mr. Sherlock Holmes meet for the first time. Watson, arriving in London and needing a place to stay, learns of Holmes looking to share his apartment. From the very beginning they are thrown together in a murder mystery. Watson is astounded by Holmes's ability to deduce facts from the smallest pieces of evidence.Part two: "Country of the Saints" steps back in time and tells the story of the Brigham Young and the Mormons settling in the plains of Utah. John Ferrier meets up with the four elders, Stangerson, Kemball, Jonston & Drebber and they take him and his young companion in. This story sets the backdrop for the murder mystery Holmes is trying to solve.

[stephlaymon · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

I was very much enjoying this book when all of a sudden I realized I was entirely lost.The writing style, characters, narration and the facts leading up to the mystery were all remarkably good, but in the end I was left completely confused and I found myself questioning if I somehow missed something. After that ridiculous backstory of the murderer, I still have to ask... Who the hell is it? What just happened?I will certainly read more of Holmes as there is much to come back for. I may have to re-read this one to see where I fell off from the story.

[wassilissa · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Der erste Band der Krimis um Sherlock Homes kann zweifellos als Klassiker des Genres gelten. Mit Sicherheit ist es einer der ersten Krimis, der das deduktive Schließen zur Lösung des Falls benutzt. Außerdem wurde in diesem Krimi das Detektivpaar etabliert, in dem es zum genialen Detektiv den vernünftigen SideKick gibt. In diesem Buch lernen sich Sherlock Homes und Doktor Watson kennen. Sie ziehen gemeinsam in die Wohnung in der Baker Street. Durch Zufall wird Watson von Holmes mit in die Lösung eines Falles hineingezogen, in der ein Mann tot in einer leeren Wohnung aufgefunden wurde. Der mittlere Teil des Buches beschreibt die Vorgeschichte dieses Mordes und ist enorm spannend und fesselnd. Der Fall selber wird von Sherlock Homes auf seine übliche geniale Weise gelöst.

[gunnargrey · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Not even gonna try to calculate how long it's been since I've read these original Holmes stories. They're still just as good as I remember from way back when. I admit I skip the little detour in the middle about how the original crimes happened. It's not necessary to enjoy the real story, which is how Holmes and Watson got together and started solving crimes. Very good story.

[jopearson56 · Calificación: 2 de 5 estrellas]

The first Sherlock Holmes book -- did Conan Doyle invent the filtering of a story through a secondary participant (Dr. Watson)? I haven't ever read any Sherlock Holmes books, and I wasn't overly impressed. It was okay and a quick read, but Holmes seems like a pretty arrogant SOB to me. Knows too much and is glad to tell everyone so. The Utah digression was distracting.

[floratina · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

READ IN ENGLISH

I'm a fan of the BBC-series called 'Sherlock' and that made me want to read the original books. I really loved to see that the series were based so much on the book. It became a search to find all the resemblances between the two. When the second part started (about the Mormons) I at first thought there was some sort of mess up whit my version of A Study in Scarlet (and that it was a completely different story). I read it anyway and it happened to be just a part of this book. That was a thing I thought was a bit strange, but I liked the over all story. The next books are on my To-Be-Read-List...

[booklove2 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Sherlock was one of the books I thought I'd never read... until I caught the BBC series. After reading, I think both the series and the books are fantastic in their own ways. This is my favorite of the first three Sherlock books. I'm planning on reading the others at another time. I had to write a review after a previous reviewer said they didn't like the books after seeing the series. It IS possible to enjoy both!

[schmerguls · Calificación: 2 de 5 estrellas]

I read The Hound of the Baskervilles when I was in high school, but not anything else till I read this--the first Holmes novel, published in 1887. The first hald of the book where we are introduced to Dr. Watson and to Holmes' methods, is of some interest. But the second hald,which tells of events before the muders in the first hald, is creaky and anot much. The Mormons in Utah are the villians, as they are in Zane Grey's Riders of the Purple Sage. I don't think I need read any more Holmes books

[amydross · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

I vaguely knew , but had kind of forgotten just how much of this book takes place in America (among Mormons, no less!). It's so weird.It's like, you carry around this sense in your soul of who Arthur Conan Doyle is, and what Sherlock Holmes mysteries are like, and there's lots of violin playing and pipe smoking and breakfasts at 221b and it's all quite civilized, and you forget all about these pioneer people herdin' cattle and goin' a courtin' in Salt Lake City. It was surprisingly okay, though.I was more puzzled by the ending, elements of which seem like a weird departure from the rest of the mystery.

[sueincyprus · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

This is the first book about Sherlock Holmes, and begins with his initial meeting and growing friendship with Dr Watson, who narrates the story. It's set in the latter part of the 19th century, and is in two parts. The first shows Holmes' analytical mind and attention to detail as he explains to Watson how he solves a rather unpleasant crime. Part One ends with the perpetrator being arrested.Part Two goes back in time, introducing a man and a young girl travelling rough in the United States after the rest of their group perished. They've given up on finding water, when they're discovered by a band heading to Utah. I don't know how accurate the portrayal of Mormon life and culture in the 19th century is, but it makes an excellent story, albeit quite spine-chilling at times. Ethics and morals are not pointed out, but it gradually becomes clear that there are often two sides to any story, and that the initial clear-cut crime could have quite clear motivations. Recommended to teens or adults who like historical crime fiction. I read it on my Kindle but it's widely available in other forms, mostly inexpensively or (from Project Gutenberg) free.

[shanaqui_1 · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

I only have one of the Sherlock Holmes books on my Crime Fiction list, and that is The Hound of the Baskervilles, but I prefer to get everything and since there are books set before that one, I decided to read them. Besides, they're available for free on Project Gutenberg. Besides, I saw the new movie, with Robert Downey Jr., a couple of weeks ago. I read this one on the train, more or less without stopping once. I was surprised by how easy it was to read and be absorbed in, given how old it is, but it really is a pleasure to read. Actually reading the books dispels a lot of mental assumptions about Sherlock Holmes which I gained through, I think, some kind of cultural osmosis. E.g. Watson is young, went to war, not a bad doctor, etc.

I have two main complaints, really. One is that it's not the kind of book that really allows you to find things out for yourself. Holmes is so opaque -- at least to me! -- that I'm really just as confused as Watson, most of the time. And the other complaint is about the big flashback in the middle. I almost wondered if my ebook version had somehow got muddled with another book! It's not uninteresting, but it's hard to see at first how it connects up, because the transition is so sudden.

Still, enjoyable -- and nice to meet the great detective himself, after so much hearsay.

[nataliec7 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

I just loved everything about this book!

[catquilt-1 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Amazing book! Most (all?) of the other Sherlock Holmes books take place totally in Great Britain. This one makes a *very* interesting side trip to the United States.

[roulette7russe · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

My version of the book contained A STUDY IN SCARLET (the first Sherlock Holmes adventure) and A SCANDAL IN BOHEMIA (the episode in which Irene Adler appears). The book opened on a very interesting introduction, and so I would encourage reading the VINTAGE 2009 edition of the Conan Doyle books.(I must say I read the book after watching the Guy Ritchie movie that just came out and so had Robert Downey Jr in mind reading this : somehow, he really fits the character as portrayed in the book!)I'm not a big fan of detective fiction in general, and my knowledge in that field is, well.... next to non-existent (although I was an avid watcher of cartoon series such as 'Sherlock Hounds' and 'Dog City', as a kid... Does that count? Heh, heh?) It's just not the kind of story I'm usually drawn to/into, but I must say Arthur Conan Doyle knows how to put the FUN in detective fiction!The Sherlock Holmes books are not books you read trying to figure out who is the killer before the detective does, since mister super-sleuth always knows the answer way before anyone. The main interest of the book is the character himself and his crazy deduction methods.This first episode (A study in Scarlet) has ups and downs: the whole Mormon segment that takes place in the U.S. seems way too long and slow paced in comparison to the London scenes... In the introduction to my edition, it was discussed that the two stories were probably written independently from one another and put together by Conan Doyle when he decided to publish. In A SCANDAL IN BOHEMIA, Holmes is outsmarted by a fancy woman, and the conclusion to the story is delightfully cute and funny.A good read, very entertaining!

[krizia_lazaro_3 · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

This is were it all started. It was okay. A bit on the boring side. There are better Sherlock Holmes story than this one.

[adilinaria · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

** spoiler alert ** I was a little worried going into this, just unsure of how a longer Holmes story would read. I really enjoyed The Hound of Baskerville when I read it but I loved the short stories I read between these two. I shouldn't have been too worried however, this was excellent. I really enjoyed the second portion of the story, deviating from Sherlock and Watson to give us the back story of our murderer. It was different from the previous books in it's delivery and made the victims seem more the villains and our murderer more the almost hero. A great way to turn it around. Overall, a great one. I really enjoyed it and will definitely recommend it for any new fans of the series.Side note - this was the story that the first Sherlock episode is based on. That tickles me.

[rosalita_1 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

The first book I read in 2012 was The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. I remarked back then that I was a bit disappointed in my first-ever reading of a story featuring the detective we all know so well. I also wondered if going back and starting at the beginning might make a difference, and indeed it did.A Study in Scarlet is the first Holmes novel, and it beautifully sets the stage for everything that (we know now) is to come. Here we witness the first meeting between Holmes and his faithful assistant, Doctor Watson. We witness Holmes' scientific experiments, his amazing breadth of knowledge in some areas and equally amazing ignorance in others that he does not perceive useful. In this first novel, Sherlock is called upon to help the police solve a seemingly impossible crime: a man's body has been found in an abandoned house, with no apparent cause of death and no clues. Wait, did I say no clues? Ha! Not with Sherlock on the case. He quickly figures out virtually the whole scenario that first night, but establishing standard protocol Conan Doyle withholds the key information from Dr. Watson who withholds it from us.I was startled by an interlude in the mystery, which switches to third person (most of the Sherlock stories are told in the first person as a memoir by Watson) to provide some key background information about the murdered man and his killer. It was completely unexpected to me, which I guess proves that there are still surprises to be found even in an overly familiar canon.There was one other factor that made A Study in Scarlet more enjoyable to me. The novel-length story really gave room for Sherlock's wizardry and subsequent reveal to seem more natural. In the short stories of The Memoirs, I felt the solution to the puzzle was almost tacked on as an afterthought. There was too much telling and not enough showing, I think. Thankfully, Scarlet does not suffer that fate, and it's an excellent beginning to my planned chronological read of all the Holmes stories.

[iftyzaidi · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

This is the first Sherlock Holmes book I've read. I'm not particularly well read in the mystery/detection genre - its not my usual cup of tea - but I really enjoyed this work, burning through the short, light read in no time. I enjoyed the characterisation of Holmes and the dynamics of his interactions with Watson, from whose point of view most of the story is told. I did find the sudden transition to the wilds of Utah in the middle of the book somewhat odd - I even checked to make sure my copy of the novel hadnt been misbound, mixing in the pages of some pulp western with the Holmes story! But it all made sense in the end - just Arthur Conan Doyle developing the background to the mystery while also dipping into the moral panic occasioned by Mormon religious practices such as polygamy. Setting that and other niggling fin-de-seicle British bourgeoisisms (the murderer had learnt vindictiveness from the Indians, the dirty street children are nicknamed arabs, etc.) this is a greatly enjoyable read and certainly good enough to instill a desire to read more of the adventures of Holmes and Watson.

[theokester · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

As the first Sherlock Holmes novel, A Study in Scarlet does a good job of introducing new readers to the characters of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. In the 21st century, it’s hard to escape some general knowledge of Holmes so a lot of what is described won’t come as much of a surprise or a revelation to new Holmes readers.What may come as a bit of a shock is the slow pace of the story and the immense amount of exposition and in-depth description of situations and actions. Many of the descriptive segments are elegant and vibrant and just a lot of fun to take in. Other sections felt rather wordy and a drudgery to work through. In particular I found the distanced narrative of life in 1840s Western United States to be very dry and boring in spite of some interesting events presented during the narrative.I enjoy having Watson as the narrator and like the way he presents the case after the fact but in such a way that it keeps the mystery hidden until the point at which it was revealed to him. That said I felt like this particular mystery (as is potentially likely in many Holmes stories) suffers from not providing the readers with enough palpable clues to actually solve the mystery on par with the hero. When Holmes presents his revelations and conclusions he is kind enough to reveal from whence he made his deduction. However it is impossible for the reader to make the same conclusions because frankly we don’t have the same information at our fingertips. This is partly because Watson is our narrator and he doesn’t have the same eye for observation as does Holmes (“he observes but doesn’t truly see”). Honestly though the main reason for the reader being kept in the dark is that it would be even more tedious to write a descriptive mystery where the reader has all of the same information made evident to Holmes through his observation. It’s one thing to have Holmes explain how he saw a dozen clues on the scene and used them to analyze a solution. It’s another thing to have the author describe those dozen clues in such a way that they aren’t immediately obvious clues but they are still clues that the reader could use to arrive at the conclusion. In order to adequately do so, the author would have to also provide dozens of “red herring” elements in describing the scene. Beyond presenting very detailed analysis of the depth of the scrapes in the wall to make the word “Rache” or detailed description of pocket contents, he would also have to present elements about the insignificant elements observed. So if I had to choose between being kept in the dark and having all clues presented to me, I would certainly opt for the method implemented. My only hope is that subsequent novels keep even further away from the extremely dry narrative descriptions that bear no relevance on the story at hand.Overall I found the story engaging and I was definitely impressed by Holmes’ methods. His personality is abrasive and flippantly derisive and so Watson provides a good foil for the adventure and also acts to temper Holmes a bit in the presentation of the narrative. Not a bad start to the Holmes collection.***3 out of 5 stars

[mossjon · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

I read A Study in Scarlet on the heels of Murders in the Rue Morgue. Poe paled when compared to Doyle's rich characters and superb storytelling. My only complaint was the abrupt return to North America which left me reeling as to what the heck had happened but I eventually tuned back in.

This story is a great introduction (just as it was for the characters) to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

[gogglemiss · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Thought I'd give this author a try, and I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed the story. The second part was even more intriguing, and fitted well. Will be reading more from ACD.

[magemanda · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

This is the first story concerning that most famous detective Sherlock Holmes and the doctor Watson. It concerns the first meeting of Holmes and Watson, the the case which cements Watson's desire to record Holmes' doings.I really enjoyed this rather pulpy detective story. It is fast-paced with very little deviation from the telling of the crime and the resolution.The main delight comes from the characters. Everyone knows of Sherlock Holmes, such as his deerstalker hat and pipe, and his ability to solve crimes. Now that I have read this story, I can appreciate his dry wit, towering arrogance and slight wistfulness that he never seems to garner the credit for solving mysteries.Watson is often represented as being rather stupid, but I infer from this story that he is merely naive about what human beings are capable of and doesn't have Holmes' expert knowledge of criminology. I loved the way that Holmes was patient and exasperated by turns when explaining his deductions to Watson. You also get a sense of the fact that Holmes is just dying to show off his abilities, and Watson's faithful recording of the case fits this neatly.The story loses half a star for two reasons, both of which are probably attributable to the time and manner of when it was released.The first is the abrupt switch from the location in London to the detailed story of Jefferson Hope, who hails from America. At first I was not at all clear why this had been introduced. I believe it may have been done because of the serialised nature of many Sherlock Holmes stories, enabling both new and existing readers to enjoy the tale, but it did jar somewhat.The second is the way that Mormons and Native Americans are dealt with, although I freely admit that this is due to modern sensibilities and an environment that now decries anything deemed not politically correct. I was a little shocked to see it, but accept that this is the peril of reading anything set in this era.Altogether, a pacy read with lovely dialogue and an instantly unforgettable character in the form of Sherlock Holmes.

[nosajeel · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Brilliant from beginning to end, even the notorious extended flashback to the adventure story set in the American West. The first Sherlock Holmes book introduces Watson, depicts his first meeting with Holmes, and sets them off on a classic puzzle mystery.

[leslie398 · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

I liked the first part - it was fun to read about Watson's first impressions of Holmes. The second part was such a change that I had to check that I was still reading the same book (I read this as part of The Complete Sherlock Holmes)! Although it all tied up in the end, it didn't work that well for me.