The Complete Stories of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1

By: Arthur Conan Doyle

Narrated by: Charlton Griffin

Length: 20 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

First appearing in print in 1890, the character of Sherlock Holmes has now become synonymous worldwide with the concept of a super sleuth. His creator, Conan Doyle, imbued his detective hero with intellectual power, acute observational abilities, a penchant for deductive reasoning and a highly educated use of forensic skills. Indeed, Doyle created the first fictional private detective who used what we now recognize as modern scientific investigative techniques.

Doyle ended up writing four novels and 56 short stories featuring Holmes and his companion, Dr. Watson. All but four are told in the first person by Watson, two by Holmes, and two are written in the third person. Together, this series of beautifully written Victorian literature has sold more copies than any other books in the English language, with the exceptions of the Bible and Shakespeare.

Volume 1 in this series consists of two novels, A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of Four, followed by a collection of short stories entitled The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

Public Domain (P)2009 Audio Connoisseur

Classic for a reason

I agree with the person who said that this book needs to do a better job at the chapter breaks and to include a table of contents. Navigating is not easy when all you get on the iPod screen is chapter 1, chapter 2 --and then those divisions don't have anything to do with where the stories stop and start.

Okay, but that is a technical problem and it doesn't take away from this return to the junior high classroom. Did they really let us read about this opium addict in junior high?? Funny, I don't remember such a detailed description of the addiction, while I do remember that the speckled hat band was a snake and a beryl is a gemstone. Hmm, maybe our school used an expurgated edition.

Good job on the narration, although there are some glitches in the recording.

Holmes . . .

Would you consider the audio edition of The Complete Stories of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1 to be better than the print version?

The audiobook version of this collection is no better or worse than the print version, but it is a nice change from reading, especially when time is precious. I have a hard time sitting and doing just one thing, like reading, since I always want to do other things at the same time I am being "entertained." I did that a lot with this one, including having a night time story read to me at bedtime!

What other book might you compare The Complete Stories of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1 to and why?

Volume 2, of course, and any other collections of Conan Doyle.

What does Charlton Griffin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His narrative and voices are perfectly in line with what you would expect!

If you could take any character from The Complete Stories of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1 out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Hard to say, but probably Holmes . .

Any additional comments?

Any Conan Doyle books are winners. Well worth my time and energy.

Full Steam Ahead, Sherlock

I was enchanted by Charlton Griffin's portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. His reading transported me into the Holmes' persona and gave me the opportunity to fully experience the famed Sherlock Holmes mysteries I relished the depiction of Holmes as a cocaine smoking, bi-polar eccentric who traded indolence for full speed ahead involvement in some of the most intriguiging stories ever told. The stories also provided a look into the society of A. Conan Doyle.

Fantastic Listening

Where does The Complete Stories of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Quite high.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Some of them, but not all. I was quite familiar with sleuthing books from Hardy Boys and the 3 Investigators. At the very least, I was able to guess who the villian was 50% of the time before Sherlock Holmes revealed it.

I'm quite happy to be more intelligent than Lestrade and Co.

What does Charlton Griffin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Sherlock Holmes' voice! I love his dry tones. The female voices were a bit odd though.

If you could rename The Complete Stories of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1, what would you call it?

Ah, I think that title is acceptable and I have no complaints.

Any additional comments?

I definitely look forward to Volume 2

Immersed in a world

Would you listen to The Complete Stories of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1 again? Why?

Not often do you get the chance to reflect on a series at the end and want to start at the beginning. The narration was excellent and I was completely transported to the world that he described. I look forward to part 2 & 3

Which character – as performed by Charlton Griffin – was your favorite?

Holmes - although all his characters were distinct and engaging.

nicely done

This is a nice way to hear the Holmes stories again. The narrator does an excellent job. very good for listening

Very interested, wanted to continue and continue

Very interested, wanted to continue and continue listening.

excellent set of stories, with each being about 45 minutes

Best Collection!!

What did you love best about The Complete Stories of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1?

I enjoyed how many different stories were all wrapped up in one book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Complete Stories of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1?

I can't really answer this question I think the main thing that stands out to me is how Sherlock snorted and even though he seemed like he was crazy and loosing his mind he was very intelligent.

Which scene was your favorite?

They were all pretty awesome stories, all the scenes were great.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

no there was not really any particular moment, every time Sherlock would tell how he solved the mysteries were the parts that I really enjoyed just to see if I noticed the same things that he noticed. I must admit on a few occasions I had some of the same questions or noticed the same things that he did.

Any additional comments?

I like the Sherlock Holmes movies and the book series is just as good I have to get the second book.

childhood favorite

one of my childhood favorites The narrator's Voice was very well suited to the material.

Great Stories

Such a great book, just as the popular classics often are.
Hollywood doesn't do Holmes justice as these stories are much better.