A Study in Scarlet

By: Arthur Conan Doyle

Narrated by: Derek Jacobi

Length: 4 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Originally named A Tangled Skein, this is the first Sherlock Holmes story. The real strength and the unique quality of the novel lies in the introduction of Holmes and Watson to each other - and those dark early scenes when a corpse is discovered in a derelict house in southeast London. The ultimate crusader against crime and criminals, Holmes' genius is revealed here for the very first time.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

A Classic

This book is a great introduction to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. The case is interesting and involves suspense and intrigue. This book has many twists and turns that are unexpected, which is great for a detective book. Overall a great listen, the narrator does a great job as well. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in detective novels or the classics.

very good start to the series

great book to start me on my way to Sherlock fandom. fantastically read.
I highly recommend

The Study in Scarlet

A well done performance of a most interesting work of literature. Jacobi does a great job of bringing the characters to life.

amazing story and well narrated

absolutely fantastic story and Mr J does an incredible job reading it. Do yourself a favor and listen

Good

It's a very good story, although the first half of the second part made me a little sleepy.
The perfomance of the narrator it's perfect.

Surprised how much like the BBC series!

I really enjoyed this. I was surprised how much this first book about Sherlock was like the BBC series character played by Benedict Cumberbatch. It was impossible to not visualize him and Martin Freeman as Watson in this first Sherlock story! I immediately researched all the other books by Arthur Conan Doyle and the order they were written and plan to listen to those too!

Brilhante início de carreira

Alguns problemas de coesao e timing, característicos de um inicio de carreira de um autor com futuro notável, não impede o livro de ser um merecido clássico. Prosa sensacional, ambientação super imersiva.

The result of all our study in scarlet ...

"That's the result of all our study in scarlet: to get them a testimonial!"

I've long wanted to experience all of the Sherlock Holmes stories in publication order. When I found a set on Audible narrated by the wonderful British stage actor Derek Jacobi, I could not resist downloading the first two novellas: "A Study in Scarlet" and "The Sign of the Four." I very much enjoyed Jacobi's characterizations, especially of Holmes, Watson and the befuddled Scotland Yard inspectors, Gregson and Lestrade. (His American accents in the story's second half, however, were sometimes painfully awkward.)

"A Study in Scarlet" introduces the famous partnership of Dr. John Watson and Mr. Sherlock Holmes ("You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive") as well as the brilliant Holmes's methods of observation and deduction. In the first half of the tale, Holmes tracks down and apprehends a murderer bent on chilling revenge. The story's second half relates what happened decades before in Utah to set this determined man on his murderous path.

Although others have found the shift from Watson's first-person narration to the third-person flashback to be jarring, both narrative threads held my interest. The crime and its solution were put together cleverly and logically, although this is not a fair-play mystery readers can solve for themselves. The denouement was a bit too quick for my tastes; I don't believe Doyle left any loose threads dangling, but I would have appreciated a more fleshed-out ending to balance the long flashback detailing the killer's motive.

The best part of the story was glimpsing the beginning of the friendship between Holmes and Watson, which would soon captivate the reading public. This was a very enjoyable weekend listen, and I've already queued up "The Sign of the Four" for my next listen.

Sherlock Holmes

One of my favorite Holmes stories, narrated flawlessly by one of my favorite actors. I listened the first time from beginning to end. The second time I did it in 2 parts. I will be listening again in future I'm sure.

A Great Introduction to Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes is, perhaps, the most well known fictional detective. While he and his partner, Dr. John Watson, have had many iconic stories told, A Study in Scarlet acts a magnificent introduction to the quintessential detective. This is a compelling mystery with careful plotting and pacing. The characterizations are all enjoyable including the minor characters such as Lestrade and Gregson of Scotland Yard. However, this book suffers from a strange digression about religious propaganda. I understand it serves the antagonist’s motivation, but it completely breaks the flow of the narrative and disengages the reader. Apart from roughly 1/3 of the book being a boring tale about Mormonism, A Study in Scarlet is the perfect introduction to Sherlock Holmes.