Sherlock Holmes is one of the most recognisable fictional detectives ever created. More than a century after his first appearance, the detective of 221B Baker Street still continues to inspire television series, films, stage productions, and countless mystery novels.
Written by Arthur Conan Doyle, the classic Sherlock Holmes collection consisted of four novels and five short story collections, totalling over 60 adventures. While many readers discover Sherlock Holmes through adaptations, the original books offer character and story development for both Holmes and his partnership with Dr John Watson.
Should you read the Sherlock Holmes books in order, or is there a better approach?
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Should you read the Sherlock Holmes books in order?
Each Sherlock Holmes mystery can be read as a standalone novel, but reading the books in publication order gives the most rewarding experience.
By reading the books in order, you can meet Holmes and Watson for the first time, follow Watson’s changing personal life, meet characters like Mycroft Holmes and Professor Moriarty, and experience one of fiction’s best cliffhangers.
Reading in publication order also lets you reflect on how Arthur Conan Doyle developed Holmes over four decades, from his earliest investigations through to his final cases.
Sherlock Holmes books in publication order
Reading the Sherlock Holmes books in chronological order differs from publication order, as several stories were written as prequels or take place earlier in Holmes’ career. The biggest change is that The Valley of Fear and The Hound of the Baskervilles are set before the events of The Final Problem, even though they were published later.
As many of the short stories jump backwards and forwards throughout Holmes’ career, there is no universally agreed chronological reading order.
For most readers, the best and most satisfying way to experience Sherlock Holmes is through publication order, as Arthur Conan Doyle intended.
A Study in Scarlet (1887)
A Study in Scarlet is the first Sherlock Holmes novel, introducing readers to Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson as they become flatmates at the famous 221B Baker Street.
When a man is found murdered under mysterious circumstances, Holmes uses his extraordinary powers of observation and deduction to solve a case that has baffled Scotland Yard.
The novel is split between the London investigation and a backstory set in the American West, revealing the motive behind the crime. The opening of the Sherlock Holmes novels establishes the detective’s unique methods and his ongoing partnership with Watson.
The Sign of Four (1890)
The Sign of Four is the second Sherlock Holmes novel and sees Holmes and Dr Watson investigate a mystery involving a missing treasure, a secret pact, and a series of murders linked to British India.
The case begins when Mary Morstan seeks Holmes’ help after receiving anonymous pearls and a mysterious invitation. As Holmes unravels the truth, Watson develops a growing affection for Mary, introducing a personal dimension to the story.
Blending mystery, adventure, and suspense, The Sign of Four expands Holmes’ world while further developing the friendship between the famous detective and his loyal companion.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1892)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is the first collection of Sherlock Holmes short stories, featuring twelve mysteries originally published in The Strand Magazine.
Rather than following a single plot, each story presents a new case that showcases Holmes’ exceptional powers of deduction and Dr Watson’s loyal narration. The collection includes some of the detective’s most famous adventures, such as A Scandal in Bohemia, which introduces Irene Adler, and The Adventure of the Speckled Band, widely regarded as one of Doyle’s finest stories.
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1894)
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes is the second collection of Sherlock Holmes short stories, bringing together twelve adventures that further explore the detective’s career. The collection introduces Holmes’ equally brilliant brother, Mycroft Holmes, and features several memorable cases put his unmatched powers of deduction on display.
It finishes with The Final Problem, in which Holmes faces his greatest enemy, Professor James Moriarty, at the Reichenbach Falls. Believing this to be the end of the detective, Arthur Conan Doyle wrote Holmes out of the series, generating widespread public uproar and one of literature’s most famous comebacks.
The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902)
Widely regarded as Arthur Conan Doyle’s masterpiece, The Hound of the Baskervilles is the third Sherlock Holmes novel and one of the most famous detective stories ever written.
Holmes and Dr Watson investigate the legend of a supernatural hound said to haunt the Baskerville family on the misty moors of Devon. Mixing classic detective fiction with Gothic atmosphere and suspense, the novel has readers guessing until its dramatic conclusion.
Although it was published after Holmes’ apparent death in The Final Problem, the story is set earlier in the detective’s career, making it a prequel within the Sherlock Holmes canon.
The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1905)
The Return of Sherlock Holmes is the third collection of Sherlock Holmes short stories and marks the long-awaited return of the famous detective after the events of The Final Problem.
Opening with The Adventure of the Empty House, Arthur Conan Doyle reveals how Holmes survived his confrontation with Professor Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls. The collection contains thirteen stories, with Holmes again solving complex mysteries alongside Dr Watson.
Featuring clever deductions, memorable villains, and the detective’s triumphant comeback, it remains one of the most popular collections in the Sherlock Holmes series.
The Valley of Fear (1915)
The Valley of Fear is the fourth and final Sherlock Holmes novel. The story begins with the murder of a wealthy country gentleman, prompting Holmes to investigate a case that appears connected to his greatest adversary, Professor Moriarty.
As Holmes uncovers the mystery, the novel shifts to a gripping backstory set in America, revealing the origins of a dangerous secret society and the events that led to the crime.
Combining a classic detective mystery with crime and suspense, The Valley of Fear is the darkest and most complex of Doyle’s four Sherlock Holmes novels.
His Last Bow (1917)
His Last Bow is the fourth collection of Sherlock Holmes short stories, bringing together seven adventures from the later years of the detective’s career. The stories vary in setting and style, showcasing Holmes tackling everything from theft and espionage to murder investigations.
The title story, His Last Bow, is set on the eve of the First World War and sees an older Holmes come out of retirement to undertake one final mission in service of Britain.
While not the final book in the series, the collection offers a fitting glimpse of Holmes in the closing years of his remarkable career.
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes (1927)
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes is the fifth and final collection of Sherlock Holmes short stories, bringing Arthur Conan Doyle’s original detective series to a close. The collection features twelve stories, many of which are darker and more experimental than Doyle’s earlier works. Some are narrated by Dr Watson, while others are told from Holmes’ own perspective, providing readers a rare insight into the detective’s thoughts.
Exploring murder, deception, and unusual crimes, the collection provides a fitting conclusion to the Sherlock Holmes canon and the continuing partnership between Holmes and Watson.
Why Sherlock Holmes still matters today
More than 130 years after the first book was released, Sherlock Holmes remains the blueprint for modern fictional detectives. Holmes’ logical reasoning, keen observation, and scientific approach to solving crimes have influenced generations of writers. The stories also provide an insight into Victorian and Edwardian Britain, making the books as valuable for their historical setting and perspective as for their mysteries.
Whether you are discovering Holmes for the first time or revisiting the adventures, Doyle’s original stories still manage to entertain and fascinate readers with memorable characters, clever deductions, and enduring suspense.
Who was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?
Before Sherlock Holmes became the world’s most famous detective, Arthur Conan Doyle was a physician with a passion for writing. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1959, Doyle studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. He was inspired by Dr Joseph Bell, one of his university lecturers, who was well known for diagnosing patients using careful observation and deductions. He drew on these qualities to inspire Sherlock Holmes’ characteristics.
Doyle published A Study in Scarlet in 1887, which introduced readers to Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson. It received a modest reception, with Holmes becoming a literary sensation after Doyle began publishing short stories in The Strand Magazine. Readers awaited each new mystery, which helped establish Holmes as one of fiction’s most recognised characters.
Arthur Conan Doyle killed off Sherlock Holmes in The Final Problem in 1983. He wanted to focus on writing historical fiction, but the public opinion was so strong that Doyle brought Holmes back in The Return of Sherlock Holmes, which secured his place in literary history.
Doyle wrote many historical novels, science fiction, plays and non-fiction throughout his career, but nothing saw the same lasting heights as Sherlock Holmes. The detective has inspired countless books, films, television series, and modern crime writers, making Doyle one of the most influential writers of detective fiction in history.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sherlock Holmes Books
Who wrote the Sherlock Holmes books?
The Sherlock Holmes books were written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a Scottish doctor and author. With the first story released in 1887, he went on to write about the detective’s adventures for the next forty years.
How many Sherlock Holmes books are there in total?
The official Sherlock Holmes world comprises nine books: four novels and five short story collections. Altogether, they contain 60 stories: 56 short stories and 4 full-length novels. Numerous modern authors have written additional Sherlock Holmes novels, but these are not part of Doyle’s original set.
What age are the Sherlock Holmes books appropriate for?
Most readers aged 12 and older can enjoy the Sherlock Holmes books. While the stories contain murder investigations, occasional violence, and Victorian themes, there is little graphic content compared to more modern detective stories. Younger readers who enjoy mysteries often begin with short story collections before moving on to full-length novels.
Are the Sherlock Holmes books good?
Absolutely, and generations of readers would agree. The investigations are cleverly constructed, Holmes and Watson make for some of the greatest partnerships in literature, and many of the stories are engaging despite being over 100 years old. If you enjoy crime fiction, canonical literature or puzzle-solving mysteries, the Sherlock Holmes books are well worth reading.