I'm listening to [b:Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Audio Collection|34429916|Sherlock Holmes The Definitive Audio Collection|Arthur Conan Doyle|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1488293263s/34429916.jpg|55535767] narrated by Stephen Fry and this is the ninth and final book in the collection.



This collection isn't in the Audible PDF table of contents for this which is helpful!

I didn't panic, you panicked! :D

Part 6

The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone: Chapter 9

3 stars

I found the villain to be rather bland and the odd narrative to be a little off putting. I did like Billy though but the overall case just felt a bit meh to me.

The Problem of Thor Bridge: Chapter 10

5 stars

I really liked this one. Gibson was an utter plank and everything was entirely his fault but it was wonderfully intriguing and clever.



The Adventure of the Creeping Man: Chapter 11

3 stars

This was entertaining enough but difficult to take too seriously given the advancements in science and medicine since written. The face in the window also had an echo of a previous case with the face in the window, the adventure of the speckled band if I remember correctly?



The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire: Chapter 12

4 stars

This was very entertaining. I find this 'cooling of love' Doyle talks of to be very interesting, this is the second time in this collection he mentions it, The Problem of Thor Bridge being the first. Some left over guilt in regards to his own situation with his first wife and Jean Leckie I wonder?

The Adventure of the Three Garridebs: Chapter 13

5 stars

Another with similarities to a previous case, this one being the Red-Headed League. I think this one may have been my favourite though.

"It was worth a wound–it was worth many wounds–to know the depth of loyalty and love which lay behind that cold mask. The clear, hard eyes were dimmed for a moment, and the firm lips were shaking. For the one and only time I caught a glimpse of a great heart as well as of a great brain. All my years of humble but single-minded service culminated in that moment of revelation."

Awwwwww!

The Adventure of the Illustrious Client: Chapter 14

5 stars

This to me felt like what the conclusion of [b:A Case of Identity|2806829|A Case of Identity (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, #3)|Arthur Conan Doyle|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1267283499s/2806829.jpg|2832716] in [b:The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes|3590|The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes|Arthur Conan Doyle|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1164045516s/3590.jpg|1222101] should have been. Violet was utterly unlikable though and I much preferred Miss Sutherland. I wonder whatever happened to her? :(

The Adventure of the Three Gables: Chapter 15

1 star

Wow!!

This one is actually the most racist story I've come across in the collection and that includes [b:The Sign of Four|608474|The Sign of Four|Arthur Conan Doyle|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1299346921s/608474.jpg|21539872]. It also managed to be somewhat sexist but the racism was actually mind boggling. Again, I will stress that I understand the era it was written in explains this but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier: Chapter 16

5 stars

The first Holmes narration and it was very enjoyable. I loved his sardonic wit and the case was a great one.

Mr. James M. Dodd appeared to be the sort of person whom it would be better to have as a friend than as an enemy.

And what a wonderful friend he was. I loved that he would stop at nothing to find out what happened to his friend and thank goodness he did!

The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane: Chapter 17

4 stars

Second Holmes narration and the absence of Watson made me particularly sad on this occasion. It's because this one takes place in the later years while the story before took place while Watson was married. I still don't feel happy about them spending their later years apart.

This case was so clever and would have been riveting back in 1927 when the knowledge of jellyfish wouldn't have been standard.



The Adventure of the Retired Colourman: Chapter 18

5 stars

“The Haven is the name of Mr. Josiah Amberley’s house,” I explained. “I think it would interest you, Holmes. It is like some penurious patrician who has sunk into the company of his inferiors. You know that particular quarter, the monotonous brick streets, the weary suburban highways. Right in the middle of them, a little island of ancient culture and comfort, lies this old home, surrounded by a high sun-baked wall mottled with lichens and topped with moss, the sort of wall– –”

“Cut out the poetry, Watson,” said Holmes severely.

That quote made me laugh out loud.

The levity was needed. Is this the darkest of the Sherlock Holmes collection?

The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger: Chapter 19

3 stars

This was a bit disappointing. I don't think it can be considered a case really. More of a confession and easing of a persons mind.

The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place: Chapter 20

3 stars

This was a very interesting case but it didn't feel right for the end of the collection.



_______________________

This collection for me may be the weakest of the entire body of work. I think it is very clear that Doyle was fed up with Holmes and just wanted to be done with him. It is a pity as he did create something truly wonderful but as my friend said in a conversation we had about this, it's easy to see why there would be resentment when 'the creation becomes more important than the creator.'

Conan Doyle at his most offensive.


The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Problem of Thor Bridge ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Adventure of the Creeping Man⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Adventure of the Three Garridebs ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Adventire of the Illustrious Client⭐️⭐️
The Adventure of the Three Gables⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier⭐️⭐️
The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane⭐️⭐️
The Adventure of the Retired Colourman⭐️
The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Adventure of the Shoscombe Old Place ⭐️⭐️

3.5

This final volume is definitely weaker than the others. You can sense Doyle’s waning enthusiasm and some stories feel like they’re just running on the rails and going through the motions. However, there are also some fine stories that can hold their own and frankly it’s just been fun to spend time with Holmes and Watson one last time.

I’m not reading them in order though (thanks library) and I have some excellent volumes still to read which is a blessing. For all you finishing here, well, it’s been fun.

Stephen Fry obviously has done another fantastic job with the narration. Good stuff indeed.