How does one review a book they liked so much? I understand criticisms like "bus, it took you a month and a half to finish the book!", and in all fairness, it's a bit dense at times. HOWEVER, I always liked Sherlock Holmes as a character, even though I knew very little about him. Then I read The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes for school once and watched films and tv series about him. The idea that someone could use logic and odd facts to come to such masterful conclusions was just wonderful. Being obsessed with the idea of cleverness it was only natural that I absolutely loved this character and these stories when I was younger, but even now, albeit with more appreciation for his kindness and odd sense of humour, I still loved it.

Which brings me to a point that I want to talk about, because it truly does not go well with me when people talk about Sherlock being robot-like and whatnot. He's a lovely person!!! Perhaps it has to do with the fact that he shows it differently, but he can be genuinely nice to people. Watson even remarks on how easily he can put people at ease. He truly cares about his friend and misses him once he retires. I know he plays the game for the game's sake, but he does speak his mind when something happens that he does not agree with, because it's immoral. (you'd think someone who wants to discuss this would have actual arguments, but I'm just winging this review).

Watson of course was as amazing as always and quite invaluable most times. Mycroft is still one of my favourite characters definitely and seeing Lestrade's name pop up was always fun. Even seeing the names of Anderson, Kitty & Shinwell was great, I really enjoyed that. OH AND OF COURSE Irene Adler and Moriarity, who could forget those two.

Some moments that made me go YES (or sob) (I wish i had actually thought of writing it down before the last hundred pages):

p. 1010 -- "'You're not hurt, Watson? For God's sake, say that you are not hurt!'. 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 of humble but single-minded service culminated in that moment of revelation. 'It's nothing, Holmes. It's a mere scratch'. He had ripped up my trousers with his pocket-knife. 'You are right,' he cried with an immense sigh of relief. 'It is quite superficial.'. His face set like flint as he glared at our prisoner, who was sitting up with a dazed face. 'By the Lord, it is as well for you. If you had killed Watson, you would not have got out of this room alive. Now, sir, what have you to say for yourself?'

p. 1017 -- "I do not blame you for feeling it. I should blame you if you expressed it, since this young lady was in a sense under your protection"

p. 1077 -- "You can file it in our archives, Watson. Some day the true story may be told."

that's all, I just really love Sherlock Holmes and actually enjoyed this all quite a lot.