I'd read a few assorted adventures of Sherlock Holmes during my childhood. Of course, the name was timelessly popular and I knew who he was, but I didn't read too many of the tales and novels. Till I purchased a two volume omnibus edition and fully experienced the wonder. Decided to try the audiobook now for old times' sake.
Decidedly a brilliant body of work from start to end. It's Sherlock Holmes. One of the foremost archetypes of good detective fiction. Perfectly written, giving the reader - or, rather, the listener in this case - a chance to try to solve the mystery as it happens. That's how a good mystery should be. No big reveal too early, but dropping enough clues that the reader will be given a chance to try to figure things out before the protagonist does the reveal. And Doyle pulls it off with aplomb. The series is also a singular look into Victorian London, and lets you put yourself in the shoes of a person from that era, to whom things like the telephone were cutting edge technology. Paints a wonderful picture of the era and includes numerous rare, strange, esoteric, mystical and fantastic things which would definitely have been otherworldly and arguably alien to the readers of the time. Quite interesting to establish such a frame of reference in mind while reading. These tales will always hold a special place in my heart. Beautifully narrated by the inimitable Stephen Fry, not one single moment of this massive audiobook is boring. Fry brilliantly does all the voices, lending every character their own unique quirks, characteristics, accents, and individuality, skillfully switching between voices in moments of back-and-forth dialogue. Impressive. As. Hell.