Book – Sherlock Holmes - The sign of the Four

Book – Sherlock Holmes 2
The sign of the Four

Author: Arthur Conan Doyle

Score: 8/10 

Year: 1890 (original story). 

Publisher: Wordsworth editions

ISBN 978-1-84022-411-5

96 Pages (P. 109-204 in the book). 

Miss Mary Morstsan calls-in Sherlock and Watson. Her fathered mysteriously disappeared 10 years ago, and in the past few years, she have been receiving annual deliveries of valuable pearls. Sherlock starts investigating, through the Sign of the Four that has been left in crime scenes. 


This second story flows more naturally to me than the previous. It was first published in 1890 and is set in 1888. 

It seems to have a clear dating to September, but since the following story is set in March of the same year, and in which events following the ones from here, I guess the September part is a mistake. 

The story - divided into 12 chapters - also deals with Sherlock Holmes' addiction and Watson's dismal views of them, through several passages. It is important to note that these particular addictions were still very much present in society, even if Watson's reactions convey shifts in approach. 

It's really interesting to note how Doyle created his main hero - the first forensics PI when this didn't exist in reality, and a fallible one with flaws.Doyle shows also great knowledge on geography, indigenous people known at the times, and many other such varied subjects. 

The texts reflect some contextual views of the period - some of which are still present in modern days, so one has to read those offensive bits in perspective. 

There are numerous adaptations, including in Granada 1984 tv series  with Jeremy Brett.  It's 1h43 long, adapting this story overall rather well, but omits very important parts about characters and plots, changing as a result a few scenes, and adding a few others which aren't in the novel. 

There are a few directorial mistakes and errors that shouldn't have been seen on screen, whilst other portions that are clearly written about weren't translated into the adaptation. 

Finally, one key character's nature was changed, and he apparently is heard grunting with noises that are totally alien to him.

Overall, the adaptation is about 3 quarters right, I would say. At times, it quotes quite verbatim dialogues from the novel, but due to the changes mentioned above, some phrases are totally omitted, and others are modified in consequence. 

Also, thus far, I note that this is the second story in chronological order of publication, but 21st episode of the series. At this point, I didn't check of some of the later stories didn't prequel Holmes' investigations.