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A Study in Scarlet cover art

A Study in Scarlet

By: Arthur Conan Doyle
Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
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Summary

Originally named A Tangled Skein, this is the first Sherlock Holmes story. The real strength and the unique quality of the novel lies in the introduction of Holmes and Watson to each other - and those dark early scenes when a corpse is discovered in a derelict house in southeast London. The ultimate crusader against crime and criminals, Holmes' genius is revealed here for the very first time.
Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about A Study in Scarlet

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Brilliant

You know Sherlock Holmes. You've seen adaptations on TV, you know his stories. But, listening/reading the books is just wonderful. By reading, you gain a deeper understanding of Holmes, of Watson, of Victorian England and Derek Jacobi is an amazing narrator. He is perfect for the job. Also, by reading some of the books you get the added bonus of the second part of the story which gives you the background to the current case. So even though you may be familiar with the stories, have a listen and instead of being preoccupied with 'who done it' (cos you probably know already), enjoy the journey and allow Holmes to lead you there in his own unique way.

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

A study in Sherlock

Having been bored by other audiobooks in the past, I was unsure how Sherlock Holmes would fare. I need not have worried, in the capable voice of Derek Jacobi you find a well modulated voice, with none of the sleep inducing drone of other narrators, and a subtle touch with character voices that doesn't descend into characature. If you want Sherlock on audio it has to be Jacobi.

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4 people found this helpful

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Derek Jacobi is simply godlike.

No matter how much you try to remember that he is doing the narration, you won't. Every single character is distinct and fully formed. It's like a full cast performance.

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3 people found this helpful

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The Beginning of it All

If you could sum up A Study in Scarlet in three words, what would they be?

Meeting, Murder, Investigation

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Study in Scarlet?

There so many, it's difficult to pick one.

What about Derek Jacobi’s performance did you like?

He was just so natural and brought every character to life.

Any additional comments?

I remember reading this one years ago and especially The Adventures of Sherlock Homes, which was my first foray into this amazing character. This is the best book to start with, as it tells of how Watson and Holmes met, began to live together and Watson's first experience of assisting him in a myrder investigation.

It can often be so easy to laugh at the blunders the police make, but that's really because we often know the stories. Gregson and Lestrade certainly make blunders in this book and especially Gregson in his arrest of the wrong person. However, we must look at it from the point of view of the police. Gregson's arrest was understandable at the time, but Holmes, although he wins in the end, doesn't sneer at the police, in fact, before the criminal is revealed, he assures Gregson and Lestrade that he is fully prepared to take responsibility if he messes up. But you do feel for the police as they get more frustrated. They want their man, which is natural.

This is an excellent book and if you haven't tried Sherlock Holmes, I urge you to begin.

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2 people found this helpful

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Inimitable Holmes

Study in Scarlet is the introduction of Sherlock Holmes to his public. It’s a great story of two halves .. the emotive American drama and the analytical more prosaic English sequel. I don’t recall Holmes being portrayed quite as self promoting or as arrogant in any other long or short story and if my memory serves, Conan Doyle manages to insert the most Latin phrases; but it does in many ways, set the scene, both for character and the “method”. There are no half measures for the collection of Holmes’ ... if you read one, you are expected to read them all, and more than once in a lifetime.
I found Derrick Jacobi authentic, though perhaps a little stiff as narrator , and Stephen Fry has pretty well claimed this spot.

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A great introduction to the world's most famous detective.

This features the original meeting of Holmes and Watson and sees them moving into their Baker street rooms and then soon launching into their first adventure together as they help the police identify a body found in a pool of blood in an old deserted house and try to discover who killed him and why.

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First part good, second part less so

I enjoyed part 1, but then part two suddenly jumped back in time to tell the story of the killer’s motive. I think this was weirdly structured, as it kind of felt like it was telling a different story. Especially as this section is immediately followed by the killer recounting the actual murders, I wonder why this part wasn’t also him telling them the story, that would have made it feel more connected to the rest of the story.

This was my first Holmes story, so I don’t know if this is common.

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Top quality

my ever increasingly interest in Shelock and Watson stories. the narrator pulls into the story . I'm onto the next book

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Watson & Sherlock meet for the first time!

Began my love of Sherlock & Watson from watching the Jonny Lee Miller & Lucy Liu TV series, ELEMENTARY.

The first Sherlock book... the narrator, Dr. John Watson, has just arrived back to London from war in Afghanistan... mentions to a buddy that he's looking for affordable digs, happy to share & as luck would have it, his buddy said that Watson had been the 2nd person that day to say such a thing... the other being a gentleman called Sherlock Holmes!

Naturally, Watson's buddy then introduces Watson to Sherlock... in this meeting, Watson witnessed Sherlock's power of deduction... Sherlock pinpointed that Watson had recently arrived from Afghanistan & was a medical practitioner. Wowzer!

They agree to meet the following day, to check out available accommodation at 221B Baker Street, to see if it suits them both... and so their adventures begin.

5 stars all round, highly recommended... looking forward to THE SIGN OF FOUR.

And beautifully read by DEREK JACOBI.

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Top notch

If you are in need of a ripping yarn then this text is for you. The text moves between late 19th century, London and the great American West. It’s a very fast paced murder mystery and you certainly will not be disappointed if this is what you’re looking for. Derek Jacobi’s reading is absolutely flawless, which certainly adds to the atmosphere.

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