Golden Age of Detective Fiction

Arthur Conan Doyle’s A Study in Scarlet, published in 1887, introduces readers to the iconic detective duo of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. The title is drawn from Holmes’s discussion with Watson about their investigative endeavors, wherein he refers to their pursuit of truth amidst life’s complexities as a “study in scarlet.” Despite its eventual acclaim, the novel initially garnered little attention. Only eleven original copies of the magazine containing the story, Beeton’s Christmas Annual for 1887, are known to exist today, each holding significant value. Among Conan Doyle’s extensive Holmesian repertoire, comprising 56 short stories, A Study in Scarlet stands as one of the mere four full-length novels in the original canon.

Synopsis:

In 1881, Dr. John Watson returns to London after his service in the Second Anglo-Afghan War, seeking accommodation. An acquaintance suggests sharing a flat at 221B Baker Street with Sherlock Holmes, cautioning Watson about Holmes’s peculiarities. Following their meeting and inspection of the premises, they become housemate. Holmes, a “consulting detective,” receives clients at their residence. Witnessing Holmes’s remarkable deductive abilities during a murder case presentation, Watson transitions from skepticism to amazement.

The case involves the murder of Enoch Drebber, a man from Cleveland, Ohio, whose body is discovered in an abandoned house. Holmes deduces the cause of death as poison and provides a detailed description of the perpetrator. Further investigation uncovers a gold wedding ring near the victim’s body, leading Holmes to employ a ruse to lure out the murderer.

A suspect is arrested based on circumstantial evidence, but the case takes a twist when Joseph Stangerson, Drebber’s associate, is also murdered. Holmes conducts experiments and utilizes the help of street urchins to apprehend the true culprit, Jefferson Hope.

In the second part of the story, titled “The Country of the Saints,” the narrative delves into Hope’s backstory involving a love affair with Lucy Ferrier, thwarted by religious and social constraints imposed by the Mormon community. Hope’s pursuit of vengeance against Drebber and Stangerson spans decades and continents, ultimately leading to their demise in London.

Hope succumbs to his ailment before facing trial, prompting Watson to urge Holmes to document the case for publication, an idea initially dismissed by Holmes but later pursued by Watson himself.

The Review

Dr. John Watson’s return to England following war injuries leads him into a precarious financial situation. Seeking a roommate to alleviate his burden, he crosses paths with the eccentric Sherlock Holmes, a dedicated scholar of science and criminology, and a part-time consulting detective known for his uncanny deductive abilities. As the two men become acquainted, Holmes wastes no time astounding Watson with his remarkable talents. When a telegram arrives concerning a murder in the city, their partnership is swiftly tested as they join forces with the local police to unravel the mystery. Thus begins the saga of their legendary adventures.

This marks the inception of the iconic Sherlock Holmes series and the legendary partnership that forever altered the landscape of crime detection fiction. Exploring the origins of both Watson and Sherlock and the formation of their remarkable bond proves to be an enthralling journey.

A Study in Scarlet is structured into two distinct parts. The first, narrated by Watson, details his return to London and the genesis of his association with Sherlock. It is compelling and engaging, albeit with a somewhat unsatisfying conclusion. The second part delves into the tale of John Ferrier, Lucy, and Jefferson Hope, recounting a tragic event in Salt Lake Valley that irrevocably alters their destinies. While intriguing in its own right, it pales in comparison to the first part and feels somewhat disjointed, akin to a different narrative altogether. However, as the two narratives converge towards the end, the full scope of the story is revealed, culminating in a deeply satisfying conclusion.

Many iconic elements of a Holmes story are present in this first mystery; Watson’s valor, Holmes, acerbic personality, and extraordinary deductive reasoning define the characters and make them larger than life from the start. I was also surprised that the magnifying glass and violin, which are much-parodied elements of Holmes, were even in this first story, which helped flesh out the main characters and really gave the reader a lot to identify Holmes with and capture the reader’s imagination.

Re-reading this story, I guess I never remembered that the second half takes place in Utah and is heavily imbued with themes about Mormonism, which was gaining popularity and dominating American headlines during the late 1880s. Most adaptations eschew any prickly issues regarding Mormonism by setting the entire story in England, making it easier to follow. Still, it removes some of the essential historical context in which the first Holmes story occurs. I would like to see more adaptations be faithful to the original text in this way.

However, these two wildly disparate halves come together with some difficulty. A Study in Scarlet ultimately is an uneven first story by Arthur Conan Doyle in an attempt to live up to the mythological heights of a “Sherlock Holmes” story. Adaptations may shave off the rough elements and lead people to believe that each story is above reproach. Still, rereading the original story, I’ll admit that while Holmes and Watson are iconic, they are in a somewhat lumpy tale with great characters but a relatively wide-ranging, discursive mystery that is good but not great.