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The Valley of Fear
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
41 posts | 71 read | 19 to read
The Valley of Fear, the last of four complete Sherlock Holmes novels written by Doyle, offers readers two distinct plot lines, loosely connected and filled with classic Holmes themes, even reintroducing Holmes' arch-villain Moriarty at one point. In the first plot, Jack Douglas is found dead of a shotgun blast at Birlstone manor, something Holmes had been warned about ahead of time in a coded letter that had been sent to him. In the second storyline, a secret society of coal miners welcomes Jack McMurdo as a new member, not knowing his true background. Neither the society nor McMurdo are prepared for the series of events that would unfold as community injustices are righted by the secret group, led by Boss McGinty. Are they truly above the law? Only time will tell in The Valley of Fear.
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dabbe
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
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#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin

Hey, Sherlockians~
We're not reading this one for a while, but it is on sale at Amazon. Just thought I'd let you know.

Librarybelle Thanks for sharing! 5mo
dabbe @Librarybelle 🩵💙🩵 5mo
Blueroseis I read this one a while back and enjoyed it a lot. 5mo
dabbe @Blueroseis It's been a long time since I've read it, so I'm looking forward to a reread. 🤩 5mo
51 likes4 comments
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Bookwomble
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Pickpick

Although I've read The Valley of Fear several times before, and seen numerous TV adaptations, I'd still forgotten both the plot twist (which really should have been obvious to me - I see but I do not observe!) and the involvement of Professor Moriarty.
An interesting mash-up of a Holmesian mystery and a Western thriller 🔎🤠

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Bookwomble
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
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"I am inclined to think ---" said I.
"I should do so," Sherlock Holmes remarked, impatiently.

Cat with a Gun! Meeow! ? Shots fired! ??
#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl
(Photo of the best Holmes ever, Jeremy Brett. You are, of course, entitled to your own "best Holmes ever", however inferior they may be to Jeremy ? ?)

Bookwomble Watson gets his own back a few lines later:
"You have heard me speak of Professor Moriarty?"
"The famous scientific criminal, as famous among crooks as ---"
"My blushes, Watson," Holmes murmured, in a deprecating voice.
"I was about to say 'as he is unknown to the public.' "
"A touch - a distinct touch! cried Holmes. "You are developing a certain unexpected vein of pawky humour, Watson, against which I must learn to guard myself."
2y
dabbe Jeremy Brett ROCKS Sherlock! I still have all of the dvds of the Granada films. I loved, too that Brett's versions were reenactments of the REAL stories and films, not pastiches. He is the quintessential SH for me, too! ❣️ 2y
Bookwomble @dabbe Impeccable Holmesian taste, Denise! 😁 2y
dabbe @Bookwomble I'm a Sherlock freak. 🤣❣️🤣 2y
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bekakins
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Pickpick

#doublespin done! Think this is my favourite Holmes story to date… my favourite bit being the flashback in the second half which didn‘t include Holmes or Watson at all 🙈 I guessed the twist, but still a god western romp!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
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Blueroseis
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Pickpick

This was a story in two parts. The first was a crime to be investigated by Holmes after having received a notification by his enemy Prof. Moriarty. It was written in the style of the classic Holmes that every one knows from some of the great TV and Film produced over the years. Part two takes you back many years before the crime occured. Totally different and absorbing this was storytelling at its very best with a very unexpected outcome. *****

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Auntynanny
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Pickpick

I listened to this on audio, and I found my mind wandered a lot. I will have to reread it in print.

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RaeLovesToRead
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
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It's a beautiful day so I'm taking my reading outside! Hopefully I'll finish The Valley of Fear today.

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GatheringBooks
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
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TCLinrow
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Pickpick

I wasn't a huge fan of the long segment from the past actions in America, but I did like the way it explained the character and actions of those in the main plot (other than, of course, the staple of Holmes and Watson).

Another excellent installment overall.

mabell I agree about the America segment - I don‘t care for it 4y
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Pip2
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
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The Valley of Fear is the fourth and final Sherlock Holmes novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The story was first published in the Strand Magazine between September 1914 and May 1915. The first book edition was copyrighted in 1914. I am hard pressed to find a better Holmes novel than this one. I have read most of his works now and find this one to be top notch. The twist at the end was unexpected and a treat. Highly recommended for the mystery buff.

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Linsy
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Pickpick

Finished off the last of the Sherlock novels with some #audiocoloring! I enjoyed it immensely, if not the second half as much, but the ending was worth it!! 💀

That gives me just 8 hours for #DeweysReadathon. For #24b4Monday, I‘m up to 16! Good night, Littens!!

#teamtheme #teamslaughter #scarathlon

Andrew65 Great time 👏👏👏 5y
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Texreader
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Pickpick

I finished this one on the road home and I definitely enjoyed my first Sherlock Holmes book! What great twists!

julesG And Derek Jacobi! Like his narration. 6y
CarolynM @julesG Me too, love his voice. 6y
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Texreader
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
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On the long Texas roads and finished disc 3 of this book on CD. It‘s my first Sherlock Holmes and I am enjoying it. Sad to say I‘m struggling to distinguish Holmes from Watson. Otherwise the audio is well done.

BookishMarginalia Safe travels! 6y
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Texreader
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Another bookish Christmas gift. This one from my in-laws in England. So perfect since we visited the Sherlock Holmes museum when we were in London. Heading out of town tomorrow to meet with a client for most of the week and taking this book on cd with me. This will be my first Sherlock Holmes book ever.

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thereadingowlvina
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
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Pickpick

A two-part mystery novel: Part 1 - murder of John Douglas; Part 2 - the earlier life of Mr. Douglas in Chicago as Pinkerton detective.

But I do feel that the murder solving by Holmes in Pt. 1 was short. Did not see the connection of these two mysteries until the very end.

I still enjoyed this 4th novel. Holmes stories are always a delightful read & re-read! I love the narration by David Timson in this audiobook 💕

Rating: 4🌟

@tjwill

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tjwill
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
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Pickpick

I wish there had been more connection between the two stories during the second. It felt completely separate until the very end. However, I did enjoy both stories—the first with Sherlock Holmes solving a murder case and the second going back in time to set up why anyone would want the man murdered. I am between a pick and a so-so, but will bump it up for the love of Sherlock. I still love the short stories more. #sherlocked #serialreader

thereadingowlvina Agree! I felt the murder solving part is too short. I almost gave up on second part. Don't see the connection there until the very end. But I gave it a 4 stars read since it is like reading two mysteries in one story. 😁 6y
Richryan52 Similar structure to The Sign of Four. I love the story of the Scowerers. Plus it introduced Moriarty (edited) 6y
Daisey I agree, the separateness of the two parts kind of pulls me out of the story, but overall I did enjoy it. 6y
CoffeeNBooks I agree, also! It took me awhile to figure out how everything was related, as it seemed somewhat disjointed. But overall, I liked it. 6y
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CoffeeNBooks
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
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I've switched from coffee to tea, and now I'm finishing up this Sherlock Holmes mystery. This is the first time I've ever read anything on Serial Reader, and I really like it! #TeaAndABook #SherlockHolmes #Sherlocked

Daisey I finished this yesterday and enjoyed it. Look forward to seeing what you think! 6y
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Daisey
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
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Pickpick

Part Two of this book seems to include more violence than many of the other Sherlock Holmes stories, but I really enjoyed the twist and how it connected back to Part One at the end. Yet, I still think I like the short stories better than any of the novel length stories.

First book from my currently reading list completed during the #readathon.

#Sherlocked #SerialReader

Daisey @tjwill I caught up and read ahead so I can get to some other October reading commitments. Looking forward to seeing your review. 6y
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tjwill
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
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Daisey
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
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I finished Part 1 of The Valley of Fear tonight. I enjoyed how this part of the of the mystery worked out, so here‘s hoping Part 2 is just as interesting.

#SerialReader #Sherlocked

JazzFeathers I'm completelly failing this readalong 😭 Once again #NetGalley expiring files have kidnapped my TBR. Next year l need to be a lot more carefull how many ARCs l require. 6y
Daisey @JazzFeathers I know the feeling! I have a couple NetGalley books that are on my kindle, but so far past the publication date. I‘m behind on this readalong too, but hoping to get it finished and caught up on some other things with a readathon this weekend. 6y
tjwill @JazzFeathers @Daisey I had to stop requesting so many arcs from NetGalley because that kept happening to me. I have one right now that I haven‘t downloaded. I always make too many reading commitments! 6y
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Daisey @tjwill @JazzFeathers I usually only request a few and choose ones I can download to kindle that will not disappear. However, with all the other reading commitments I've made this year, can't even seem to keep up with that. 6y
JazzFeathers @tjwill @Daisey Up until last spring, NetGalley would deny half of the ARCs l requested, but recently they hardly Daniel any. So in that moment when del started according almost everything l asked for, but l still requested thinking half of my request would be turned down, l amassed an embarassing pile of ARCs 6y
JazzFeathers @tjwill @Daisey Now l'm much more selective 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @tjwill Same here! It can bury you quickly if you aren‘t careful. I had the same thing happen in the beginning @JazzFeathers & then because I couldn‘t possibly get through them all quickly, my rate of review went down & then I got a bunch of denials for awhile. So now I‘m try to be really careful, just request 1 or 2 at a time, so I don‘t get backlogged, and then don‘t request anymore until those are either denied or reviewed. It‘s hard though.. 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa ...I feel like a kid in a candy store there. 6y
JazzFeathers @Riveted_Reader_Melissa l'll have to do the same. Certainly l'll have to be a lot more pick. Besides, if l have to be honest, l bailed on quite a few of the books l was granted. The ones l truly loved can be counted on the fingers of one hand. 6y
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tjwill
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
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How‘s everyone doing with this #sherlocked #readalong? On #Serialreader, we are through issue 9, which is the end of Chapter 6 in Part 1.

I‘m enjoying this one more than his other novels, but I also think I know where it‘s headed... I could be wrong, of course. Sherlock is always a step ahead of everyone else.

CoffeeNBooks I'm enjoying it so far! I feel like it seems so obvious that it has to be a twist of some sort. On a side note, this is the first time I've read something on Serial Reader, and I really like how it breaks up the text! 6y
Richryan52 This is my favorite Holmes novel. I think you may be in for a surprise. Let me know 6y
tjwill @Richryan52 Good to know! I‘ll share if it goes how I think or not. 6y
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tjwill @CoffeeNBooks Yes, I‘m trying to anticipate the twists! Serial Reader can make longer things more manageable! 6y
tjwill @Richryan52 Ok, so I just read ahead and finished part 1. Not at all what I suspected. Wow! 6y
Richryan52 I told you. Structure is very similar to A Study in Scarlet 6y
tjwill @Richryan52 Yes, with the past to tie it together, that‘s what I thought of. 6y
Richryan52 It‘s a bifurcated structure with the second story backloaded. I did something similar in The Vatican Cameos but used alternating chapters 6y
Richryan52 I love the second story btw 6y
tjwill @Richryan52 I did not know that is what it is called. I liked how you built the story that way in Vatican Cameos. I‘m looking forward to reading the 2nd half of this one! 6y
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Daisey
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
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I made some time this evening to get started on the first few issues of The Valley of Fear on #SerialReader, and so far I‘m intrigued.

I haven‘t seen any other recent posts. Who‘s reading along for this round of #Sherlocked?

JazzFeathers I didn't know anything about a new round of #Sherlocked 😱 6y
tjwill I am, but I‘ve not been good at posting. I‘ll try to get one in later today! I‘m so sorry, @JazzFeathers ! I thought I had tagged you when I was looking for others to read with me. Can you join us? 6y
Daisey @JazzFeathers Yeah, it was posted, but none of us did much to share or promote it this time. I just started yesterday after I finished The Fall of Gondolin. 6y
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Daisey @tjwill I‘m not sure how good I‘ll be at keeping on schedule this month, but I will try to post once in a while. 6y
JazzFeathers @tjwill l will gladly join, though like @Daisey l don't think l'll be very good at keeping on track. I'll go back and look for the schedule 😊 6y
tjwill @JazzFeathers That‘s ok. It‘s just doing Serial Reader speed, which is 23 issues, so finishing by October 23. It‘s 2 parts of 7 chapters each (edited to correct my mistake), and around 200 pages, depending on the edition. (edited) 6y
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tjwill
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
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Want to start October 1st? #sherlocked #readalong It is 23 issues on #Serialreader, which is usually a manageable pace.

Richryan52 Works for me 6y
CoffeeNBooks Sounds good! 6y
thereadingowlvina Sounds great! 👍 6y
jpmcwisemorgan I can do this! I may be behind a bit because I have a work trip this week but it should be easy to catch up. 6y
Daisey I was going to try and fit in the first issue tonight, but my app isn‘t cooperating. Maybe tomorrow . . . 6y
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tjwill
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
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Does anyone want to do a buddy read (or reread) of The Valley of Fear, the fourth Sherlock Holmes, in October? The #SerialReader version is 23 issues, if that pace works for others. #Sherlocked

Richryan52 I‘m in 6y
Daisey I would be willing to try, but I have a decent number of commitments in October, so no promises about staying caught up, even at Serial Reader pace. 6y
CoffeeNBooks I'm in! 6y
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Sarah83 Next time. 😊 It's not my favourite book. 🙈 6y
CSeydel Oooh, tempted. Not sure I‘ll be able to add this one in though. October is a really busy month around here. 6y
tjwill @Richryan52 @Daisey @CoffeeNBooks @CSeydel Ok! 👍🏽👍🏽 @Sarah83 The novels haven‘t been my favorites, but I‘m on a mission to read the whole canon! 6y
Sarah83 I have already read the whole canon. I am still dealing with my #litsyclassics ... 6y
thereadingowlvina Sounds good! I'm in 😁 6y
jpmcwisemorgan I can do this!!! I‘ve given up on all book challenges and I think next year I‘m not going to try to do any at all. 6y
tjwill @Sarah83 Good luck! 6y
tjwill @jpmcwisemorgan I totally understand. I‘ve abandoned mine, but I might go back to see how many of my books fit into the challenge categories. 6y
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erzascarletbookgasm
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Andrew65 A great one! 6y
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Richryan52
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
Pickpick

Doyle uses a bi-partite structure in this novel. In this first section, Holmes and Watson investigate the Mysterious murder of a country squire. In the second part, readers are treated to the background that served as prelude to the crime. This may be my favorite Doyle novel because of the history that he brings to bear on a case involving the Great Detective. There are also hints at other plots that those new to the Canon may find interesting.

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Gezemice
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
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Pickpick

This was really two stories in one. The first a traditional Holmes story with its twists and surprises, the second set in America, giving voice of Conan Doyle‘s fascination with murderous secret societies. I must say I was getting a bit lost in the doings of the sinister lodge, but the end was all worth it. It is amazing that all mystery-thrillers come from Conan Doyle - he has done it all before everyone else. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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melissanorr
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For anyone who watched the BBC Sherlock series, this has to be the best line of Valley of Fear. 😂

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Brie
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Pickpick

This novel is structurally a bit odd, but all the loose ends come together at the end and there are even a couple unexpected twists.

This is the final Sherlock Holmes novel. The 1st part is set up as a classic locked room murder mystery. The 2nd part is an extended flashback that takes the case to America &incorporates organized crime and class struggle. Though I thought that section seemed far-fetched at times, it's based on historical events.

Richryan52 @Brie Doyle uses a similar structure in The sign of Four. The Hound of the Baskervilles is more linear 7y
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Andrew65
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
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Pickpick

This was another Sherlock Holmes book where you have two sections - the part that has the murder and Sherlock Holmes in and the part that tells the back story that lead up to the murder. I always prefer the Sherlock Holmes books that tell a longer story, like this one, and enjoyed the second half of the story that was set in the US. Overall found this a totally engaging and enjoyable story and look forward to reading the next book.

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Andrew65
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
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I'm continuing with my journey through the Sherlock Holmes books. Today started listening to The Valley of Fear, read by Simon Vance, who is one of my favourite narrators. He really brought Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel to life for me.

Who are your favourite narrators and for which books? #favouritenarrators

DGRachel Barbara Rosenblatt does the best job on the Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters; Davina Porter is incredible as the narrator for Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series; Frank Muller is excellent in everything he does - he narrated the first audiobook I ever listened to, which I'm pretty sure was one of LeCarre's Smiley novels; once I got used to him, I've come to really enjoy Tim Gerard Reynolds (Pierce Brown's Red Rising trilogy and 👇🏻 8y
DGRachel ...Michael J Sullivan's Riyria series) 8y
DGRachel Then there are actors with incredible voices that I could listen to as they read the phone book - particularly David Tennant and Richard Armitage. Oh, and Jim Dale is fabulous as the narrator for all of the Harry Potter books and narrates my favorite version of A Christmas Carol. 8y
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Andrew65 @DGRachel Jim Dale was also great with The Night Circus. Davina Porter does do a great job too. Not heard David Tennant do a narration but I'm sure it would be a wonderful experience.Also enjoyed Carolyn McCormick reading The Hunger Games. And all the narrators from The Help were fantastic. 8y
RaimeyGallant What a great idea! Sherlock on audio. I should do that. 8y
Andrew65 @RaimeyGallant I got the Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes for 1 Audible Credit, all of his books for one credit I thought was great value. Over 58 hours! So been working my way through them over the past few months. 8y
RaimeyGallant Good tip:) 8y
melrailey I'm working through Sherlock right now too! But I'm using Serial Reader and my old paperbacks. (edited) 8y
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melrailey
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
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There is mischief afoot - is there a line that says Sherlock Holmes more than that?

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myers85
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
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Pickpick

Just finished the fourth and final of Doyle's Sherlock novels. Like A Study in Scarlet it's a book of two parts - the first the investigation and the second the back story. Whilst it is regrettable that the back story means half the novel is without Holmes, both parts are still interesting and as a result very different. This is a novel of enjoyable twist and turns and Doyle's style of writing is timeless.

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myers85
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
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My #currentread Enjoying it very much so far. The plot has thickened and there is mischief afoot! #riotgrams

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myers85
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
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Started this today. Sherlock has to be one of the greatest fictional characters of all time and Doyle's writing is still sharp and witty. Should be a good read.

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Marija.iva
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Idemo! Nove avanture Holmsa! A tu je i Morijarti.. hmhm :)

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vicgreentoriafield
The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle
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#endpapers
#readjanuary

These end pages aren't extravagant or even the best I have on the shelves, but I love them. My sweet husband found this copy of Holmes stories and knowing my love and collection of all different copies he got it for me. I thought it was a gorgeous. So these end pages hold an extra special place in my heart.

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gpearce
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
Pickpick

Another enjoyable read by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

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TwinklingBooks
SHERLOCK HOLMES THE VALLEY OF FEAR | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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You know Sherlock has his own way of going about things. thats why we love him. but the police and people are always exasperated by this. and whenever that happens it makes me smile. :)

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Shmemilina
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
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On to the Valley of Fear, and more of the beautiful cover on this edition of the Sherlock Holmes novels...

MrBook Yes, I like this cover! 8y
flyfarther79 Such a cool cover/detail! 8y
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Mednasanienbok
The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle
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Outside on the balcony, sipping a cup of tea and reading some Sherlock Holmes.