Mysteries and crime novels have been popular since ancient times, as nothing intrigues the human mind as much as the unknown. Humanity’s all too familiar with mysteries, as since the dawn of man it has been a long and arduous process to uncover the world around them along with its various mysteries. Books offer writers a creative way to craft fascinating stories full of intrigue and interesting scenarios drawing the reader in right away. Most crime and detective novels employ this technique to tell interesting stories and convey meaningful ideas or thoughts. Or to simply keep the reader guessing until the end, concluding the tale in one brilliant stroke of twist which nobody saw coming.
Perhaps no other series of crime or detective novels make use of the technique this brilliantly other than the all too familiar name, Sherlock Holmes. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s serialized detective Sherlock Holmes is one of the most recognizable fictional characters in the world and is often credited with popularizing the detective genre. Not only do his intricately crafted stories draw you into 19th century London right away, but Sherlock Holmes himself proves to be an eccentric genius detective with unusual personality traits. This makes for a complex protagonist that wasn’t all too common at the time of the character’s inception, hence helping to establish detective fiction as an artful device for storytelling.
Sir Doyle also gives him a companion in the name of the trusty but witty fellow, Dr. John Watson. The interactions between Sherlock and Dr. Watson often provide comedic relief in the face of the grim and dark scenarios both parties usually face. Their interaction also provides the reader with the necessary context or background information about the cases. As Sherlock’s only companion and friend, Dr. Watson’s presence in the stories is a great addition by Sir Doyle and their chemistry is immensely enjoyable. Sherlock’s adventures are told across 56 short stories and 4 novels, each of them completely unique and incredibly imaginative. Some of the stories are tragic in nature while others are more light-hearted, thus incorporating the series with some variety as not to grow stale.
