Sherlock Holmes is the world’s most famous detective. He is smart and always ahead of others. But where did his story begin? It started with A Study in Scarlet.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote this book. It was first published in 1887 in Beeton’s Christmas Annual. This was the first time we met Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. The book did not become famous at first. But later, it became one of the greatest detective stories ever written.
The First Meeting of Holmes and Watson
The story is set in London in 1881. Dr. John Watson has just returned from war. He was in Afghanistan but got injured. Now, he is back in England, weak and looking for a place to stay.
A friend introduces him to Sherlock Holmes. Holmes is looking for a roommate. They decide to share a flat at 221B Baker Street. Watson soon realizes that Holmes is not an ordinary man. He is a consulting detective. People come to him when the police fail to solve a case.
Holmes is different. He notices small details that others miss. When they first meet, he shocks Watson by saying:
“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Watson is stunned. He has never met Holmes before. How does he know this? Holmes explains. He saw Watson’s sunburn, stiff movement, and military posture. He put the clues together. This is Watson’s first taste of Holmes’s genius.
A Strange Murder
A few days later, a murder case shakes London. Scotland Yard detectives visit Holmes. A man has been found dead in an empty house. There is no wound on his body. The word “RACHE” is written on the wall in red.
The police have no suspects. They struggle to understand the clues. They ask Holmes for help.
Holmes visits the crime scene. He examines every detail. He looks at footprints, dust, and even the room’s smell. He asks questions that seem odd. The police do not understand what he is doing. They think he is wasting time.
Watson watches in silence. He does not know what Holmes is thinking. But he can see something clear—Holmes already knows more than anyone else. He is not just guessing. He is solving the puzzle in his mind.
The Killer’s Past
Holmes finds the murderer. But the story takes an unexpected turn. The second part of the book moves to America. It tells the history of the killer.
This part of the story involves love, betrayal, and revenge. It explains why the murder happened. The killer is not just a criminal. He has a reason for his actions. Some readers love this part. Others find it unusual. But it makes the story deeper. It shows that crimes are not just about clues. They are about people and emotions.
The Genius of Sherlock Holmes
Holmes solves the case in his own way. He sees details that others ignore. He explains his thinking, and everything makes sense. Watson is impressed. The police feel foolish.
This book shows Holmes’s famous methods. He uses logic, science, and deep knowledge. He understands chemistry, anatomy, and human behavior. He can guess a person’s life story just by looking at them. This is why he is the greatest detective of all time.
Why This Book is Special
A Study in Scarlet is more than a murder mystery. It is the start of something big. This book introduces Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. It shows how they meet and start working together. It also indicates Holmes’s sharp mind and unique skills.
The book was not a big success when it first came out. Still, Sherlock Holmes became a legend in time—the most famous fictional detective today. His stories have dated almost every genre in books, movies, and television.
If you like mysteries, this book is just the beginning for you. A first of the Sherlock Holmes adventures, the old-fashioned language only adds to the excitement of the captivating story. You will want to read more once you begin.
If you haven’t read the story A Study in Scarlet, let me assure you: You can very well step into 221B Baker Street and see how Holmes and Watson go about their first case; you will not regret it!
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Writer
Fardeen Bin Abdullah
Intern,
Content Writing Department
YSSE.