The Complete Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes: Every Sherlock Holmes Novel and Story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; Performed by a Full Cast [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio CD]

I first became a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Holmes stories when I was only about 11 or 12 years of age and that was a very long time ago indeed. Since then I have seen and heard literally hundreds of adaptations of these classic tales over the years and when it comes to audio dramatizations this set from the BBC is by far the best I've ever listened to.

Back in 1989 the BBC undertook the enormous task of adapting all of the original Holmes stories and novels into radio plays. Enlisting the talents of actors Clive Merrison as Holmes and Michael Williams as Watson as well as the very talented writer and producer of radio dramas Mr. Bert Coules everything seemed to fall into perfect place for this series. The writing, acting, music and sound effects are all top notch and the listener is immediately transported to Victorian England. Whether it be foggy London, the mean streets of the Limehouse district to the moors of Devonshire this series takes you there.

All too often actors playing Holmes take the lazy route and simply think that by adopting the commonly conceived caricature of Holmes as nothing more than a pipe smoking detective rattling off a few brilliant deductions with a smug air is all there is to a Holmes portrayal. Fortunately Merrison (who also looks a lot like Sidney Paget's original illustrations of Holmes) is not that kind of actor. Its obvious he takes the role seriously and he brilliantly conveys all the many facets of Holmes' character. Merrison's Holmes is not just a caricature he's arrogant, petulant, eccentric, melodramatic, ruthless, compassionate and a loyal to friend to Watson. He's everything Doyle tells us Holmes is and more. But most important of all Merrison succeeds in making Holmes a living, breathing human being. He captures all the weaknesses and strengths of Holmes' character. Something many Holmes actors fail to do. Michael Williams as Watson is another major success with this series. Williams (who sadly died of cancer shortly upon completion of the series and who was also husband to Dame Judi Dench) makes for one of the best of all Watson's. His is no bumbling idiot in the tradition of Nigel Bruce but instead is the intelligent and stalwart doctor that Doyle describes to us. Williams makes his Watson as both the perfect foil to Holmes' often acerbic personality and the buffer between us and the often inhuman, coldly efficient Holmes.

As I mentioned earlier the technical aspects for this series are some of the finest I've ever heard for a Holmes audio production and this goes a long ways towards drawing the listener in and making them believe it really is 1895. Also the series had a fine roster of guest actors as well. Here are just a few: Ralph Bates, Brian Blessed, Tom Baker, Denis Quilley, Desmond Llewellyn, Judi Dench and many others.

This set contains 64 CD's and comprise all of the original Conan Doyle Holmes canon. Each of the short stories runs about 40-45 minutes and the novel adaptations are about 80-85 minutes in length. All in all you get 48+ hours of some of the finest mystery stories in the English language superbly realized in audio drama format.

In short I cannot recommend this set of CD's enough to Holmes fans. I know the cost is a bit steep but it is indeed worth every penny for anyone even remotely interested in Conan Doyle's immortal detective. Over the years I have listened to my audio tape set until they have nearly crumbled into dust so I am quite glad to have this set available at last on CD here in the U.S.

One minor note of complaint I have is with how there is no consistency with the way some of the tracks are tagged. This will mean nothing to those of you who will listen to these discs on your CD player but for those of you who plan to put them on your iPod will have to do a bit of re-labeling of the titles, etc. I wish that CD publishers could be a bit more consistent with their labeling. Anyway, as I said, this is a minor quibble and will in no way keep you from enjoying this truly outstanding audio drama series.

I have been a Sherlock Holmes reader and listener for as long as I can remember. I have read many of Doyle's original stories (many years ago), listened to all of the available Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce audio's and seen all of their movies, alot of the Hobbs & Shelley audio versions, most of the Stanley / Shirley versions, and many of the Jeremy Brett movies. This collection by the BBC is far and away the best and most entertaining Holmes programs you will ever find, either on audio or on the screen. These two actors are the best Holmes and Watson you will ever hear or see (so far anyhow). I have a nostalgic affection for the Rathbone/Bruce programs and still listen to them when I travel, but they do not compare with these programs. In my opinion, even the excellent Jeremy Brett / Edward Hardwicke television programs don't have the edge and the flair of these BBC audio dramas.

The quality of the sound and sound effects, the quality and attention to every detail and every minor part or charactor, the drama, the humor, and the brilliant acting make these a gem for Sherlock Holmes listeners. You feel like you are in the hansom cab with Holmes and Watson. Just listening to Holmes and Watson banter back and forth in their British accent is entertaining by itself.

I still enjoy the old Rathbone and Bruce radio dramas, but the modern technology utilized in this production shines through and takes you to a different level than the old radio dramas could ever reach. The actors portraying Holmes and Watson are top notch and take the characters to a far higher level than I have ever seen or heard before. Whatever Rathbone and Bruce had that allowed them to work so well together, these 2 (Merrison and Williams) had it as well. Oustanding performances.

There are 16 "Parts" in this collection. Each "Part" contains a 4 CD set, for a total of 64 CD's. Part 8 contains the Hound of the Baskervilles and the Valley of Fear. This one Part alone is worth half the price of the set.

Whether you a Holmes fan or not, these programs are so well done and so entertaining that if you enjoy audio books or radio drama at all, you will be very pleased with these programs. If you travel alot, these are a great companion.

A great work and in my view, $157 very well spent. I would highly recommended them at twice the price.

I have listened to many of the Sherlock Holmes recordings in the marketplace. The BBC Radio Complete Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes Cd set outshines them all.

The production values are outstanding, and Clive Merrison is a great Holmes.

Don't let the price scare you - it works out to just over $2.50 per CD