As a dense yellow fog swirls through the streets of London, a deep melancholy has descended on Sherlock Holmes, who sits in a cocaine-induced haze at 221B Baker Street. His mood is only lifted by a visit from a beautiful but distressed young woman - Mary Morstan, whose father vanished ten years before. Four years later she began to receive an exquisite gift every year: a large, lustrous pearl. Now she has had an intriguing invitation to meet her unknown benefactor and urges Holmes and Watson to accompany her. And in the ensuing investigation - which involves a wronged woman, a stolen hoard of Indian treasure, a wooden-legged ruffian, a helpful dog and a love affair - even the jaded Holmes is moved to exclaim, 'Isn't it gorgeous!'
The Sign of the Four
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In this erudite and provocative edition, Shafquat Towheed offers fans of both Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle an intricate account of the intertextual histories at the heart of The Sign of Four. Arguing for the inextricability of its colonial plots with its work as detective fiction, Towheed builds a persuasive case for The Sign of Four as Mutiny fiction, positioning it as pivotal to the imperial career of 'British' fiction per se. Readers of this edition will be gripped by the colonial pathways Towheed reveals, the politics of citation he uncovers, and the entanglement of home and empire he tracks in the making of the novel. This is postcolonial interpretation at its very best. --Antoinette Burton
Perhaps the greatest of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries is this: that when we talk of him we invariably fall into the fancy of his existence. --T. S. Eliot --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Perhaps the greatest of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries is this: that when we talk of him we invariably fall into the fancy of his existence. --T. S. Eliot --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Book Description
A tie-in edition of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic Sherlock Holmes novel, with a new introduction by Martin Freeman
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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Sherlock Holmes took his bottle from the corner of the mantelpiece, and his hypodermic syringe1 from its neat morocco case. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Sherlock Holmes took his bottle from the corner of the mantelpiece, and his hypodermic syringe1 from its neat morocco case. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In this, the second Sherlock Holmes story written by Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes is called upon by a young lady who needs the great detective's help with a mystery. However, when this mystery leads to murder, Holmes must seek to uncover secrets that have lain hidden for many years, and have their roots in treacheries upon treacheries in far-off India. There's a one-legged man who is at the center of this mystery, and he has a murderous friend who may just be the end of Sherlock Holmes!
As I said, this is the second ever Sherlock Holmes story, written in 1890. As with the very best of the Holmes story, this one is absolutely gripping, carrying a fascinating story with mysteries wrapped up in mysteries that only Mr. Holmes can possibly conquer. As an added bonus, in this story, we get to learn about Dr. Watson's meeting of his true love, and his eventual marriage - which should end some rumors that people spread.
Yep, this is a great story, one that is sure to please any fan of mysteries, and is certain to delight any Sherlock Holmes fan!
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"The Sign of Four" is the second of Conan Doyle's four longer Sherlock Holmes stories - I wouldn't call it a novel, because it's shorter even than the other three.
The level of detection and the intrigue surrounding the mystery is as clever as ever, and possibly more complex than in its predecessor, "A Study in Scarlet". The structure of the book could be seen as a little clumsy, with the story of Small tacked onto the end as an extra thirty pages - but using the first-person viewpoint like he does, there was no other way for Conan Doyle to integrate it into the story.
This story is also worth reading for its long-term developments in the Holmes stories. We learn of Holmes' cocaine addiction and his reasoning behind it. This is also where Watson meets his wife, which - along with the treasure seeking - makes it the more romantic of the longer stories. The relationship is hardly developed realistically, but Conan Doyle always seems to sacrifice character development in favour of brilliant plots.
If you simply enjoy the mystery and try not to think about such things, the book is very good indeed. It's a very easy read; Conan Doyle's style flowing brilliantly and so offering a perfect form of escapism.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Vine™ Review
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Derek Jacobi has one of those voices that you just want to listen to. I have enjoyed several audiobooks which he has narrated and can now add The Sign Of Four to my collection. This is one of four full length Sherlock Holmes novel that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote - the other three being A Study In Scarlet, The Hound Of The Baskervilles and The Valley Of Fear. The Sign Of Four has been adapted several times for film, radio and television. The story sees Holmes and Watson investigating the case of Mary Marston who has received a large pearl each year for the last 6 years. She has now received a letter telling her she is a wronged woman. If she wants to seek justice and meet her mysterious benifactor and bring two companions. She turns to Holmes and Watson. Obviously there is alot more to the plot but I won't spoil it for you.
This 4 cd set runs at 4 hours and 30 minutes. The cds are nicely packaged in a plastic amery style case. If you enjoy a good mystery then why not let Derek Jacobi be your guide into the mystery of The Sign Of Four.
This 4 cd set runs at 4 hours and 30 minutes. The cds are nicely packaged in a plastic amery style case. If you enjoy a good mystery then why not let Derek Jacobi be your guide into the mystery of The Sign Of Four.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By i wrote this
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Vine™ Review
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A fairly typical sleuth story with some moments of greatness. What interested me most about the Sign of the Four was which elements of the story have dated and which haven't. The plot itself is very predictable now, it may have been ground breaking at the time. It's a tale of ill gotten treasure from the mysterious east and skulduggery that stretches from country houses to the Thames. You've heard it all before, for better or worse. What really dates it is the portrayal of the Indian characters, prepare to be offended if you are sensitive to this kind of thing - Conan Doyle's descriptions of savages certainly doesn't mark him out as a progressive humanitarian, even for his day.
The characterization of Holmes however is the most interesting part of the story. He's an unapologetic drug user who finds that the only things that stimulate him are mysteries and crack cocaine. It makes for interesting stuff.
Derek Jacobi (the patron saint of audiobooks) does a bang up job as ever.
The characterization of Holmes however is the most interesting part of the story. He's an unapologetic drug user who finds that the only things that stimulate him are mysteries and crack cocaine. It makes for interesting stuff.
Derek Jacobi (the patron saint of audiobooks) does a bang up job as ever.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Susan Belcher
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was at a dinner on 30th August 1889 with (amongst others) Oscar Wilde and JM Stoddart. Conan Doyle called this a "golden evening" in this autobiography.
Never heard of Mr Stoddart? Few people have.
Mr Stoddart was the Managing Editor of the US monthly magazine "Lippincott" and was the man who commissioned Conan Doyle to write "The Sign of the Four". In 1890, Conan Doyle had fulfilled the commission and, "The Sign of the Four" and it was published in the US and the UK. Wilde wrote and submitted "The Picture of Dorian Gray" as his part of the commission.
Interestingly the story has changed its name a number of times: "The Sign of the Four", "The Sign of Four", "Sign of the Four" and "Sign of Four". It is now back to the original "The Sign of the Four".
The story:
Miss Mary Marston has received one large pearl every year for the past 6 years. Mary believed that it was from her missing father, but after receiving a strange note she is no-longer sure. Holmes is intrigued and Watson is enamoured.
It is not one of Conan Doyle's greatest stories (probably because it was completed as a commission), but it is still enjoyable.
Sir Derek Jacobi reads the story with superb aplomb.
It is 4 hour 30 minutes spread over 4 discs, and is superb for those days when you want to shut yourself off from the world and listen to the exploits of the World's First Consulting Detective.
Never heard of Mr Stoddart? Few people have.
Mr Stoddart was the Managing Editor of the US monthly magazine "Lippincott" and was the man who commissioned Conan Doyle to write "The Sign of the Four". In 1890, Conan Doyle had fulfilled the commission and, "The Sign of the Four" and it was published in the US and the UK. Wilde wrote and submitted "The Picture of Dorian Gray" as his part of the commission.
Interestingly the story has changed its name a number of times: "The Sign of the Four", "The Sign of Four", "Sign of the Four" and "Sign of Four". It is now back to the original "The Sign of the Four".
The story:
Miss Mary Marston has received one large pearl every year for the past 6 years. Mary believed that it was from her missing father, but after receiving a strange note she is no-longer sure. Holmes is intrigued and Watson is enamoured.
It is not one of Conan Doyle's greatest stories (probably because it was completed as a commission), but it is still enjoyable.
Sir Derek Jacobi reads the story with superb aplomb.
It is 4 hour 30 minutes spread over 4 discs, and is superb for those days when you want to shut yourself off from the world and listen to the exploits of the World's First Consulting Detective.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
More entertaining than crack cocaine
The more Victorian fiction I read, the more I am surprised by the diversity and entertainment it offers. Read more
Published 4 days ago by V. G. Harwood
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very entertaining
I would strongly recommend this book as a light enjoyable read for any connoisseur of crime fiction or fans of Sherlock Holmes.
Published 23 days ago by Dif
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love this book
excellent , if you've seen any of the new Sherlock Holmes films, it's worth reading. You can really hear the characters' voices through the text.
Published 29 days ago by Amanda Berry
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good
Classic I have the whole collection
Amazing books. Recommended to everyone. And at a reasonable price. My granddaughter will love them
Amazing books. Recommended to everyone. And at a reasonable price. My granddaughter will love them
Published 1 month ago by Michael Felix
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Sign of Four.
I would recommend getting this for your kindle if you are not a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes and/or don't feel like you need a in depth scholarly edition. Read more
Published 1 month ago by N. L. Ellam
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
I came late to Sherlock Holmes - really only won over by Benedict Cumberbatch so was a little wary of an audio that was directly from the original no modern day twist, I need not... Read more
Published 1 month ago by artemisrhi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another good book from ACD
A great story, which I was sad to finish whilst at college without the next in the series on hand.
Published 1 month ago by PhoenixandMuser
5.0 out of 5 stars
Especially good for study
The broadview edition of The Sign of Four has reference and study notes. It's the right edition to chose if you're doing this for a class. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Johnny
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
I would recommend this book to every person who wants to discover the works of ACD with a new cover and introduction.
Published 2 months ago by Rui Cavalheiro
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book in perfect condition and delivered timely
This book was one of the set books for the BA English Literature with the Open University. It did not fail to dissappoint and was a good book to challange and develop my writing... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. D. Gbinigie
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