A Study in Scarlet
This is the first Sherlock Holmes story where the iconic team, Holmes and Watson, are introduced to each other and to the reader and they tackle two murders that were spawned by events in the Mormon community in the US and begins with the finding of a dead body that has the word "RACHE" scrawled in blood on the wall next to it. The Holmes stories have been favorites of mine since childhood and they are still as good as they were when I first read them. This time around, I went for the audio version narrated by Stephen Fry, one of the best readers ever, so it was a special treat to revisit these old friends. The story is told in three parts, the first from Doctor Watson's notebooks, the second tells the back-story in the US, and then we come back to Watson for the resolution of the mystery. As it is the first story, it isn't quite as clever as the following ones, but it makes for a wonderful read nevertheless and Watson's continuing amazement at Holmes' clever mind is always entertaining.

The Sign of Four
The second novel featuring Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson, this one about a stolen treasure and also lets Doctor Watson meets his future wife, Mary. The storyline of this installment is quite complex with several layers of thieves, both in India and in London - this treasure has been stolen more than once - and also includes a vivid description of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. It's another genius story, of course, and it is nice that Watson gets to participate a lot (there is more physical action than in the first story) rather than just be amazed at Holmes' cleverness.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Collection of short stories that contains "A Scandal in Bohemia," "The Red-Headed League," "A Case of Identity," "The Boscombe Valley Mystery," "The Five Orange Pips," "The Man with the Twisted Lip," "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle," "The Adventure of the Speckled Band," "The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb," "The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor," "The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet," and "The Adventure of the Copper Beeches." These are just classic stories that I developed a love for as a child and still carry a torch for. Sherlock is his regular big-ego brainiac and Dr. Watson his adoring pupil. So much fun.

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
Collection of short stories that contains "The Adventure of Silver Blaze," "The Adventure of the Cardboard Box," "The Adventure of the Yellow Face," "The Adventure of the Stockbroker's Clerk," "The Adventure of the Gloria Scott," "The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual," "The Adventure of the Reigate Squire," "The Adventure of the Crooked Man," "The Adventure of the Resident Patient," "The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter," "The Adventure of the Naval Treaty," and "The Final Problem." Another great collection of classic stories where Holmes gets to show off and Watson gets to be his admiring self. The last story is where Holmes "dies."

The Hound of the Baskervilles
The Baskerville family seems to be cursed by a hound of hell that apparently caused Baskerville the elder's death and is now out after Baskerville the younger, unless Holmes and Watson can solve the mystery and save the family. This is just the most classic of Sherlock Holmes-stories and it holds up for me, no matter how many times I read/hear/watch it and although I know exactly what is going to happen. The descriptions of the moor are just beautiful as well.

The Return of Sherlock Holmes
Collection containing the following stories: "The Adventure of the Empty House," "The Adventure of the Norwood Builder," "The Adventure of the Dancing Men," "The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist," "The Adventure of the Priory School," "The Adventure of Black Peter," "The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton," "The Adventure of the Six Napoleons," "The Adventure of the Three Students," "The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez," "The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter," "The Adventure of the Abbey Grange," "The Adventure of the Second Stain." Another great collection of entertainment where Holmes gets to show off and Watson gets to admire.

The Valley of Fear
Loosely based on James McParland and his doings with the Molly Maguires. This one isn't really up to par, I felt, with the previous novels. It also features a similar flash-back as is A Study in Scarlet and the functions seems slightly tired or easy here. It's a good story, because of Holmes and Watson being their normal selves, but it's not a great story in itself.

His Last Bow
Collection containing the following stories: "The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge," "The Adventure of the Red Circle," "The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans," "The Adventure of the Dying Detective," "The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax," "The Adventure of the Devil's Foot," and "His Last Bow. An Epilogue of Sherlock Holmes." Sherlock is still fascinated by how dense Watson can be and Watson is still in awe of the Sherlock's superior mind. Great classic stories and funny classic characters - they never get old.

The Audible edition read by Stephen Fry also contains introductions to each book, written by Stephen Fry, which cast some light on how Holmes came about and add some mystery as to how a firm believer in the supernatural could write such uber-logical stories. All in all, a fantastic collection, read by a master of narration. Highly recommended. ( )