Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Kbh Martins Forlag 1967
Description
Classic Literature. Fiction. Mystery. HTML: The Valley of Fear is the last Sherlock Holmes novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, first published in book form in 1915. Loosely based on the activities of the secret Irish organization that was the Molly Maguires and of undercover Pinkerton agent James McParland, the novel is split into two parts. Firstly Holmes investigates a murder and finds that the body belongs to a different man. In the second part, the story of the man who was originally thought to have been the murder victim is given..
User reviews
LibraryThing member ctpress
“Mr. Mac, the most practical thing that you ever did in your life would be to shut yourself up for three months and read twelve hours a day at the annals of crime.”
Sherlock Holmes to the police inspector.
Compared to the other novels and short stories this was a bit of a dissapointment. Holmes
Of course sacrilege to suggest one should skip a Sherlock Holmes novel - but if you contemplate the unthinkable - then this novel would be it.
Sherlock Holmes to the police inspector.
Compared to the other novels and short stories this was a bit of a dissapointment. Holmes
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and Watson only figure in very few pages - the middle part is a long crime backstory (supposedly based on real events) - but I wanted to get back to Holmes and the cocky inspector who are somewhat clueless.Of course sacrilege to suggest one should skip a Sherlock Holmes novel - but if you contemplate the unthinkable - then this novel would be it.
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LibraryThing member lmichet
Essentially, this one is 'A Study in Scarlet' with Masons instead of Mormons. I would, indeed, go so far as to say that it's much worse than 'A Study in Scarlet'.
My logic: I read Sherlock Holmes books to read about Sherlock Holmes solving cases. This book was written, however, to be an 'adventure
Because this is just a rehash of a plot which Doyle had already executed-- and executed better-- I would say that the only reason anyone should hunt down and read this particular story is for the glory of having read them all. It's not painful to read, nor is it truly disappointing, but it's not interesting.
This story is, however, interesting for the similarities it has to that final propaganda story, 'His Last Bow.' Both the main character in the second half of 'The Valley of Fear' and Holmes in 'His Last Bow' perform eerily similar feats of deception. However, I would classify both of these stories as severely sub-par Conan Doyle.
My logic: I read Sherlock Holmes books to read about Sherlock Holmes solving cases. This book was written, however, to be an 'adventure
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in America.' It's got the kind of off-the-wall sensationalism that would have attracted the British reading audience at that time. The mystery isn't terrible, but most of the book isn't the mystery. Most of the book is either set in the America storyline or is not actually involved in Holmes' solution to the case.Because this is just a rehash of a plot which Doyle had already executed-- and executed better-- I would say that the only reason anyone should hunt down and read this particular story is for the glory of having read them all. It's not painful to read, nor is it truly disappointing, but it's not interesting.
This story is, however, interesting for the similarities it has to that final propaganda story, 'His Last Bow.' Both the main character in the second half of 'The Valley of Fear' and Holmes in 'His Last Bow' perform eerily similar feats of deception. However, I would classify both of these stories as severely sub-par Conan Doyle.
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LibraryThing member ruthich
Another of the great Sherlock Holmes murder mystery novels with an American backdrop based around members of a crooked organisation trying to kill the Pinkerton's detective who broke up their gang.
LibraryThing member WillyMammoth
A.C. Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories have always held a special place in my heart. They're indicative of a great time in literature and one of the archetypal creations of the detective genre; however, The Valley of Fear is a shadow of his earlier tales. The initial investigation into the murder is
It wasn't a horrible read, and it was a blessedly short book, but when you're expecting something like Doyle's original Holmes tales, this one is sure to disappoint. He did it a lot better and with a lot fewer words when he first started writing Holmes. The only reason this story gets 2 1/2 stars from me is because it's by A.C. Doyle. If I wasn't such a book completionist, I probably wouldn't have read it.
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undoubtedly interesting, but what killed it for me was that wholly the second half of the book was a flashback told from a totally different POV (3rd, vs. the original 1st) involving a setting thousands of miles away (the American West). The whole story seemed like an excuse to tell "a tale of moral corruption and secret societies in the Wild West" and package it under the Sherlock Holmes name. It wasn't a horrible read, and it was a blessedly short book, but when you're expecting something like Doyle's original Holmes tales, this one is sure to disappoint. He did it a lot better and with a lot fewer words when he first started writing Holmes. The only reason this story gets 2 1/2 stars from me is because it's by A.C. Doyle. If I wasn't such a book completionist, I probably wouldn't have read it.
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LibraryThing member Caitak
Actually enjoyed the second part (which didn't really feature Sherlock Holmes until the very end) more than the first part.
Loved the twist at the end and the way it all linked back to the original case.
Really liked the fact that Arthur Conan Doyle had created such a huge backstory for his
The descriptions of people and scenery were great.
Loved the twist at the end and the way it all linked back to the original case.
Really liked the fact that Arthur Conan Doyle had created such a huge backstory for his
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characters (because I had already read A Study in Scarlet it didn't really surprise me as much as it did the first time).The descriptions of people and scenery were great.
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LibraryThing member 391
It's a decent story, but it doesn't feel very Sherlockian. It's definitely worse than Hound of the Baskervilles (the best of all the Holmes novels) but probably better than it's closest counterpart A Study in Scarlet. Both have the long stretches of American history making up the second half of the
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book, but The Valley of Fear doesn't drag quite as badly. Still, it's not one of Doyle's best. Show Less
LibraryThing member GTTexas
It's probably been 50 years since I first read this, and it was quite enjoyable to read again. At least half of the book is set in the USA and does not involve Holmes, but does a great job of showcasing Conan Doyle's talent.
LibraryThing member john257hopper
This is the least well known of the four of Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes novellae. It is very similar in structure and indeed in theme to A Study in Scarlet. The murder is solved half way through (with an interesting twist) and then the second half is the back story of the killer, showing why they
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have acted as they have, and again here showing an American past involving a shady cult or secret society, in this case a renegade branch of the Eminent Society of Freemen called the Scowrers who hold the Vermissa Valley mining communities in fear and terror. The similarities are too stark not to be noticed and this lacks the impact of its predecessor, though the choking atmosphere of fear and casual, brutal violence engendered by the Scowrers is vividly described. 4/5 Show Less
LibraryThing member JonathanGorman
Similar to his first book, this is really two novellas compressed into one, with a Holmes story first, then a short novel about one of the characters in the mystery. Perhaps the first bit is a little long for what it is, but I enjoyed the second part quite a bit. (I must admit, I was glad to find
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out the story was going in the direction I was hoping it would. Details about that would spoil too much of the fun of this story.) Show Less
LibraryThing member bunwat
The prose is elegant and witty, the plot has holes you could drive a herd of unionizers through, and the characterization is terrific. Its a classic for a reason. I "read" the audio version with Derek Jacobi as the reader, but have not yet been able to find that edition to use for my review. There
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are a LOT of editions on here, and I got tired of scrolling. However, the Jacobi reading was great fun. Show Less
LibraryThing member Spyderman58
By far the best of the four novels. The journey back into the back history of the story was amazing. This is well worth a read.
LibraryThing member leslie.98
I found this last Sherlock Holmes novel disappointing.
LibraryThing member jimmaclachlan
This is a Sherlock Holmes story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, although the cover & blurbs would make you think it's anything but. Great story, of course. Actually, it's two stories; Sherlock solving a mystery in England, then a flashback written by the mystery man that Holmes was investigating,
The first part is typical of a Sherlock Holmes novel. The second part reminded me more of an Edgar Rice Burroughs or Robert E. Howard western. Both were good, but it was a bit of an odd mix. I don't recall reading the story before, either.
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followed up with an epilogue by Dr. Watson. The first part is typical of a Sherlock Holmes novel. The second part reminded me more of an Edgar Rice Burroughs or Robert E. Howard western. Both were good, but it was a bit of an odd mix. I don't recall reading the story before, either.
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LibraryThing member OscarWilde87
The Valley of Fear is a Sherlock Holmes novel which is divided into two parts. While the first part concentrates on Sherlock Holmes solving a murder case, the second part provides a background story to the case. The novel starts by Holmes decoding a cipher from an informant against his nemesis
The division into two parts is something I very much enjoyed about this novel as it combines the usual crime case that is solved by the famous detective from 221b Baker Street with a great background story. Actually, I have to admit that I liked the second part of the novel even better than the first one. The background story was very intriguing and well written so that I did not want to stop reading. As to the crime case itself, it is probably nothing all too different from other Sherlock Holmes stories. With the structure of the novel, though, The Valley of Fear is a reading experience that manages to keep the good elements of every Holmes story and at the same time to include something that sets it apart from all the other stories.
On the whole, it was a pleasure to read The Valley of Fear. Highly recommendable, not just to Holmes lovers. 4.5 stars.
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Moriarty about a 'Douglas' in 'Birlstone'. Holmes, however, is too late to prevent crime as a dead person has already been found at Birlstone. Of course he assists the police in working the case. A body with a strange branding on the forearm is found lying dead in Birlstone Manor. The head was blown off by a sawed-off American shotgun and the wedding ring is missing. Strangely, both wife and best friend of the supposedly dead Douglas are in rather good spirits which quickly leads to Holmes solving the case. This is when the second part of the novel begins. This part is set in the United States 20 years before the murder and relates the story of a criminal organization called the Scowrers. It helps the reader understand the reason why Douglas was hunted down to be murdered.The division into two parts is something I very much enjoyed about this novel as it combines the usual crime case that is solved by the famous detective from 221b Baker Street with a great background story. Actually, I have to admit that I liked the second part of the novel even better than the first one. The background story was very intriguing and well written so that I did not want to stop reading. As to the crime case itself, it is probably nothing all too different from other Sherlock Holmes stories. With the structure of the novel, though, The Valley of Fear is a reading experience that manages to keep the good elements of every Holmes story and at the same time to include something that sets it apart from all the other stories.
On the whole, it was a pleasure to read The Valley of Fear. Highly recommendable, not just to Holmes lovers. 4.5 stars.
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LibraryThing member AliceAnna
The first half was quite good, but the second half was kind of a prequel and was Holmes-free so it wasn't as good. I just didn't like the format, but overall the book was still good.
LibraryThing member amydross
Definitely the most compelling of the novels, though it's still weird that ACD insists on spending half the book in America, without Holmes or Watson.
LibraryThing member Lukerik
Well, I didn't think much of this. It follows the same split format as does A Study in Scarlet and the second part boasts some sloppy writing. Disappointing
LibraryThing member nx74defiant
The first part is the mystery Sherlock must solve. He points out how for a book code you need the same version of a book.
The 2nd part is the back story of the main character of the 1st part when he was in America.
The 2nd part is the back story of the main character of the 1st part when he was in America.
LibraryThing member PhilSyphe
What prevents this “reasonably good” novel from being something much better is that the main characters are only present for the first half of the story.
I’m not a Holmes and Watson fanatic, but even so, I felt cheated in that I expected the duo to lead the way.
When part two began as a
Based on its own merits, it’s not a bad tale, but it’s not what I expected.
I’m not a Holmes and Watson fanatic, but even so, I felt cheated in that I expected the duo to lead the way.
When part two began as a
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flashback, featuring other characters, I thought any minute now it’ll return to Holmes and Watson. It never did.Based on its own merits, it’s not a bad tale, but it’s not what I expected.
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LibraryThing member LGandT
Was just to -Let's go to America- for my taste, much like A Study In Scarlet . I suppose I just prefer my Holmes in the fog shrouded London streets heavily misted Moors or in a carriage down the lane
LibraryThing member DanielSTJ
This was another standard fare Sherlock Holems book. However, Doyle seems to be gaining gravity and style even more so with his work as it spans on. A good book and not one to be missed for the Sherlock Holmes enhusiast.
3 stars.
3 stars.
LibraryThing member jguidry
This was almost two stories in one. I was familiar with the first part of the story where Sherlock Holmes was involved in solving the mystery. It was the traditional Sherlock Holmes story where he sorts out the mystery and the characters involved. The second half of the story was the history that
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led up to the main events of the story. This part was completely new to me and I loved it. The character evolution in the second half was amazing. I almost enjoyed it more than my beloved Sherlock Holmes. Show Less
LibraryThing member DrFuriosa
Doyle returns to an old formula--a decades-long saga that culminates in a Holmes mystery, akin to A Study in Scarlet or The Sign of Four--with this novel. It's written in two parts--the present and past. It's interesting and complex, though it lacks some of the dramatic tension of The Hound of the
[also, my in-laws' wi-fi went out yesterday, and it was thisclose to revolution at their house, you guys.]
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Baskervilles. 3.5 stars.[also, my in-laws' wi-fi went out yesterday, and it was thisclose to revolution at their house, you guys.]
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LibraryThing member TobinElliott
Five stars for the first half, a lot less for the dreary second half.
In my eyes, it's novels like this that show that Doyle was really itching to write non-Holmes stories, even when he was writing Holmes stories. The first half is a decent Holmes and Watson mystery, but the second half is a mostly
The story itself isn't horrible, and it even has a fun little twist toward the end, but it's the cringe-worthy dialogue and consistent, quick mood changes from the "see here, you bounder, are you disagreeing with me, because I'll box your ears!" frame of mind to the "ah, you're a funny scoundrel, you are and I like you all the more for it!" with a couple of quick words from the man that originally angered him.
That, coupled with the, hey, we gotta kill this guy...all agree that's no problem, we'll get it done tonight! pacing and easy acceptance of murder with no conscience that just feels contrived.
Taken as a whole, it's one of the weaker Holmes stories, because of the above, and the fact that neither Holmes nor Watson appear in more than half the pages.
In my eyes, it's novels like this that show that Doyle was really itching to write non-Holmes stories, even when he was writing Holmes stories. The first half is a decent Holmes and Watson mystery, but the second half is a mostly
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poorly-written story of a town held by a gang of criminals operating under a secret society banner. The story itself isn't horrible, and it even has a fun little twist toward the end, but it's the cringe-worthy dialogue and consistent, quick mood changes from the "see here, you bounder, are you disagreeing with me, because I'll box your ears!" frame of mind to the "ah, you're a funny scoundrel, you are and I like you all the more for it!" with a couple of quick words from the man that originally angered him.
That, coupled with the, hey, we gotta kill this guy...all agree that's no problem, we'll get it done tonight! pacing and easy acceptance of murder with no conscience that just feels contrived.
Taken as a whole, it's one of the weaker Holmes stories, because of the above, and the fact that neither Holmes nor Watson appear in more than half the pages.
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LibraryThing member cbl_tn
Sherlock Holmes receives a coded warning from within his nemesis Moriarty’s network about a crime that is to take place shortly. Holmes has hardly finished decoding the message when news reaches him that a murder has taken place. Holmes and Watson head for Sussex to investigate the murder. Holmes
I enjoyed the second half of the book as much or more than the first half, which is more characteristically Holmesian. It’s essentially two loosely connected novellas. I think Doyle must have enjoyed breaking out of the mold he had created with his Sherlock Holmes adventures. The first half of the book gave readers what they craved of the familiar detective, and the second half gave Doyle an opportunity he craved of writing of a world beyond Victorian England.
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spots details that others overlook and solves the murder. Its resolution leads to a very different second half of the novel, where a secret society terrorizes a Pennsylvania mining valley.I enjoyed the second half of the book as much or more than the first half, which is more characteristically Holmesian. It’s essentially two loosely connected novellas. I think Doyle must have enjoyed breaking out of the mold he had created with his Sherlock Holmes adventures. The first half of the book gave readers what they craved of the familiar detective, and the second half gave Doyle an opportunity he craved of writing of a world beyond Victorian England.
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Subjects
Awards
Haycraft Queen Cornerstones (1915)
Language
Original language
Danish
Original publication date
1914-09 to 1915-05: Serialised in The Strand Magazine (UK)
1915-02: Book
Physical description
175 p.; 18.5 cm
Local notes
Omslag: Ikke angivet
Omslaget viser tre mænd, der fra den ene bred af en voldgrav lurer på en mand, der fisker noget op af voldgraven
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Oversat fra engelsk "The Valley of Fear" af P. Engelstoft
Gutenberg, bind 3289
Omslaget viser tre mænd, der fra den ene bred af en voldgrav lurer på en mand, der fisker noget op af voldgraven
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Oversat fra engelsk "The Valley of Fear" af P. Engelstoft
Gutenberg, bind 3289
Similar in this library
Pages
175
DDC/MDS
| 823.8 |