Silver Blaze
The crime here is not murder, but the apparent theft of a champion racehorse. The solution to how Holmes solves the mystery involves a dog and the infamous circumstances what it did not do during the night of the horse went missing.
The Adventure of the Cardboard Box
One of the more gruesome crimes that Holmes is called upon to solve in which the titular object contains two severed human ears. The story is really as much an examination of the corrosive effects of sibling rivalry, jealous and a hunger for vengeance as it is a murder mystery.
The Adventure of the Yellow Face
Notable for being one of the few instances in which the deductive reasoning of Holmes ultimately proves wrong. The story is rather unusual examination of racism fueled by a healthy bit of traditional spousal paranoia.
The Adventure of the Stockbroker’s Clerk
A chronological reading the Holmes stories will inevitably remind readers of “The Red-Headed League” when they get to this story that, like the previous classic, revolves around a needlessly complicated plot to remove an inconvenience to an attempted robbery.
The Adventure of the Gloria Scott
Mainly notable for being told through the perspective of Holmes himself rather than Watson and for being a flashback account to the beginning of his career.
The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual
A history lesson seamlessly integrated into a puzzle mystery which the cherry on top being one of the more fascinating antagonists in the entire Holmes canon. The word antagonist is far preferable to villain in describing the “criminal” of the case as that person turns out to be so ingratiating that you can’t help but regret the unfair ending that becomes him.
The Adventure of the Reigate Squire
A visit to the estate of an old friend Dr. Watson reveals more of his character before he met Holmes in this tale of a land dispute and an unwise stab at attempted blackmail.
The Adventure of the Crooked Man
A heartbreaking story of betrayal among friends, everlasting love and sweet revenge that spans decades, involves a mongoose and appropriates to the story of David and Bathshehba.
The Resident Patient
One of the best and most horrifying of the many revenge murders which Holmes finds he has been tasked with solving.
The Greek Interpreter
Arguably the most intricate plots of any Holmes story with narrative that twists and turns upon the sadism of some of the most reprehensibly despicable villains Holmes ever encountered. Also notable for the fact that these psychopathic villains manage to escape facing justice despite the best efforts of Holmes and Watson.
The Naval Treaty
A mystery filled with morals. 1) Never leave the most important paper you’ll ever have to deal with unattended for even a minute. 2) Potential in-laws should not be considered above suspicion simply because you love one member of their family. 3) The last place anybody ever looks for something they have lost really is right under the nose.
The Final Problem
A showdown with Prof. Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls results in the shocking death of Sherlock Holmes. Or does it?
