Introduce the main characters in the book by giving a short description of what they are like and any conflict they have to overcome.

Arguably the most famous fictional character in history, Sherlock Holmes is synonymous with “great detective.” His place as the most brilliant detective in all of literature is challenged only possibly by Agatha Christie’s Poirot. Sherlock Holmes is described as tall, thin, and reserved, with an aquiline nose and penetrating eyes. He is incredibly brilliant, moderately vain, and often impatient with those who are unable to keep up with his rapid deductions. This particular novel, ironically enough, probably contains less of Holmes than any of the others, with the great sleuth being contained largely to Part I. In The Valley of Fear, we do not see as much of the “bloodhound” Holmes; rather, he seems to penetrate the mystery rather quickly, and the true heart of the story instead lies in the second part. Still, he remains intellectually superior without a doubt, even when surrounded by other successful detectives.

Perhaps just as famous as his brilliant partner, Dr. John Watson is the loyal sidekick of Sherlock Holmes, appearing in almost every Sherlock Holmes story ever written by Conan Doyle. Through almost the entire canon, we see everything through Watson’s eyes: the story is presented as if written firsthand by the good doctor himself. Such is the case in much of The Valley of Fear, though Conan Doyle departs from this perspective for much of Part II. Watson, fairly intelligent in his own right, seems to remain in a constant state of stupor over Holmes’ brilliance, and often voices the reader’s own confusions concerning the detective’s rapid deductions. Watson’s presence is fairly insignificant in this particular novel, appearing in only a few scenes in which Holmes was not present as well. Watson is often described as stout and somewhat withdrawn, as well as being very easy-going in nature.

Douglas once bore the name “Jack McMurdo," and that he was part of a notorious gang in the United States, which was not unlike the Mafia. At the end of Part II, however, we learn that “McMurdo” is really a Pinkerton detective named “Birdy Edwards." Throughout all three of his “identities," Douglas is described as fearless, intelligent, and good-humored. Douglas is an example of Conan Doyle’s skill as a writer, in that the reader is able to accept with little difficulty the composition of the “three-in-one” character.