The story in one page
Sherlock Holmes investigates cases as varied as the theft of a racehorse at King's Pyland and a cryptic ritual involving an ancient oak tree. Watson discovers that Holmes operates within a family of singular talent, as seen when he consults his sedentary brother, Mycroft. The focus moves from domestic crimes to a sprawling criminal web orchestrated by Professor Moriarty. After a high-stakes flight across the continent to evade Moriarty’s network, Holmes confronts his antagonist in a final struggle above a Swiss abyss. He leaves a notebook for Watson containing instructions to hand over evidence to Inspector Patterson, effectively dismantled the syndicate before his disappearance into the depths.
Who's who
- Sherlock Holmes
A logician who values exact truth and sifts facts from conjecture.
- Dr. Watson
The narrator who assists Holmes and chronicles his investigative methods.
- Mycroft Holmes
Sherlock's senior brother who possesses superior powers of observation.
- Professor Moriarty
The criminal mastermind who coordinates a dangerous underground organization.
- Reginald Musgrave
A college friend who consults Holmes about a vanishing butler.
What it's really about
- Deduction
- Solving problems by sifting framework of fact from surmise.
- Heredity
- The belief that artistic and logical gifts are biological.
Why it's memorable
- Holmes calculating the train's speed by measuring the distance between telegraph posts.
- The image of the silver cigarette case left on a boulder at the waterfall.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
A personal contest between Holmes and Moriarty results in both men plunging into the swirling waters below. Watson later recovers a notebook containing a final letter and instructions to deliver blue-enveloped papers to Inspector Patterson, which ensures the destruction of the gang.
For your book club
- The contrast between Sherlock's active investigation and Mycroft's sedentary brilliance.
- The finality of the confrontation between the foremost champion of law and his criminal counterpart.