How to Read the Sherlock Holmes Books in the Right Order
How to Read Sherlock Holmes in the Right Order
Created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes is the most iconic detective in literature. With four novels and 56 short stories, the collection spans decades and offers a timeless look at mystery-solving brilliance.
While the stories were not written in chronological order, most readers prefer to follow Holmes and Watson's journey from the beginning.
This guide helps you read the Sherlock Holmes canon in publication order — the most recommended approach to capture the evolution of their relationship and Doyle's storytelling.
Recommended Reading Order
Featured Books
A Study in Scarlet
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Published: 1887
The first Sherlock Holmes novel, where he meets Dr. Watson and solves a revenge murder case in London.
The Sign of the Four
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Published: 1890
Holmes investigates a stolen treasure, and Watson finds love in this thrilling second novel.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Published: 1892
A collection of 12 classic short stories, including 'A Scandal in Bohemia' and 'The Speckled Band'.
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Published: 1893
Includes Holmes’s apparent death at the Reichenbach Falls in 'The Final Problem'.
The Hound of the Baskervilles
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Published: 1902
One of the most famous Holmes stories, set on the foggy moors with a supernatural legend.
The Return of Sherlock Holmes
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Published: 1905
Holmes returns after faking his death and resumes solving mysteries in London.
His Last Bow
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Published: 1917
Stories set during Holmes’s later years, including espionage during World War I.
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Published: 1927
The final collection, featuring darker and more experimental stories.