After the wife of a rich American expatriate is found murdered all the evidence seems to point to the household's attractive governess. When Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are contacted by the governess's friend, it is the beginning of a typically complex and challenging investigation. Holmes and Watson are often involved in cases which involve the bizarre and the unexpected, and this collection of twelve stories is no exception: they include a rare tropical disease; an outbreak of suspected vampirism in rural Sussex; and the grotesque effects of an exotic medicine. Despite the often harrowing nature of their experiences Holmes and Watson always manage to retain their benevolent good humour. For example, when Holmes manages to dissuade an unhappy and repentant woman from suicide, we feel that this is an achievement that he values as much as any solution of a complex crime. However, the genuinely evil are ruthlessly pursued, and the readers of Watson's narratives will enjoy as ever the thrill of the chase.
The Baker Street Classics Sherlock Holmes collection is a retro-inspired full set of Conan Doyle's wonderful tales of the inimitable "consulting detective" at work. Featuring original illustrations from editions of the 1920s, this collection will adorn any booklover's shelf and transport the reader back in time to Holmes's bustling Victorian London; the misty moors of Dartmoor; the dizzying heights of Reichenbach; and the cozy living room of 221b Baker Street.