A Study in Scarlet Audiobook By Arthur Conan Doyle cover art

A Study in Scarlet

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A Study in Scarlet

By: Arthur Conan Doyle
Narrated by: David Timson
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A Study in Scarlet was the very first Sherlock Holmes novel. Here, in the most remarkably precise manner, Doyle produced two of the most well-known characters in English fiction. Their individual traits and their relationships, their ambitions and foibles are introduced against the backdrop of an exciting story of revenge and persistence, which starts in Victorian England but moves to the American West, and the environment of the early Mormon communities.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2002 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd. (P)2002 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd. Traditional Detectives Mystery Classics Exciting

Editorial reviews

Both the first novel to feature Sherlock Holmes and the first detective story to use a magnifying glass as a tool, A Study in Scarlet was a groundbreaking work in 1887. Stage actor and BBC Radio Drama veteran David Timson performs this 2009 rendition of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic story, voicing Holmes with a daring and perspicacity that draws listeners in to the action. A murder mystery featuring writing on the wall (in blood) as well as historical flashbacks to a Utah where Brigham Young is a pioneer, A Study in Scarlet will charm modern listeners with its shrewd sleuthing and timeless intrigue.

Critic reviews

"The whole Sherlock Holmes saga is a triumphant illustration of art's supremacy over life." (Christopher Morley)
Classic Mystery • Riveting Adventure • Excellent Narration • Fascinating Plot • Engaging Performance • Perfect Pacing

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A spectacular narration of at least 5 different accents makes this first adventure of Watson and Holmes together a delight. When one narrator can make two characters' dialogue clear and believeable, without any tags ("said Watson", "Holmes asked", etc.), I am quite impressed. Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended. Can you piece it together "analytically," as Holmes describes?

Watson Meets Holmes for the First Time

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I had read all of the Homes stories a long time ago and recall this as one of my favorites. The narration was great and will be on the lookout for other Timson reads

Awesome

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Excellent story. When the murderer was caught, I thought that there would be a wrap up chapter to reveal how Holmes solved the crime. The second part came as quite a surprise.

Great Mystery

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This is your typical first Sherlock Holmes novel: exactly what one would expect, sans sense of humor. I wish there had been more humor and less earnestness. But it's still a good listen. I wasn't a fan of the narrator's voice (he sounded nasally snooty and supercilious) but it got the job done.

As expected

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Who doesn’t like a Sherlock Homes adventure?
Didn’t like the hokey violin accompaniment ending the chapters.
Boy, Doyle did a job on the Mormons. Absurd.

Absurd but good

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