The Adventure Of The Speckled Band by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, reviewed by Bharath Sai Guhan

The Adventure Of The Speckled Band by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Reviewed by
Name: Bharath Sai Guhan (11 years)
School: Fr.Agnel School, New Delhi

REVIEW OF THE STORY

The reader who is about to experience for the first time, through this story the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, occupies an enviable position.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Speckled band’ is a chilling murder mystery that captures the extraordinary deduction of the most loved fictional character ever created in history.

In this story Sherlock comes to free Helen stoner of her grief and solve the mysterious demise of Julia stoner, her twin. The real mystery is not who killed Julia Stoner (and threatens Helen), but how the murder took place, and in this respect "Speckled Band" is one of Doyle's most elaborately constructed and most fascinating stories.

This mystery presents enough bone rattling ingredients. The most important being the sinister Doctor Grimesby Roylott with his terrorizing ways. His character has been interestingly portrayed as an eccentric doctor from India with a fiery temper, unusual pets, and a cunning mind. Roylott's baboon and cheetah prowling freely in the dark, a band of gypsies camping on the property, and mysterious clangings increase the suspense.

The interesting plot of the curious Stoke Moran with rooms connected through ventilators, dummy bell-ropes, the smell of cigar smoke, a whistle, and a metallic clang add to the aura of mystery around the murder. The end will both surprise you and satisfy you as you discover the missing pieces to the puzzle.

Sir Arthur’s characterization of Sherlock Holmes is most amusing and awe-inspiring. The deductive ability of Sherlock never fails to amaze the reader.
Dr.watson’s presence in the story is crucial for he is both the storyteller and serves as a medium between Holmes and the reader. Watson is my favorite character, as Holmes is more than just a character to me! Watson is more approachable than the eccentric and awesome Holmes. When a pistol was necessary it was Watson who carried it. Without Watson the story would be disappointing and would lack humanity.

As always, the events are set into sharp relief by Holmes's rational deductions. Doyle's well known ability to build suspense by building on the fears of his characters (and in his readers), his use of vivid dialogue, his imaginative descriptions, and the quick pace of the action make this story a compelling read.
I loved this book, and highly recommend it! It is a must read!