The Most Popular Sherlock Holmes Story, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the story you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 9, 2024 06:50
Fans of Sherlock Holmes often engage in lively debates about which of his adventures captures the essence of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's ingenious storytelling most vividly. With a multitude of plots twisting through fog-laden Victorian London streets, enthusiasts may find it overwhelming to pinpoint the crowning jewel among his celebrated tales.
By participating in a community-driven vote to determine the most beloved Sherlock Holmes story, every fan has a voice in shaping a collective favorite. This ranking not only serves as a guide for newcomers curious about Holmes's world but also provides seasoned readers with insights into the perspectives and preferences of their fellow admirers.
What Is the Most Popular Sherlock Holmes Story?
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135votes
Sidney Paget · Public domainThe Hound of the Baskervilles
Sir Arthur Conan DoyleThis novel is often considered the most popular Sherlock Holmes story due to its atmospheric setting, intriguing plot, and memorable villain. It has been adapted numerous times for film, television, and radio.The Hound of the Baskervilles is a detective novel written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and is one of the most popular Sherlock Holmes books. It was first published in 1902 and is set in Dartmoor, England. The story follows Sherlock Holmes and his loyal companion Dr. John Watson as they investigate the mysterious deaths surrounding the cursed Baskerville family. The novel is known for its Gothic atmosphere, gripping plot, and iconic characters.- Publication Year: 1902
- Genre: Detective fiction
- Setting: Dartmoor, England
- Main Characters: Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson
- Themes: Mystery, superstition, family curse
The Hound of the Baskervilles in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Sherlock Holmes book
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223votes
Sidney Paget (1860 - 1908) · Public domainThe Adventure of the Speckled Band
Sir Arthur Conan DoyleThis short story is a fan favorite and features one of Holmes' most memorable cases involving a deadly snake and a mysterious whistle.The Adventure of the Speckled Band is a famous Sherlock Holmes story involving a mysterious death and a deadly snake. It is a short detective fiction written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and was first published in 1892. The story revolves around the murder of Julia Stoner, who dies under suspicious circumstances in her locked bedroom. Her twin sister Helen seeks Holmes' help to unravel the mystery and prevent her own impending doom. The story is set in Stoke Moran, an old manor house with a dark history. Holmes and Watson face various challenges to uncover the truth, including a vent that connects the sisters' bedrooms, a strange whistle heard during the night, and the presence of a menacing swamp adder. The Adventure of the Speckled Band is known for its intriguing plot, atmospheric setting, and Holmes' exceptional deductions.- Publication Year: 1892
- Genre: Detective Fiction
- Setting: Stoke Moran Manor
- Protagonist: Sherlock Holmes
- Supporting Character: Dr. John Watson
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319votes
Sidney Paget (1860 - 1908) · Public domainA Scandal in Bohemia
Sir Arthur Conan DoyleThis short story is notable for introducing the character of Irene Adler, who is often considered Holmes' only romantic interest.A Scandal in Bohemia is a short story featuring Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It was first published in 1891 and is considered one of the most popular tales in the Sherlock Holmes series.- Publication Year: 1891
- Genre: Mystery
- Setting: London, England
- Main Characters: Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson, Irene Adler
- Case Summary: Sherlock Holmes is approached by the King of Bohemia, who seeks Holmes' assistance in recovering an incriminating photograph from the clutches of Irene Adler, an opera singer and former lover of the King. Holmes takes on the case and uses his deductive reasoning and disguises to outwit Adler and retrieve the photograph.
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426votes
Sidney Paget (1860 - 1908) · Public domainThe Adventure of the Red-Headed League
Sir Arthur Conan DoyleThis short story is a classic example of Holmes' deductive reasoning and features a bizarre plot involving a fake organization and a stolen ring.The Adventure of the Red-Headed League is a classic detective story featuring Sherlock Holmes, written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The story revolves around a mysterious organization called the Red-Headed League, which pays significant sums of money to red-headed male applicants for seemingly trivial work. Here are ten important specifications about the story:- Publication Date: 1891
- Setting: London, England
- Genre: Detective Fiction
- Main Characters: Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson
- Narrator: Dr. John Watson
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520votes
Sidney Paget · Public domainThe Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle
Sir Arthur Conan DoyleThis short story is a holiday-themed mystery involving a stolen jewel and a Christmas goose.The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle is a short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featuring the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. It was first published in Strand Magazine in January 1892. The story begins with a stolen blue carbuncle (a precious gemstone) being found in the throat of a Christmas goose. Holmes is determined to solve the mystery and returns the gem to its rightful owner. The story cleverly incorporates themes of theft, forgiveness, and redemption.- Publication Date: January 1892
- Genre: Detective fiction
- Setting: London, England
- Main Characters: Sherlock Holmes and John Watson
- Length: Short story
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615votes
Sidney Paget (1860 - 1908) · Public domainThe Adventure of the Dancing Men
Sir Arthur Conan DoyleThis short story features a unique code and a tragic love story. It is also notable for its use of American slang.The Adventure of the Dancing Men is a Sherlock Holmes short story written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It was first published in 1903 and is considered one of the most popular stories in the Holmes series. The story follows Holmes as he attempts to decipher a mysterious code formed by a series of dancing stick figures, which leads him to uncover a dark secret involving blackmail and murder.- Publication Date: 1903
- Genre: Detective fiction
- Setting: England, late 19th century
- Main Characters: Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson
- Story Length: Short story
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76votes
Sidney Paget · Public domainThe Adventure of the Empty House
Sir Arthur Conan DoyleThis short story marks the return of Holmes after his supposed death at the hands of Moriarty. It is a thrilling tale of revenge and redemption.The Adventure of the Empty House is a Sherlock Holmes short story written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It is the first story in the collection titled 'The Return of Sherlock Holmes'.- Genre: Mystery
- Publication Year: 1903
- Setting: London, England
- Main Characters: Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson
- Crime: Murder
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811votes
Sidney Paget · Public domainThe Adventure of the Final Problem
Sir Arthur Conan DoyleThis short story is significant for its dramatic ending, in which Holmes and Moriarty seemingly plunge to their deaths off a waterfall. It was originally intended to be the final Holmes story.The Adventure of the Final Problem is a short story written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and was first published in 1893. In this story, Sherlock Holmes faces his most formidable adversary, Professor James Moriarty. The story is narrated by Holmes' loyal friend Dr. John Watson and depicts Holmes' attempt to outwit Moriarty and his criminal network. The climax of the story takes place at the Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland, where Holmes and Moriarty engage in a deadly struggle.- Publication Year: 1893
- Protagonist: Sherlock Holmes
- Antagonist: Professor James Moriarty
- Narrator: Dr. John Watson
- Setting: Reichenbach Falls, Switzerland
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95votes
The Sign of Four
Sir Arthur Conan DoyleThis novel features an intricate plot involving treasure, murder, and a secret pact. It also introduces the character of Mary Morstan, who becomes Watson's love interest.The Sign of Four is a detective novel written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and featuring his famous detective character Sherlock Holmes. It was first published in 1890 and is considered one of the most popular books in the Sherlock Holmes series.- Publication Year: 1890
- Genre: Detective fiction
- Setting: London, England
- Protagonist: Sherlock Holmes
- Supporting Characters: Dr. John Watson, Mary Morstan, Jonathan Small
The Sign of Four in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular Sherlock Holmes book
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104votes
Sidney Paget (1860 - 1908) · Public domainThe Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb
Sir Arthur Conan DoyleThis short story is a lesser-known but still entertaining tale of a mysterious factory and a missing thumb. It also features a unique disguise worn by Holmes.The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb is a short story featuring the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. It was written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and first published in 1892. The story follows a young hydraulic engineer named Victor Hatherley who seeks Holmes' assistance after a strange and harrowing encounter at work.- Publication Year: 1892
- Genre: Detective fiction
- Setting: London, 19th century
- Protagonist: Sherlock Holmes
- Supporting Character: Dr. John Watson
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular story
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Literary meritThis includes the quality of the writing, the plot, and the character development in the story.
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Impact on popular cultureSome stories have had a greater impact on popular culture than others, perhaps being adapted into movies or TV shows more frequently.
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Critical receptionThis involves a review of the story's reception by critics, literary scholars, and Holmes enthusiasts.
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Historical significanceSome of the stories may have contributed significantly to the development of the mystery or detective genre.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Sherlock Holmes story. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or story is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1709 views
- 161 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each story once every 24 hours. The rank of each story is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular sherlock holmes story
Sherlock Holmes, the detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, has become a cultural icon since his first appearance in 1887 in "A Study in Scarlet". Over the years, Holmes has appeared in numerous short stories and novels, all of which have captured the attention of readers around the world. From "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" to "The Hound of the Baskervilles", each story presents a unique and thrilling mystery for Holmes to solve. But which one is the most popular? This question has been the subject of much debate among fans of the series. In this article, we will delve into the data to determine which Sherlock Holmes story reigns supreme among readers.
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