A Study in Scarlet


Read by Laurie Anne Walden

(4.6 stars; 1230 reviews)

A Study in Scarlet, a short novel published in 1887, was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's first Sherlock Holmes story. At the beginning of the book, Dr. Watson meets the detective for the first time and we ride along with them to the scene of a murder. The crime baffles the Scotland Yard detectives, but of course Holmes solves it easily. In the second half of the story, the scene shifts to Utah as we learn the murderer's history. The action returns to London in the last two chapters. In his first adventure, Holmes demonstrates many of the traits for which he later became well known: meticulous study of a crime scene, brilliant deductive reasoning, aptitude for chemistry and music, and the somewhat annoying habit of withholding crucial facts from Watson (and consequently the reader) until the conclusion of the case. (Summary by Laurie Anne Walden) (4 hr 13 min)

Chapters

1-1 Mr. Sherlock Holmes 16:25 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
1-2 The Science of Deduction 20:16 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
1-3 The Lauriston Garden Mystery 22:39 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
1-4 What John Rance Had to Tell 14:27 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
1-5 Our Advertisement Brings a Visitor 14:25 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
1-6 Tobias Gregson Shows What He Can Do 19:47 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
1-7 Light in the Darkness 19:11 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
2-1 On the Great Alkali Plain 22:05 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
2-2 The Flower of Utah 15:26 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
2-3 John Ferrier Talks with the Prophet 11:14 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
2-4 A Flight for Life 19:33 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
2-5 The Avenging Angels 20:44 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
2-6 A Continuation of the Reminiscences of John Watson, M.D. 24:51 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
2-7 The Conclusion 12:49 Read by Laurie Anne Walden

Reviews


(5 stars)

I really enjoyed the book as well as the narrator's style. Although I would prefer real voice changes for each character, it doesn't change the fact that it is really well read, taking into consideration that spanish is my first language but been learning english since I was very little. Totally recommend it!

Excellent book, pretty good narration


(3.5 stars)

At first I didn't like that the narrator had an American accent rather than a British one, but I soon realized that she used the educated and uneducated American voices in places where educated vs. uneducated British voices would have been used, so at least it brought those characters to life. But her skill ends there. She seemed to have only 2 "voices" in her repertoire, contrast to Ruth Golding, who narrated The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, with a variety of voices so as to better distinguish which character was speaking. The novel itself loses nothing by being written 150 years ago, having just as much suspense, revenge, plot, characterization, and description as any of the great crime novels written today.

Interesting story


(3 stars)

The first half was was interesting but not as good as his latter work. The second half about the Mormons was mostly fictional/ not historically correct. I'm thinking that some research for the story was taken from the Mormon church but most was from anti Mormon wild stories, propaganda, predigest fear mongering, so do not take as fact.

cool book


(4.5 stars)

This a great Sherlock Holmes. The reader is really good, but the second part of the book is very boring. I really don’t know how Conan Doyle could write that. However, it can understood if you read the Wikipedia article. Overall, it is very nice.

Great Story!


(5 stars)

As the story went on, was temporarily lost. Had to go back & check, making sure i was still in Scarlet. Incredibly enticing tale. Arthur's writing abilities captures such my imagination, at times could "see" the characters & action clearly in the minds eye.

excellent narration


(5 stars)

I was curious how a Holmes novel would do as an audio book. Ms. Walden's reading was excellent. Her reading neither brought attention to herself nor detracted from the story. By far the best LibriVox recording I have heard. Well done all!

Worthwhile


(5 stars)

I too was confused at the beginning of part 2. However, after a few chapters it all comes together with the realization of the name. Very well written, and read. I am very glad to have listened to this book.


(5 stars)

A very fine rendition of this classic, read with enthusiasm, style and perfect pronunciation of all character names and places - which is very unusual for an American reading a British tale! Five stars