close
 
  Cart (0)
  Cart (0)
 
Audiobooks > Mystery & Detective >  Traditional British

Download A Study in Scarlet Audiobook

A Study in Scarlet Audiobook, by Arthur Conan Doyle Extended Sample Click for printable size audiobook cover
Author: Arthur Conan Doyle Narrator: Frederick Davidson Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download Audio Length: Series: The Sherlock Holmes Series Release Date: January 2010 ISBN: 9781481541152
4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 4.00 (2,042 ratings) (rate this audio book)
Regular Price: $13.95 Add to Cart
— or —
BEST PRICE!
FlexPass™ Price: $10.95$7.95$7.95 for new members!
Add to Cart ( learn more )
Add to Wish List

Two American travelers have been killed—one with poison, the other with a knife through the heart—and the only clues at the scene are a woman’s wedding ring and the German word for “vengeance” written in blood. The military surgeon Dr. John Watson is brought in to investigate, along with his clever, arrogant new roommate, Sherlock Holmes. Thus begins one of the most famous crime-solving partnerships of all time and the debut of one of literature’s most remarkable detectives.

Doyle borrowed his major elements—the detective of superhuman intellect; cases as fantastical as they are criminal; the final, dramatic resolution—from the works of Edgar Allan Poe, adding his own distinctive touches: a strong feeling for the atmosphere of late Victorian London, an interest in the methods of science, and a chivalric concern for justice and the oppressed.

Download and start listening now!

2432

Quotes & Awards

  • “[Holmes] is probably the only literary creation since the creations of Dickens which has really passed into the life and language of the people.”

    G. K. Chesterton

  • “Valuable to Sherlockians as the beginning of an ageless saga, this novel is also an interesting mystery…Sure to be a hit with mystery readers.”

    Library Journal

  • “The end of a detective story is always the most entertaining part, and listeners and fans of Holmes and Watson will have little difficulty staying with this performance until its climax.”

    AudioFile

Listener Reviews

Write a Review
  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Caroline | 2/20/2014

    " Re-read these this past weekend because we are doing both for Book Day 2013 in April and I forgot how much I love Sherlock Holmes as a character even if he is a cocky jerk at times! "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Shauna | 1/30/2014

    " I read some Sherlock Holmes stories way back in jr. high and really enjoyed them. I was a little worried about reading more, for fear I would no longer like the style. However, I was relieved to find I still enjoyed the mystery and Sherlock's quirky personality. Definitly worth reading, though the short stories might be a better place to start for some. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Line | 1/22/2014

    " It was amazing. The best crime i have ever read. I feared it might be a bit dull but that was not the care at all! "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Rozonda | 1/1/2014

    " My least favourite Holmes works. The novel is not a format this character does well in-excepting The Hound of the Baskervilles, an absolute masterpiece. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Katrina | 12/22/2013

    " So very interesting, I can't put the series down! Though I would like it to be set up in a way in which I could try to keep up with the clues and Holmes, there is a reason why everyone knows about Sherlock Holmes, and I'm thoroughly enjoying the read. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Shelly | 9/21/2013

    " These were fun to read. They are so NOT politically correct that it's just funny. And Holmes casual use of drugs was hilarious (or I guess the way it is presented is hilarious). Anyway, fun, but the ends get a little long and redundant. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Kate | 9/17/2013

    " Conan Doyle really had it in for the Mormons. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 G. | 8/2/2013

    " My first foray into Sherlock Holmes, which led to many, many, many more stories with my favourite detective! "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Farah | 2/16/2013

    " Great book because it introduces Holmes and the eternal partnership between him and Watson. Our first impression of the detective is intense, and he continues to develop into the classic character he is with each new short story. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Ramamoorthy | 12/16/2012

    " this is my alltime favourite book from my favourite author. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Cassidy | 7/7/2012

    " Read quite a few years ago and just recently re read. Definitely enjoyed it second time around "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Frightful_elk | 5/24/2012

    " These are not perfect books, far from it. The stories are good, sensational pulp, but all is forgiven for the invention of Sherlock Holmes. I can't say why this character is so absorbing and compelling, but all 5 stars are just for him. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Meshell | 2/26/2012

    " My two favorite novels in the Sherlock Holmes canon. The Sign of Four is especially fantastic. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Mloy | 1/5/2012

    " A great pair of stories from the ultimate master of the mystery genre. Never ever disappointing, Doyle's stories are timeless classics. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Libby | 11/16/2011

    " Genius. Read this first for Sherlock Holmes. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Jasperzelf | 7/22/2011

    " Leuk om weer eens te lezen! lekker melodramatisch en alles met het Grote Gebaar. Het casual racisme ligt er weer heerlijk dik bovenop en vrouwen ziten vooral andere vrouwen te troosten terwijl ze bijna flauwvallen. Prettig fout! Oh, en briljant. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Roberta | 6/30/2011

    " Read on my Kindle phone app while on my birthday trip in May. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Cleoqc | 6/28/2011

    " I read this one after seeing "A Study in Pink" on PBS (the modern Sherlock Holmes). It was fun to see how closely the adaptation is to the book. Completely different stories, but with many details in common between the two. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Whisper19 | 6/25/2011

    " i like Holmes very much, but the 2nd part with the background story was a bit blah, annoying... "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Niecole | 6/24/2011

    " I really did enjoy this one.
    Very funny and lite. A great read I should think, for anyone "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Jmccluer | 6/23/2011

    " Not the typical Sherlock Holmes book that I was in the mood for. It was kinda neat to see Sherlock as a rookie and Dr. Watson as a newly returned veteran. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Chris | 6/21/2011

    " The Victorians meet the Mormons. Must confess that Conan Doyle's lengthy detour into Utah was not what I expected. But it was a compelling story, and it made the ending more enjoyable. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Laura | 6/21/2011

    " A great read! For our English Honor Society, we read this and then viewed the first episode of the BBC series Sherlock. This was an excellent pairing!

    "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Bracari.iris | 6/16/2011

    " I loved this so much!
    I mean, I've always loved Sherlock Holmes, but to finally know how he and his faithful partner met is incredible.
    I think the case was indeed mysterious, with lots of backstory. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Julie | 6/11/2011

    " This is another favorite of mine in this series. These stories are so well crafted and Sherlock Holmes is such a great character! "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Emily | 6/10/2011

    " Sherlock Holmes is always enjoyable. I gave this particular story a four because it really casts the LDS church in a bad light. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Pamela | 6/9/2011

    " Iconic. The world's introduction to Sherlock Holmes, and a great story, too. Holmes' "science of deduction" never lets me down, even after multiple readings in very different times of my life. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Lynne | 6/6/2011

    " Amazing book! Most (all?) of the other Sherlock Holmes books take place totally in Great Britain. This one makes a *very* interesting side trip to the United States. "

About the Author

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) was born of Irish parentage in Scotland. He studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, but he also had a passion for storytelling. His first book introduced that prototype of the modern detective in fiction, Sherlock Holmes. Despite the immense popularity Holmes gained throughout the world, Doyle was not overly fond of the character and preferred to write other stories. Eventually popular demand won out and he continued to satisfy readers with the adventures of the legendary sleuth. He also wrote historical romances and made two essays into pseudoscientific fantasy: The Lost World and The Poison Belt.

About the Narrator

Frederick Davidson (1932–2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile’s Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings.