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The Sign of the Four
The Sign of the Four | Arthur Conan Doyle, Sir
274 posts | 349 read | 3 reading | 34 to read
First published in 1890, The Sign of Four is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's second book starring legendary detective Sherlock Holmes. The story is complex, involving a secret between four ex-cons from India and a hidden treasure. More complex than the first Holmes novel, The Sign of Four also introduces the detective's drug habit and leaves breadcrumbs for the reader that lead toward the final resolution.
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dabbe
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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#BookBracket
@CSeydel

How does one choose a better Sherlock? #toughchoice

I love completing 2 brackets; they will definitely turn out differently! 🤩

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dabbe
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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#BookBracket
@Catsandbooks

It's all about Sherlock so far. 🤩

Catsandbooks Woohoo! 🙌🏼 4w
dabbe @Catsandbooks 🤩😍😃 4w
54 likes2 comments
review
Blackink_WhitePaper
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Pickpick

I read it for the first time. I had no clue that the story was connected to India. Though it is hard to think about the colonialism, racism, and aftermath I admire the author's appropriate incorporation of historical events. I just finished this book and now enjoying reading the discussion. Thank you for hosting #noplacelikeHolmes @dabbe and @Cuilin

Cuilin Glad you enjoyed it. 👍 1mo
dabbe Yay! Would you like to join our group so that you can be tagged? 🤩😍😃 1mo
Blackink_WhitePaper @dabbe Yes!!!😍👏👏 Please... I will participate in the future as well. Thank u 🙂🙏 (edited) 1mo
26 likes3 comments
review
AnneCecilie
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Pickpick

In this second novel Mr. Holmes is contacted by a young woman who has been receiving some strange letters and she wants his help. This leads to an investigation into her dad‘s disappearance many years before and into a present day murder.

A book about greed, colonialism and war

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes
@dabbe @Cuilin

dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 1mo
Cuilin Perfect summation! 👍 1mo
55 likes2 comments
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dabbe
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Read4life Yay! 💙💜💙 1mo
47 likes1 comment
review
CogsOfEncouragement
The Sign of the Four | Sir Arthur Doyle
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Pickpick

Enjoyed this for the #NoPlaceLikeHolmes BR. I read it years ago and chose to do the reread with an audiobook. I give it 4⭐️. Again.
Still time to join us for The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, which is a short story collection. We discuss the first one Saturday 2/24.

dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 1mo
23 likes1 comment
review
dabbe
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Pickpick

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes
The 2nd story immediately introduces Holmes's needle dependence on cocaine, which he uses when overcome with ennui at the absence of a case to solve. One finally comes in the form of Mary Morstan (Watson's future wife), and we are taken to the outskirts of London, to flashbacks in India, and on a suspenseful boat chase down the Thames, all while viewing the negative effects of Victorian social status and colonialism. #whataride

review
erzascarletbookgasm
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this more than the first book. The mystery wasn‘t too difficult to guess, but it was fun to see Holmes‘ deductions. A couple of things surprised me - the quick romance and the casual depiction of use of cocaine by you-know-who! And Toby made me smile.

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

dabbe An almost-love-at-first-sight romance, I'd say! I liked this one better, too! 🤩 1mo
Cuilin Agreed this was a more enjoyable read. 1mo
64 likes2 comments
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Librarybelle
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Pickpick

Though I struggled with the story at the end, I overall enjoyed this Sherlock Holmes story. The reader gets to learn a bit more of the idiosyncrasies of Holmes that are so well known. Poor Watson…not picking up the clues like Holmes! 😂

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

TheAromaofBooks I had some mixed feelings about this one as well, but I appreciate Doyle's “kitchen sink“ method of writing, where he throws in a bit of everything 😂 1mo
Librarybelle @TheAromaofBooks I like that…the “kitchen sink” method!! 😂 1mo
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dabbe Opening up the novel with Holmes inserting a needle into his arm--talk about idiosyncrasies! 🤩 1mo
dabbe @TheAromaofBooks And we're everywhere, too--in London, in the country, on the Thames, flashbacks to India ... 😃 1mo
Cuilin @dabbe I love the London of Sherlock 1mo
dabbe @Cuilin Me, too! I wish I could time travel just to be an observer! 🤩 1mo
68 likes7 comments
blurb
dabbe
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
post image

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes
#TheSignofFour
#dd #discussionday @Cuilin

We can't wait to read your thoughts, Sherlockians! 🕵🏻‍♀️🔎🕵️‍♂️

CogsOfEncouragement This was a reread for me, and I listened to an audiobook this time. I admit I didn‘t enjoy every moment of Johnathan Small‘s long story. I gave this one four stars. 1mo
dabbe @CogsOfEncouragement Small's part reminded me of Part 2 in A STUDY IN SCARLET in a way. A perhaps waaaayyyyy too long story when we just wanted to wrap-up, so to speak. 1mo
CogsOfEncouragement It definitely reminded me of S in S part 2 as well. I don‘t remember if The Hound of the Baskervilles has something similar. 1mo
See All 19 Comments
dabbe @CogsOfEncouragement I don't think so. To me, HOUND is the perfect H&W story. 1mo
CrystalE02 I enjoyed reading this book. I got annoyed with the Jonathan Small story, I felt like it was too long. 1mo
dabbe @CrystalE02 I even felt my mind wandering quite a bit during his story. Maybe he talked so long because he didn't want to get carted off to jail. 😂 1mo
CrystalE02 @dabbe Lol!!! I didn't think of that. It was probably why he talked so long. 1mo
Daisey This method of filling in the details at the end seems to be a pretty common aspect of these stories, and I also think it‘s part of the reason I tend to like the short stories best. The balance of the explanation to the entire length works better than in some of the longer ones. That said, I did really enjoy this one. 1mo
dabbe @Daisey I enjoyed this one more than SCARLET, too. Though that explanation at the end had my brain wandering around quite a bit; it was hard to stay focused--which is why I totally agree with you re: the short stories. 🤩 1mo
Librarybelle Yeah, Jonathan Small‘s story was a bit much. But, I liked Holmes‘ deduction techniques. 1mo
erzascarletbookgasm I think Small‘s story, though long, was bearable compared to Part 2 in A Study In Scarlet 1mo
kelli7990 I enjoyed this story at the beginning but I didn‘t care too much for it at the end. 1mo
IndoorDame Overall I really liked this one! But I found my mind wandering a bit during Small‘s story too. I wondered if Doyle is drawing too much on common adventure story tropes that don‘t exist as much post colonialism, so he‘s referring a picture that doesn‘t already feel familiar in our minds, and also doesn‘t feel true to life? 1mo
dabbe @Librarybelle Those techniques are what keeps us reading these stories! 🤩 1mo
dabbe @erzascarletbookgasm 💯 agree! 🤩 1mo
dabbe @kelli7990 Doyle gets better with the short stories. 😃 1mo
dabbe @IndoorDame Excellent observation, and one I hadn't thought of. These stories were written during the Age of Realism, and what doesn't ring true for us today does make it a harder path to hoe. 1mo
BeeCurious I didn't love it the story but didn't hate it either. @dabbe I read your handy-dandy pdf info about this story. Very helpful. 👍 Thank you. 🙂 It did make me wonder if that chance meeting in 1889 with Oscar Wilde, influenced Doyle's writing. Was there some unintentional competition going on which pushed Doyle to add those extra embellishments about Sherlock's character? Just thinking out loud here. 1mo
dabbe @BeeCurious I wouldn't be a bit surprised. One writer trying to outshine another, so to speak. I also thought he might have made Small's story so long because the book might have been serialized like many books in the 1800s, but it looks like the entire book was published in Lippincott's magazine. That must have been some huge magazine! 🤩 1mo
45 likes19 comments
blurb
dabbe
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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#NoPlaceLikeHolmes
#TheSignofFour
#dd #discussionday @Cuilin

We can't wait to read your thoughts, Sherlockians! 🕵🏻‍♀️🔎🕵️‍♂️

CogsOfEncouragement I was not familiar with “Victorian Fears” but google quickly fixed that. A couple things: Tonga represents their fear of otherness. Thaddeus exhibits their fear of the underclass. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. It gives me more to consider and appreciate. 1mo
dabbe @CogsOfEncouragement I'd love to say I came up with that, but I didn't. 🤩 My reading up on the book to come up with questions helped me! I learned this term, too! 😂 1mo
CrystalE02 I didn't think about the fears about the Victorian fears when I read this, but I do find it interesting to find out more about them. 1mo
See All 12 Comments
Aimeesue Fear of class mobility seems to have kept Mary from her (looted) fortune. Victorians were extremely fond of everyone “keeping to their place,” yes? 1mo
dabbe @Aimeesue Their society reeks of the medieval feudal system, doesn't it? The “native savages“ would be the serfs perhaps. 1mo
Librarybelle I definitely picked up on the class mobility fear, @Aimeesue ! 1mo
erzascarletbookgasm These ‘fears‘ are certainly interesting 🤨 😏 1mo
kelli7990 I didn‘t think about the Victorian fears when I read this. I was just enjoying the story. 1mo
IndoorDame Not really a term I‘m familiar with, but Tonga‘s involvement definitely stood out while I was reading as symbolic of! And now that you point it out the obsession with the intricacies of Mary moving up and down through the classes, and where that leaves her in regards to Watson probably plays into a different anxiety of the times. 1mo
dabbe @kelli7990 That's what makes these stories so wonderful; they can be analyzed, enjoyed, or read in all kinds of ways! 🤩 1mo
dabbe @IndoorDame That reminds me of Watson's fears when he thinks Mary will be the richest woman in London. He knows they can't be together if that happens--such are the rigid social constraints of that time period. No wonder there was such an underbelly of sordidness during this age! 1mo
Aimeesue @Librarybelle Glad it was t just me! 1mo
36 likes12 comments
blurb
dabbe
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
post image

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes
#TheSignofFour
#dd #discussionday @Cuilin

We can't wait to read your thoughts, Sherlockians! 🕵🏻‍♀️🔎🕵️‍♂️

CogsOfEncouragement I didn‘t study world history to a good enough extent to realize the reach of colonialism, so when I read books that discuss it I am always stunned. When people hear how many books I read a year I don‘t think they realize what a source of life long learning it is. 1mo
dabbe @CogsOfEncouragement You are so right! The truly #1 goal of my entire English-teaching career was to hopefully instill a love of reading in my students--even though they had to read certain books that were on the district-approved reading list. I always tried to pick books I thought they'd like--like good ol' SH! 🤩 1mo
CrystalE02 I knew the British Empire was large, only from what I studied in high school, but I didn't a huge deal about what all went on. I think that is why I love Sherlock Holmes. 1mo
See All 22 Comments
dabbe @CrystalE02 We definitely get some history lessons--even if Doyle is a bit biased and perhaps-even-not-always factual--we're learning, too! 🤩 1mo
CrystalE02 @dabbe yep I was thinking the same thing. 1mo
Aimeesue It‘s stunning to read the casual racism and blatant disregard of people‘s humanity in many of the descriptions. Not surprising if you read classics of the “Western cannon,” but yikes. Everybody just stealing everybody else‘s stuff because they believe they deserve it. Oy. (edited) 1mo
dabbe @Aimeesue Excellent observation. I seem to recall reading that the jewels originally belonged to an Indian rajah who tried to put them into the safekeeping of the British, but he was robbed. Shouldn't the jewels have rightfully been returned to him and not Mary? Did Doyle change it as another example of racism or did he just forget (continuity error)? 1mo
Aimeesue @dabbe Yes. The 4 killed the Rajah‘s servant who was transporting the treasure to the fort for safekeeping. In the aftermath of the uprising, nobody would‘ve looked too hard for the “outlawed” rajah, I imagine. Even today, return of looted treasure is pretty much up to whoever holds it. Look at the Elgin Marbles - Still in Great Britain. (edited) 1mo
dabbe @Aimeesue Had to look that one up--fascinating! Thanks for the history trip! 🤩 I guess this idea supports the idiom “finders keepers, losers weepers.“ 1mo
Librarybelle There are so many not so pleasant thoughts I have about imperialism and colonialism - my background is in history, and I‘ve studied enough to know it wasn‘t all happiness, and the indigenous communities were not thrilled by any means. And yes, so much taken from the countries! So sad. 1mo
erzascarletbookgasm As someone from a country under the colonial rule for a long period of time, the effects of British colonialism (1786 to 1941) are still felt up to this day. They brought racial theory and constructed a social and economic order structured by "race." 1mo
erzascarletbookgasm Imperialism and/or colonialism…it‘s taking advantage of / or literally taking what‘s not yours..the effects are not much different. 1mo
kelli7990 I didn‘t realize there was a history lesson in this book. I took a World History class in high school but I don‘t remember if we learned about colonialism or not. Every time I was in World History class, I didn‘t understand or retain the information. A lot of the time, I just felt confused. I haven‘t studied World History since I graduated high school because I don‘t understand it. 1mo
IndoorDame I don‘t actually know if it‘s intentional, but I see imperialism in the story as a really good microcosm of it in society. It‘s both blatant, in that it underpins everything & the story is in essence about it, or at least couldn‘t happen without it. And it‘s insidious, in that no one discusses it, no one even notices it when they aren‘t in the middle of an actual uprising in a foreign territory, & we get no sense of Doyle‘s personal views on it. 1mo
dabbe @Librarybelle Just looking into our own backyard and what we did to the Indigenous Americans makes my face burn in shame. 😢 1mo
dabbe @erzascarletbookgasm May I ask what country? You definitely have a deeper understanding about this than me, and I thank you for sharing your insight. 🩷💜❤️ 1mo
dabbe @kelli7990 The topic is so broad, it is hard to understand. And high school history courses paint such a wide brush over history, it's no wonder that the classes are challenging. 1mo
dabbe @IndoorDame According to Leslie Klinger, Watson is also charged with racism for remarking that the natives of the Andaman Islands are “naturally hideous, having large, misshapen heads, small, fierce eyes, and distorted features.“ Then Doyle produces Tonga, who fits the description to a tee. And Watson seems to feel no guilt penning these words because it is so deeply engrained in his culture. 1mo
Cuilin @erzascarletbookgasm same, I‘m from Ireland and we definitely have a generational trauma from Colonialism. 1mo
dabbe @Cuilin 💚🇮🇪💚 1mo
dabbe @erzascarletbookgasm 💙🇲🇾❤️ 1mo
32 likes22 comments
blurb
dabbe
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
post image

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes
#TheSignofFour
#dd #discussionday @Cuilin

We can't wait to read your thoughts, Sherlockians! 🕵🏻‍♀️🔎🕵️‍♂️

CogsOfEncouragement She seemed to do as she was told. She didn‘t complain, she accepted her lot without much emotion. She was not too ruffled at her treasure being lost since it would allow her to be within reach of Watson. She seemed to accept that there would be no chance of their happiness if she had a fortune, since he did not. 1mo
CogsOfEncouragement The way Mary is dressed is so important, and she checks all the boxes for what is expected/respectable. She does not have the means to dress beautifully but she is wearing what she is supposed to. When I watch shows and movies set at this time, I‘m struck by just how encumbering the long and heavy skirts had to be. We still have a long way to go toward equality but I appreciate that we wear proper clothes for the task we are set at. 1mo
dabbe @CogsOfEncouragement She seems to fulfill the “damsel in distress“ role quite nicely. Watson even escorts her home so that she doesn't have to be out late and be anymore a part of the mystery than she has to be. 1mo
See All 13 Comments
CrystalE02 I think she did fit the perfect Victorian woman. Although I feel like she probably wasn't. 1mo
dabbe @CrystalE02 Yeah, it's weird to see that in just the second book, Doyle marries off Watson. I want Holmes and Watson to always be at 221-B Baker Street without Watson having a wife. Thanks for breaking up the group, Yoko--I mean Mary! 😂 1mo
CrystalE02 @dabbe Lol!!!! When I was reading this book and it mention her, all I could think of is Mary in the BBC Sherlock.. 1mo
dabbe @CrystalE02 Played by Freeman's ex-wife, no less! I loved her in that series! 🤩 1mo
Daisey This was a reread, but I had forgotten that Watson and Mary met in just the second book. She does seem to be perfect example of a Victorian woman. 1mo
dabbe @Daisey It is surprising, isn't it? I want Watson and Holmes to always reside together at 221-B. That troublemaker! 😂 1mo
Librarybelle She did appear to check all of the boxes of a proper Victorian woman. @CogsOfEncouragement mentions a lot of perfect examples of this! 1mo
IndoorDame I‘d forgotten she showed up in the second book too! And by today‘s standards she‘s a bit boring to tempt him away from his bestie and his life of bachelor adventure, so I‘m assuming the perfect Victorian woman IS boring and proper (and pretty because men haven‘t changed that much) 1mo
dabbe @IndoorDame I know! And it's her mystery they're trying to solve, but she gets relegated to the back burner while the MEN do their thing! 😂 1mo
dabbe @Librarybelle We'll see how much she's mentioned now that she'll be a mere “wife“ from now on. 😃 1mo
29 likes13 comments
blurb
dabbe
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
post image

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes
#TheSignofFour
#dd #discussionday @Cuilin

We can't wait to read your thoughts, Sherlockians! 🕵🏻‍♀️🔎🕵️‍♂️

Librarybelle There were a couple of moments that Holmes meets someone who he happened to help in an earlier case and because of this, they just happen to have what he needs - now I cannot remember if it was the boat Aurora that he was somewhat known by the wife or a different episode! 🤦🏻‍♀️ 1mo
kelli7990 I didn‘t notice anything. 1mo
IndoorDame I felt very agreeable while reading this one. The entire premise was so outlandish, that small convenient coincidences along the way didn‘t seem out of place here, the way the ‘and then I solved it-esque‘ ending seemed in A Study in Scarlet. 1mo
See All 6 Comments
dabbe @Librarybelle And again, he happens to know the Baker Street Irregulars and happens to know the best #nosehoundaround in Toby. 🤩 1mo
dabbe @IndoorDame The suspension of disbelief wasn't as overt as in SCARLET; I totally agree! 🤩 1mo
dabbe @kelli7990 😍 1mo
27 likes6 comments
blurb
dabbe
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
post image

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes
#TheSignofFour
#dd #discussionday @Cuilin

We can't wait to read your thoughts, Sherlockians! 🕵🏻‍♀️🔎🕵️‍♂️

CrystalE02 No, I didn't notice any. I am sure that it won't really effect the canon. 1mo
Aimeesue Well, there‘s Watson‘s wandering war wound. Shoulder first story, leg in this one. I wonder if it‘s mentioned in any of the other stories? Guess we‘ll see! 1mo
dabbe @Aimeesue I have a feeling we'll be hearing about the #wanderingwound again. 😂 1mo
See All 15 Comments
dabbe In A STUDY IN SCARLET, Watson tells us that he's basically all alone in the world, yet in this book he has an older brother. Though, as Holmes so fantastically points out, the brother has recently died, though whether that was before Watson comes back from the war is not made certain. Maybe we'll hear more in the future. 1mo
Librarybelle I did not catch any, though I should have picked up on the #wanderingwound ! 1mo
kelli7990 I was listening on audio and I didn‘t notice anything. 1mo
erzascarletbookgasm I did not notice about the #wanderingwound ! 😂 1mo
PageShifter I also remember how that #wanderingwound made me confused 😀 1mo
IndoorDame I think this once again confirms I am a visual learner (or have zero attention span) I also felt agreeable enough to go with the #wanderingwound thing without so much as blinking, but every time someone‘s shawl slips between takes on tv, or a coffee cup moves to the other side of the table I can‘t look away!!!!!🫣😂 1mo
dabbe @Librarybelle We'll have to see if it keeps wandering in the next stories! 🤩 1mo
dabbe @kelli7990 Watson mentions it so quickly, it would be hard to notice! 🤩 1mo
dabbe @erzascarletbookgasm 🤩😂😍 1mo
dabbe @PageShifter I know! It's kind of like a “Wait, didn't I ...“ moment! 🤩 1mo
dabbe @IndoorDame Have you been to the IMDB website? My favorite part are the goofs noticed in the movies--you'd be the perfect writer for those! 🤩🤩🤩 1mo
IndoorDame @dabbe I love it! I use IMDB all the time to check actors, but I rarely dig into the other sections of the site. I‘ll definitely be checking that from now on! 1mo
28 likes15 comments
blurb
erzascarletbookgasm
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Received my #NoPlaceLikeHolmes Sherlock merch! 🤩🔎
Thank you for all the hard work @dabbe @Cuilin
Will be starting the tagged book for our monthly read 👌.

dabbe Wow! That took a while! Glad you like your goodies and can't wait to discuss our book this Saturday! 🤩 1mo
54 likes1 comment
blurb
CatLass007
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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#NoPlaceLikeHolmes #ReadAway2024 #SeriesLove2024 I came across the word chaplet in chapter 4 of the tagged book. I had heard the word before from Mom and a friend of hers referring to the Divine Chaplet of Mercy. But I‘ve never heard it in any other context. I think definition 2 is the meaning intended by Conan Doyle, a necklace.

CBee Thanks for sharing 😊 1mo
TheSpineView Love new words! 1mo
CatLass007 @CBee @TheSpineView My favorite new word of 2023 was deaccession. I‘m in the process of turning the word into action. 1mo
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CBee @CatLass007 I had to look that up. I‘m slowly working on the same thing myself! 1mo
CatLass007 @CBee Last year I was talking to a friend about the hundreds of books I still have boxed up after a move. He advised me to deaccession. I googled it while we were talking. He couldn‘t believe I‘d never heard the word before. I can‘t believe he‘s the only person I know who has heard the word before. 1mo
Cuilin I love the sounds of “chaplet” 🩷 1mo
Andrew65 A good share 😍 1mo
45 likes7 comments
blurb
dabbe
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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#weeklyfavorites
@Read4life

THE SIGN OF FOUR: what a riveting boat-ride along the Thames! 🤩

Read4life Yay! 💙💜💙 1mo
dabbe @Read4life #greatminds ❤️💜🩷 1mo
47 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
Read4life
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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#WeeklyFavorites

Sherlock 💙

dabbe #sherlocked (my choice this week, too!) 🤩 1mo
43 likes1 comment
review
Read4life
The Sign of Four | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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Pickpick

Love this one. Our #NoPlaceLikeHolmes discussion is still to come so I‘m waiting for it to share my thoughts.
#BookSpinBingo #NoPlaceLikeHolmes #readyourebooks #readyourTBR #ReadAway2024 #SeriesLove2024

TheSpineView Awesome! 2mo
Andrew65 One of my favourites too. Well done 👏👏👏 2mo
dabbe Just finished last night. Agreed! ❤️💜🩷 2mo
See All 6 Comments
TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 2mo
CBee This cover is so cool 😊 2mo
DieAReader 🥳Great 1mo
45 likes6 comments
blurb
dabbe
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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#weekendreads
@rachelsbrittain

Almost finished with THE SIGN OF FOUR [#NoPlaceLikeHolmes]; still slogging through THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV [#pemberlittens/#hashtagbrigade]; hoping to start and finish THE MYSTERY AT LILAC INN [#NancyDrewBR].

What's everyone else reading this weekend? 🤩

bthegood I'm continuing A Court of Mist and Fury - going to the library today to swap out some books - just starting a new Aunt Dimity book and The Little Shop of Found Things. It's going to be nice out today (actual sunshine) so I might not get much reading in - enjoy your day! (edited) 2mo
69 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
IndoorDame
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Pickpick

The ultimate classic. I just love this one! #NoPlaceLikeHolmes @dabbe @Cuilin

5feet.of.fury Excited for this one! 2mo
Cuilin Right??? 🩷 2mo
dabbe @5feet.of.fury 🤩😍😃 2mo
dabbe @Cuilin 🤩😍😃 2mo
dabbe Yes! 🤩😍😃 2mo
65 likes5 comments
blurb
dabbe
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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#MotivationalMonday

Thanks for the tag, @Cupcake12! 😍

1. Get an ultrasound (fun!/#notreally), write #LitsyLove letters (definitely fun!), clean & organize the house (not so much fun), read (always fun!).
2. I barely do. Crap is everywhere! Hence my plans in #1. 🤩
3. Currently on the seedy side of London in the 1880s with Holmes and Watson in the tagged book.

Play? @AmyG @aroyse @AnnR @CBee @Eggs @TheSpineView @The_Penniless_Author

AnnR Ha! We have very similar plans this week, including getting an ultrasound later this week. I know it isn't fun but somehow it seems better than a CT scan or MRI. Good luck with your imaging. I hope all is well. 🤗 2mo
dabbe @AnnR You are so right. Just a little cold jelly, right? My cardiologist is checking my neck for plaque; we're hoping I can stop taking aspiring. 🤞 I hope yours goes well, too. ❤️💜🩷 2mo
AnnR Oh, I'm sorry. I've had that done before and it is a pretty quick ultrasound. Fingers crossed all looks good. My ultrasound is heart related too. 2mo
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AmyG Thanks for the tag, friend! Hope the ultrasound goes well. 😘 (edited) 2mo
Cupcake12 Good luck for the ultrasound, thank you for joining in. Your letter is in the post today x 2mo
Read4life I hope all goes well with the ultrasound. I‘m in London with you! #NoPlaceLikeHolmes 2mo
dabbe @AnnR Fingers crossed for you, too. 🤩 2mo
dabbe @AmyG Thanks, m'dear! 🩷💜❤️ 2mo
dabbe @Cupcake12 Thanks! So is yours! 😘 2mo
dabbe @Read4life #woohoo! Thanks, m'dear! I hope you're liking this H&W adventure! 🩷💜❤️ 2mo
Eggs Thanks for thinking of me 😘 2mo
The_Penniless_Author Thanks for the tag! 😀 2mo
dabbe @Eggs ❤️💜🩷 2mo
TheSpineView Thanks for the tag!😘 2mo
61 likes15 comments
blurb
dabbe
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

“SHERLOCK HOLMES took his bottle from the corner of the mantelpiece, and his hypodermic syringe from its neat morocco case. “

Sherlock's getting ready to do some cocaine. 😳

AnnR Wowza! I was shocked when I read that page. 2mo
dabbe @AnnR He just has a few flaws, our brilliant detective. 🤩 2mo
See All 10 Comments
AnnCrystal Why, why...one of the few things I never liked about the famous Sherlock Holmes. I guess it was a different time... (edited) 2mo
dabbe @monkeygirlsmama #😱indeed 😍 2mo
dabbe @AnnCrystal Yep, I think it was. Cocaine was even in the original Coca-Cola. Wonder if any of that was in London at that time? The first bottling was in 1894 in Mississippi, so it could be possible. I guess our man needed to be energized 24-7. 2mo
Bookwomble @AnnCrystal Cocaine and opium use was common in the Victorian era and, despite Watson's tendency to sniff at Holmes' drug use (sorry, couldn't resist the pun!), Queen Victoria was a fairly heavy user - https://www.thehistorycorner.org/articles-by-the-team/queen-victoria-drug-addict... - as was Sigmund Freud - https://www.vice.com/en/article/payngv/how-cocaine-influenced-the-work-of-sigmun... 2mo
dabbe @Bookwomble I did not know about Victoria! Interesting! 🤩🤩🤩 2mo
AnnCrystal @dabbe & @Bookwomble WOW, how strange, right? What was considered normal and acceptable 🤔 then! How very strange... (edited) 2mo
57 likes10 comments
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LitsyEvents
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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from @dabbe Hi, Sherlockians!
Time to go on another adventure with our favorite dynamic duo, Holmes and Watson. Below is a link to some interesting background information re: this story with lots of cool photos. Note: There is a summary, too, so *spoiler alert! Discussion questions will be posted on 2/17. We're also working on a calendar for the entire canon, so stay tuned!
Link to guide: https://bit.ly/3HGTqtF

34 likes1 comment
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dabbe
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin

Hi, Sherlockians!
Time to go on another adventure with our favorite dynamic duo, Holmes and Watson. Below is a link to some interesting background information re: this story with lots of cool photos. Note: There is a summary, too, so *spoiler alert! Discussion questions will be posted on 2/17. We're also working on a calendar for the entire canon, so stay tuned!
Link to guide: https://bit.ly/3HGTqtF

AnnR Thank you @dabbe. 🙂 2mo
dabbe @AnnR 🩶🖤🩶 2mo
See All 12 Comments
dabbe @Liz_M Thanks! I never remember to do that! 🤩😍😃 2mo
Librarybelle Yay! Thank you! 2mo
dabbe @Librarybelle 🩶🖤🩶 2mo
Aimeesue Yay! More Sherlock! ❤️ 2mo
Mollyanna Wonderful! Thank you! 2mo
dabbe @Aimeesue 🤩😃😍 2mo
dabbe @Mollyanna 🩶🖤🩶 2mo
CrystalE02 Thank you!!! 2mo
dabbe @CrystalE02 🩶🖤🩶 2mo
53 likes12 comments
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LitsyEvents
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Repost for @Cuilin

Our next read for February, Discussion date 2/17/24
Thanks @dabbe for the amazing questions.

37 likes1 comment
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Cuilin
Sherlock Holmes The Sign of the Four | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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AnnR Looking forward to it! Thank you @Cuilin and @dabbe. 🤗 2mo
Pageturner1 looking forward to it 😃enjoying it more than i thought i would 2mo
TheAromaofBooks Yay!! 2mo
See All 29 Comments
Librarybelle Hooray!! 2mo
CatLass007 I wasn‘t sure I‘d like reading Conan Doyle‘s Holmes. But I think A Study in Scarlet was wonderful reading. 2mo
kelli7990 Yay! 2mo
dabbe Glad you're all liking #NoPlaceLikeHolmes so far (even with that Part 2!) You're in for a treat with the next one! Just like a fine wine, Doyle gets better with his handling of our beloved duo! Thanks @Cuilin, for figuring out our next read and dates! 💜🩶💜 2mo
AnnR I downloaded an extra copy of the ebook on my iPhone and my curiosity got the better of me. After reading a few pages, all I can think of is Holy, hypodermic Sherlock! As I know very little about these individual stories, I wasn't expecting that! Straight out of the frying pan with Part 2 of A Study in Scarlet, and right into the fire in the opening paragraphs in Sign of Four. 😱 2mo
CrystalE02 Can't wait!!!
2mo
Cuilin @AnnR love that!!!! 2mo
Cuilin @CrystalE02 me too. Would you like me to add you to the tag list so you don‘t miss any posts? 2mo
Cuilin @CatLass007 agreed 2mo
CrystalE02 @Cuilin please I would like that 2mo
Cuilin @CrystalE02 💜👍 ✅ 2mo
Larkken Hey! I'd love to join in this month, could you add me to the tag list? I've always lost steam after the dreaded pt 2 of Study in Scarlett before and am excited to get over that hump 😄 2mo
Cuilin @Larkken 🩷👍 2mo
CatLass007 I look forward to The Sign of Four. 2mo
dabbe @AnnR 🖤🩶🖤 2mo
dabbe @Pageturner1 Yay! 🖤🩶🖤 2mo
dabbe @TheAromaofBooks 🖤🩶🖤 2mo
dabbe @Librarybelle 🖤🩶🖤 2mo
dabbe @CatLass007 Yay! 🖤🩶🖤 2mo
dabbe @kelli7990 🖤🩶🖤 2mo
dabbe @AnnR 🤩😍🤗 2mo
dabbe @CrystalE02 🖤🩶🖤 2mo
dabbe @Larkken You're on the list! Glad to have you aboard! 🖤🩶🖤 2mo
dabbe @CatLass007 Me, too! It's been a while since I've read it, and I can't wait to revisit! 🤩😍🤗 2mo
AnnR @dabbe I couldn't resist after your Batman comment on my post Friday. 🙂🤓😊 2mo
dabbe @AnnR 🤩😂😍 2mo
44 likes29 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
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Received my #NoPlaceLikeHolmes packet of goodies on the same day that I got my next installment of my Sherlock Holmes Penguin Library collection, so that felt like kismet!!

Thanks for the fun and for organizing our readalong @Dabbe @Cuilin !!

Cuilin 💜💜💜 2mo
AnnR That's awesome! 👍 2mo
dabbe @Cuilin 🤩💜🤩 2mo
dabbe @AnnR 🤩💜🤩 2mo
55 likes4 comments
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The_Book_Ninja
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle, Martin Freeman
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Pickpick

My great-grandmother came from Ireland in the 1800s and settled in Marylebone. Across the road was a work house; close to where Madam Tussaud‘s is. She had a hard life growing up. She eventually moved to the Cally in Islington. I used to visit when she lived in the flats next to Pentonville prison. She often told me how kindly Mr Holmes would give her and her street-urchin friends a shilling to run some errand or follow some rascal, up to no good.

Bookwomble She sounds like a card, your great grandmother! 😊 9mo
The_Book_Ninja @Bookwomble 😂that was all true except the stories about Holmes. Good news though…That book turned up today 🐙🎻 9mo
Bookwomble Your vignette biography of your great grandmother got me looking at The Cally, which sounds like a street full of history. I know need to visit Housman's bookshop! 9mo
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Bookwomble I've a couple of books to finish before I can get to Shadows, but shouldn't be too long 😊 9mo
The_Book_Ninja @Bookwomble Yes lots of history there and multiculturally rich. My great nan (a widow) lived with my nan(divorced) on the Caledonian estate when I was a kid. It‘s blocks are named after Scottish writers. I imagine it was brand new when my great nan moved from Marylebone. (edited) 9mo
The_Book_Ninja @Bookwomble no problem at all👍🏼 It‘s a big ol‘ book so I‘m sure you‘ll catch me up easily (edited) 9mo
27 likes1 stack add6 comments
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dabbe
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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#MayMontage
#Author's2ndBook
@Eggs
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

56 short stories and 4 novels = the canon of SH by C-Doyle. The second book of the four is this one. 🔎

Eggs ❤️🖤❤️ 10mo
dabbe @Eggs 😍 10mo
55 likes2 comments
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ChelseaM6010
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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#TemptingTitles
Day 9. With a Number
#WithANumber

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🖤📚🙌🏻 12mo
dabbe #sherlocked! 💚💚💚 12mo
ChelseaM6010 @dabbe Sherlock forever! 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤 12mo
See All 6 Comments
dabbe @ChelseaM6010 Yes! 🤗 I never tire of him or the canon! 💚 12mo
Eggs Cover Love 💗 📚 12mo
14 likes6 comments
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AvidReader25
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Such an incredible exhibit of 221 pieces of Sherlock memorabilia at the Lilly Library at IU. So many beautiful editions, illustrations, and original pages of manuscripts. 📚

DivineDiana Fantastic! 1y
28 likes1 comment
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BookishRedhead
The Sign of Four | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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Haven't done any language learning all week but glad to get back into the groove and why not in the hot sun 🌞

melzen Looks awesome 👏 2y
thereadingpal I'm Italian if you need help! 2y
BookishRedhead @thereadingpal yay! Grazie, I'll keep that I mind 😀 2y
15 likes1 stack add3 comments
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yoavshai
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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#BookCoverChallenge
Day 239.
Here I will note 365 books (or as many as I will have before I get tired) that have shaped my taste in literature. No explanations, no reviews. Just the cover of the book.
I do not challenge anyone. You are all welcome to take part.

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rwmg
The Sign of the Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
Pickpick

Classic Sherlock Holmes novel which mixes all the things we love about him with the more than questionable attitudes of the time.

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SeaToSkyes
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Pickpick

Much better transitioning in this one. I wasn't left feeling like I had whiplash with the drastic changes in scenery the way Study in Scarlet did.

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Zoe-h
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Mehso-so

I finished this just in time to go see a stage resting of The Sign of the Four tonight! It‘s a good book, but it was very racist. I understand that it‘s a sign of the times and all, but very racist. I liked the plot and the story telling, but I have to give it 3⭐️

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LoverOfLearning
The Sign of the Four | Sir Arthur Doyle
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Pickpick

I have to say Dr. Watson cracks me up. Oh, I adore his character. 🤗

This was another very interesting read about Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Through their journey in discovering the meaning behind the Sign of the Four and the lost treasure, I laughed and explored all theories along side them.

A must read for any true crime and mystery fan. A bit dragging at times but overall great story telling.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

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TCLinrow
The Sign of the Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Pickpick

Another brilliant Holmes and Watson adventure. Like a Study in Scarlet it's something that I've come back to time and again over the years.

Cuilin Stephen Fry may be my favorite narrator. 3y
68 likes1 comment
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flamingolucifer
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Loved this little mystery set in London and yet having prolific connections to India particularly Awadh which is where I hail from!

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CloakNQuill
The Sign of the Four | Sir Arthur Doyle
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Panpan

#OutstandingOctober been busier than usual this week
3) 1 audiobook
4) 6 1/2 hours total

@TheAromaofBooks #BookSpinBingo #15

Warning - angry, sorry not sorry... I can not condone this. My issues lie with the plot which is heavily influenced by the British Imperialist setting. The exoticism & generalization of the East enforced by the West's othering agenda is all over this. Full review/rant on #Goodreads

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 3y
CloakNQuill @TheAromaofBooks thanks! I have another update post to make but I‘m one away from my first bingo! (edited) 3y
25 likes3 comments
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Mangelli
Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle
Panpan

Honestly somewhat bland as far as Holmes stories go. I kept thinking, when will the intrigue come in... and then it ended.

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CogsOfEncouragement
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Pickpick

A novel I had not read. I think Sherlock Holmes is always a good choice. I really like the Watson and Holmes characters as individuals as well as their friendship.

Scochrane26 I‘ve read Doyle‘s stories, but now I‘ve read so many variations by other authors, I have forgotten the original stories. 4y
15 likes1 comment
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claudiuo
The Sign of Four | Arthur Conan Doyle, Martin Freeman
Pickpick

A good read, this second Sherlock Holmes story has it all: a mystery, murders, a treasure, a damsel in need of assistance, talk about Sherlock's cocaine addiction, some bad racist talk. Now I know why they're called Adventures and not just Mysteries. I enjoyed it but not a lot so not a strong pick but still one.

Another square on my #BookSpinBingo card in a strange month with less reading than I wanted and still haven't finished my book spins.

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erzascarletbookgasm
The Sign of Four | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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Mehso-so

I find this not as enjoyable as A Study In Scarlet or the stories in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. There‘s a missing treasure, poison darts, a one wooden-leg suspect, & Dr Watson fell in love! Some racists remarks/portrayal which I frowned upon, decent mystery, good characterisation. The most memorable part is Holmes‘ use of cocaine in the very beginning, said to ‘stimulate his brain‘ as he was bored with no cases.
#Booked2020 #EccentricMC

Cinfhen Awesome choice 🥳 4y
Cinfhen And wonderful review 4y
60 likes2 comments
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mollyrotondo
The Sign of the Four | Sir Arthur Doyle
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Another great Sherlock Holmes story! This is the one that Holmes‘s cocaine addiction is first discussed, and Watson was not happy about it. The mystery was very involved. Now the only thing I did not like was that it does read as racist in parts and there is a slightly boring part when Holmes is looking for a boat. It‘s still a good pick. #novelwatchingcrew #NWC