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The five orange pips
The five orange pips | Arthur Conan Doyle
21 posts | 30 read | 3 to read
A young Sussex gentleman named John Openshaw has a strange story: in 1869 his uncle Elias Openshaw had suddenly come back to England to settle on an estate at Horsham, West Sussex after living for years in the United States as a planter in Florida and serving as a Colonel in the Confederate Army. Not being married, Elias had allowed his nephew to stay at his estate. Strange incidents have occurred; one is that although John could go anywhere in the house he could never enter a locked room containing his uncle's trunks. Another peculiarity was that in March 1883 a letter postmarked Pondicherry, in India, arrived for the Colonel inscribed only "K.K.K." with five orange pips enclosed. More strange things happened: Papers from the locked room were burnt and a will was drawn up leaving the estate to John Openshaw. The Colonel's behaviour became bizarre. He would either lock himself in his room and drink or he would go shouting forth in a drunken sally with a pistol in his hand. On 2 May 1883 he was found dead in a garden pool.
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Cuilin
The five orange pips | Arthur Conan Doyle
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CatLass007 Short term memory is interesting. Short term memory can handle just a few pieces of information at a time. When something else presents itself the brain makes a decision about whether to forget something, move it to long term memory, or keep it in short term memory for a bit longer. Some things just don‘t need to be remembered. I think Holmes idea of long term memory being like an attic is spot on. Although he seems to have more (cont)⬇️ 1mo
CatLass007 control over what is worth remaining in the memory, the attic. 1mo
Librarybelle We don‘t see Holmes‘ methods as fully as we do in the past cases, or at least that‘s what I felt. While he does figure out the case, it‘s after the fact. This is an interesting quote…determining what to remember versus what can be shuffled around or rearranged to accommodate other thoughts. Something worth thinking upon… 1mo
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IndoorDame I think he did. Tracking down the sailors was not that interesting to me. But solving the why of the case was interesting. From a modern perspective it was immediately clear that the Klan was responsible for the threats and the murders, but it wasn‘t clear to me what the uncle‘s connection to them was. I thought of several possibilities, and Sherlock‘s actual deduction wasn‘t one of them. 1mo
dabbe This quote makes me think of Benedict Cumberbatche's Sherlock's “mind palace“, a brilliant way to illustrate this point. And where would Holmes have been on this case without his trust encyclopedia? 😂 1mo
Cuilin @dabbe yeah, this did make me think of the whole mind palace of “Sherlock” too. I was surprised that the Klan would‘ve made it into an Encyclopedia during the Victorian era. 1mo
dabbe @Cuilin Same here! 1mo
Aimeesue I highlighted this quote. It‘s something I think about a lot for my job, because available resources and contacts are always changing, so I have to know where to find what a person needs when then need it. Vs knowing the systems and processes we follow and how to make them work for folks we serve. I have a LOT of files of resources on my computer! 1mo
33 likes8 comments
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Cuilin
The five orange pips | Arthur Conan Doyle
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CatLass007 I think Holmes feels responsible. But he seems to be embarrassed rather than remorseful. 1mo
Librarybelle I think we see as close to feeling remorseful as he can - not completely, but he acknowledges there are consequences. I like @CatLass007 noting that it seems to be more embarrassment, which I think best fits his overall thoughts. 1mo
IndoorDame I think it‘s natural that he would feel responsible, but I actually don‘t think he is. Being an investigator is a totally different skill set than being a bodyguard. After advising caution, which he did, the things he can effectively do to help protect a client are limited. 1mo
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Read4life I agree @IndoorDame. He warned him but he‘s not a bodyguard. I also agree it‘s more embarrassment than remorse. 1mo
Cuilin @CatLass007 yes, it‘s more about his failings and embarrassment. 1mo
Cuilin @IndoorDame I think Sherlock is very literal so when somebody asks for help solving a puzzle, he takes that seriously. The request was not to protect his life. 1mo
dabbe I agree that Holmes is not a bodyguard, but if he wanted to nab the killers, he and Watson could have gone with Openshaw (Watson with his trusty gun, of course), and they might have been able to catch the guys in the act--just like they did in “The Red-Headed League.“ But then it'd probably be too similar, so there's that. Plus, Watson writes about cases that are unique, and having one's client die definitely makes it--what's the word? SINGULAR. 1mo
25 likes7 comments
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Cuilin
The five orange pips | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Cuilin This makes me think I read too many cozy mysteries as I was a little frustrated with the ending. Lol 1mo
CatLass007 Yes, it was a frustrating ending. But this sad story has an even worse real-life equivalent. The Klan never disbanded, as Conan Doyle states. It just went underground for several decades and still had a huge impact on life in the South. Even worse, they‘ve come out of the woodworks lately. They are no longer underground. They are in everyone‘s faces. (edited) 1mo
Librarybelle Totally agree, @CatLass007 . A frustrating ending and also an IRL tie-in. I had read this one years ago and completely forgot about the connection to that horrific group. 1mo
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IndoorDame I‘m not sure I would have found any ending to a story about the Klan satisfying. As @CatLass007 says less and less underground in recent years, so an ending where Sherlock bested the Klan in some grander sense would‘ve been even less satisfying. 1mo
Cuilin @IndoorDame yeah that‘s a good point. It‘s interesting that Doyle could probably see how the Klan could go on and live underground. I guess I just felt unsatisfied that these two Klan members weren‘t caught. Drowning seems too good for them. 1mo
Read4life Such good points made by @CatLass007 & @IndoorDame. Like @Librarybelle I forgot the connection to the Klan. 1mo
dabbe Doyle doesn't seem afraid to bring out atrocities: colonialism by the British over India, and the Klan ... this is also one in which the client dies. Why on earth did Holmes send him home, knowing how dire the consequences were? This one was hard for me to suspend my disbelief. Why not go with him and then nab the killers? They were in the bank all night long in “The Red-Headed League“; they could have done something similar here. 1mo
Cuilin @dabbe he could have at least sent Watson with him. 1mo
dabbe @Cuilin With his trusty gun! 🤩 1mo
Aimeesue I think this was the only possible (mostly) satisfying ending. How could they have been arrested in the US? There was no proof any of the deaths were actually murders. Even were they tried, the jury would‘ve been all Southern white men and we know how bias and racism are STILL affecting trials today, so I wouldn‘t have had a lot of hope for justice there. 1mo
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Read4life
The five orange pips | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Cuilin Me too. I‘m creating the questions. I have two and I‘m working on the third. So fun. 1mo
dabbe I'm going to read this out loud to my GSD, Pip! #wonderwhy 🤩😃😍 1mo
Read4life @dabbe I alternate between listening to Stephen Fry on the audio and reading them out loud to my dog, Sherlock. 💙🐶💙 1mo
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DieAReader 🥳Great! 1mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 1mo
TheSpineView 👍🤩📖 1mo
dabbe @Read4life Best dog name. Ever. 😍 1mo
Read4life @dabbe 💙🐶💙 1mo
49 likes8 comments
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LitsyEvents
The Five Orange Pips | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, P. James Macaluso
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Repost for @dabbe

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes
@Cuilin

Fabulous discussion today, Sherlockians! Next up: “The Five Orange Pips.“ Below is a study guide with summary (spoiler alert!) Discussion next Saturday!
Here's the link: https://bit.ly/3Tj2QRp

Have a lovely week! 💚💙💚

37 likes1 comment
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dabbe
The five orange pips | Arthur Conan Doyle
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#NoPlaceLikeHolmes
@Cuilin

Fabulous discussion today, Sherlockians! Next up: “The Five Orange Pips.“ Below is a study guide with summary (spoiler alert!) Discussion next Saturday!
Here's the link: https://bit.ly/3Tj2QRp

Have a lovely week! 💚💙💚

CogsOfEncouragement Thank you for continuing this enjoyable buddy read. 1mo
dabbe @CogsOfEncouragement I'm thoroughly enjoying it myself! 🤩😃😍 1mo
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dabbe @BeeCurious 🤩😃😍 1mo
dabbe @Liz_M I keep forgetting to do that! Thanks! 💚☘️💚 1mo
43 likes6 comments
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Charityann
The five orange pips | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Pickpick

Read this short Sherlock Holmes story. Also “orange” for #ominousoctober 🎃📚📖 @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks #scarathlon #teamslaughter @Clwojick

Eggs Well done 👍🏼 2y
29 likes1 comment
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SanjanaGhosh
The five orange pips | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Mehso-so

Nostalgia

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bibliobliss
The five orange pips | Arthur Conan Doyle
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"As evening drew in, the storm grew higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the chimney."

Um...I hope those silly Brits aren't in the nasty habit of putting their children in the chimneys. Just kidding ?

#recentlyread #SherlockHolmes #shortstories #bookblurbs #mysteries

TrishB We‘re not supposed to put our kids up the chimneys 🤷‍♀️😁 4y
BookwormM How else do we get the chimney clean 🤣🤣🤣 4y
38 likes4 comments
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Malisa
The five orange pips | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was good, but the ending fell flat for me. Not as enjoyable as the other ones I‘ve read thus far. #sherlock #sherlockholmes #arthurconandoyle #finished

aa_guer2021 I am a huge #sherlock fan. What fell flat for you in this story, just out of curiosity? 5y
Malisa @ruskigurl16 I think the fact that there wasn‘t actually any mystery solving to be had and the somewhat anticlimactic ending 5y
30 likes2 comments
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Bookworm-Bobbie
The five orange pips | Arthur Conan Doyle
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My other half doesn‘t read -at all!😱 I think he‘s read one book in the last 12 years. But we‘ve been watching BBC‘s Sherlock (which is amazing) and he asked me to buy him the book. Of course, I was more than happy to oblige. 😁

Caroline2 Oh what a lovely edition! And I love the bookmark! 😍 my husband doesn‘t read much either, takes him about 6mths to get through a book! 🙄 6y
Soubhiville My husband doesn‘t read either. I hope yours enjoys this. I love the Sherlock series, the director is kind of a genius. 6y
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Carolhreads
The five orange pips | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Mehso-so

Even though I really liked this book and it really made me sit up and take notice and I appreciated the storyline I was supremely disappointed with the ending which is why it gets a so-so instead of a pick :( great book all the way throughout and then the ending sigh

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Lreads
The five orange pips | Arthur Conan Doyle
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Pickpick

I've seen some Littens praising the Serial Reader app and thought I'd give it a try. I started with The Five Orange Pips which was good. I like how the app takes classics and sends them in daily bite-sized portions. I found myself anticipating the next installment. I recommend the app and story!
#SerialReader #SherlockHolmes #mystery

Nerdy_Bookworm I'll have to give it a try! ☺ 6y
Lreads @Nerdy_Bookworm I‘m hoping the app makes it easier to read longer classics that I might otherwise get bogged down with. 6y
Nerdy_Bookworm If it does make it easier to read the longer classics, i may have to install it to read War and Peace, Les Mis, and The Brothers Karamazov ☺ 6y
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Libby1 I love this app! I‘m reading my 36th Serial since last November. 😬 6y
Lreads @Nerdy_Bookworm That's what I hope to do! 6y
Lreads @Libby1 Wow! That's awesome! 😊 6y
SerialReader Thanks for the kind words!! 💙 6y
34 likes7 comments
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jpmcwisemorgan
The five orange pips | Arthur Conan Doyle
Mehso-so

It's interesting that this story would show up now, after the events of the last two or three years (escalating in the last six months or so). I like the idea of sending a notice to my enemies through the use of something like five orange pips. Unfortunately, I don't think any of them would "get" it. Also, I don't really have enemies. I found the ending to be a bit unsatisfactory. I wanted Sherlock to catch them! #Sherlocked

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InLibrisVeritas
The Five Orange Pips | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, P. James Macaluso
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Pickpick

Another Sherlock story done! I like that this one wasn't a complete wrap up or a success. It's nice to see someone with a superior skill set falter on occassion. #Sherlocked

32 likes2 stack adds
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AdaChivers
The five orange pips | Arthur Conan Doyle
Pickpick

This one I really liked! #sherlocked #readalong #serialreader

18 likes1 stack add
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Kathrin
The Five Orange Pips | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, P. James Macaluso
Pickpick

Short and sweet... Holmes wasn't able to tie this one up cleanly... how refreshing! #Sherlocked

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AdaChivers
The five orange pips | Arthur Conan Doyle
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The mind Palace was attic in the originals? #sherlocked #readalong #serialreader

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jpmcwisemorgan
The Five Orange Pips | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, P. James Macaluso
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Next up for those Littens busy being #Sherlocked. If I'm right, this one should start tomorrow??? I've been off because these are so short that sometimes I keep reading. UPDATE: I posted a bit early, it looks like this one starts on Monday/Tuesday depending on where you're at with the previous issues, and when you get your issues delivered. 😊

Theresa I thought Buscombe Valley... just started today??? 7y
jpmcwisemorgan @Theresa I thought it started Friday??? I might be off. I skipped the Scandal in Bohemia because I read it last year. I guess we can all pretend like we're in Harry Potter and singing the school song to different tunes. 7y
Theresa I don't really know. I'm reading each story all at once so if I'm behind I can easily catch up. 7y
jpmcwisemorgan @Theresa Yup, I think we're all in different places but that's ok. Im posting about this one early actually. And I think it might start on Monday now that I really think on it. I had it in my brain as tomorrow. Ahhhhh.... 7y
jpmcwisemorgan @Theresa Nope, it starts Tuesday. You're right about one starting today. I downloaded early. 7y
43 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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mom2bugnbee
The Five Orange Pips | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, P. James Macaluso
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Is it bad that when I read Sherlock Holmes, I now see Benedict Cumberbatch in my mind's eye? And, more importantly, hear his voice? *swoon* #favoriteSherlock #imighthaveacrush #SherlockHolmes #serialreader

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Cinfhen
The Five Orange Pips | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, P. James Macaluso
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Pickpick

Another winner from #serialreader ❤️I'm loving these Sherlock Holmes mini mysteries!

Caterina I'm so glad you found something you like on SerialReader! :) 8y
Cinfhen @Caterina Thanks, I followed your advise and kept trying different authors until something clicked 😊 8y
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