Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

The Sign of Four: A Sherlock Holmes Novel
The Sign of Four: A Sherlock Holmes Novel
The Sign of Four: A Sherlock Holmes Novel
Audiobook5 hours

The Sign of Four: A Sherlock Holmes Novel

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

3.5/5

()

About this audiobook

As a dense yellow fog swirls through the streets of London, a deep melancholy has descended on Sherlock Holmes, who sits in a cocaine-induced haze at 221B Baker Street. His mood is only lifted by a visit from a beautiful but distressed young woman-Mary Morstan, whose father vanished ten years before. Four years later she began to receive an exquisite gift every year: a large, lustrous pearl. Now she has had an intriguing invitation to meet her unknown benefactor and urges Holmes and Watson to accompany her. In the ensuing investigation-which involves a wronged woman, a stolen hoard of Indian treasure, a wooden-legged ruffian, a helpful dog, and a love affair-even the jaded Holmes is moved to exclaim, "Isn't it gorgeous!"

This audiobook includes the bonus Sherlock Holmes story "The Red-Headed League."
LanguageEnglish
Release dateNov 23, 2009
ISBN9781400185146
Author

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Arthur Conan Doyle was a British writer and physician. He is the creator of the Sherlock Holmes character, writing his debut appearance in A Study in Scarlet. Doyle wrote notable books in the fantasy and science fiction genres, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels.

More audiobooks from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Related to The Sign of Four

Titles in the series (4)

View More

Related audiobooks

Classics For You

View More

Related articles

Reviews for The Sign of Four

Rating: 3.6626506024096384 out of 5 stars
3.5/5

83 ratings68 reviews

What did you think?

Tap to rate

Review must be at least 10 words

  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I didn't think that this story was as good as the short stories in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes or The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. The romance of Dr. Watson was a nice subplot, though.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Never read this one before, same as with study in scarlet... i had only read the short stories when i was younger. This had the same kind of flashback sectioin, only it was a story told by a character as opposed to a full on flashback with a different narrator...
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This one had a lot of the dated language and imagery I'd expect from a Victorian novel unfortunately, so be aware of that going in. Colonialism was strong here. Besides that it had something that I think a lot of the short stories lack, and I really found that fun. The 'high speed boat chase' was absolutely hilarious to me, though I enjoyed it. After reading Lindsey Faye's Sherlock shorts now I'm seeing the constant romanticized descriptions of women and it's just so over the top and ridiculous. I did like seeing Watson and Mary's relationship though, that was very cute. Sadly the mystery in this one was not very mysterious, I was a bit bummed on how simple it worked out to be. Ah well!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    So being a Sherlock Holmes newb, I had no idea that Dr. Watson got married. Second book into the series, and Watson gets love struck by the female lead in the story who brings the case to Holmes, and runs off to marry her at the end of the book.

    As a story goes, I really enjoyed this one, because it had ethical dilemmas as well as logical ones. However, this really felt like a rewrite of his first book with the evil Mormon sect, just rather than a tragedy, a successful romance. Some of the plot devices were predictable, which with the feeling of retelling his first book, kept it from being 5 stars for me.

    But you can't help but really enjoy how Holmes comes to his conclusions. It's always fun to see how he logically connects each piece of the mystery, and as a reader, it gets you thinking how Doyle created the mystery, and wondering how he put the story together in such a way, that as a reader, you can't piece it together until Holmes explains it.

    Delightful.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    mostly of interest to me for the wildly extravagant racism and the portrayal of drug use.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    My first Sherlock Holmes read. The characters of Holmes and Watson were more fun than I imagined they'd be! But, the story got over-long, even tho the book itself is tiny.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    For me this second Sherlock Holmes novel is what defines a classic. By no means is Doyle the master stylist of a Thomas Hardy or Oscar Wilde, and I'm not going to claim there are profound insights into the human condition, but this novel wears its age very lightly indeed. There are books written decades later that feel far more dated, and the few times anything in it feel the slightest bit old fashioned, it lends it more the piquant flavor of the Victorian Age than anything that feels like a flaw. This is a fun, fast read--barely novel length, only 12 chapters and barely over 40 thousand words and along with its mystery and adventure even provides a soupçon of romance. I don't think this is as good as The Hound of the Baskervilles, the most famous Sherlock Holmes story and novel, but it's holds up well compared to the first, A Study in Scarlet and there's so much here that makes Holmes such an immortal character. There are his brilliant deductions such as his tour de force with Watson's watch, there's his sense of humor that ameliorates his sometimes cold ratiocination, his flare for the dramatic seen in his revelation of his disguises, and even his flaws like his addiction (or close to it) for cocaine, which is highlighted here at the beginning and end of the novel. So much here made me smile. The Holmesian aphorism: "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." The Baker Street Irregulars. Toby the master tracker, a mongrel that's a mix of spaniel, collie and greyhound. The exotic mix of things from the height of the British Raj, which includes nothing less than hidden treasure to be found. I don't know that I'd recommend this as an introduction to Sherlock Holmes. I'd point someone first perhaps to the collection of short stories The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes or the best Holmes novel, The Hound of the Baskervilles, or even the first novel, A Study in Scarlet. But certainly if you've already discovered you love Sherlock Holmes, you shouldn't be disappointed in The Sign of Four.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Excellent for what it is, of course. This is the second Holmes novella, fits the formula perfectly, and is enjoyable from beginning to end. It features a locked room mystery (sort of), the usual mysteries that had their origin overseas, and even a little romantic interest for Watson. It is not quite as confounding and mysterious, nor is the solution quite as satisfying, as many of the later Holmes stories. But still excellent.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A quick, easy and straight-forward read. I liked how the solutions were doled out in bits & pieces as the story progressed. Sherlock Holmes remains my favorite cocaine-addicted detective. LOL!!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I enjoyed this; though I probably laughed more - at the sexism, racism, and general ethnocentrism ingrained in the text - than Sir Arthur intended, it's an engaging, well-written little caper with some great chase scenes and iconic bits of dialogue.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    READ IN ENGLISH

    The Sign of The Four will be used in the third series of BBC Sherlock as The Sign of Three. I'm quite thrilled that for once I have read the book before they used it, and I will be able to look for everything they used form the book. I can't wait till the third series start!

    I liked reading this book as well. The writing style is still quite modern, and reads very easily. The story itself is quite interesting, so it was really a nice read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    While most Sherlock stories are intriguing, this one stood out to me as perhaps the most interesting. Not because of the crime, but because of all the original stories I have read thus far this one seems the most interested in Sherlock's motivation and character- fleshed him out as it were.

    I also can't help but be amused by Doyle's treatment of Sherlock's drug addiction and apparent manic depression. No apologies. This may merit further investigation.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This was my second Sherlock Holmes book and I enjoyed it as much as the first. This book introduces us to Holmes' cocaine habit, and Watson meets a girl he likes, so it was nice to have that type of character development. The way Holmes uses logic to solve the crime of the story is again interesting and fun to read. I also liked the bit of history mixed into the story - this time dealing with British rule in India. A quick read and I will continue to read the Holmes' stories in the future.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    An enjoyable and entertaining mystery.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The Sign of Four means murder! Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson accompany a beautiful young woman to a sinister assignation. Mary Morstan receives a mystery letter telling her she is a wronged woman. In order to seek justice she's to meet her unknown benefactor, bringing with her two companions. But surprise, surprise, there are others stalking in the fog of London! A one-legged ruffian has revenge on his mind - and his companions, who place no value on human life!
    This story has non-stop action and it's certainly believable (bearing in mind when it was written)- It has a really surprising ending - jewel-thieves at its best. With greed another factor, there is plenty of adventure and mystery to get you turning-over the page. There's also a destination of love for Dr Watson with Mary Morstan!
    Yes, at times it's certainly curious and intriguing.. along with its whodunit theme.
    A well written story with lots of very good description and detail. Some really great characters.


  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I inherited a set of Holmes a few years back but hesitated to read them for fear they'd be difficult due to old-fashioned language & style, and due to references to unfamiliar history and culture. Well, they were amazingly accessible and interesting. Highly recommended.

    But don't start with this one (or with Hound of the Baskervilles) and do try to read them in some sort of order. This particular was a bit convoluted (after all, it's longer than many, too).
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Liked the book far more than any of the screen adaptations I have seen, well worth the reading.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    A good old comfortable read
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    3.5 Stars. Didn't enjoy this one as much as the first one.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I'm not typically a fan of Sherlock Holmes, but this one struck a chord in me. The plot was well-paced, Holmes and Watson were good, breathing characters and the conclusion was satisfactory. Everything that I had come to expect from these sorts of tales was there and there were even moments of surprise amidst the mystery and adventure that Doyle took me on. Overall, a good book and one that should not be missed.3.25 stars.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Holmes and The Science of Deduction This is chronologically the second book of Sherlock Holmes cases. The story evolves around a treasure that came from India in an exquisite manner. The possession of the treasure’s riches cause, as one can expect, some murders. Holmes is called to discovery the reason for the disappearance of Mary Morstan’s father, which appears to have direct connection with the treasury. With the help of Watson, the famous “consulting detective” used all his abilities to solve the mystery. Careful observation added with the special ability of deduction help Holmes to find the answers. In this adventure Watson knows someone who will have an important place in his heart and ultimately in his life. The story has a lot of action and the finish is somewhat surprisingly. After “A Study in Scarlet”, the reader knows a little bit more of Holmes and Watson and the relationship both build.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Dr. Watson, maybe there are easier ways to pick up women than chasing pygmies and peg-legged people down the Thames.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Been a while since I read even a short novel or novella in one day, but I did it with The Sign Of Four. Thoroughly enjoyed it and nice to read the original after seeing so many adaptations on tv. Great stuff.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I listened to this book for a few days on my way to/from work, which was easy to do. I hadn't heard of this story before and I'm not really surprised. It was okay, and i liked it, but I don't think I'd bother to listen to it again, or to read it.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Mary Morstan becomes a client for Sherlock Holmes and a very beautiful and interesting lady for Dr. John Watson. She reports that her father, Captain Arthur Morstan, has disappeared. However, the disappearance was not recent … it was ten years before when he’d telegraphed her to meet him at the Langham Hotel in London. Once there, she was informed he’d not returned to the hotel from the night before. Later, she begins receiving anonymous packages – one for the past six years – each containing a precious pearl inside.Holmes, Watson, and Mary set up a meeting with Thaddeus Sholto. He was the son of her father’s best friend, Major John Sholto. He confirms that his father had met with Morstan on the night he died. They had quarreled over treasure Sholto had brought back from India. Sholto confesses to his two twin sons, Thaddeus and Bartholomew, that he’d murdered Morstan. Before giving them the location of the treasure, they were purposefully distracted. When they returned to their father, he’d been killed. A note was left upon him, “The Sign of Four”.This is the second novel of Sherlock Holmes written by Arthur Conan Doyle and published in 1890. It is the first which details Sherlock Holmes use of cocaine, or as he would put it, his seven percent solution. I felt the pace in this full-length story tapered off mid-way, but picked back up toward the end. As always, I enjoyed Holmes’ powers of deduction. The story is more convoluted than A Study in Scarlet. The contemporary adage of ‘follow the money’ seems to have been just as true in the late 1800’s as it is today.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to teach this one since Sherlock Holmes does cocaine and heroin and John Watson doesn't stop him, but it's still a wonderful story. The many layers of mysteries SH keeps track of and finds is impressive. To SH, there are no red herring clues, though some may seem that way to JW and the reader. I can't help but wonder what a novel by SH would look like. Of course, he would never waste his time on something so trivial.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This was very weird compared to the previous Holmes book I read. Less Mormon-hating, more racism. Also, what with reading The Mad Ship and watching Muppet Treasure Island recently, I feel like everything I see is about how one-legged men are evil. :s
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Sign of Four, which is the second book featuring the famed detective Sherlock Holmes, the authors vivid imagination tells another riveting detective story. The book begins and ends with Sherlock Holmes injecting himself with cocaine simply because he is bored due to not having a murder case to occupy his mind. Readers get to know Holmes and Dr. Watson a little better in this book. The story is so detailed and well conceived that it almost seems real. I will be looking forward to the next installment in this series, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Opens with Sherlock self-administering class-A drugs intravenously... because he's bored. How very Trainspotting. Another romp through the streets of London or rather down the Thames in this instance. A locked-room mystery instantly solved and love at first sight for Dr. Watson. Charming and fun.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Meh. Dr. Watson's romance was pretty much the only interesting thing about this particular book. At least it was short.