Books in order
Sherlock Holmes books in order
by Arthur Conan Doyle
The Sherlock Holmes series is four novels and 56 short stories, collected in nine books, about a detective solving puzzling crimes with Dr Watson. Start with A Study in Scarlet, then follow publication order below. Read or listen here: eBook, audiobook and 15-minute summary, and paperback, hardcover or large print, printed at cost, free to start.
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Where to start
Start hereA Study in ScarletArthur Conan DoyleMeet Holmes through Watson's eyes as a death in an empty London house becomes a puzzle of clues.
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Another way inThe Adventures of Sherlock HolmesArthur Conan DoyleChoose this for short stories, with missing people, stolen jewels and strange requests offering varied puzzles to explore.
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Or tryThe Hound of the BaskervillesArthur Conan DoyleTry this if a death on the Devon moors and the threat of a family curse draw you in.
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The books in order
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| # | First published | Book | Kind | Listening time | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1887 | Novel | 4 h 54 min | Free to startRead free | |
| 2 | 1890 | The Sign of the FourArthur Conan Doyle Holmes investigates missing treasure and a crime rooted in India. | Novel | 4 h 53 min | Free to startRead free |
| 3 | 1892 | The Adventures of Sherlock HolmesArthur Conan Doyle A detective unravels crimes and deceptions through observation and logic. | Stories | 11 h 47 min | Free to startRead free |
| 4 | 1893 | The Memoirs of Sherlock HolmesArthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes investigates thefts, disappearances, and carefully concealed crimes. | Stories | 10 h 46 min | Free to startRead free |
| 5 | 1901 | The Hound of the BaskervillesArthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes investigates a death blamed on a family curse. | Novel | 6 h 40 min | Free to startRead free |
| 6 | 1905 | The Return of Sherlock HolmesArthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes returns to investigate thirteen cases with Dr Watson. | Stories | 12 h 41 min | Free to startRead free |
| 7 | 1915 | Novel | 6 h 35 min | Free to startRead free | |
| 8 | 1917 | His Last BowArthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes investigates crimes, disappearances and threats to national security. | Stories | 6 h 40 min | Free to startRead free |
| 9 | 1927 | The Case-Book of Sherlock HolmesArthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes investigates crimes, strange behaviour, and concealed identities. | Stories | 9 h 23 min | Free to startRead free |
Questions
Do I have to read the Sherlock Holmes books in order?
No, many Sherlock Holmes cases can be read independently. Publication order is a useful choice if you want to follow Holmes and Watson's partnership without encountering later developments first.
How many Sherlock Holmes books are there?
Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series consists of nine books: four novels and five short-story collections. The list above puts those novels and collections in publication order.
Which book should I read first?
Start with A Study in Scarlet for publication order. Watson is newly sharing rooms with Holmes, so you can discover the detective's methods alongside him during a London murder investigation.
What is the best-known book in the series?
The Hound of the Baskervilles is widely regarded as the best-known Sherlock Holmes novel. It follows an investigation into a death on the Devon moors blamed on a family curse.
Can I get the books in print?
Yes. Every book here comes as a paperback, hardcover or large print, printed when you order; start free and you pay only the cost of printing. Choose the print format that suits how you like to read.
Does the publication order of the Sherlock Holmes books match the order of the cases?
No. Publication order follows when the books appeared, not when the cases take place. For a first reading, follow the nine books from A Study in Scarlet to The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes. Together, they contain four novels and 56 short stories.
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Read and hear all of them
Every book on this page, and 200,000+ more, as eBook, large-print eBook, audiobook and 15-minute summary, in 25 languages, and any book printed at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print. 5 accounts for the price of one.
