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vivdunstanThis is a story I like a lot. A working-class man, notable for his brightly coloured red hair, gets caught up in a strange Red-Headed League, and mysteries unfold.
On a reread the early clues about the case are very apparent. The red-headed man's young assistant Vincent, willing to work for only half price, while constantly vanishing down into the cellar. Rightly so Holmes's suspicions are already raised.
The story vividly conjures up the image of a mass of red-headed men queuing for the offered job. Which, of course, goes to Holmes's client. Who then must spend several hours a day elsewhere, copying out the Encyclopedia Britannica. For a number of weeks, until the work suddenly stops, and the Red-Headed League vanishes overnight.
Soon the truth is revealed by Holmes: a cunning plan to rob a neighbouring bank, and Vincent is up to his neck in it.
Because there is so much signposting early on, I don't think the story works so well for a reread as some of the others. But it has an imaginative plot, with rather eccentric elements, while still reflecting aspects of everyday Victorian London life.
This is another Holmes story with an American connection. Specifically Ezekiah Hopkins of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, the supposed millionaire philanthropist behind the Red-Headed League. I can't help but wonder if Conan Doyle was including American elements like this to appeal to American readers as well as British. Or equally it may reflect a contemporary perception of America as the land where riches can be made.
Significantly this story describes the Red-Headed League case as a "three pipe problem", a phrase which has become synonymous with Holmes. This was memorably modified by the BBC's Sherlock TV series to a "three patch problem".
I love that Holmes and Watson travel by the Underground from Baker Street to Aldersgate (now Barbican station). Presumably this was via the Circle Line, which had only been completed a few years earlier.
There is a stark contrast in the story between the impoverished street where Holmes's client lives and the grander street next door with better shops and a wealthy bank. This image of London with poor and rich sitting side by side is both evocative and reflective of the history. And so fundamental to the core plot of this story.
Holmes's love for the violin is well incorporated too, not just in reference to him playing the instrument himself, but also with Holmes and Watson taking time out to see a famous Spanish violinist perform. This reference to a real historical violinist further grounds the story in its time and place, and would have made it feel even more relevant to and relatable for contemporary readers, whether violin fans or not.
Unlike the previous story there is a police presence here, with Peter Jones of Scotland Yard. Who manages effortlessly to patronise Holmes. To be fair Holmes is no more complimentary in reverse. But at least he doesn't do it in Jones's presence!
The ending of the story is grippingly tense, one of the most gripping moments for me in the whole canon. It's also vividly portrayed in the Jeremy Brett TV version from 1985, a well regarded episode among fans. That also has a very strong guest cast, including Richard Wilson as the mysterious other red-headed man who hires Holmes's client, and Tim McInnerny, better known as Lord Percy and Captain Darling in TV's Blackadder. The Jeremy Brett version twists things slightly, to include Moriarty in the story too. But that is acceptable, for me anyway.
A strong story, well worth reading.
On a reread the early clues about the case are very apparent. The red-headed man's young assistant Vincent, willing to work for only half price, while constantly vanishing down into the cellar. Rightly so Holmes's suspicions are already raised.
The story vividly conjures up the image of a mass of red-headed men queuing for the offered job. Which, of course, goes to Holmes's client. Who then must spend several hours a day elsewhere, copying out the Encyclopedia Britannica. For a number of weeks, until the work suddenly stops, and the Red-Headed League vanishes overnight.
Soon the truth is revealed by Holmes: a cunning plan to rob a neighbouring bank, and Vincent is up to his neck in it.
Because there is so much signposting early on, I don't think the story works so well for a reread as some of the others. But it has an imaginative plot, with rather eccentric elements, while still reflecting aspects of everyday Victorian London life.
This is another Holmes story with an American connection. Specifically Ezekiah Hopkins of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, the supposed millionaire philanthropist behind the Red-Headed League. I can't help but wonder if Conan Doyle was including American elements like this to appeal to American readers as well as British. Or equally it may reflect a contemporary perception of America as the land where riches can be made.
Significantly this story describes the Red-Headed League case as a "three pipe problem", a phrase which has become synonymous with Holmes. This was memorably modified by the BBC's Sherlock TV series to a "three patch problem".
I love that Holmes and Watson travel by the Underground from Baker Street to Aldersgate (now Barbican station). Presumably this was via the Circle Line, which had only been completed a few years earlier.
There is a stark contrast in the story between the impoverished street where Holmes's client lives and the grander street next door with better shops and a wealthy bank. This image of London with poor and rich sitting side by side is both evocative and reflective of the history. And so fundamental to the core plot of this story.
Holmes's love for the violin is well incorporated too, not just in reference to him playing the instrument himself, but also with Holmes and Watson taking time out to see a famous Spanish violinist perform. This reference to a real historical violinist further grounds the story in its time and place, and would have made it feel even more relevant to and relatable for contemporary readers, whether violin fans or not.
Unlike the previous story there is a police presence here, with Peter Jones of Scotland Yard. Who manages effortlessly to patronise Holmes. To be fair Holmes is no more complimentary in reverse. But at least he doesn't do it in Jones's presence!
The ending of the story is grippingly tense, one of the most gripping moments for me in the whole canon. It's also vividly portrayed in the Jeremy Brett TV version from 1985, a well regarded episode among fans. That also has a very strong guest cast, including Richard Wilson as the mysterious other red-headed man who hires Holmes's client, and Tim McInnerny, better known as Lord Percy and Captain Darling in TV's Blackadder. The Jeremy Brett version twists things slightly, to include Moriarty in the story too. But that is acceptable, for me anyway.
A strong story, well worth reading.