Celebrate Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s birthday with some detective stories

A collection of Sherlock Holmes book covers, from Rare Autumn.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s was born on this day in 1859. To celebrate his birthday, we’ve collected together some titles inspired by his famous creation, Sherlock Holmes.

It’s probably for the best that Sherlock was the first detective story hero, because as a character he would not have bothered to read the kind of stories that were written about him. “His ignorance,” Watson remarked in A Study in Scarlet, “was as remarkable as his knowledge. Of contemporary literature, philosophy and politics he appeared to know next to nothing.” Watson’s surprise that Holmes knew nothing of the earth’s orbit around the sun was met with indignation: “‘What the deuce is it to me?… if we went round the moon it would not make a pennyworth of difference to me or my work.'”

It’s fair to say that Sherlock didn’t read for pleasure – and one can only assume that’s why he was a bit of a misery-guts. Luckily for young readers today, there are plenty of books available that will entertain amateur sleuths and test their detective skills at the same time.

On the Case with Holmes and Watson (MY)

Several of the best-known Sherlock Holmes mysteries have been re-told in this series of graphic novels from Lerner Books. Each book includes a section where it’s clearly explained how Sherlock managed to use the clues to catch the criminals.

Quizzes are available for six books in the series:

• Sherlock Holmes and a Scandal in Bohemia
• Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure at the Abbey Grange
• Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Blue Gem
• Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Dancing Men
• Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Speckled Band
• Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Sussex Vampire

Baker Street Boys (MY)

Sherlock Holmes has a group of street-urchin detectives to assist him when solving crime. This series from Anthony Read, published by Walker, sees the Baker Street Boys take centre stage in the detective work. Along the way, the boys encounter super-criminal masterminds and even Holmes’ nemesis, Moriarty.

The Baker Street Irregulars (MY)

Another series of graphic novels, Tony Lee’s Baker Street Irregulars books follow the gang as they move into Sherlock’s 221B Baker Street residence and take up cases while he is missing. They are published by Franklin Watts under their Edge label. Quizzes are available for:

• The Adventure of the Missing Detective
• The Adventure of the Phantom of Drury Lane
• The Adventure of the Charge of the Old Brigade
• The Adventure of the Family Reunion

Young Sherlock Holmes (UY)

Sherlock’s younger years are the subject of Andrew Lane’s Young Sherlock Holmes series. The stories are authorised by the Conan Doyle’s estate, and give a credible background to the sleuth we know from the original mysteries. The teenage Sherlock finds himself in Scotland, America, Russia and the Home Counties of England, uncovering crime and solving the mysteries behind them. We’re currently preparing a quiz for the fifth book in the series, so watch this space for news when it’s available!