The Great Detectives

[Jetfire]

I've always been interested in the various methods of solving mysteries that are portrayed in literature. Each detective has his own method of solving puzzels

For me the most interesting method that I've read is that of Auther Conan Doyle's creation, Sherlock Holmes. The deductions made always seem so simple and obvious when Holmes explains how he arrived at the conclusion, however I'm always at least a few steps behind.

[GryphonMage]

Jet - yeah. Sherlock Holmes was amazing. But if I was Watson that superior attitude would have gotten on my nerves. I love that the only person to ever escape him was a woman.

I find it interesting that in modern detective novels the focus seems to be much more about the social relationships between the characters using the mystery as a way to move the characters rather than having the mystery be the real story. If that makes sense.

[Jetfire]

You're right, Holmes really did have bit of an attitude didn't he. I can sort of see why though, not that it excuses his behaviour. I was reading the story with Irene Alder in very recently as it happens.

I can't lay claim to noticing the new trend in detective stories, but it seems rather strange to me. Shouldn't the focus of a detective novel be the mystery itself? Yeah, it's important to have character development, but doesn't it take something away from the point?

Or have I finally lost the plot?

[GryphonMage]

I suppose being insanely smart would give any one an attitude. But clearly, attitude and smarts are no match for feminine wiles.


And you're right, the focus should be on the mystery, but in my opinion, it really isn't it. In fact, the last mystery I read was so much about relationships that they basically just told you who did it in the beginning so that you could get that out of the way and focus on the other stuff. Booring.

[Jetfire]

So then when does a mystery novel become a novel with a mystery in it?

Oh and as apoint of pedantry, (borne of observation and deduction ), Holmes didn't have a study. He and Watson always used the living room of their appartment in 221b Baker Street to conduct their cases.

[GryphonMage]

Well, I suppose technically it's true that he mightn't have had a proper study, but if he used the living room as such, it's close enough. Also, Holmes and Watson didn't live together, I'm not sure if they did at some point or not, but at some point, Watson got married, so after that I can say for sure.

And I am not sure when a mystery novel becomes a novel with a bit of mystery. Thats a bit like asking when does a novel with romance in it become a romance novel, isn't it? The line between genres gets a little shaky sometimes. I guess you'd have to classify them by the primary elements of the plot.

[Jetfire]

Holmes and Watson moved into 221b Baker Street together, at the start of The Study In Scarlet. They were flatmates untill Watson got married at the end of The Sign of Four.

[GryphonMage]

I need to clear out all the library books I'm working on and get out my Sherlock Holmes anthology so I can keep up with you. Do you have a favorite Holme's story? I personally like the Speckled Band -probably because it's the first one I ever read.

[Jetfire]

Favorite story? I'd have to say it's probably The Yellow Face. Either that or The Greek Interpretor.

Your talk of re-reading the books brings up what I think is a real flaw in mystery books. Holmes' stories more than others. You can't re-read mystery novels as frequently as you can other books, because if you know who dunnit, and how they get found out what's the point?

[GryphonMage]

That's a good point Matt. You can't re-read them as often. One thing that I like about Sherlock Holmes is that you can re-read those for the detail as much as for the mystery. Trying to find the clues he saw before he points them out. And then I think...how in the world did I miss that?! I haven't read all the Sherlock stories. I read a few at a time, and then need a break. I'll have to check my big book o' Holmes for your favorites.