Given the recent popularity of the Sherlock Holmes franchise, I find it fitting this week to review one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous Sherlock Holmes novel, The Sign of Four. Originally published by Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine and Spencer Blackett in the United Kingdom, The Sign of Four is one of Doyle’s most engaging mysteries. Set in 1887, and published in 1890, it is the second of the four original novels, and 56 Sherlock Holmes stories.
This mystery surrounds peculiar events in the life of Miss Mary Morstan, who has hired Holmes and Watson to investigate the disappearance of her father. Ten years before the story begins, Miss Morstan’s father was on leave from the British Army in London to meet with his daughter. However, he disappeared without a single piece of evidence to suggest what happened to him. In the years following, Miss Morstan began receiving a rare pearl once per year, for a total of six years. The pearls are received from an anonymous donor, who has finally agreed to meet her in person. The novel begins with Miss Mary Morstan consulting Holmes and Watson on the matter, and then inviting them along for the meet. In addition, Miss Mary Morstan explains that her father had only one friend in London, a man named Major Sholto, who was not even aware that Morstan was in London. Upon further investigation, it is revealed that Major Sholto died a mere week before Miss Mary Morstan began receiving the mysterious pearls.
Upon meeting the mysterious benefactor, it is revealed that it is one of Major Sholto’s twin sons, Thaddeus, who has been giving the pearls to Miss Mary Morstan. Thaddeus also reveals that his father discovered a wonderful treasure and was paranoid about anyone finding out, including a mysterious man with a wooden leg. The story continues to thicken through a series of unfortunate deaths, dangerous adventures, and unbelievable suspense until all is revealed at the end of the novel. The Sign of Four is also a fine example of the process of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s development as a writer.
Doyle’s writing style and story telling ability is far more mature in this novel than in any of his previous works. It is in this novel that he develops his tendency to give the reader certain physical character details, all while leaving then seemingly unclear to the characters within the book. Doyle also definitively introduces his love of a giant final ending to his mystery novels. Doyle leaves the reveal directly to the characters, rather than explaining it through the author’s point of view. Doyle also makes a point of humanizing Holmes, including revealing his cocaine addiction within the first few pages.
Overall, The Sign of Four is one of the quintessential Sherlock Holmes mysteries, and is a great place to start if reading Doyle for the first time. With its superb character development, engaging mystery, and use of eloquent storytelling, The Sign of Four is a near-perfect classic mystery novel.
