The Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle Book Summary:

The Valley of Fear” by Arthur Conan Doyle is a thrilling mystery novel featuring Sherlock Holmes as the main protagonist. The story begins with a murder in a country house in England, which leads Holmes and his assistant, Dr. Watson, to the mining town of Vermissa Valley in America. There they discover a secret society called the “Scowlers” who are involved in organized crime, particularly in the coal mines of the valley. The story is divided into two parts, with the first part dealing with the murder and the second part revealing the origins of the secret society. The novel is full of suspense, intrigue, and unexpected twists, making it a gripping read for fans of Sherlock Holmes and detective fiction.

The Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle Book Review:

This book is not new to me. I read it the first time when I was in the seventh standard and totally loved it. The mystery was totally ingenious and utterly unexpected!

Arthur Conan Doyle had studied to become a doctor. But started writing when patients didn’t flock to his clinic. Taking his old professor as his muse, he created the legendary character of Sherlock Holmes. Holmes is just too intelligent. And it sometimes feels like he is from another planet and of a different species. So, eccentric, sometimes rude, unemotional and yet a genius like no one has ever seen, he again tests his mental faculties in this novel.

Here a man has been murdered in a locked room in an old manor completely cut off from outside at night so that no one can enter or leave it at that time.


How was he killed and who killed him?


A strange and puzzling mystery with missing dumbbells, raincoats, missing wedding ring and mysterious cards left behind, it is a case where nothing is as it seems.

The Valley of Fear is the last of the four novels by Arthur Conan Doyle and takes the readers to the prim and proper era in England with large country houses, lords and ladies of the manor and a time when England ruled over half the world. We are also transported to America in its early days with a boom in mining of coal. The book is also believed to be loosely based on the real-life case of Molly Maguires and Pinkerton agent James McParland. It has been adapted to TV, stage and movies and considered a masterpiece from the master storyteller, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.


The story is divided into two parts with the first part taking place in England where the lord of the manor is killed in mysterious circumstances and the second part happens in flashback which takes us some twenty years back in time to America where a cult is terrorizing a valley in the American West.

It is the Valley of Fear, the Valley of Death. The terror is in the hearts of the people from the dusk to the dawn.”

'It is the Valley of Fear, the Valley of Death. The terror is in the hearts of the people from the dusk to the dawn.'- #BookQuote Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle #SherlockHolmes #BookReview on #NjkinnysBlog #NjkinnyRecommends
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The cover art has changed many times since the book was released first in 1914 but what first caught my attention was the name of the book. The name “The Valley of Fear” created an instant chill and a sudden thrill of danger in my heart the first time I picked up this book. Then the blurb further attracted me and made me check it out from my school library.

Plot and Narration:

I still remember that hot afternoon when I first read this book and the excitement I felt while I eagerly turned the pages. Howsoever I tried but I could not solve the mystery and was ultimately left speechless when the mystery did unfold before my eyes! 





Such is the effect of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes’ books that they still shock and surprise us even after almost a century. The times have changed, we are more advanced and still the crimes that happened at that time leave us baffled.


This book sets the stage for the legendary confrontation between Sherlock and Professor Moriarty in “The Last Bow“. The Professor’s presence and his hand in this mysterious killing of Mr. Douglas is hinted.

“I can see only two things for certain at present- a great brain (Moriarty) in London, and a dead man in Sussex. It’s the chain between that we are going to trace.”

'I can see only two things for certain at present- a great brain (Moriarty) in London, and a dead man in Sussex. It's the chain between that we are going to trace.'- #BookQuote Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle #SherlockHolmes…
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Characterization:

The characterization is expertly done to form an image of the person in the reader’s minds.

“By age he may have been about fifty, with a strong-jawed, rugged face, a grizzling moustache, peculiarly keen gray eyes, and a wiry, vigorous figure…” (description of Mr. Douglas)

“The greatest schemer of all time, the organizer of every deviltry, the controlling brain of the underworld, a brain which might have made or marred the destiny of nations-that’s the man!” (description of Professor Moriarty)

'The greatest schemer of all time, the organizer of every deviltry, the controlling brain of the underworld, a brain which might have made or marred the destiny of nations-that's the man!(Moriarty)'- #BookQuote Valley of Fear by Arthur…
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“Sherlock Holmes’ eyes glistened, his pale cheeks took a warmer hue, and his whole eager face shone with an inward light when the call for work reached him.”

'Sherlock Holmes' eyes glistened, his pale cheeks took a warmer hue, and his whole eager face shone with an inward light when the call for work reached him.'- #BookQuote Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle #SherlockHolmes #BookReview on…
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Sherlock Holmes’ deductions make the book so much more interesting:

The deductions that Holmes makes by studying the behavior of the suspects is exceptional and fills the readers with admiration. The author shows his intricate knowledge of human nature and behavior which he expertly uses in his book.

“Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself; but talent instantly recognizes genius, and MacDonald had talent enough for his profession to enable him to perceive that there was no humiliation in seeking the assistance of one who already stood alone in Europe, both in his gifts and his experience.(Sherlock Holmes)”

'Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself; but talent instantly recognizes genius...'- #BookQuote Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle #SherlockHolmes #BookReview on #NjkinnysBlog #NjkinnyRecommends
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“…He was cheery and genial to all, but somewhat offhand in his manners, giving the impression that he had seen life in social strata on some far lower horizon..”(Description of Mr. Douglas)

“I am not a whole-souled admirer of womankind, but my experience of life has taught me  that there are few wives, having any regard for their husbands, who would let any man’s spoken word stand between them and that husband’s dead body.”

I loved the first part with the mind boggling mystery and the clues which just confused me. The second part is a bit slow in developing and I did feel a bit bored in some parts but the unexpected end to it just blew me off!

Conclusion:

This is an intricate mystery with a solid story which gives us a glimpse into the lives and times of late 1800s and early 1900s. I have read this book numerous times but still, the story never gets old and the mystery never stops stumping me.

So, 4.5 super shiny stars out of 5 to “The Valley of Fear”. Go read this masterpiece featuring one of the best Detectives of all times, Sherlock Holmes. The book is not to be missed and I strongly recommend it to all mystery and detection lovers.

Buy From:

AMAZON

AMAZON ( Royal Collector’s Edition)

You will also leave reading these Sherlock Holmes’ Books:

• The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle Book Review and Book Quotes
• A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle Book Review and Book Quotes (Sherlock Holmes’ First Novel)
• The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle Book Review and Book Quotes
• Sherlock Holmes and the Beast of the Stapletons by James Lovegrove Book Review and Book Quotes
• The Adventure of the Speckled Band by Arthur Conan Doyle Book Review and Book Quotes