The Sign of Four

Description

As a dense yellow fog swirls through the streets of London, a deep melancholy has descended on Sherlock Holmes, who sits in a cocaine-induced haze at 221B Baker Street. His mood is only lifted by a visit from a beautiful but distressed young woman Mary Morstan, whose father vanished ten years before. Four years later she began to receive an exquisite gift every year: a large, lustrous pearl. Now she has had an intriguing invitation to meet her unknown benefactor and urges Holmes and Watson to accompany her. And in the ensuing investigation which involves a wronged woman, a stolen hoard of Indian treasure, a wooden-legged ruffian, a helpful dog and a love affair even the jaded Holmes is moved to exclaim, Isn't it gorgeous!'

Arthur Conan Doyle (Author) Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was born in Edinburgh where he qualified as a doctor, but it was his writing which brought him fame, with the creation of Sherlock Holmes, the first scientific detective. He was also a convert to spiritualism and a social reformer who used his investigative skills to prove the innocence of individuals. Ed Glinert (External Editor) Ed Glinert was born in Dalston, east London. he is the author of The Literary Guide to London and The London Compendium and leads a variety of walking tours around London. His fascination with people and place, the bizarre and the arcane, coupled with his forensic gift for digging out obscure stoires, is perfectly suited to this uniquely intriguing place. Peter Ackroyd (Introducer) Peter Ackroyd is a well known writer and historian. He has been the literary editor of The Spectator and chief book reviewer for the The Times, as well as writing several highly acclaimed books including a biography of Dickens and London- The Biography. He resides in London and his most recent highly acclaimed work is Thames- Sacred River.