The Valley of Fear (Cactus Classics Large Print): 16 Point Font; Large Text; Large Type

I liked this book a lot and it's right up there behind The Sign of Four as the second best Sherlock Holmes novel. Though it's well known that Conan Doyle was growing tired of the character by this point.The story is of a brutal murder in a mansion house in the English countryside. There's not much sense-making evidence to work on so Holmes and Watson go down to investigate along with Scotland Yard and the local police. Sure enough, Holmes solves the case rather quickly and all is revealed. But it's here that Conan Doyle uses the same split narrative he used in A Study in Scarlet. The story jumps far back in time and details the long, sinister plot leading up to the murder in the mansion. It's a good story and quite addictive. But I'm afraid I saw the plot twist coming (though it's an imaginative surprise) and only because there were no small revalations at any point, therefor I knew I big 'un was coming and deduced the logical conclusion.And is it just me or is there a major anachronism in the story? Holmes speaks of Moriarty as if he is still alive. But didn't he chuck him of the Reichenbach falls and watch him fall to his death? Unless this story is set before then. And who is this mysterious Porlock? It was never cleared up. Perhaps in a future story eh?

For some reason I have found myself in a "let's read/listen to Sherlock Holmes stories" frame of mind. Looking about on Amazon here in the Colonies, I couldn't find exactly what i was looking for. So a quick glance of Over The Pond Amazon, and Voila...just what I wanted. Great stories told by masters of the art of acting and storytelling. The abridged Vally of Fear is one of three audio books I purchased recently. Ian presents the story in a great Ian tone of voicei. Every pause paused to perfection. Every lull well considered and presented. I couldn't be happier.

A good clear sound

I have all of the conan doyle books apart from this one one good book spine ok

This is my favourite 'Doyle'. What else can I say but Excellent.