This short story highlights the phenomenal mind of Sherlock Holmes as the detective unravels the complex case of a star rugby player’s disappearance. Godfrey Staunton plays in the three-quarters position of the University of Cambridge rugby team. When he disappears just before a big game against Oxford, the entire team is desperate to uncover his whereabouts. Despite sports being beyond Sherlock Holmes’ field of knowledge, he agrees to take on the case and is soon unravelling the mystery. First published in 1904, ‘The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter’ is a thrilling detective story that showcases the skill and intellect of Sherlock Holmes. This edition features a specially commissioned introduction alongside an article by the author and the original illustrations by Charles R. Macauley.

This short story highlights the phenomenal mind of Sherlock Holmes as the detective unravels the complex case of a star rugby player's disappearance. Godfrey Staunton plays in the three-quarters position of the University of Cambridge rugby team. When he disappears just before a big game against Oxford, the entire team is desperate to uncover his whereabouts. Despite sports being beyond Sherlock Holmes' field of knowledge, he agrees to take on the case and is soon unravelling the mystery. First published in 1904, 'The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter' is a thrilling detective story that showcases the skill and intellect of Sherlock Holmes. This edition features a specially commissioned introduction alongside an article by the author and the original illustrations by Charles R. Macauley.

Follow Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson to a university town where they investigate three students to uncover who is attempting to cheat on a valuable examination paper. In this short Sherlock Holmes story, the famous detective is called away from his usual high-stakes crime investigations and must solve a case with very few clues on a university campus. Someone has snuck into a lecturer’s office and copied the answers to an important examination paper. The culprit must be caught and prevented from taking the exam because it is for a large scholarship. In a thrilling display of his observation and deduction skills, Holmes reveals the truth behind the case. First published in 1904, this short story by Arthur Conan Doyle is a suspenseful Sherlock Holmes tale that’s not to be missed. This edition features a specially commissioned introduction alongside an article by the author and the original illustrations by Charles R. Macauley.

Read the short story that shocked Sherlock Holmes fans across the globe and discover how the renowned detective got away with his greatest coup yet: surviving death. It’s been three years since Sherlock Holmes had a fatal encounter with Professor Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls, and Doctor Watson has started investigating crime alone. When a seemingly unsolvable locked-room murder occurs, Watson visits the crime scene. Several odd characters are present, including an elderly book collector, who may not be all he seems... First published in The Strand Magazine, ‘The Adventure of the Empty House’ is a remarkable example of Arthur Conan Doyle’s skill in writing detective fiction. This edition features a specially commissioned introduction alongside an article by the author and the original illustrations by Charles R. Macauley.

Read the short story that shocked Sherlock Holmes fans across the globe and discover how the renowned detective got away with his greatest coup yet: surviving death. It's been three years since Sherlock Holmes had a fatal encounter with Professor Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls, and Doctor Watson has started investigating crime alone. When a seemingly unsolvable locked-room murder occurs, Watson visits the crime scene. Several odd characters are present, including an elderly book collector, who may not be all he seems... First published in The Strand Magazine, 'The Adventure of the Empty House' is a remarkable example of Arthur Conan Doyle's skill in writing detective fiction. This edition features a specially commissioned introduction alongside an article by the author and the original illustrations by Charles R. Macauley.

Embark on a thrilling journey of mysterious disappearances and captivating suspense as Sherlock Holmes investigates three chilling cases of kidnap. This collection features three of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most captivating and suspenseful Sherlock Holmes stories. In ‘The Greek Interpreter’ (1893), Sherlock Holmes is called upon to solve the curious disappearance of Mr. Melas, the neighbour of his brother, Mycroft. ‘The Priory School’ (1904) sees Holmes racing against time to save the son of a rich and famous duke after he vanishes from his prestigious school. Finally, ‘The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax’ (1911) follows the disappearance of a lonely but wealthy woman who has the habit of carrying valuable jewels on her person. A must-read for fans of detective fiction, this new collection from Read & Co. Books features the original illustrations by Sidney Paget and a specially commissioned introduction.

These early works by Arthur Conan Doyle were originally published in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and we are now republishing them with a brand new introductory biography as part of our Sherlock Holmes series. Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1859. It was between 1876 and 1881, while studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh, that he began writing short stories, and his first piece was published in Chambers's Edinburgh Journal before he was 20. In 1887, Conan Doyle's first significant work, A Study in Scarlet, appeared in Beeton's Christmas Annual. It featured the first appearance of detective Sherlock Holmes, the protagonist who was to eventually make Conan Doyle's reputation. A prolific writer, Conan Doyle continued to produce a range of fictional works over the following years. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.