The Sherlock Holmes Quiz Book

by Kathleen Kaska

  Conan Doyle’s second Sherlock Holmes novel, The Sign of Four, published in 1890, sends Holmes and Watson on a chivalrous treasure hunt which turns into a murderous chase. Considered one of the best mysteries in the entire canon, The Sign of Four consists of romance and riches, bloodhounds and boat chases, and, of course, murder and mayhem. In chronicling this case, Watson gives insight into Holmes’s drug habit and his antagonistic attitude toward women. The good doctor himself, in the wake of danger, falls in love, and Scotland Yard, in what appears to be a recurring measure, takes credit for capturing the bad guy and solving the crime.

  Considered the best written and the most popular of all Sherlock Holmes cases, The Hound of the Baskervilles first appeared in the Strand in monthly episodes in 1901 and was published as a novel in 1902. Conan Doyle had not written a Holmes story in almost seven years, having left his detective in a fatal struggle in Switzerland. The inspiration for this mystery originated from an actual Dartmoor legend and, after considerable research with friend Bertram Fletcher Robinson, Conan Doyle wrote the most famous book of his career. When published in the Strand, the story increased the magazine’s circulation to over 30,000. Conan Doyle’s intention was not, however, to bring Holmes back; rather his intention was to tell a great Gothic tale, using his detective as a catalyst. In fact, the story was set in 1889, two years before Holmes would meet his demise. But little did Conan Doyle realize that his fantastic book would cause such an enthusiastic reaction from Sherlockians worldwide. With publishers on the author’s doorstep offering “big bucks,” Sherlock Holmes was, at last, reintroduced into the world of literature.

  The last Sherlock Holmes novel, The Valley of Fear—probably the least popular of all four novels—was published thirteen years after The Hound of the Baskervilles. Two completely different tales linked together by a fine thread tell of a conspiracy and an apparent murder. In part one, “The Tragedy of Birlstone,” Holmes solves the mystery with Watson’s assistance. Part two, “The Scowrers,” recounts a chain of events that began in America some thirteen years earlier, leading to the present crime in London.

  All four novels show Conan Doyle at his best, his story-telling ability capturing the essence of London around the turn of the twentieth century.

  QUIZ 12 A STUDY IN SCARLET

  Published in Beeton’s Christmas Annual, 1887; novel published in 1888

  Conan Doyle approached his writing career as a professional approaches a business venture. He felt that the literary market lacked a good detective serial and proceeded to develop Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in their first investigation. A Study in Scarlet was rejected by five publishers before Ward, Lock & Co. picked up the story and published it in the Beeton’s Christmas Annual the following year, 1887. Conan Doyle was paid a mere twenty-five pounds, and although the reviews were few in number, the print run sold out. Ward, Lock & Co. reprinted the story in book form in July 1888 with an added bonus—this volume included illustrations by Charles Doyle, the author’s father. The following two-part quiz contains forty short-answer questions concerning characters, clues, and circumstances.

  Story Date: London 1881

  Part I: “The Brixton Mystery”

  CHARACTERS

  1. Which Scotland Yard detective writes to Holmes asking for his assistance in solving the mystery surrounding the body found in an abandoned house off Brixton Road?

  2. Who found the body?

  3. Whom did the constable see on the streets when he called for help after discovering the body?

  4. Who answers the ad Holmes placed in the paper?

  5. Who comes rushing up to the apartment at breakfast time, with a report on the crime?

  6. Whom does Inspector Gregson arrest for the murder of Drebber?

  7. Who reluctantly gives Inspector Gregson information as to when Drebber left the house and where he was going?

  8. How was Joseph Stangerson murdered?

  9. Who saw the murderer leave from Stangerson’s window?

  10. Who found the cab driver who was at the scene of the crime?

  CLUES

  1. What are the two main observations Holmes makes about the body?

  2. What item falls from the body as it is being moved?

  3. Of the many items found in the pockets of the dead man, which two gave the inspectors helpful leads?

  4. From information found on the body, where was the victim planning to travel?

  5. What clue does Inspector Lestrade find in the back room of the house?

  6. What does Holmes pick up from the floor and place in an envelope?

  7. What type of tobacco does the murderer smoke?

  8. How does Holmes know that the message written on the wall was meant to be a red herring?

  9. How did Inspector Gregson discover where Drebber was staying?

  10. What piece of evidence, discovered by Lestrade and considered insignificant, gives Holmes the link he needs to tie up the case?

  CIRCUMSTANCES

  1. What is the first thing Holmes does when he arrives on the scene?

  2. What nickname does Holmes give the two men, possibly the murderers, who placed the body in the house?

  3. Why does Holmes want to speed up his investigation?

  4. What does Holmes do to encourage the constable to give accurate information?

  5. Why did the constable decide to investigate the abandoned house in Lauriston Gardens?

  6. How does Holmes lure the man who dropped the ring to come to Baker Street?

  7. According to the Daily Telegraph, what political faction is responsible for the “Brixton Mystery”?

  8. According to the Standard, what political faction is responsible for the crime?

  9. According to the Daily News, what political faction is responsible for the crime?

  10. What did Arthur Charpentier say happened after he followed Drebber?

  Story Date: 1847 to 1860 in Utah

  Part 2: “The Country of the Saints”

  1. Where does part two of the story take place?

  2. Why were John Ferrier and Lucy alone in the desert?

  3. Who rescued John Ferrier and Lucy?

  4. What happened to John Ferrier when the Mormons settled and began their community?

  5. Why was Jefferson Hope in Utah?

  6. Who visited John Ferrier after Jefferson Hope left, and what was the reason for this visit?

  7. What type of threats did John Ferrier begin receiving?

  8. What was the Mormons’ secret code and response, allowing travelers to pass the sentinels?

  9. What happened to Lucy?

  10. Why did Jefferson Hope not stand trial for the two murders?

  QUIZ 13 THE SIGN OF FOUR

  Published in Lippincott Magazine, February 1890; book published 1890

  After the success of A Study in Scarlet, Lippincott Publishers of Pennsylvania asked Conan Doyle for another Sherlock Holmes story. Pleased with the request, but still struggling with his reputation as a novice writer, Conan Doyle did not immediately accept the offer. However, a short time later, he had the opportunity to meet Oscar Wilde at a party sponsored by Lippincott Publishers. Wilde had just read Conan Doyle’s novel Micah Clarke and sang the praises of the young author to the others attending. By the end of the evening, both Wilde and Conan Doyle received an offer from Lippincott to write a book. The results were The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde and The Sign of Four by Conan Doyle. The Sherlock Holmes author signed the contract that very day, and less than six months later, in February 1890, the story appeared in the magazine and then in book form later that year. Here are thirty short-answer questions.

  Story Date: 1888

  CHARACTERS

  1. Whom did Mary contact after her father disappeared?

  2. Why is Thaddeus’s twin brother, Bartholomew, angry with him?

  3. Because of the treasure, Major Sholto was afraid to go out alone. Whom did he hire to protect him?

  4. According to Major Sholt
o, what killed Captain Morstan?

  5. How are Holmes, Watson, Mary, and Thaddeus able to gain entrance into Bartholomew’s house after McMurdo, the bodyguard, refuses to let them in?

  6. Who alerts Holmes and Thaddeus that Bartholomew has bolted himself in his room and refuses to answer?

  7. What does Holmes ask that Watson fetch to assist them in tracking the criminals?

  8. Whom does the overzealous Inspector Jones arrest for the murder of Bartholomew Sholto?

  9. Whom does Holmes hire to help him find the missing boat?

  10. Who shoots the aborigine as he is about to blow a poison dart?

  CLUES

  1. How does Holmes know that the person who wrote the letter also addressed the six boxes that were sent to Mary?

  2. When did Thaddeus and Bartholomew realize that their father was involved with a secret agency?

  3. How did Bartholomew Sholto find the hidden treasure?

  4. What message is left by Bartholomew’s body?

  5. What evidence does Holmes find that indicates that someone entered through the window?

  6. How does Holmes know that the man escaping from the scene of the crime slid down the rope too quickly?

  7. How does Holmes know that another person is involved in the crime?

  8. How does Holmes know that the poison used to kill Sholto is a type of strychnine?

  9. What is peculiar about the footprint found in the attic?

  10. Why is the tiny-footed person so easy to track?

  CIRCUMSTANCES

  1. How much time had passed between the time Mary’s father disappeared and the day that she called upon Holmes for assistance?

  2. What happened as Major Sholto was about to tell his sons where the treasure was hidden?

  3. Why is Watson not excited about Mary’s good fortune?

  4. Why does the dog fail in his first attempt to track the criminal?

  5. What is the name of the boat which the criminals hired?

  6. How are Holmes, Watson, and Jones able to capture their fugitive?

  7. What happens to the Agra treasure?

  8. How many years does Jonathan Small wait to take possession of the treasure?

  9. How did Small lose his leg?

  10. What is the most valued jewel of the treasure?

  QUIZ 14 THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES

  Published in the Strand, August 1901–April 1902; book published in 1902

  The dark, eerie setting, the frightful legend of the devil hound, and the classic Victorian characters make The Hound of the Baskervilles the best of Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes mysteries. It is one of the few Holmes tales based on an actual legend. In 1901, Conan Doyle was on holiday in Norfolk where he became reacquainted with a colleague he knew during the South African War.

  Bertram Fletcher Robinson told Conan Doyle of the old legend of Dartmoor. The two men became so excited over the prospect of turning the legend into a Holmes story, that they walked the moor for hours developing the plot. The novel was first published in the Strand in 1901 as a magazine serial, then in book form in 1902. There was some speculation as to why Robinson’s name was not mentioned as a coauthor to the story, but because Conan Doyle was considered an honest and highly moral man, the issue was not pursued. This legendary tale merits thirty short-answer questions.

  TRIVIA FACTS : DID YOU KNOW THAT . . .

  1. Arthur Conan Doyle never had Sherlock Holmes smoking a calabash pipe or wearing a deerstalker cap. These signature items were added as others adapted the Holmes stories and published sketches of the detective.

  2. In all the writings by Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes never said, “Elementary, my dear Watson.”

  3. When Conan Doyle submitted A Study in Scarlet to the London publication Cornhill Magazine, editor James Payne turned it down claiming it was “shilling dreadful.”

  4. Conan Doyle’s initial name for his Great Detective was Sherringford Holmes.

  Story Date: 1889

  CHARACTERS

  1. Who wrote the Baskerville manuscript?

  2. Who discovered Sir Charles’s body?

  3. Who is the messenger that Holmes hires?

  4. Who does the passenger picked up in Trafalgar Square claim to be?

  5. Who are the suspects that Holmes names in the case?

  6. Who found out about the stranger on the moor?

  7. Whom does Holmes bring with him to help in the investigation?

  8. Who sends Sir Henry the warning?

  9. How does Holmes know who is behind the mystery of Baskerville Hall?

  10. Who is sucked into the mire?

  CLUES

  1. How does Dr. Mortimer know that Sir Charles stood at the gate in the alley for about five or ten minutes?

  2. How does Holmes know that Sir Charles was running in the alley before his death?

  3. How does Holmes know that the newsprint is from the Times?

  4. What two items of Sir Henry’s are stolen from his hotel?

  5. What is the disturbing noise that Watson hears on the first night that he stays in the hall?

  6. Why was Sir Charles at the alley gate on the night he was killed?

  7. How does Holmes know that Watson is waiting in the hut?

  8. Why does the hound chase Selden?

  9. What scent does Holmes smell on the warning letter?

  10. What complicates the case for Holmes?

  CIRCUMSTANCES

  1. During which year does the story take place?

  2. Whom does Holmes assign to find the newspaper from which the warning message to Sir Henry was clipped?

  3. What warning does Holmes give Sir Henry as he boards the train for Devonshire?

  4. What is the first eerie sight that Dr. Mortimer, Dr. Watson, and Sir Henry notice when they arrive at Baskerville Hall?

  5. What is the name of the mire on the moor?

  6. The remains of which prehistoric man are found on the moor?

  7. Why does Stapleton invite Watson for a visit?

  8. What does Watson find when he enters the hut on the moor?

  9. Where is the hound kept?

  10. How is Beryl prevented from warning Sir Henry?

  QUIZ 15 THE VALLEY OF FEAR

  Published in the Strand, September 1914–May 1915; novel published in 1915

  In part one of The Valley of Fear, Holmes’s investigative genius comes through without a hitch. Considered by many critics as one of the best detective stories written by Conan Doyle, “The Tragedy of Birlstone” takes place in a country manor in Sussex, where Holmes outsmarts Inspector MacDonald of Scotland Yard; White Mason, Sussex’s chief of police; and friends and lovers who reside in the manor. Bringing everyone together in the library, as all good detectives do, Holmes coaxes John Douglas to tell his story. Anxious to free himself and his wife from the “rat trap,” Douglas takes his audience back almost twenty years to Vermissa Valley, California, where greed and power ruled with an iron fist. Part two, “The Scowrers,” is a lengthy tale explaining the sordid circumstances surrounding The Valley of Fear. This quiz contains forty short-answer questions.

  Story Date: Late 1890s

  Part 1: “The Tragedy of Birlstone”

  CHARACTERS

  1. Who sends Holmes a message in code regarding a tragedy about to occur at Birlstone Manor?

  2. Which Scotland Yard detective assists Holmes in this case?

  3. How was the victim murdered?

  4. Where did John Douglas make the acquaintance of his longtime friend Cecil James Barker?

  5. What is the name of the Sussex police chief who summoned Scotland Yard to assist in this case?

  6. What name did Mr. Douglas utter when he was delirious while recovering from a hunting accident?

  7. What odd question does Mrs. Douglas ask Watson about Holmes?

  8. What does Holmes believe about the story that Mrs. Douglas and Mr. Barker tell concerning the death of Mr. Douglas?

  9. Who resembles the
description the hotel employees gave of Mr. Hargrave, the owner of the bicycle?

  10. Which servant allows Holmes to spend time in Mr. Douglas’s study, contemplating the case?

  CLUES

  1. What clue did Barker find on the windowsill of Douglas’s study?

  2. What is left near the dead man’s body?

  3. What did the murderer steal after he killed his victim?

  4. What fact about the crime puzzles Inspector MacDonald?

  5. What appears on the dead man’s body that causes Holmes to reason that Douglas may have been nervous that day?

  6. What object does Holmes notice missing from the study?

  7. What peculiar reaction does Mrs. Douglas show when told that her husband’s wedding ring is missing?

  8. What does Holmes notice about Mrs. Douglas on the evening he ponders the case in Mr. Douglas’s study?

  9. What is found in the bundle that was thrown in the moat?

  10. After finding the clothing in the moat, with the coat’s label indicating that it came from the United States, what does Holmes deduce that the initials V. V. stand for?

  CIRCUMSTANCES

  1. At what time is the moat bridge surrounding the manor usually lowered?