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Sherlock Holmes
The Adventure of the Final Problem - a Sherlock Holmes Short Story
Sherlock Holmes has determined that there is a diabolical mastermind behind the criminal activities in London. It's Professor Moriarty. The two men of genius pursue each other towards a final showdown.
'The Final Problem' is a short story by Arthur Conan Doyle, featuring his detective character Sherlock Holmes. It was first published in 'Strand Magazine' in December 1893. It appears in book form as part of the collection 'The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.' Conan Doyle later ranked "The Final Problem" fourth on his personal list of the twelve best Holmes stories.
'The Final Problem' is a short story by Arthur Conan Doyle, featuring his detective character Sherlock Holmes. It was first published in 'Strand Magazine' in December 1893. It appears in book form as part of the collection 'The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.' Conan Doyle later ranked "The Final Problem" fourth on his personal list of the twelve best Holmes stories.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published October 14, 1892
About the author
Arthur Conan Doyle
12k books23.4k followersSir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was a British writer and physician. He created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Holmes and Dr. Watson. The Sherlock Holmes stories are milestones in the field of crime fiction.
Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.
Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.
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April 20, 2022
The Adventure of the Final Problem, Arthur Conan Doyle
The Final Problem is a short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featuring his detective character Sherlock Holmes. It was first published in Strand Magazine under the title "The Adventure of the Final Problem" in December 1893.
It appears in book form as part of the collection The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes:
1. The Adventure of Silver Blaze,
2. The Adventure of the Cardboard Box (this story is in His Last Bow in American editions of the canon),
3. The Adventure of the Yellow Face,
4. The Adventure of the Stockbroker's Clerk,
5. The Adventure of the Gloria Scott,
6. The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual,
7. The Adventure of the Reigate Squire,
8. The Adventure of the Crooked Man,
9. The Adventure of the Resident Patient,
10. The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter,
11. The Adventure of the Naval Treaty,
and 12. The Final Problem.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز دهم ماه اکتبر سال2015میلادی
عنوان: آخرین معما (مشکل نهایی): مشهورترین داستانهای کارآگاهی جهان؛ نویسنده: آرتور کانن دویل؛ مترجم: سیدحبیب الله لزگی؛ تهران، ذکر، کتابهای قاصدک، سال1394، در16ص، مصور رنگی، فروست داستانهای شرلوک هلمز سی و شش؛ داستانهای پلیسی برای نوجوانان، شابک9789643076856؛ موضوع: داستانهای معمایی و کارآگاهی از نویسندگان انگلیسی - سده19م
داستان مشکل نهایی درباره شخصیت شرلوک هولمز و جیمز موریارتی است؛
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 08/02/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
The Final Problem is a short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featuring his detective character Sherlock Holmes. It was first published in Strand Magazine under the title "The Adventure of the Final Problem" in December 1893.
It appears in book form as part of the collection The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes:
1. The Adventure of Silver Blaze,
2. The Adventure of the Cardboard Box (this story is in His Last Bow in American editions of the canon),
3. The Adventure of the Yellow Face,
4. The Adventure of the Stockbroker's Clerk,
5. The Adventure of the Gloria Scott,
6. The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual,
7. The Adventure of the Reigate Squire,
8. The Adventure of the Crooked Man,
9. The Adventure of the Resident Patient,
10. The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter,
11. The Adventure of the Naval Treaty,
and 12. The Final Problem.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز دهم ماه اکتبر سال2015میلادی
عنوان: آخرین معما (مشکل نهایی): مشهورترین داستانهای کارآگاهی جهان؛ نویسنده: آرتور کانن دویل؛ مترجم: سیدحبیب الله لزگی؛ تهران، ذکر، کتابهای قاصدک، سال1394، در16ص، مصور رنگی، فروست داستانهای شرلوک هلمز سی و شش؛ داستانهای پلیسی برای نوجوانان، شابک9789643076856؛ موضوع: داستانهای معمایی و کارآگاهی از نویسندگان انگلیسی - سده19م
داستان مشکل نهایی درباره شخصیت شرلوک هولمز و جیمز موریارتی است؛
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 08/02/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
January 4, 2020
"The Final Problem" is the final short story in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes collection. The ever-loyal Dr. Watson takes his pen in hand, heavy-hearted, to tell the story of the escalating conflict between Sherlock Holmes and his nemesis, Professor Moriarty, a criminal mastermind that Sherlock is determined to bring to justice, along with all of his criminal associates. Says Sherlock:
Moriarty is a little too smart, however, and the journey turns into a cat-and-mouse chase. But who is the cat and who is the mouse?
There's no real mystery here, and we don't get to know Moriarty directly, only indirectly through Sherlock's observances. It's a suspenseful tale, though, and it rated #4 on Arthur Conan Doyle's personal list of what he thought were the best Sherlock Holmes tales.
"He is a genius, a philosopher, an abstract thinker... He sits motionless, like a spider in the centre of its web, but that web has a thousand radiations, and he knows well every quiver of each of them."So Sherlock asks Dr. Watson to join him on a trip to Europe, to keep Sherlock away from Moriarty - who’s determined to kill Sherlock - until the trap Sherlock and the London police have set up for Moriarty has time to snap closed.
Moriarty is a little too smart, however, and the journey turns into a cat-and-mouse chase. But who is the cat and who is the mouse?
There's no real mystery here, and we don't get to know Moriarty directly, only indirectly through Sherlock's observances. It's a suspenseful tale, though, and it rated #4 on Arthur Conan Doyle's personal list of what he thought were the best Sherlock Holmes tales.
December 21, 2011
Hypothesis: Professor Moriarty & Sherlock Holmes…..brothers?….Hmmm?....I could be wrong but the pair certainly appear to be broth from the same stubby shillelagh.
Being a very recent convert to TeamJacob Sherlock, it's likely I'm missing some obvious smoking gun that explains why this idea can’t be true.
If so, I’m hopeful my fellow Sherlockians will clue me in as to why this theory is fit only for washing hogs or walloping cods(ouch). However, after reading this “one and only” in story meeting between these two singular geniuses, master strategists and pompous bags of wind, the idea, or rather the possibility, gained a certain traction with me. Therefore, purely for the fun of speculating, here are some surface factors that came to mind in support of the supposition:
THE BROTHER THEORY:
1. They both appear to be of similar age (60-70) which makes the fact of their being siblings at least possible.
2. It is my understanding that little is known about Holmes’s early life or the history of his ancestors. Thus, it's at least possible that a casual affair by Sherlock’s father, an earlier marriage or similar circumstance could have produced Moriarty and that the child was shunned or deprived of parental love/guidance as a result of his "improper" origin. This factor also has the virtue of supporting Moriarty’s later developments into a super villain...just saying;
3. The equal and extraordinary facility both men possess for deductive, inductive and inferential reasoning displayed by both of these individuals certainly suggests a common genetic delivery system (dad) and/or genetic receptacle and gestation vehicle (mom). Two men of such extraordinary intellect existing within such a small geographical area. Do I hear a maybe?
Finally…
4. It is quite unusual for a well known “non-biologically related” pair of hero/arch villain to be defined by their similarities rather than their differences. Look at:
Batman/Joker,
Superman/Lex Luthor,
Dracula/Van Helsing,
Captain Hook/Peter Pan,
Elmer Fudd/Bugs Bunny, and
Newman/Jerry Seinfeld.
Each of the above pairs are defined, at least in part, by being the antithesis of their rival.
By the same token, when arch-nemeses happen to also be familial relations, they are more often defined by their similarities. For example:
Data/Lore from STNG,
Sydney Bristow/Irina Derenko from Alias (The best mom/daughter duo in TV history),
Darth Vader/Luke Skywalker (this comparison is even better now that we have see Vader as a juvenile dork named Anakin),
Mel Gibson/Beelzebub, and
Snooki/A walking case of infected genital warts (Jersey Shore).**
** Okay, I admit that was a long way to go just to take a stab atMel Gibson Beelzebub and Snooki genital warts but, c’mon, they’ve earned it.
Granted, the above doesn't begin to prove anything. It was just something that fluttered into my brain while I was reading the story and noticed how very similar the two are in almost all of their mannerisms and capacities. I’m just surprised that in all of the years since this story came out no one has explored this possibility...unless, as I said above, there is a smoking gun that I am missing.
Just food for thought…discuss…
PLOT SUMMARY:
**While I can't imagine that the “big reveal” of this story is not generally known to those reading this, I'll still throw out a spoiler warning as the climax of the story is discussed in general terms (though I will avoid the specifics in case you have not read the actual story).
.
.
.
.
.
.
So this was supposed to be the last Sherlock Holmes story and in it we are introduced to and see the only "in story" appearance of Professor Moriarty.
Of course, Moriarty shows up to have a first and final tete-a-tete with Holmes before the end game. This one and only conversation in the story is brilliantly constructed by Sir Arthur as a sort of semi-mind reading exercise between the two adversaries. So perfectly can they anticipate their opponents responses and counter-arguments that no lengthy discussion is needed though much is resolved. I was very impressed with this scene because I don’t think it could have been effectively written any other way.
To summarize, Moriarty tells Holmes to back off “or else” and Holmes tells Moriarty to blow him (though in a much more civilized, gentlemanly manner). Moriarty warns him that the next time they meet, one of them will not survive and Holmes concurs.
The game is afoot.
As stories go, this is terrific as it pits these two men equal in both intellect and arrogance who have been reluctantly forced into a sort of grudging appreciation for their adversary. As much as I loved their intercourse and the character of Moriarty, I think I am happy that this is there one and only meeting. It seems fitting and authentic that once these two titans circled this close to one another, the game could not last long.
Anyway, a short cat and mouse, blind-double blind game of misdirection ensues leading up to the final fatal meeting between the two.
In a word...superb.
5.0 stars. HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION!!
Being a very recent convert to Team
If so, I’m hopeful my fellow Sherlockians will clue me in as to why this theory is fit only for washing hogs or walloping cods(ouch). However, after reading this “one and only” in story meeting between these two singular geniuses, master strategists and pompous bags of wind, the idea, or rather the possibility, gained a certain traction with me. Therefore, purely for the fun of speculating, here are some surface factors that came to mind in support of the supposition:
THE BROTHER THEORY:
1. They both appear to be of similar age (60-70) which makes the fact of their being siblings at least possible.
2. It is my understanding that little is known about Holmes’s early life or the history of his ancestors. Thus, it's at least possible that a casual affair by Sherlock’s father, an earlier marriage or similar circumstance could have produced Moriarty and that the child was shunned or deprived of parental love/guidance as a result of his "improper" origin. This factor also has the virtue of supporting Moriarty’s later developments into a super villain...just saying;
3. The equal and extraordinary facility both men possess for deductive, inductive and inferential reasoning displayed by both of these individuals certainly suggests a common genetic delivery system (dad) and/or genetic receptacle and gestation vehicle (mom). Two men of such extraordinary intellect existing within such a small geographical area. Do I hear a maybe?
Finally…
4. It is quite unusual for a well known “non-biologically related” pair of hero/arch villain to be defined by their similarities rather than their differences. Look at:
Batman/Joker,
Superman/Lex Luthor,
Dracula/Van Helsing,
Captain Hook/Peter Pan,
Elmer Fudd/Bugs Bunny, and
Newman/Jerry Seinfeld.
Each of the above pairs are defined, at least in part, by being the antithesis of their rival.
By the same token, when arch-nemeses happen to also be familial relations, they are more often defined by their similarities. For example:
Data/Lore from STNG,
Sydney Bristow/Irina Derenko from Alias (The best mom/daughter duo in TV history),
Darth Vader/Luke Skywalker (this comparison is even better now that we have see Vader as a juvenile dork named Anakin),
Mel Gibson/Beelzebub, and
Snooki/A walking case of infected genital warts (Jersey Shore).**
** Okay, I admit that was a long way to go just to take a stab at
Granted, the above doesn't begin to prove anything. It was just something that fluttered into my brain while I was reading the story and noticed how very similar the two are in almost all of their mannerisms and capacities. I’m just surprised that in all of the years since this story came out no one has explored this possibility...unless, as I said above, there is a smoking gun that I am missing.
Just food for thought…discuss…
PLOT SUMMARY:
**While I can't imagine that the “big reveal” of this story is not generally known to those reading this, I'll still throw out a spoiler warning as the climax of the story is discussed in general terms (though I will avoid the specifics in case you have not read the actual story).
.
.
.
.
.
.
So this was supposed to be the last Sherlock Holmes story and in it we are introduced to and see the only "in story" appearance of Professor Moriarty.
He is a man of good birth and excellent education, endowed by nature with a phenomenal mathematical faculty. At the age of twenty-one he wrote a treatise upon the binomial theorem which has had a European vogue. On the strength of it, he won the mathematical chair at one of our smaller universities, and had, to all appearances, a most brilliant career before him. But the man had hereditary tendencies of the most diabolical kind. A criminal strain ran in his blood, which, instead of being modified, was increased and rendered infinitely more dangerous by his extraordinary mental powers. Dark rumours gathered round him in the University town, and eventually he was compelled to resign his chair and come down to London. He is the Napoleon of Crime, Watson, the organiser of half that is evil and nearly all that is undetected in this great city...Holmes has spent months trying to gather enough information to bring down Moriarty and his entire organization and thinks he finally has the proof he needs. However the final piece will not be available for a few days and he must avoid Moriarty until then.
Of course, Moriarty shows up to have a first and final tete-a-tete with Holmes before the end game. This one and only conversation in the story is brilliantly constructed by Sir Arthur as a sort of semi-mind reading exercise between the two adversaries. So perfectly can they anticipate their opponents responses and counter-arguments that no lengthy discussion is needed though much is resolved. I was very impressed with this scene because I don’t think it could have been effectively written any other way.
To summarize, Moriarty tells Holmes to back off “or else” and Holmes tells Moriarty to blow him (though in a much more civilized, gentlemanly manner). Moriarty warns him that the next time they meet, one of them will not survive and Holmes concurs.
The game is afoot.
As stories go, this is terrific as it pits these two men equal in both intellect and arrogance who have been reluctantly forced into a sort of grudging appreciation for their adversary. As much as I loved their intercourse and the character of Moriarty, I think I am happy that this is there one and only meeting. It seems fitting and authentic that once these two titans circled this close to one another, the game could not last long.
Anyway, a short cat and mouse, blind-double blind game of misdirection ensues leading up to the final fatal meeting between the two.
In a word...superb.
5.0 stars. HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION!!
July 1, 2023
POR FIN APARECE MORIARTY.
Aunque es más lo que se dice de él que lo que realmente hace en el relato, es impresionante verlo por fin y leer cómo se enfrenta a Sherlock desde las sombras. Creo que lo que más me rompe el corazón de este relato es que Watson de verdad cree que su amigo ha muerto y esa carta final es terrible.
Pobrecillo mío.
Aunque es más lo que se dice de él que lo que realmente hace en el relato, es impresionante verlo por fin y leer cómo se enfrenta a Sherlock desde las sombras. Creo que lo que más me rompe el corazón de este relato es que Watson de verdad cree que su amigo ha muerto y esa carta final es terrible.
Pobrecillo mío.
October 12, 2016
This was a very strong story up to the last couple pages, when suddenly the end. Not using an exclamation point, even, because it was so anticlimactic. Intellectually and emotionally unsatisfying.
January 16, 2014
This is, without a doubt, the best Sherlock Holmes short story I have read so far. I would have given it 5 stars if I had read the story before watching the BBC version but I'm sorry to say that I haven't.
Moriarty in the originals
Moriarty in the BBC series
Besides the fact that the original Moriarty is not half as attractive as the modern one, he was overall quite disappointing. He lacked character depth and that psychotic weirdness that was so evident and intriguing in the BBC version. The Adventure of the Final Problem would probably have been much better if a)it was a novel instead of a short story.. maybe then there could have been more character depth and b)Watson had shown more of his feelings about what was going on. So, overall, the story was pretty good but this is probably the only time that I can say I liked an adaptation more than the original.
Moriarty in the originals
Moriarty in the BBC series
Besides the fact that the original Moriarty is not half as attractive as the modern one, he was overall quite disappointing. He lacked character depth and that psychotic weirdness that was so evident and intriguing in the BBC version. The Adventure of the Final Problem would probably have been much better if a)it was a novel instead of a short story.. maybe then there could have been more character depth and b)Watson had shown more of his feelings about what was going on. So, overall, the story was pretty good but this is probably the only time that I can say I liked an adaptation more than the original.
April 22, 2021
I had wanted to read "The Final Problem" because I was intrigued by Professor Moriarty in another story. Moriarty was a criminal genius and the intellectual equal to Sherlock Holmes.
March 5, 2024
5 Stars. Truly a mystery adventure for the ages. The short stories concerning Holmes invariably include 'The Adventure of ..' in the title. Most would be better with 'The Mystery of ..' Not this one. Pure adventure and world famous too. Who hasn't heard of, or seen, this part of the Holmes saga? Of his final pursuit of Professor Moriarty. Holmes views him as the genius behind everything that is criminal in London in the 1890s. Holmes follows the professor around London and England, then to northern France, and finally to beautiful Switzerland. For this later part Moriarty is actually pursuing Holmes! It all comes to a tragic conclusion at Reichenbach Falls. Am I disclosing anything which should be in a spoiler? No, it's all in the first sentence! Here's Dr. Watson's opening: "It is with a heavy heart that I take up my pen to write these the last words in which I shall ever record the singular gifts by which my friend Mr. Sherlock Holmes was distinguished." It's one of the best-known short stories of all time. We all know that Conan Doyle relented and brought Holmes and Watson back for many more adventures and mysteries! I'm glad he did. (Au2022/Mar2024)
April 27, 2022
5 stars & 5/10 hearts. What an ending. WHAT an ending! Wow! I’m blown away every time. It’s simply perfect—for the series, for Holmes, for Moriarty… yes. It’s amazing, and so well done. I applaud Conan Doyle for being able to create such a mastermind criminal and yet still managing to defeat him… even if Sherlock must pay the ultimate sacrifice to do so. I think this story really shows the heart of Sherlock’s detective work—he wants to make life better and protect people, and he dedicated his life to this, in spite of every temptation and reason to live a quiet life. He pitted himself against Moriarty not only because of his brains, but because of his heart—and he vanquished not only because of his brains, but because of his heart. This is the real Sherlock… and I love him. <3
A Favourite Quote: “I think that you know me well enough, Watson, to understand that I am by no means a nervous man. At the same time, it is stupidity rather than courage to refuse to recognize danger when it is close upon you.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “I think that I may go so far as to say, Watson, that I have not lived wholly in vain,” he remarked. “If my record were closed to-night I could still survey it with equanimity. The air of London is the sweeter for my presence. In over a thousand cases I am not aware that I have ever used my powers upon the wrong side. … Your memoirs will draw to an end, Watson, upon the day that I crown my career by the capture or extinction of the most dangerous and capable criminal in Europe.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “And I must further beg you to be so unconventional as to allow me to leave your house presently by scrambling over your back garden wall.”
“But what does it all mean?” I asked.
He held out his hand, and I saw in the light of the lamp that two of his knuckles were burst and bleeding. “It is not an airy nothing, you see,” said he, smiling. “On the contrary, it is solid enough for a man to break his hand over. …I was attacked by a rough with a bludgeon. I knocked him down, and the police have him in custody; but I can tell you with the most absolute confidence that no possible connection will ever be traced between the gentleman upon whose front teeth I have barked my knuckles and the retiring mathematical coach, who is, I dare say, working out problems upon a black-board ten miles away. You will not wonder, Watson, that my first act on entering your rooms was to close your shutters, and that I have been compelled to ask your permission to leave the house by some less conspicuous exit than the front door.”
A Favourite Quote: “I think that you know me well enough, Watson, to understand that I am by no means a nervous man. At the same time, it is stupidity rather than courage to refuse to recognize danger when it is close upon you.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “I think that I may go so far as to say, Watson, that I have not lived wholly in vain,” he remarked. “If my record were closed to-night I could still survey it with equanimity. The air of London is the sweeter for my presence. In over a thousand cases I am not aware that I have ever used my powers upon the wrong side. … Your memoirs will draw to an end, Watson, upon the day that I crown my career by the capture or extinction of the most dangerous and capable criminal in Europe.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “And I must further beg you to be so unconventional as to allow me to leave your house presently by scrambling over your back garden wall.”
“But what does it all mean?” I asked.
He held out his hand, and I saw in the light of the lamp that two of his knuckles were burst and bleeding. “It is not an airy nothing, you see,” said he, smiling. “On the contrary, it is solid enough for a man to break his hand over. …I was attacked by a rough with a bludgeon. I knocked him down, and the police have him in custody; but I can tell you with the most absolute confidence that no possible connection will ever be traced between the gentleman upon whose front teeth I have barked my knuckles and the retiring mathematical coach, who is, I dare say, working out problems upon a black-board ten miles away. You will not wonder, Watson, that my first act on entering your rooms was to close your shutters, and that I have been compelled to ask your permission to leave the house by some less conspicuous exit than the front door.”
August 10, 2020
The most disappointing Sherlock I've ever read. There was no detective work or plot whatsoever
Arthur Conan Doyle literally just wrote it to
Arthur Conan Doyle literally just wrote it to
May 20, 2018
Sheer brilliance, and what an ending. Sherlock Holmes antagonist professor moriarty is brilliant a true rivalry between both men. Characters like no others I have read before. I find myself liking both men.
This is how you write short stories, true excellence.
Highly recommended reading it.
This is how you write short stories, true excellence.
Highly recommended reading it.
August 28, 2021
It is frankly bizarre that Moriarty is featured in literally every Sherlock adaptation under the sun, because in the short story he's a bad villain that just doesn't fit the format at all. In a series of short stories, a mastermind coming out of nowhere who is in charge of most of the criminal activity in London (England?) just doesn't work. Doyle tries to sell it by having Watson not accompany Holmes as much as he used to so that all the messing around with Moriarty and Sherlock can happen before the start of the story, but it feels weak.
There's little detective work, the whole thing feels predictable and never keeps you guessing and I think this is probably the one story I've read where I instantly identified the person Sherlock was disguised as. It's *almost* like the whole thing is a hasty attempt to kill of a character that Doyle didn't want to write anymore! Hmmm.
There's little detective work, the whole thing feels predictable and never keeps you guessing and I think this is probably the one story I've read where I instantly identified the person Sherlock was disguised as. It's *almost* like the whole thing is a hasty attempt to kill of a character that Doyle didn't want to write anymore! Hmmm.
December 5, 2022
If you enjoy reading about falling bricks and speeding carriages that are a danger to the traffic, also some very hassled train-switching - the most exciting things that happened in here - by all means read it.
September 18, 2012
I thought I knew the basic premise of this story when I started it, but it turns out I knew the whole thing. This incredibly slim volume is considered the final of only four novels in the Sherlock Holmes series. There are many additional short stories.
Written from Watson’s point-of-view we see an increasingly paranoid Sherlock taking extreme measures to escape his arch-nemesis Dr. Moriarty. The pair, one an unconventional, brilliant detective, the other a criminal mastermind are perfectly matched. Sherlock has finally found his intellectual equal; unfortunately they are pitted against one another. You can’t help but hear the admiration in Sherlock’s voice as he describes the villains’ evil empire.
Here’s a bit about Moriarty in Sherlock’s own words…
“He is the Napoleon of crime, Watson. He is the organizer of half that is evil and of nearly all that is undetected in this great city. He is a genius, a philosopher, an abstract thinker. He has a brain of the first order. He sits motionless, like a spider in the center of its web, but that web has a thousand radiations, and he knows well every quiver of each of them. He does little himself. He only plans.”
BOTTOM LINE: A worthy conclusion to Sherlock’s story, I only wish it had been longer! I would still recommend The Sign of Four as the best place to start if you’re new to Sherlock.
Written from Watson’s point-of-view we see an increasingly paranoid Sherlock taking extreme measures to escape his arch-nemesis Dr. Moriarty. The pair, one an unconventional, brilliant detective, the other a criminal mastermind are perfectly matched. Sherlock has finally found his intellectual equal; unfortunately they are pitted against one another. You can’t help but hear the admiration in Sherlock’s voice as he describes the villains’ evil empire.
Here’s a bit about Moriarty in Sherlock’s own words…
“He is the Napoleon of crime, Watson. He is the organizer of half that is evil and of nearly all that is undetected in this great city. He is a genius, a philosopher, an abstract thinker. He has a brain of the first order. He sits motionless, like a spider in the center of its web, but that web has a thousand radiations, and he knows well every quiver of each of them. He does little himself. He only plans.”
BOTTOM LINE: A worthy conclusion to Sherlock’s story, I only wish it had been longer! I would still recommend The Sign of Four as the best place to start if you’re new to Sherlock.
September 25, 2017
شيرلوك في صراع مع البروفيسير جيمس مورياتي عالم الرياضيات الشهير .. يخبر واتسون بذلك و يخبره ايضًا بأن مورياتي اذكى منه و انه إذا ما اوقع بمورياتي سيكون هذا اهم انجاز في حياته
فيأتي هنا دور واتسون الذي يقترح على شيرلوك الذهاب في رحلة حول اوروبا حتى لايستطيع مورياتي تقفي آثاره و يستطيع وضع خطة محكم للقبض عليه وبالفعل يستطيع شيرلوك القبض على عصابه مورياتي بأكملها لكن عدا مورياتي نفسه الذي بدوره يحاول القاء على هولمز ردًا على مافعله
يذهب بعد ذلك شيرلوك و معه واتسون الى بلدة ميرنغن في سويسرا و بينما هما في زيارة للشلالات يأتي صبي في طلب واتسون و يخبره بأن هنالم امرأة تريد طبيب لكي يعالجها .. يتردد واتسون في ترك شيرلوك و لكنه يذهب على كل حال و يكتشف بأنها خدعة و ان الفتى ليس سوى صبي من عصابة مورياتي
يعود مرة أخرى للشلالات ليجد رسالة تركها صديقة ..
قصتي المفضلة لشيرلوك
فيأتي هنا دور واتسون الذي يقترح على شيرلوك الذهاب في رحلة حول اوروبا حتى لايستطيع مورياتي تقفي آثاره و يستطيع وضع خطة محكم للقبض عليه وبالفعل يستطيع شيرلوك القبض على عصابه مورياتي بأكملها لكن عدا مورياتي نفسه الذي بدوره يحاول القاء على هولمز ردًا على مافعله
يذهب بعد ذلك شيرلوك و معه واتسون الى بلدة ميرنغن في سويسرا و بينما هما في زيارة للشلالات يأتي صبي في طلب واتسون و يخبره بأن هنالم امرأة تريد طبيب لكي يعالجها .. يتردد واتسون في ترك شيرلوك و لكنه يذهب على كل حال و يكتشف بأنها خدعة و ان الفتى ليس سوى صبي من عصابة مورياتي
يعود مرة أخرى للشلالات ليجد رسالة تركها صديقة ..
قصتي المفضلة لشيرلوك
June 6, 2021
3,5/5
Read
February 12, 2024for school; sherlock’s always fun
September 6, 2021
Mr. Conan Doyle--my favorite English writer--took the formula designed by Poe and improved on it, thereby creating the most important, if not the best, detective stories this world has ever seen.
In The Final Problem, Sherlock Holmes faces his nemesis and counterpart, Professor Moriarty. The latter seems to represent Holmes' id; however, I tend to see Moriarty as Holmes' alter ego. After all, Watson only ever hears about Moriarty: he never actually sees him. Be that as it may, the confrontation between the two great men is both exciting and stimulating. It reminded me of the relationship that exists between Dale Cooper and Windom Earle in Lynch's Twin Peaks.
The Final Problem was written as the swan song of Sherlock Holmes, who is arguably the greatest and most famous fictional character of all time (I myself have a slight bias towards Poirot). Holmes' fans, however, would not hear of it! They demanded that Holmes be resurrected forthwith. Conan Doyle had no choice but complying with them. I don't know if his decision was the right one, but I am certainly happy that he did it, because it means that we have more Holmes stories to read.
In The Final Problem, Sherlock Holmes faces his nemesis and counterpart, Professor Moriarty. The latter seems to represent Holmes' id; however, I tend to see Moriarty as Holmes' alter ego. After all, Watson only ever hears about Moriarty: he never actually sees him. Be that as it may, the confrontation between the two great men is both exciting and stimulating. It reminded me of the relationship that exists between Dale Cooper and Windom Earle in Lynch's Twin Peaks.
The Final Problem was written as the swan song of Sherlock Holmes, who is arguably the greatest and most famous fictional character of all time (I myself have a slight bias towards Poirot). Holmes' fans, however, would not hear of it! They demanded that Holmes be resurrected forthwith. Conan Doyle had no choice but complying with them. I don't know if his decision was the right one, but I am certainly happy that he did it, because it means that we have more Holmes stories to read.
August 3, 2017
This story puts Sherlock Holmes abilities under serious scrutiny when he is confronted by the best criminal personality (Professor James Moriarty) in England, one that has attempted more than once to slaughter Sherlock Holmes.
April 15, 2020
All in all is a great conclusion to Sherlock’s story. This is the final of four novels in the Sherlock Holmes series written from Watson’s point-of-view. Its sees Holmes confronting his perfectly matched arch-nemesis Dr. Moriarty. He describes him as follows:
The plot
“He is the Napoleon of crime, Watson. He is the organizer of half that is evil and of nearly all that is undetected in this great city. He is a genius, a philosopher, an abstract thinker. He has a brain of the first order. He sits motionless, like a spider in the center of its web, but that web has a thousand radiations, and he knows well every quiver of each of them. He does little himself. He only plans.”
The plot
February 21, 2021
Oh god,
this story was awful on SO MANY levels-
but that's what made it super hilarious for me.
A. C. Doyle's hatred for Sherlock never fails to make me giggle.
Brilliant. =))))))
this story was awful on SO MANY levels-
but that's what made it super hilarious for me.
A. C. Doyle's hatred for Sherlock never fails to make me giggle.
Brilliant. =))))))
October 12, 2022
After reading "A Study in Scarlet" and then "The Hound of the Baskervilles," I looked up which were the best Sherlock stories and chose this one, since apparently it's the only one that actually features Moriarty (really?? Given how prominent he is in all the adaptations, that's amazing!) A good chunk of the story describes Moriarty as the criminal mastermind overseeing all London operations of crime at an almost supernatural level, but it goes in to absolutely no detail in how he does it. I suppose this didn't really matter--the point was, he was Sherlock's equal, as he must be in order to bring about the great detective's demise, and to do so in such a way that Sherlock's death also serves a greater purpose. But I'd had the distinct impression from adaptations that Sherlock faked his death... and this one really leaves little doubt in the reader's mind that he is, in fact, gone. (Apparently, as I read elsewhere, it left so little doubt that many readers cancelled their subscriptions to the periodical in which it appeared, in protest. I don't blame them!) But Doyle was tired of being pigeon-holed into Sherlock stories and wanted to do something different, so he killed him off--and faced appropriate backlash. Later, apparently, it was so extreme that he made up an excuse for why Sherlock wasn't dead and wrote another entire series of tales.
At any rate, this short story intriguingly introduced Moriarty, but in very vague terms, and then simply described how Sherlock tried to evade him with Watson's help. Ultimately, of course, Sherlock allows himself to be confronted and killed, because even in death, Sherlock cannot be overpowered. The next one I'll have to read is The Adventure of the Empty House, where he supposedly comes back to life again...
At any rate, this short story intriguingly introduced Moriarty, but in very vague terms, and then simply described how Sherlock tried to evade him with Watson's help. Ultimately, of course, Sherlock allows himself to be confronted and killed, because even in death, Sherlock cannot be overpowered. The next one I'll have to read is The Adventure of the Empty House, where he supposedly comes back to life again...
January 18, 2012
I was inspired to read this infamous Sherlock Holmes adventure after watching the BBC modern day rendition of "Sherlock", aired this past Sunday (1/15/2012). Although Sir Arthur Conan Doyle meant this to be the final adventure of Sherlock Holmes, I'm glad he left the plot shrouded in enough mystery to allow for the eventual resurrection of this brilliant detective with definite personality issues. Additionally, although I may have found Conan-Doyle's portrayal of James Moriarty frustratingly enigmatic, in retrospect I am glad he only painted a vague picture of this criminal mastermind because it now leaves the character open for more in-depth interpretation...and I think Steven Moffat & Mark Gatiss created a brilliant Jim Moriarty in their series.
March 23, 2012
"He is the Napoleon of crime, Watson. He is the organizer of half that is evil and of nearly all that is undetected in this great city. He is a genius, a philosopher, an abstract thinker. He has a brain of the first order. He sits motionless, like a spider in the center of its web, but that web has a thousand radiations, and he knows well every quiver of each of them. He does little himself. He only plans". Holmes on Moriarty. The final adventure.
November 27, 2024
Just had to come somewhere to scream because CBS just announced a new show “Watson” which is set after the Final Problem, where Watson opens a Diagnostic Medicine Clinic (it’s set in modern times, 2024 or thereabouts) to memorialise Sherlock… it’s a medical drama… January the 26th… I’m jumping up and down and giggling… I’ll be thinking about this every hour for the next 2 months.
(This book was so boring, you can tell doyle literally hated writing this series)
(This book was so boring, you can tell doyle literally hated writing this series)
February 1, 2017
Is this it? Is this very short and not very well written story, clearly designed to kill a character an author no longer wants to write about in the quickest possible way, the whole basis for all those long television programs, movies and fan fiction/spin off novels? I feel robbed.
January 16, 2022
Glad that this was not the end.
It is no secret that I love mysteries. I was sharing this love with my elementary class and was pleased to find this ebook to read while on a basketball trip. Doyle was a master of mystery and this shorter story is an excellent example of that.
It is no secret that I love mysteries. I was sharing this love with my elementary class and was pleased to find this ebook to read while on a basketball trip. Doyle was a master of mystery and this shorter story is an excellent example of that.
March 22, 2015
5 Words: Perfect length for a cuppa.
Finally, the story I've been waiting for.
Sigh.
I don't really know what to say. But it's probably the best of stories I've read.
Finally, the story I've been waiting for.
Sigh.
I don't really know what to say. But it's probably the best of stories I've read.
April 12, 2023
This is undoubtedly the most iconic short story involving Holmes and his arch-enemy— the Professor.
After careful reading, this work reveals so many loopholes that the thread itself becomes invisible. But what a cracking read it is! Even in the n-th read, the story and its ending— which the author had penned as the conclusion of 'Holmes saga'— tends to overwhelm the reader.
The number of pastiches generated by this story and succeeding 'Hiatus' is mind-boggling. All of they had come in a just cause, proving that Sherlock Holmes just can't have a 'final' problem. He would go on solving problems, forever!
If you have read it, why not repeat the experience? Let me assure you, it would be as good as the first time.
After careful reading, this work reveals so many loopholes that the thread itself becomes invisible. But what a cracking read it is! Even in the n-th read, the story and its ending— which the author had penned as the conclusion of 'Holmes saga'— tends to overwhelm the reader.
The number of pastiches generated by this story and succeeding 'Hiatus' is mind-boggling. All of they had come in a just cause, proving that Sherlock Holmes just can't have a 'final' problem. He would go on solving problems, forever!
If you have read it, why not repeat the experience? Let me assure you, it would be as good as the first time.
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