A really interesting first outing for Sherlock. Like many, I've seen an inordinte number of adaptations but it's a totally different thing to read the original work.

I really liked the characterisations of Sherlock and Watson, their interactions were really enjoyable and I actually laughed at points! A lot of the eccentricities of the Sherlock character seen in the BBC show are here in his first outing, though he is a bit more whimsical here!

The mystery itself was interesting but

unfortunately the 5 or so chapters giving the killer's backstory in the second half, whilst an interesting narrative device, were very dull and boring to me. This aspect should have been cut down to a chapter or 2 max to preserve the pacing; I really missed Sherlock and Watson!