Publisher Description

A coded warning from an associate of the devious Professor Moriarty directs Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, and Inspector MacDonald of Scotland Yard to a secluded manor house in Sussex. There the trio discover a gentleman shot dead at close range, surrounded by a melange of mystifying clues - a peculiar tattoo-like mark, muddy footprints, and a missing wedding ring - that ultimately lead to the spellbinding backstory of a cult that terrorized an American mining town. The last of the four Sherlock Holmes novels, The Valley of Fear ranks among Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's best tales. Its plot draws upon the real-life activities of the secret society known as the Molly Maguires, offering a subtle comment on early-twentieth-century union struggles in the United States as well as the political situation in Ireland. Crisp, realistic characterisations and a suspenseful narrative make this novel essential reading for Sherlock Holmes fans as well as all lovers of mystery and detection. AUTHOR: Arthur Conan Doyle was a prolific writer born in Scotland who started out as a medical doctor. While at the University of Edinburgh, he augmented his income by writing stories. His first Sherlock Holmes tale was published in 1887, introducing one of literature's best-loved detectives. Doyle has also written many works of history and science fiction, plus plays and poetry.

Author Biography

Arthur Conan Doyle was a prolific writer born in Scotland who started out as a medical doctor. While at the University of Edinburgh, he augmented his income by writing stories. His first Sherlock Holmes tale was published in 1887, introducing one of literature's best-loved detectives. Doyle has also written many works of history and science fiction, plus plays and poetry.

Table of Contents

Part I The Tragedy of Birlstone Chapter I The Warning Chapter II Sherlock Holmes Discourses Chapter III The Tragedy of Birlstone Chapter IV Darkness Chapter V The People of the Drama Chapter VI A Dawning Light Chapter VII The Solution Part II The Scowrers Chapter I The Man Chapter II The Bodymaster Chapter III Lodge 341, Vermissa Chapter IV The Valley of Fear Chapter V The Darkest Hour Chapter VI Danger Chapter VII The Trapping of Birdy Edwards Epilogue

Long Description

"Look down the valley! See the cloud of a hundred chimneys that overshadows it! I tell you that the cloud of murder hangs thicker and lower than that over the heads of the people. It is the Valley of Fear, the Valley of Death. The terror is in the hearts of the people from the dusk to the dawn." So declares a resident of a mining town, where a sinister secret society maintains its stranglehold on the community with a series of violent crimes.The Valley of Fear, the last of the four Sherlock Holmes novels, ranks among Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's best work. The mystery begins with a coded warning of imminent danger, drawing the illustrious Sherlock Holmes and the faithful Dr. Watson to a secluded English country home. A trail of bewildering clues -- raincoats, dumbbells, a missing wedding ring -- leads to sleuthing in the finest Holmesian tradition and the gripping backstory of a cult that terrorized a valley in the American West. Crisp, realistic characterizations and a cracklingly suspenseful narrative make this novel a must-read for all lovers of mystery and detection as well as Sherlock Holmes fans.

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