‘His Last Bow’
Tales of Mystery and Suspense 17 The next collection of short stories I will look at are by the master of this genre, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I thought I had read all he had written, but when last year I found a collection of the complete Sherlock Holmes stories, I was delighted to find […]
In the collection "His Last Bow," Sir Arthur Conan Doyle presents a series of short stories that showcase the master of mystery and suspense at his finest. One of the stories, the title tale, revolves around the arrest of a German spy just prior to World War I. This marks a shift from Holmes' usual adventures, as this story takes place in a villa belonging to a German count who is gathering intelligence on British defenses.
The stories in this collection exhibit a unique style, often leading readers through intricate and convoluted plots. Holmes' involvement is typically revealed indirectly, triggered by an individual who encounters strange circumstances that eventually unravel the main plot. Set in various locations, such as grand country houses and suburban villas, the stories display a sense of period atmosphere.
One story, 'The Devil's Foot', features a gas that induces intense fear and madness, while 'The Red Circle' involves the New York Mafia and a gripping cat-and-mouse game with Scotland Yard and an American detective. The collection also includes 'The Dying Detective', where Holmes feigns death to extract a confession from a man who killed his nephew.
In 'The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax', an unusual ending sees the lady discovered alive but trapped in a coffin, while 'The Bruce Partington Plans' features a mystery surrounding stolen plans sought by a German.
The final story, 'The Cardboard Box', stands out from the rest as it involves a lady receiving a parcel containing severed ears, one of which belongs to her missing sister. Holmes deduces that the ears were not meant for her but for her envious and passionate sister, who had killed her and is now driven mad by the revelation. In the end, Holmes' deductive prowess ensures justice is served, bringing a satisfying conclusion to the collection.
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