Sherlock Holmes books in order

Q: "How many books are in the Sherlock Holmes series?"

"There are thirteen books in the Sherlock Holmes series, published between 1887 and 1930."

Q: "What is the first book in the Sherlock Holmes series?"

"The first book in the Sherlock Holmes series is Sherlock Homes, published in 1905."

Q: "What is the best order to read the Sherlock Holmes novels?"

"Most readers start with A Study in Scarlet (1887), where Holmes and Watson first meet, then move to The Sign of Four (1890). After those two novels, the short story collections can be read in publication order. The novels introduce the main characters and their partnership at 221B Baker Street."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	Sherlock Homes	1905	Arthur Conan Doyle	N/A
2	福尔摩斯探案全集	1930	Arthur Conan Doyle	N/A
3	Знак четырех	1890	Arthur Conan Doyle	N/A
4	Su último saludo	1892	Arthur Conan Doyle	N/A
5	Memoar Sherlock Holmes	1893	Arthur Conan Doyle	N/A
6	درنده باسكرویل	1902	Arthur Conan Doyle	N/A
7	Návrat Sherlocka Holmese	1905	Arthur Conan Doyle	N/A
8	Долина страха	1914	Arthur Conan Doyle	N/A
9	His Last Bow	1892	Arthur Conan Doyle	N/A
10	قضايا شيرلوك هولمز	1927	Arthur Conan Doyle	N/A
11	Aventuras Inéditas de Sherlock Holmes	1892	Arthur Conan Doyle	N/A
12	A Study in Scarlet	1887	Arthur Conan Doyle	Buy
13	The Sign of Four	1890	Arthur Conan Doyle	Buy

Arthur Conan Doyle introduced Sherlock Holmes in A Study in Scarlet (1887), a novel that established the detective’s methods of observation and deduction along with his friendship with Dr. John Watson. The Sign of Four followed in 1890 and expanded on Holmes’s character, including his cocaine habit and his attitude toward emotional matters.

This listing includes the original English-language novels alongside various international editions and translations that have been published over the decades. Holmes has been translated into nearly every major language, reflecting the character’s worldwide popularity. Readers looking for the complete Holmes canon should also check the individual short story collections: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, The Return of Sherlock Holmes, His Last Bow, and The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Sherlock Holmes series?

There are thirteen books in the Sherlock Holmes series, published between 1887 and 1930.

What is the first book in the Sherlock Holmes series?

The first book in the Sherlock Holmes series is Sherlock Homes, published in 1905.

What is the best order to read the Sherlock Holmes novels?

Most readers start with A Study in Scarlet (1887), where Holmes and Watson first meet, then move to The Sign of Four (1890). After those two novels, the short story collections can be read in publication order. The novels introduce the main characters and their partnership at 221B Baker Street.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order