Best complete collection
This is the strongest all-round starting point for most readers. It bundles the novels, the major story collections, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and The Valley of Fear into one purchase.
Recommended books
The best Sherlock Holmes books to buy
Start with a complete collection if you want everything in one place, or pick a beautiful standalone edition if you want a more giftable or collector-friendly option.
Best places to start
Best beautiful beginner edition
The Penguin Clothbound Classics edition of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is a lovely first buy if you want something more stylish on the shelf and a great first short-story collection.
More Sherlock book picks
These are good secondary recommendations once you have your main “best complete collection” link in place.
Start with the short stories
For many readers, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is still the easiest and most enjoyable way in.
Want everything in one purchase?
Go straight for the full collection and work through the stories in whichever order feels most fun.