Sherlock Holmes Books in Order
All Sherlock Holmes books in order, with the four novels, five story collections, and beginner notes.
Tags: Books in Order, Canon, Beginners, Publishing Order
The nine main volumes
The Holmes canon is usually bought as nine main volumes: four novels and five collections of short stories. Many complete editions gather all of them into one large book.
| Order | Volume | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Study in Scarlet | Novel |
| 2 | The Sign of Four | Novel |
| 3 | The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes | Short stories |
| 4 | The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes | Short stories |
| 5 | The Hound of the Baskervilles | Novel |
| 6 | The Return of Sherlock Holmes | Short stories |
| 7 | The Valley of Fear | Novel |
| 8 | His Last Bow | Short stories |
| 9 | The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes | Short stories |
Buying advice
If you want value, buy a complete edition. If you want comfort, buy a readable paperback of The Adventures first. If you want a gift, look for an illustrated hardback or a boxed set.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to read every Sherlock Holmes story?
No. You can enjoy Holmes by reading selected stories first, then returning to the full canon later.
How many original Sherlock Holmes stories are there?
The standard count is four novels and fifty-six short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle.
Where should a beginner start?
Most beginners should start with the short stories, especially The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, before moving into the novels.