Although there are variations in the manner in which all the stories begin, all of them follow a specific narrative structure. This includes an introduction, climax, resolution and an explanation of Holmes’ reasoning, and the clues he followed. For example in the adventure of the speckled band’ the conclusion stated by Watson. ‘how the slow process of official enquiry came to the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly playing with a dangerous pet’. There is a conclusion in all the Sherlock Holmes stories that briefly explain what happened after the events of that particular case.
Another characteristic of a Sherlock Holmes story is the relationship between Dr Watson and Sherlock Holmes. They evidently are good friends, because they share a house. They have a close friendship Holmes values Watson’s opinion. For example in ‘The Reigate Puzzle’ Watson tells Holmes to stop thinking about work’ you are here for a rest my dear fellow. For heaven's sake don’t get started on a problem when your nerves are all in shreds.’ Holmes responds in a passive manner taking his friends advice ‘Holmes shrugged his shoulders with a glance of comic resignation towards the colonel’. This shows that their relationship is very respectful; this is common in all of the Sherlock Holmes stories studied so far.
Usually a Sherlock Holmes story takes place in the country. Outside of London. For example ‘The Adventure of the Speckled Band’ is set in Surrey as is ‘The Reigate puzzle’. ‘The Musgrave Ritual' is set in west Sussex. As the countryside is a remote place it much more likely to have mysterious ‘goings on’, as Watson states in ‘The
Adventure of the Speckled Band’. Holmes refused ‘to associate himself with any investigation which did not tend towards the unusual’.
The detail in which the characters are described is also another characteristic. What each person is wearing, his or her body language and size is all taken into account in great detail. For example in ‘The Adventure of the Speckled Band’ Helen Stoner, Sherlock Holmes’ client, is described as ‘heavily veiled. She is also described as having ‘frightened eyes’ and a ‘weary and haggard’ expression. This type of characterisation is featured in all three of the stories when describing characters. By describing them this way the reader has a feel for the characters even before they have spoken.
Another characteristic is the originality of the way in which the crimes are solved.
The plots of the stories are quite technical, and the way the crimes are solved even more so. The methods that Holmes uses to solve problems he encounters are quite extraordinary. For example in The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, Holmes studies a stranger's hat. 'He is a man who leads a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream.' In all of the stories this kind of deduction is used. It gives the reader the same sense of admiration Watson has for his friend. In the Musgrave ritual Watson describes Holmes’ cases as ‘remarkable feats.’
There are always a set of clues about characters and events in a Sherlock Holmes story. In ‘The Adventure of the Speckled Band’ When Dr. Roylott threatens Holmes by saying “Don’t you dare to meddle with my affairs ”in the reader can guess that he might be the villain in this story as he feels uncomfortable with Holmes’ investigation. The clues laid out are very important to the stories. For example in ‘The Adventure of the Speckled Band’ there are several clues laid out which are vital to Sherlock Holmes solving the case. There was the ‘dogwhip’, ‘ventilator’, ‘bell-pull’ and many more in order for Holmes to solve the cases there must be an adequate number of clues therefore this is a common characteristic.
Also a characteristic in Sherlock Holmes stories is that of a murder victim to give the case drama. In ‘The Adventure of the Speckled Band’ it was Helen Stoners’ sister. In ‘The Musgrave Ritual’ the butler Brunton and in ‘The Reigate Puzzle’ the coachman.
In this essay I have covered the general characteristics of a Sherlock Holmes story all of which are common to all four stories mentioned. These characteristics have to be present in order to make the story recognisable as a Sherlock Holmes adventure.
