- Start with Publication Order: For the best experience, read Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes books in the order they were published, starting with the novel A Study in Scarlet (1887).
- Sherlock Holmes Canon: The complete Sherlock Holmes series includes 4 novels and 56 short stories, which are grouped into five collections.
- Beyond Holmes: Don’t miss the Professor Challenger series, an adventure and science fiction collection starting with The Lost World (1912).
- Why It Matters: Reading in publication order allows you to see the characters of Holmes and Watson develop exactly as the original readers did.
Trying to figure out where to start with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's massive collection of books can feel like solving a mystery without any clues. You know Sherlock Holmes is the main event, but with so many novels and short stories, finding the right entry point is confusing. You just want a simple list to follow.
The best way to read the Arthur Conan Doyle books is in their original publication order. This guide provides that complete list, starting with the Sherlock Holmes canon before moving on to his other incredible works, like the Professor Challenger series.
Let's solve the case of the correct reading order.
The Sherlock Holmes Books in Order (The Only Way to Read Them)
Reading the Sherlock Holmes stories as they were released is the best approach. You get to meet Holmes and Watson at the same time the world did and watch their friendship and adventures unfold naturally. The canon consists of four novels and five short story collections.
The Sherlock Holmes Novels
These four novels are full-length mysteries that provide the foundation for the entire Sherlock Holmes universe. Starting here is essential.
1. A Study in Scarlet (1887)
This is it, the grand beginning. A Study in Scarlet is where Dr. John Watson, an army doctor invalided home from Afghanistan, first meets the eccentric "consulting detective" Sherlock Holmes. They become flatmates at 221B Baker Street, and Watson is immediately thrown into Holmes's world when they are called to a murder scene with the word "RACHE" scrawled in blood on the wall. This novel establishes their iconic partnership and showcases Holmes's brilliant methods of deduction for the first time. It is the perfect entry point and sets the stage for everything to come.
2. The Sign of the Four (1890)
The second novel deepens the mystery and the characters. A young woman named Mary Morstan arrives at 221B Baker Street with a strange case involving her missing father, a secret pact, and a fortune in Indian treasure. The Sign of the Four is a thrilling adventure that involves stolen jewels, a one-legged man, and a thrilling boat chase on the Thames. It is also a key book for Dr. Watson's personal story, adding an important layer to his character that carries through the rest of the series. For anyone interested in how to create a successful book series as an indie author, this novel is a masterclass in developing secondary characters.
3. The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902)
Often considered the best of the four novels, this story is a masterpiece of gothic horror and suspense. Holmes and Watson are called to investigate the legend of a terrifying, demonic hound that haunts the Baskerville family on the misty, desolate moors of Devon. The mystery is atmospheric and genuinely creepy, focusing on an ancient curse and a series of seemingly supernatural events. Interestingly, this story is set before a major event in the series' timeline, but was written much later, showing Doyle's willingness to revisit his beloved character after a long hiatus.
4. The Valley of Fear (1915)
The final Holmes novel is a complex story of two halves. It begins with Holmes receiving a coded message from a police informant, warning of a plot against a country gentleman. When that gentleman is found brutally murdered, Holmes and Watson travel to his moated manor house to investigate. The second half of the book flashes back years earlier to a violent secret society in a coal-mining town in America. The Valley of Fear connects the two narratives brilliantly and features Holmes's arch-nemesis, the "Napoleon of crime," Professor Moriarty.
The Sherlock Holmes Short Story Collections
After the first two novels, Conan Doyle turned to the short story format, which made Sherlock Holmes a global phenomenon. These stories were published in magazines before being gathered into collections.
1. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1892)
This collection is where Holmes's popularity truly exploded. It contains twelve stories, including some of the most famous cases in the entire canon. "A Scandal in Bohemia" introduces Irene Adler, the one woman who ever outsmarted Holmes. "The Red-Headed League" is a bizarre and brilliant puzzle, while "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" is a locked-room mystery that has terrified readers for generations. These stories are short, sharp, and perfectly crafted, making them an excellent place to start if a full novel feels like too much of a commitment.
2. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1894)
This collection of eleven stories continues the high standard of the first. It includes classics like "Silver Blaze," where a racehorse goes missing, and "The Greek Interpreter," which introduces Sherlock's equally brilliant but lazy older brother, Mycroft Holmes. However, this collection is most famous for its final story, "The Final Problem." In this shocking tale, Conan Doyle, tired of writing about Holmes, sends his hero to Switzerland for a final, fatal confrontation with Professor Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls.
3. The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1905)
After immense public pressure, Conan Doyle brought his detective back from the dead. This collection of thirteen stories begins with "The Adventure of the Empty House," which explains how Holmes survived his tumble down the Reichenbach Falls. The rest of the stories see Holmes and Watson reunited, solving cases like "The Adventure of the Dancing Men" and "The Adventure of the Six Napoleons." The return was a massive literary event, cementing Holmes's status as a character who could not be killed.
4. His Last Bow (1917)
This collection contains seven stories published between 1908 and 1917. The stories are varied, but the collection is named for its final entry, "His Last Bow." This story is unique because it's told in the third person and is set on the eve of the First World War in 1914. Holmes, in retirement, is called upon by the government to act as a counter-intelligence agent to track down a German spy. It's a fittingly patriotic and dramatic end to his official career.
5. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes (1927)
This is the final collection of twelve Sherlock Holmes stories. The tone is often darker, and some stories are narrated by Holmes himself rather than Watson. Cases like "The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier" and "The Adventure of the Lion's Mane" give readers a different perspective on the great detective's mind. While some critics feel these later stories lack the spark of the earlier ones, they are a must-read for anyone wanting to complete the entire Conan Doyle bibliography. Finding good literary agents for detective fiction today is much easier thanks to the groundwork laid by these classic tales.
Quick Reference: Publication Order Table
For easy reference, here is the complete list of all 60 Sherlock Holmes stories in the order they were first published.
| Year | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1887 | A Study in Scarlet | Novel |
| 1890 | The Sign of the Four | Novel |
| 1892 | The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes | Collection |
| 1894 | The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes | Collection |
| 1902 | The Hound of the Baskervilles | Novel |
| 1905 | The Return of Sherlock Holmes | Collection |
| 1915 | The Valley of Fear | Novel |
| 1917 | His Last Bow | Collection |
| 1927 | The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes | Collection |
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The Professor Challenger Series in Order
While Sherlock Holmes is his most famous creation, Conan Doyle also wrote an incredible series of science fiction and adventure stories starring the brilliant, arrogant, and very loud Professor George Edward Challenger. These stories are a complete departure from the foggy streets of London and are packed with action and imagination.
1. The Lost World (1912)
The book that inspired Jurassic Park. A young reporter, Edward Malone, joins the hot-tempered Professor Challenger on an expedition to a remote plateau in South America. Challenger claims that dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures still live there, and he's determined to prove it. The team battles pterodactyls, hostile ape-men, and a terrifying Allosaurus in this landmark adventure novel. It's a thrilling read that established a whole new genre of fiction.
2. The Poison Belt (1913)
A very different kind of adventure. Professor Challenger discovers that the Earth is about to pass through a belt of poisonous ether in space, which he believes will extinguish all life. He gathers his companions from The Lost World in a sealed room at his country home to await the apocalypse. It's a tense, claustrophobic story that functions as an early example of "end of the world" fiction.
3. The Land of Mist (1926)
This novel reflects Conan Doyle's own deep belief in Spiritualism. Professor Challenger, a firm skeptic, is dragged into the world of mediums, séances, and ghosts when his daughter becomes a powerful clairvoyant. He sets out to scientifically debunk the entire Spiritualist movement but finds himself confronted with evidence he cannot explain. It’s a fascinating look at the clash between science and faith.
Short Stories
Two later short stories completed the series: "When the World Screamed" (1928) and "The Disintegration Machine" (1929). In the first, Challenger attempts to prove the Earth is a living creature by drilling a massive hole into its crust. In the second, he encounters a mad scientist who has invented a machine that can literally disintegrate matter.
Other Essential Books by Arthur Conan Doyle
Conan Doyle was an incredibly versatile writer. To truly appreciate his talent, you should explore his work outside of his famous series. He was particularly proud of his historical fiction.
Historical Novels
- Micah Clarke (1889): A sprawling adventure set during the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685.
- The White Company (1891): Conan Doyle's personal favorite. It's a swashbuckling tale of a company of English archers during the Hundred Years' War.
- Sir Nigel (1906): A prequel to The White Company, following the early adventures of the knight Sir Nigel Loring.
The creative energy needed to produce such varied works is immense, leaving many to wonder how do writers come up with ideas for so many different worlds and characters.
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The Legacy of Conan Doyle in 2026
Over a century after his final stories were published, Arthur Conan Doyle's work is more popular than ever. Sherlock Holmes holds the record for being the most-portrayed fictional character in screen history, a fact highlighted in a report on cultural icons. This popularity continues in the digital age, with Conan Doyle consistently ranking among the most downloaded authors on Project Gutenberg, according to digital library statistics.
The world's fascination continues with a slate of new adaptations set for 2026:
- Enola Holmes 3: Filming began in 2025 for the third installment of the popular series about Sherlock's brilliant younger sister, as confirmed by production news.
- Young Sherlock: An Amazon Prime series directed by Guy Ritchie will explore Holmes's origin story. An announcement from the studio has set the release for 2026.
- The Lost World: A TV series reboot of the Professor Challenger classic is also scheduled for a 2026 premiere, promising to bring the dinosaur-filled adventure to a new generation.
These projects show that Conan Doyle's characters and stories are timeless, capable of being reinvented again and again. For aspiring authors, studying how he built his worlds is a great lesson in how to self-publish your fantasy masterpiece or detective saga.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to start with Arthur Conan Doyle's books?
The best starting point is the first Sherlock Holmes novel, A Study in Scarlet. It perfectly introduces the characters of Holmes and Watson and their famous partnership at 221B Baker Street. If you prefer shorter reads, the first collection, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, is also an excellent choice.
Do I have to read the Sherlock Holmes books in order?
While many of the short stories can be read as standalone mysteries, it is highly recommended you read the full canon in publication order. This allows you to appreciate the development of the characters, especially the deep friendship between Holmes and Watson. Certain stories, like "The Final Problem" and "The Adventure of the Empty House," must be read in sequence to make sense.
What is the difference between publication order and chronological order?
Publication order is the sequence in which the books were originally released to the public. Chronological order attempts to rearrange the stories based on when the events of the cases happened within the characters' lives. For new readers, publication order is far better. Chronological order is a fun exercise for dedicated fans who have already read the entire series.
What are Arthur Conan Doyle's best books besides Sherlock Holmes?
The Lost World is his most famous non-Holmes book and is a must-read for any fan of adventure or science fiction. For historical fiction lovers, The White Company is a thrilling novel set during the Hundred Years' War and was the book Conan Doyle himself was most proud of writing.
Are all of Arthur Conan Doyle's books mystery novels?
No, not at all. While he is most famous for his detective fiction, Conan Doyle wrote across many genres. He penned groundbreaking science fiction (The Lost World), historical epics (Sir Nigel), horror stories, and works on Spiritualism (The Land of Mist). Exploring his wider bibliography reveals the true range of his talent.