Four decades. Four cases. One solution.
From the plains of Afghanistan to the alleyways of Victorian London, from the dark heart of the English countryside to the ruin of Europe after the Great War, join Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson in a quartet of astonishing new investigations which span their lifelong friendship – and beyond….. Though at first seemingly unrelated, the four adventures are in fact deeply intertwined, proving to be one of Holmes’ most complex and remarkable mysteries.
The first story presented in this collection is “THE GUTTERING CANDLE.”
Set in 1880, one year before Holmes met Dr. Watson, this story actually presents us with two important events, which sets the ball in motion for for the rest of the collection. Holmes (Nicholas Briggs), still a youthful and inexperienced detective makes the acquaintance of Inspector Lestrade for the first time as he embarks on a murder case. An unidentified man has been found on the banks of the Thames, and with the police at a loss, Holmes steps in to investigate. Meanwhile, in Afghanistan, Dr. Watson (Richard Earl) has been kidnapped and taken to a secluded cave where he meets a wounded man named Christopher Thrale. Thrale requests Watson’s medical assistance, but his wounds prove too substantial and he passes away. But before his death, Thrale asks Watson to take a seemingly innocuous package to London. Little does the good doctor know what terrible repercussions this shall have. The plot, though not the most complex of the collection, is engaging and very interesting, and it successfully establishes all of the plot threads which will become important to the story in its subsequent installments. .......Listen to this one very carefully!
The next installment is "THE ADVENTURE OF THE GAMEKEEPER'S FOLLY."
This story is probably the most Doyle-esque story of the collection. Holmes is contacted by Jim Hinderclay (Ken Bones), a gamekeeper in a remote English village. Hinderclay has been distraught for years after his daughter vanished, travelling to London. Holmes believes that he has been charged with finding Hinderclay's long lost daughter, but the gamekeeper tells him otherwise - he wants to know the reason for her mysterious return from the city.
Again an excellent installment,this time set when Holmes is apparently at the height of his powers in 1895, convinced of his own abilities, and prone to condescension. The story is very mysterious, and as with the previous adventure draws you straight away. It is important to note that the connections between the stories become evident after listening to this adventure – and note the way in which Watson reacts to both Holmes’ original actions and their consequences.
The third story is entitled "THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERMONDSEY CUTTHROATS."
We jump to the start of the twentieth century for this installment, and one of the most disturbing sequences that Big Finish has put on audio – the pre-credits scene rivals the psychological terrors of the best serial killer stories, and the rest of the story maintains the level, though it is probably the collection's weakest tale. This is due to the fact that there is not much mystery to be had, and the events of the story play out much more like a thriller. Holmes and Watson are charged by Scotland Yard to investigate a rash of murders. Seven people have been brutally killed in seven days, each one of them having a connection to Holmes' work. When Watson nearly falls victim to the killers, Holmes will stop at nothing to bring them to book.
As noted above, this episode does not feature any whodunit aspects, so Holmes' detective work is severely limited. Nonetheless, "The Bermondsey Cutthroats" is a taught and suspenseful thriller, which even manages to deliver a shiver or two. It is as engrossing as its previous installments, but Sherlockian purists beware - a beloved canon figure does not emerge alive following the events of this episode.
The set concludes with, "THE SOWERS OF DESPAIR."
Set in 1919, Holmes and Watson are involved in government business this time around as they discover something evil may be afoot in a newly established European country. Their suspicions are soon confirmed as the duo face an evil the likes of which they have never encountered before.
It’s narrated by Holmes himself, for reasons which he quickly explains, although, those unfamiliar with The Adventure of the Perfidious Mariner are advised to listen to that before The Sowers, partly because it explains Holmes and Watson’s reunion following the events of The Bermondsey Cutthroats. To say too much more would spoil some great surprises.
"The Sowers of Despair" brilliantly ties up all the loose ends and establishes a clear link between the preceding three stories which has so tantalized listeners. It deliveres on a number of fronts, being both a nicely executed mystery and thriller. The only complaint would be how this final story delved a bit too deeply into the realm of science fiction - something for which even Arthur Conan Doyle was not entirely innocent.
In all, The Ordeals of Sherlock Holmes was an absolute pleasure to listen to. The undoubted star of the set, though, is Briggs as Holmes, who moves from the brash young man of The Guttering Candle through the superbly confident consulting detective, to a man faced with the harsh consequences of his own actions – and finally to someone who, despite everything, still finds it hard to empathise properly with the rest of humanity (his diary entry about the discussions in the Watson household when he visits is ample proof of this), but is almost desperately needy for the company of his oldest friend.
DOWLOAD LINKS:
1. The Guttering Candle.
256K (1 rar file 125 MB containing 1 mp3 File)
2. The Gamekeeper's Folly
256K (1 rar file 110 MB containing 1 mp3 File)
3. The Bermondsey Cutthroats.
256K (1 rar file 119 MB containing 1 mp3 File)
4. The Sowers Of Despair
256K (1 rar file 184 MB containing 2 mp3 File).
This file includes the bonus Season 3 extras/interview audio file (36 mins)
ARTWORK
(1 rar file 10.1 MB containing 5 jpg Files)
Replies
Thank You
The real ordeal, of course, is that Doyle left us only 60 stories, when in fact he could well have left us 600, never enough of The Detective. Ah!
There is always the battered tin dispatch box ...
Monsieur Bob,
the contents of the battered tin dispatch box may yet be the greatest mystery of all, hidden beneath it's lid are the cases of Von Bischoff at Frankfort, Mason of Bradford, and the notorious Muller, and Lefevre of Montpellier (ooh la la), and Samson of New Orleans and countless others.
Even a momentary glimpse beneath the lid would yield a treasure trove of wonders.
Ah, Monsieur Bob, if only
Cordialement, a la prochaine,
Lefevre
Many Thanks for this. Has anyone got the 2nd season? it's the only one not on here
Thank you.
Thank you. I'm a great Sherlock Holmes fan.
Love Holmes and Watson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The game again is afoot!!!!!!!!!
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, the Edison Cylinders looks interesting, too.
Many thanks, Michael Walker!
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next