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Cover of A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan DoyleA Study in Scarlet
Classic · Fiction, Mystery, Crime

A Study in Scarlet

by Arthur Conan Doyle
1887 · 108 pages · Fiction
70.0Must-Read
Score Classic
Critics' pick · Lifetime bestseller
≈ 3 hours to read · about 6 days at 30 minutes a day

What it's about

The first Sherlock Holmes story: Dr. Watson, back from war in Afghanistan, meets Holmes when they become flatmates at 221B Baker Street. Watson tags along as Holmes investigates a murder at Lauriston Gardens.

Why it's worth reading

It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. It's where the most famous detective in fiction begins.

You'll love it if you liked

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The Hound of the BaskervillesArthur Conan Doyle
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The MoonstoneWilkie Collins

Good to know

It's short and the best place to start with Holmes.

By the numbers

70.0Must-Read Score
  • Readers63 out of 100 · counts 42%
  • Critics30 out of 100 · counts 14%
  • Bestseller34 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
  • Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%

Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.

Where it ranks

Why it made the list

On the lists
Guardian 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read

Reads as

Gripping

How we rank

Already read it? Upload your Goodreads or StoryGraph history and get the 50 best books you haven't read, tuned to your taste.Get my 50

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Explore the best-of lists

All 36 best-of lists →
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Quick answers

Is A Study in Scarlet worth reading?

Yes. It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. It ranks #1,378 of the 3,057 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 70.0 (the best book we found scores 99).

What is A Study in Scarlet about?

The first Sherlock Holmes story: Dr. Watson, back from war in Afghanistan, meets Holmes when they become flatmates at 221B Baker Street. Watson tags along as Holmes investigates a murder at Lauriston Gardens.

How long does it take to read A Study in Scarlet?

About 3 hours (108 pages), or about 6 days at 30 minutes a day.

What should I read after A Study in Scarlet?

If you liked it, try The Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle, The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle or The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins.