Discover the very first meeting of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in ‘A Study in Scarlet’ and read the complete novel online for free.
Published in 1887, A Study in Scarlet is the novel that introduced the world to the most famous detective in literary history: Mr. Sherlock Holmes. The story begins with Dr. John H. Watson, injured and adrift after the Afghan War, seeking lodgings in London. He is introduced to the “strangest” man he has ever met—a brilliant, eccentric, and scientifically-minded consulting detective named Sherlock Holmes. Their fateful sharing of rooms at 221B Baker Street launches the greatest partnership in fiction. Their first case together is a baffling one: a man found dead in a deserted house in Brixton, with the word “RACHE” (German for “revenge”) scrawled in blood on the wall, and no obvious motive or clue.
The novel is divided into two distinct parts. The first, set in London, is a masterclass in establishing character and method. We witness Holmes’s dazzling deductions (his famous “science of deduction”), his violin playing, his cocaine use, and his dynamic with the solid, reliable Watson. The second part is a sweeping flashback to the American West, telling the tragic story of Mormon pioneers and a bitter quest for vengeance that explains the London murder. This structural gamble shows Conan Doyle’s ambition to root his detective story in a grand, romantic, and morally complex narrative.
A Study in Scarlet is the foundational text of the detective genre. It establishes all the key elements: the brilliant, aloof detective; the loyal narrator; the perplexing crime; the inept official police (represented by Inspectors Gregson and Lestrade); and the satisfying, logic-based solution. While the American flashback feels dated and contains controversial portrayals of Mormonism, the London sections are pure, enduring magic. To read it is to witness the birth of a legend.
On this page, you can start at the very beginning. We offer the complete 1887 novel for online reading.
Book Info
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | A Study in Scarlet |
| Author | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle |
| Year of Publication | 1887 |
| Genre | Detective Fiction, Mystery, Novel |
| Language | English (Original) |
| Legal Status | Public Domain |
| Format | Online Reading |
Read A Study in Scarlet Online
Step into 221B Baker Street for the first time. Begin the very first Sherlock Holmes adventure by exploring the opening chapters interactively below.
This preview introduces Holmes and Watson at the start of their partnership, but the full mystery—from the Brixton house to the Utah frontier—is available in the complete novel for our subscribers.
A subscription unlocks this foundational mystery and our entire library of detective fiction and classics. Solve the case that started it all.
About A Study in Scarlet
The novel’s unique two-part structure reflects Conan Doyle’s desire to write a serious novel, but its immortal legacy is the characters and dynamic it introduces in the first half.
The Meeting of Icons
The early chapters where Watson observes and tries to deduce Holmes’s profession are brilliantly entertaining. Holmes’s famous declaration, “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive,” instantly establishes his preternatural observational skills. Their complementary personalities—Holmes’s cold logic and Watson’s warm humanity—are set in perfect balance from the start.
The Science of Deduction
This novel lays out Holmes’s method. He chastises Watson for seeing but not observing. He demonstrates how trifling details—the state of a man’s sleeves, the condition of his boots—can reveal his entire history. This rational, almost scientific approach to crime-solving was revolutionary and became the blueprint for countless fictional detectives.
The American Flashback: A Bold Narrative Choice
The long section set in the Salt Lake Desert, telling the story of Jefferson Hope and the Stangerson and Drebber families, provides the motive for the London murder. While it feels like a separate novel (and is often criticized for its portrayal of Mormons), it shows Conan Doyle’s attempt to give his detective story epic, emotional weight. It establishes a pattern of the criminal as a sympathetic avenger, a trope he would use again.
Establishing the World
Here we meet the first incarnations of Scotland Yard’s Inspectors Gregson and Lestrade, who will become recurring foils for Holmes’s genius. We also see the birth of the “Baker Street Irregulars,” the street urchins Holmes employs as his eyes and ears across London.
Why Read A Study in Scarlet Today?
It is essential reading for any fan of mystery fiction or popular culture. This is where it all began. To understand Holmes and Watson, you must start here. The thrill of seeing their partnership form, and witnessing Holmes’s method applied to its first full case, is an unparalleled pleasure for any reader.
Despite its structural quirks, the core mystery is clever, and the characters are so vividly drawn that they feel fully formed from their first appearance. To read A Study in Scarlet is to sit down in the chair by the fire at 221B and accept your first case from the world’s only consulting detective.
FAQ
Can I read A Study in Scarlet for free?
Yes, you can read the opening chapters for free via our interactive preview. Access to the complete novel requires a subscription.
Should I read this or The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes first?
For chronological purists, start here. It is the first Holmes story published. However, many readers start with the more polished short stories in The Adventures and return to this novel later.
Why is there a long section about Mormons in Utah?
Conan Doyle wanted to provide a dramatic, emotionally charged backstory for the killer, Jefferson Hope, showing the motive for his revenge. The portrayal of Mormonism reflects sensationalist and biased views common in late 19th-century Britain.
Is the solution satisfying?
Yes. Holmes’s unraveling of the case is logical and clever, based on keen observation of the crime scene and his knowledge of tobacco ash and footprints. The explanation of the word “RACHE” is a classic Holmesian moment.
Can I read it on my phone?
Absolutely. Its chapter-based narrative is perfect for reading on the go, whether in London or the Utah desert.