The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes · Character

Sherlock Holmes

A consulting detective whose restless mind turns a stranger's English tailoring and a lawyer's flickering eyes into evidence before the man has finished his first sentence.

major

Also known as Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Holmes, Mr. Holmes

First appearance: The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes

As a major figure in The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The master detective, featured throughout the collection.

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Holmes operates from Baker Street as the last resort for cases too delicate or dangerous for Scotland Yard, and his methods depend as much on reading people as on reading clues. His habit of needling a visitor — noting the cut of a coat, the toes of boots — is not vanity but a deliberate test, and it can ruffle even a man who came seeking help. In these late adventures he is older, wearier, and more aware that some mysteries hide not crimes but private griefs, which gives his deductions an unusual moral weight.

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Character Web

57 connections

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Relationship types

Friendship
Rivalry
Professional
Psychological

Character groups

Protagonist
Holmes's inner circle
Mazarin Stone criminals
Shoscombe Old Place suspects
Three Gables and Thor Bridge

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

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Relationships

Dr. Watson
friendship · positive
Count Sylvius
rivalry · negative
Sir Robert Norberton
rivalry · negative
Neil Gibson
professional · ambivalent
Mrs. Ronder
psychological · ambivalent
Mr. Sutro
professional · positive
Inspector MacKinnon
professional · positive
Jacky Garrideb
rivalry · negative
Sam Merton
rivalry · negative
Sir James Damery
professional · positive
Cheeseman
rivalry · negative
Lady Beatrice Falder
professional · positive

Dr. Watson
Dr. Watson is Sherlock Holmes's loyal friend, biographer, and companion in investigations.
Count Sylvius
Count Sylvius is a dangerous criminal adversary whom Holmes pursues and outwits.
Sir Robert Norberton
Sir Robert Norberton is a suspect and antagonist in a case, clashing with Holmes's deductions.
Neil Gibson
Neil Gibson, a wealthy client, hires Holmes to investigate a murder involving his wife and governess.
Mrs. Ronder
Mrs. Ronder is a victim of a horrific crime whom Holmes interviews, revealing deep trauma and manipulation.
Mr. Sutro
Mr. Sutro is a client who seeks Holmes's help in a case involving a missing person and a mysterious house.
Inspector MacKinnon
Inspector MacKinnon is a police officer who collaborates with Holmes on a case, often deferring to his methods.
Jacky Garrideb
Jacky Garrideb is a violent criminal who opposes Holmes during the investigation of a murder.
Sam Merton
Sam Merton is an accomplice to Count Sylvius and an antagonist whom Holmes helps capture.
Sir James Damery
Sir James Damery is a client who hires Holmes to investigate a delicate matter involving a noble family.
Cheeseman
Cheeseman is a suspect in a case, and Holmes exposes his criminal activities.
Lady Beatrice Falder
Lady Beatrice Falder is a client who seeks Holmes's help to recover a stolen document.

Relationship notes

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In the story

Sherlock Holmes appears across 13 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes
The master detective, featured throughout the collection.
The Adventure of the Illustrious Client
Takes on the case to thwart Baron Gruner's marriage, confronts Gruner directly, and orchestrates the use of a compromising book.
The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier
Narrates the case, alone after Watson's marriage, and deduces Dodd's background from his appearance.
The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone
Deeply engaged in the Mazarin Stone case, using disguises and a wax dummy to outwit Count Sylvius.
The Adventure of the Three Gables
Investigates the case of Three Gables, confronts Steve Dixie and the mysterious woman behind the intimidation and burglary.
The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire
Investigates the alleged vampirism case, deduces the true cause involving a poisoned dart and the maid Dolores.
The Adventure of the Three Garridebs
Holmes deduces that John Garrideb is lying and investigates the strange will.
The Problem of Thor Bridge
Investigates the Thor Bridge murder case, using Watson's revolver in a crucial test.
The Adventure of the Creeping Man
Investigates the strange case of Professor Presbury, theorizing about the connection between dogs and family moods.
The Adventure of the Lion's Mane
Retired to Sussex, narrates the case himself as Watson is absent; investigates McPherson's death and identifies the jellyfish as the killer.
The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger
Holmes is consulted by Mrs. Merrilow about her mysterious lodger, Mrs. Ronder. He recalls the Abbas Parva tragedy and agrees to hear Mrs. Ronder's story.
The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place
Investigates Sir Robert's strange behavior and uncovers the hidden death of Lady Beatrice.
The Adventure of the Retired Colourman
Investigates the case of Josiah Amberley, using his deductive skills to uncover the truth behind the disappearance.

Chapter companion notes

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