Baring-Gould’s extensive notes on the stories in this collection deal both with Holmes, the character invented by Conan Doyle, and Holmes, the consulting detective whose cases are chronicled for us by his friend and biographer Dr. John Watson. An excellent introduction if (by some incomprehensible concatenation of events) you’ve never read a Holmes tale.

Contents: Introducing Mr. Sherlock Holmes / William S. Baring-Gould — The adventure of the speckled band — A scandal in Bohemia — The Red-headed League — The adventure of the blue carbuncle — The Musgrave ritual — The naval treaty — Silver Blaze — The final problem — The adventure of the empty house — The adventure of the Bruce-Partington plans — The adventure of the dancing men — The adventure of the six Napoleons — Notes / William S. Baring-Gould