The Valley of Fear

“The Valley of Fear” is one of the lesser-known Sherlock Holmes novels, despite being a well-written mystery. Written in 1914, it features a lengthy digression where Arthur Conan Doyle writes an adventure story to explain a modern-day murder. The story is loosely based on the Molly Maguires, a secret society among Pennsylvania coal miners that controlled through violent intimidation and murder.

It” is a detective novel written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the famous British author best known for creating the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. The book was first serialized in “The Strand Magazine” from September 1914 to May 1915 and was later published as a full novel in 1915.

The novel is divided into two parts. The first part is set in England and follows the traditional detective style, with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John H. Watson investigating a murder mystery. The story begins with Holmes receiving an encoded message warning of a murder to take place in a manor house called Birlstone. Despite their best efforts, a brutal murder does occur, and Holmes is called in to solve the case.

The second part takes a flashback to the United States and is quite different in style and tone from the first part. It delves into the background of the murder and introduces the reader to the criminal organization responsible for the crime. This part reveals the story of a secret society called the “Scowrers,” operating in a mining valley in the western United States, hence the title “The Valley of Fear.”

The narrative in the second part centers on the protagonist, John Douglas, an American who becomes involved with the Scowrers. The story unfolds through a series of interconnected events, including secret codes, hidden identities, and revenge. As the plot progresses, it becomes evident that the events in the United States are intricately tied to the murder case in England.

“The Valley of Fear” is notable for its mixture of detective fiction with elements of a thriller, taking readers on a journey from an English manor to the dangerous criminal underworld of the American West. The novel has been well-received by both critics and readers, showcasing Arthur Conan Doyle’s exceptional storytelling and his ability to create engaging and memorable characters. Sherlock Holmes remains one of the most enduring and iconic fictional detectives in literary history.

The novel features a cipher message, a mention of Moriarty’s machinations, a missing ring, and a locked-room murder in a house with a drawbridge. These puzzles were fresh and original ideas at the time, as Leslie Klinger points out in his introduction. The flashback section is more hard-boiled, with an undercover operative infiltrating a dangerous gang with his own life at stake.

The book opens with Holmes receiving a coded message from an informant within Moriarty’s organization. The spy, Porlock, refuses to continue in the following message, prompting Holmes and Watson to decode the cipher. However, they are interrupted by news of a bloody murder, with the victim’s wife and best friend behaving oddly at the scene.

The investigation and observation lead to a surprising solution, with a melancholic ending that reflects the time of its release as the World War was beginning. The novel’s inability to escape eventual violence may be why it is less remembered. Nonetheless, the story has plenty to recommend, as shown in this excellent graphic novel version.

Overall, “The Valley of Fear” is a well-written and engaging mystery that is worth reading, despite being one of the lesser-known Sherlock Holmes novels.