The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

In a gravelly voice, Ralph Cosham becomes the voice of Dr. Watson as he narrates 12 of his adventures with Sherlock Holmes. Dashing round London and the English countryside, Watson and Holmes search for villains, deceivers, and the perpetrators of crimes both physical and psychological. Cosham brings these immortal tales to life once again, replete with details both significant and trivial and the sights and sounds of late-nineteenth-century London. Cosham uses subtle accents to differentiate the characters. Watson is characterized with droll, smoky tones, and Holmes is portrayed with an even cadence and soft tones. The other characters have accents reminiscent of their stations, nationalities, and gender. Cosham captures the genius of Sherlock Holmes, the faithful friendship of Dr. Watson, the language of their time, and their zest for adventure. M.B.K. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

Everyone's favorite sleuth is brought vividly to life by Edward Hardwicke, the definitive Dr. Watson of the Sherlock Holmes PBS series of the mid-1990s. Hardwicke's long familiarity with the material is delightfully evident in this excellent rendition. His delivery is distinct, his pacing is perfect, and his performance sounds effortless. The iconic characters we have come to love in these increasingly mythic tales are superbly wrought. Despite the fact that these stories were penned in the early 1900s, Hardwicke's narration captures the timeless quality of a story well told, drawing the listener in, creating a mood, and casting a spell. Among the stories is "The Adventure of the Empty House," the tale of Holmes's triumphant return after his presumed death at Reichenbach Falls. M.H.N. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

Rebecca K. Reynolds deftly renders this lively series, which is oriented to kids. Six stories offer an excellent sampling of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Reynolds introduces Holmes as confident, clever, and sometimes vague, while her Dr. Watson is kind, humble, and has a subtle sense of humor. In "A Scandal in Bohemia," listeners will savor meeting wisecracking, indomitable Irene Adler, the only woman to outsmart an almost speechless Holmes. "The Adventures of the Speckled Band" is Reynolds's most frightening account, with Helen Stoner bravely assisting Holmes in solving the murder of her sister. Finally, in "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle," the clever use of a Christmas goose is instantly compelling, and listeners will be moved by a compassionate conclusion. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine