His last bow

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

2350

Title

His last bow

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Arthur Conan Doyle's final Sherlock Holmes collection features the detective's wartime service, blending classic deduction with espionage thrillers. The volume includes the chilling 'The Adventure of the Dying Detective' and the patriotic 'His Last Bow,' showcasing Holmes's enduring intellect against global threats.

Summary up to 500 words

In Arthur Conan Doyle's 'His Last Bow,' the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes has retired to a quiet farm on the South Downs, dedicating his time to philosophy and beekeeping. However, the outbreak of war with Germany compels him to return to active service for the British government. The collection opens with 'The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge,' where tenant Mr. Scott Eccles discovers his Spanish host, Aloysius Garcia, and the entire household have vanished overnight. Holmes deduces that the house was abandoned to scare the tenant away, a tactic employed by a secret society. The narrative then shifts to the central story, 'The Adventure of the Red Circle,' where Holmes and Dr. Watson infiltrate a German spy ring in London. They capture the master spy, Von Bork, and his American accomplice, Mr. Altamont. Through daring experiments and deductions, Holmes exposes the spies' plots to sabotage British defenses. In a climactic confrontation, Holmes reveals his true identity as a former associate of Moriarty and a man of immense international repute, having previously saved German nobility. He outwits Von Bork, who realizes he has been betrayed by a man of power. The story concludes with Holmes and Watson driving the bound spy to Scotland Yard, reflecting on the changing world and the enduring nature of justice. The collection is a masterful blend of mystery, patriotism, and character study, cementing Holmes's legacy as the world's greatest detective. The volume also includes other adventures such as 'The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans' and 'The Adventure of the Devil's Foot,' showcasing Holmes's continued brilliance even in his later years. As they depart, Holmes muses on the coming storm of war, noting that while the world may change, the spirit of justice remains steadfast.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2350.epub.noimages

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data/epubs/pg2350.epub

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2026-06-30 08:42 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Mystery