What would the genre of detective fiction be without the inimitable Sherlock Holmes? One can only speculate as to its state given the absence of its most famous character. Based on Doyle’s own list of best stories and expanded to include several other reader favorites, this collection includes his very best tales. This edition includes a preface by the author, a biographical afterword, and includes the following stories: “A Scandal in Bohemia, ” “The Adventure of the Red-Headed League, ” “The Five Orange Pips, ” “The Man with the Twisted Lip, ” “The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, ” “The Adventure of the Speckled Band, ” “Silver Blaze, ” “The Musgrave Ritual, ” “The Adventure of the Reigate Squire, ” “The Final Problem, ” “The Adventure of the Empty House, ” “The Adventure of the Dancing Men, ” “The Adventure of the Priory School, ” “The Adventure of the Six Napoleons, ” “The Adventure of the Second Stain, ” “The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans, ” and “The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot.”