The Canon
The Canon
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The Canon
Published At September 29, 2025
Last Updated At November 08, 2025
When readers speak of “the Canon” of Sherlock Holmes, they are referring to the body of work written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that introduced the world’s most famous detective.
Traditionally, the Canon is recognised as 4 novels and 56 short stories, published between 1887 and 1927. These works established Holmes and Dr. Watson as enduring figures in literature and gave rise to what many consider the most influential detective stories of all time.
The Four Novels
The Holmes novels form the backbone of the Canon, presenting longer, more complex mysteries:
- A Study in Scarlet (1887)
- The Sign of Four (1890)
- The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902)
- The Valley of Fear (1915)
The Fifty-Six Short Stories
The short stories were collected in five published volumes:
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1892)
- The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1893)
- The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1905)
- His Last Bow (1917)
- The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes (1927)
Together, these volumes comprise the canonical 56 stories, widely accepted as the definitive collection.
The Debate: 56 or 58 Stories?
Some scholars, however, include two additional short works by Arthur Conan Doyle:
- The Field Bazaar (1896)
- How Watson Learned the Trick (1924)
These stories are sometimes listed alongside the Canon, bringing the total to 58, though they were not originally part of the collected volumes.
Noted Holmes editor and scholar Leslie S. Klinger, among others, has discussed these works in the context of the Canon. On SherlockHolmes.com we present the traditional 56-story count, while acknowledging the existence of these two additional works.
Why the Canon Matters
The Canon is more than a list of titles — it is the foundation of modern detective fiction. The stories have inspired countless adaptations, pastiches, films, and television series. They are studied for their literary craft, admired for their logical puzzles, and beloved for their characters’ humanity.
For over a century, readers around the world have returned to these stories not just for their mysteries, but for the enduring friendship of Holmes and Watson.
Explore the Canon Online
- 📖 Read the Sherlock Holmes stories for free
- 🎥 Watch classic Holmes films
- 🧩 Dive into our Sherlock Holmes Wiki
Read the Complete Sherlock Holmes Canon Online
You can explore every story and novel in the Sherlock Holmes Canon — including A Study in Scarlet, The Adventures, and The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes — as free public-domain editions curated by The Sherlock Holmes Company. Visit our dedicated archive at SherlockHolmes.com/Stories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sherlock Holmes Canon?
The Sherlock Holmes Canon refers to the complete body of work written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featuring Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. It traditionally includes 4 novels and 56 short stories published between 1887 and 1927.
Which novels are part of the Sherlock Holmes Canon?
The four canonical novels are A Study in Scarlet (1887), The Sign of Four (1890), The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902), and The Valley of Fear (1915).
Which short-story collections make up the Canon?
The 56 short stories appear in five collections: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1892), The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1893), The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1905), His Last Bow (1917), and The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes (1927).
Why do some scholars count 58 Sherlock Holmes stories?
Two additional short works — The Field Bazaar (1896) and How Watson Learned the Trick (1924) — are sometimes included, bringing the total to 58, though they were not part of the original collected volumes.
How many Sherlock Holmes stories are there?
Traditionally, there are 56 short stories and 4 novels. Some scholars include two additional short works, bringing the total to 58.
Which was the first Sherlock Holmes story?
The first story was A Study in Scarlet (1887), marking the debut of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson.
Which was the last Sherlock Holmes story?
The final collection, The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes (1927), contains the last 12 stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Why is the Sherlock Holmes Canon important?
The Canon laid the foundation for modern detective fiction and continues to inspire countless adaptations. Readers return to it for its logic, atmosphere, and the enduring friendship between Holmes and Watson.
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