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Best 2025 Sherlock Holmes Books, Movies, DVDs, & More
By Randall Stock, October 31, 2025 (History)
Sherlock Holmes is more popular than ever, which means there are lots of new books, movies, and Sherlockiana. The reviews and recommendations below can help you focus on the best ones from 2025. If you're just getting started with Holmes, see the Top 10 Choices for New Fans. This site also reviews newer Sherlockian items to consider.
New in 2025: Top Holmes Items
| Category | # of Items |
|---|---|
| 2025 Holmes Fiction | 5 |
| 2025 Holmes DVDs, Movies, and Related | 4 |
| 2025 Books About Holmes & Conan Doyle | 4 |
Newer Recommended Sherlockiana and the Best Holmes books, DVDs, & Blu-Ray from other years
Best 2025 Sherlock Holmes Books – Fiction
The year's best fictional Holmes books published in 2025. Listed in order by author, see also About the Choices and E-books.
Prices as of November 2025; subject to change.
The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime by Vicki Delany
Gemma Doyle, owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop, travels to London for a wedding and soon gets embroiled in a murder involving a rare book. The London setting is a nice extra for Sherlockians, and Delany provides a strong sense of place. Some good clues and lots of twists and suspects make this an engaging "cozy" mystery. You can read this book on its own, but if you want to see how the characters evolve in this series, I suggest starting with A Scandal in Scarlet (#4). For this latest volume, you might want to consider the e-book since the hardcover uses slightly thin/transparent paper which my aging eyes found distracting. ($29.99 SRP; Amazon US listing $16.34)
Knave of Diamonds by Laurie R. King
Mary's long-lost Uncle Jake returns with a case that involves the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels. Russell, Holmes, and Uncle Jake narrate alternating chapters. I enjoyed that variation, but readers less familiar with this long-running series might find it confusing. With that caveat, King makes Uncle Jake an intriguing character with an enjoyable narrative style. Series newcomers should start at the beginning with The Beekeeper's Apprentice. King weaves together many actual events and historical characters in her latest book. The overall result is engaging without being distracting, but it does lead to an anticlimactic ending. ($30.00 SRP; Amazon US listing $18.07)
The Serpent Under by Bonnie MacBird
The death of a Windsor Castle courtier and a boy drowned in the Serpentine take Holmes and Watson into a dark and twisted adventure. MacBird combines striking incidents and a cinematic style with historic detail. Her Victorian London feels authentic, which helps to offset some unlikely coincidences in the plot. Heffie the female irregular plays an important role, but seemed more interesting in The Devil's Due. ($26.99 SRP; Amazon US listing $18.30)
Sherlock Holmes and the Real Thing by Nicholas Meyer
A missing artist and a murder take Holmes into the world of fine art and art dealers. Meyer does his usual strong work with Holmes and Watson, and provides a solid mystery with some good twists. He also offers a delightful commentary on how originality, pastiche and forgery are all aspects of art and writing. Both entertaining and thought-provoking, this is Meyer's best Holmes story since his groundbreaking Seven-Per-Cent Solution. ($26.95 SRP; Amazon US listing $23.45)
Hurricane Heist by James Ponti
The Sherlock Society Detective Agency investigates a cold case after a hurricane uncovers new evidence about a million-dollar robbery. Set in present-day Miami, the series features four kids and a grandfather who started their adventures with The Sherlock Society (2024). That book is fantastic and sets up the characters, so read it first. Both books are fast-paced, clever, and fun. This second volume has fewer Holmes references, but it is still far better than most pastiches. The series is great for middle grades, and adults will enjoy it as well. ($18.99 SRP; Amazon US listing $17.66)
See also the current Year's Best Holmes fiction and the Best Holmes fiction from other years for more excellent choices.
Or search just this website using Google for other reviews of authors or book titles:
Best 2025 Sherlock Holmes DVDs, Blu-ray Movies, and Related
The year's best DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, videos, movie-related and audio items released in 2025. See also About the Choices.
Prices as of November 2025; subject to change.
Murder by Decree Starring Christopher Plummer (Blu-ray Special Edition)
Sherlock Holmes investigates Jack the Ripper in this intense and atmospheric Holmes movie. Christopher Plummer and James Mason set new standards for Holmes and Watson with the film's release in 1979. The 2025 Special Edition Blu-ray uses a new master/scan that is much better than the 2020 Blu-ray, and reports also praise the 4K Ultra HD version. Extras include optional English subtitles, a 2002 audio commentary with the director, a 2020 audio commentary by film historians, the movie's trailer, and trailers from a number of other films. The picture quality of this Blu-ray is a clear upgrade from the DVD and prior Blu-ray, so be sure you get the 2025 Special Edition Blu-ray or 4K, and not the 2020 version. ($24.95 SRP; Amazon US listing $12.99)
In the Moscow Slums (Blu-ray)
This very loose adaptation of The Sign of the Four features a murdered Indian Sikh, a priceless necklace, poison darts, a vicious pygmy, a river chase, and many other plot elements from Conan Doyle's story. However, it does not include Holmes or Watson. This mashup instead uses two real people from Russian history, and structures the story as something of a play within a play, giving it a sort of modern "meta" feel. The Blu-ray is in Russian with English subtitles. Those subtitles are generally reasonable, although I do wonder if the writer intended the pygmy to be "Pongo" instead of "Tonga." The stylish production truly looks great on Blu-ray, with excellent costumes, sets and cinematography. While not a Holmes movie per se, you get a unique foreign-film experience with some Sherlockian elements. ($29.95 SRP; Amazon US listing $16.92)
Killing Sherlock: Lucy Worsley's Holmes vs. Doyle (DVD)
Lucy Worsley examines Conan Doyle's life and how Holmes both helped and hindered him. Presented with her usual flair and style, it is more accurate and fair-handed than most such documentaries. Worsley provides an excellent overview for those wanting to learn about Conan Doyle, and an entertaining media experience for Sherlockians who have read Conan Doyle biographies like The Man Who Created Sherlock Holmes. The DVD includes at least some minor material not in the original PBS broadcast. It is a DVD+R, which means it might not play on some computers and might not last as long as pressed DVDs, but the bargain price makes it a great value. ($19.99 SRP; Amazon US listing $13.10)
Watson: Season One Starring Morris Chestnut (DVD)
Watson is a medical mystery series that takes place in present-day Pittsburgh after Holmes's "death." More like the medical series House, M.D. than the excellent crime procedural Elementary, Watson's first season is rather a mixed bag. Watson (Morris Chestnut), Mary Morstan (Rochelle Aytes) and Shinwell Johnson (Ritchie Coster) are very good, but the other main characters/actors have little appeal. The supporting cast in House was better, and perhaps crucially, Watson has nothing comparable to the House-Wilson relationship. With only 13 episodes in Season One, it is too early to fairly assess the series. The DVD includes some deleted scenes and three featurettes, but only the 9-minute "Creating the World of Watson" is of much interest. ($31.99 SRP; Amazon US listing $25.19)
Other Options
Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes (Blu-ray)
Tom and Jerry work with Holmes and Watson to deal with a mysterious blackmailer and the theft of a diamond. The 50-minute cartoon blends elements from several Holmes stories with typical Tom and Jerry antics. Lesser-known but recognizable animated characters also make cameos. Many of the gags will seem familiar to viewers of a certain age, but young kids will enjoy them and a few remain amusing for adults. With lots of kid-oriented action, it is similar to Sherlock Holmes and the Great Escape, but neither is as polished as the classic The Great Mouse Detective. I have not watched the 2010 DVD version of Tom and Jerry, but I doubt the new Blu-ray is enough better to justify paying more for it, so get the least expensive option. ($23.21 SRP; Amazon US listing $23.21)
See also the current Year's Best Holmes DVDs & movies and the Best Holmes movies from other years for more excellent choices.
Or search just this website using Google for other reviews of movie/TV material:
Best 2025 Books About Holmes & Conan Doyle>
The year's best books about Holmes or Conan Doyle published in 2025. Listed in order by author, see also About the Choices and E-books.
Prices as of November 2025; subject to change.
The Martians by David Baron
Mars mania swept the world in the 1890s and early 1900s. "There is Life on the Planet Mars" proclaimed a New York Times headline. Percival Lowell thought he saw canals on Mars, and his obsession and evangelism mirrors Conan Doyle's involvement with Spiritualism. Camille Flammarion, a French astronomer, novelist, and Spiritualist, promoted the idea of intelligent life on Mars, and misreporting about his views on Halley's Comet might have provided inspiration for Conan Doyle's book The Poison Belt. Like the even better Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party (2024), Baron's book conveys an entertaining look at an era and a culture that influenced Conan Doyle's attitudes and works. ($29.99 SRP; Amazon US listing $22.19)
Wiggins by Sonia Fetherston
The fourth leader of the BSI changed the organization forever. In another of her BSI Biography Series volumes, Fetherston once again weaves together many interviews to tell the stories of Tom Stix and how women finally became full members of the BSI. Fetherston excels at combining commentary and anecdotes into an informative and engaging narrative. Like most BSI books, it does not have an index and that's a big omission especially given the book's topics, but it is a great read for those interested in BSI history. ($24.95 SRP; not on Amazon, see the BSI website)
That Ghastly Face by Ira Brad Matetsky (ed.)
Although "The Blanched Soldier" is generally considered one of the weakest Holmes tales, the latest volume in the BSI Manuscript series finds many points of interest in both the manuscript and the story. As usual, an annotated transcription and a history of the manuscript accompany the full-color reproduction. Wide-ranging essays cover several historical topics related to the story and its publication, while others explore a number of Sherlockian "grand game" questions. Even if you're not a fan of BLAN (to use the standard abbreviation), you will enjoy this book. ($44.95 SRP; not on Amazon, see the BSI website)
Mysterious Obsession by Otto Penzler
Back in print for the first time in years, Penzler's book remains essential reading for bibliophiles. Penzler built an amazing collection of mystery, espionage, and detective fiction while operating the Mysterious Bookshop in New York City. He tells the story of that collection, as well as his bookselling and literary adventures, through anecdotes about key items in it. While he does not feature any Holmes books, he does mention a number of great Sherlockian collectors. If you collect or are interested in bookselling and the world of books, you should get Mysterious Obsession. ($40.00 SRP; not on Amazon, see Mysterious Bookshop website)
See also the current Year's Best Books About Holmes & Doyle and the Best Books About Holmes & Doyle from other years for more fine choices.
Or search just this website using Google for other reviews of authors or book titles:
History
This site first published its "Best of Year" reviews and recommendations in 2009. See the current Year's Best Sherlock Holmes books and movies and the Other Years' Best Sherlock Holmes books and DVDs. People just getting started with Holmes should see the best choices for new Sherlockians.
This page's 2025 list was first posted on October 31, 2025.
About Kindle and Other E-books
A Kindle version of most of these books is available, but I don't list the e-book or its price unless it's hard to find on Amazon. Typically the Kindle Edition will be listed in the Formats box to the right of a book's cover photo.
When a book is available in both print and e-text, I review the print edition.
Return to Holmes Fiction or to Books About Holmes & Doyle.
About the Choices
My choices are based on 30+ years of reading and collecting Sherlockiana. I'm a member of the Baker Street Irregulars, have written numerous Sherlockian articles, and have spoken about Conan Doyle rarities for conferences at Harvard and the University of Minnesota.
I limited the number of items in order to make this list easier and faster for people to use. Items released near the end of 2025 may not be on this list, so be sure to check my 2026 recommendations as well. And see these details on my selection process and criteria.
In most cases I've given both the U.S. suggested retail price (SRP) and the price at Amazon as of November 2025; those prices are of course subject to change.
The 10 Best Gifts for New Sherlock Holmes Fans
The Current Year's Best Sherlock Holmes books and DVDs / Blu-ray
Best Sherlock Holmes books and DVDs / Blu-ray from prior years
The 10 Best Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes Movies and DVDs
The Best Sherlock Holmes Stories
The Top 10 Quotes from the Sherlock Holmes stories
Other Top 10 Lists for Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle
Vers. 2.2ax-RN Original work
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Randall Stock. All Rights Reserved.