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The Best Sherlock Holmes Books, Movies, DVDs & More
By Randall Stock, October 31, 2025 (History)
There are hundreds of Holmes books, movies, and other Sherlockian items to consider. See the best choices for new fans, and a separate section with the best new items produced in 2025.
The Top 10 Gifts for New Sherlock Holmes Fans
| Category | # of Items |
|---|---|
| The Best Book of Sherlock Holmes Stories | 1 |
| More Stories of Sherlock Holmes | 2 |
| More by Conan Doyle | 1 |
| Holmes Movies | 2 |
| Books About Holmes & Conan Doyle | 4 |
| Free Bonus Items |
New in 2025: The Year's Best Sherlock Holmes Items
| Category | # of Items |
|---|---|
| New Holmes Fiction | 5 |
| New Holmes DVDs, Movies, and Related | 4 |
| New Books About Holmes & Conan Doyle | 4 |
Classic Sherlock Holmes Gifts for New Fans – The Essentials
The Best Sherlock Holmes Book for New Fans
For someone new to the Sherlock Holmes stories, the best place to start is by reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes followed by The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. These collections include the seven best Holmes short stories.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote 60 Holmes tales. These are available in at least 10 different complete collections, plus many other copies of individual books. Because the Holmes stories are out of copyright, there are numerous cheap, shoddy, or indifferent versions of them. However, there are a number of good-quality editions. Each has strengths and weaknesses. I've listed the ones that are the best for a new Holmes fan.
Best choice under $15 (12 stories, including 4 of the top 10 stories overall)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Oxford edition) by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Richard Lancelyn Green (ed.)
Oxford paperback edition ($12.95 SRP; Amazon US listing $12.95)
If you want a paperback volume that's less expensive and easier to carry and hold, get this Oxford edition of The Adventures. It has 12 stories, including 4 of the top 10 Holmes tales. Conan Doyle expert Richard Lancelyn Green provides an excellent introduction and fine annotations that don't interfere with reading the story. It has no illustrations, but the overall quality of information and accurate text makes it the best paperback choice for a new fan.
The Amazon link above takes you to the Oxford paperback. Clicking other formats on that page can display different versions that I don't recommend. Get the version with a title page crediting Richard Lancelyn Green as the editor.
The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Leslie S. Klinger (ed.)
This wonderful collection is no longer in print, but if you don't need it to be brand-new, consider getting used copies if you can find them at an affordable price. The complete set includes all 60 original stories, accompanied by hundreds of illustrations and a wealth of notes by Klinger that explain the Victorian world and delve into the nuances of the tales. It consists of three large (10.4 x 9 inches) and heavy hardcover books.
These were sold both as separate volumes and in slipcases. You can use the Amazon links below to look for used copies, or check used bookstores and eBay.
Best Complete Collection
Start with Volume 1 of the Short Stories, which has 24 stories including 7 of the top 10 Holmes tales. The printed version includes many illustrations and extensive annotations adjacent to the text, and so I think most users will find it more enjoyable than the e-book.
Slipcased Version of The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes
These hardcovers (as shown above) come with a handsome slipcase to display and protect the book when you're not reading it.
More Stories of Sherlock Holmes by Other Authors
There are more than a thousand Holmes or Holmes-related stories by other authors. Some of these "pastiches" are very good, but unfortunately many of them are marginal. Opinions of them diverge wildly, so I've just listed two (plus a bonus) that have been around for 30+ years and are especially notable.
The Exploits of Sherlock Holmes by Adrian Conan Doyle and John Dickson Carr
This book includes twelve short stories based on some of the untold tales in Sir Arthur's originals. The stories are written by his son and by noted mystery author John Dickson Carr. The book does not appear to be in print, but you will find some copies listed at Amazon US.
The Seven-Per-Cent Solution by Nicholas Meyer
On the New York Times bestseller list for more than
eight months, this classic sparked the Sherlock Holmes revival of the 1970s. We
learn the truth about Professor Moriarty, Holmes's cocaine addiction, and his
meeting with Sigmund Freud. A clever concept and brilliantly executed, Meyer
blends historical figures with Sherlockian insights and a bit of adventure.
The movie version on Blu-ray
is also nicely done and well worth watching.
($20.00 SRP;
Amazon US listing
$17.73)
Bonus: Almost Sherlock Holmes
The Solar Pons series by August Derleth
Set in London from 1919–1939, this spinoff version of Holmes features the detective Solar Pons, his partner Dr. Parker, a brother named Bancroft, and Mrs. Johnson the landlady. Highly recommended, with better stories, plots and puzzles than most Holmes pastiches.
Start with either the first or second book above. The Kindle versions are more affordable than the trade paperback. Or you can sometimes find used regular paperbacks at a lower price.
There are also other Solar Pons stories written by Basil Cooper and by David Marcum, but I have not read them. Marcum has published some excellent Holmes pastiches, and so after reading the Derleth tales, I'd try Marcum's Papers of Solar Pons.
More Stories by Conan Doyle
The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Conan Doyle's other classic creation took readers to a world of dinosaurs and adventure. It's a great adventure story and inspired numerous movies and books, including Jurassic Park. There are many basic paperback editions on Amazon. The best edition, now out of print, is the deluxe illustrated hardcover The Annotated Lost World edited by Roy Pilot and Alvin Rodin.
Holmes in the Movies
With his 2009 movie Sherlock Holmes, Robert Downey, Jr. joined more than 70 actors who have played the great detective in over 200 films. That makes Holmes "the most portrayed literary human character" on screen according to Guinness World Records. New fans should see at least one of the top Rathbone films and one of the more recent depictions of Holmes noted below.
Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes
Rathbone is arguably the best-known Holmes of the movies. In part that's because he made 14 Holmes films, but it's also a reflection of his acting skill, his striking appearance, and the quality of at least some of these movies. All are on DVD, but there are many different versions. For extensive details, see my list of the Ten Best Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes Movies on DVD.
The best value for a new fan is a double-feature edition of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes / The Scarlet Claw. It gives you two of the top three Rathbone films, plus extras including audio commentary for both movies, a photo gallery, and a trailer for The Scarlet Claw. Ignore the color cover and Amazon details: these are in the original atmospheric black & white. Warning: the link takes you to Amazon's double-feature page, but Amazon also lists other DVDs on that page that are not the double-feature and that are not recommended. ($19.98 SRP; Amazon US listing $9.53)
If you prefer a film based on a Holmes story, Rathbone's Hound of the Baskervilles is his second-best Holmes film and a reasonably faithful adaptation of Sherlock Holmes's most famous case. You can usually buy it in a special double-feature with the lower-rated Pursuit to Algiers for a few dollars more than the separate DVD version. The double-feature gets you an extra movie while the separate DVD has a nice booklet and might have a little better picture quality.
There is a Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection 5-DVD set for people who want a good deal on all 14 Rathbone movies. The Blu-ray version is not significantly better than the DVD version, so get the DVD set unless the Blu-ray is almost the same price.
Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes in the 21st Century
Although not a movie, this newer vision of Holmes in present-day London truly captures the sense and spirit of the Conan Doyle stories and characters, especially in Season One. Sherlockians will delight in the clever use of elements from the originals, while casual viewers will enjoy the fast-paced modern mysteries and adventures. Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman dazzle as Holmes and Watson. The two discs feature all three original uncut UK BBC episodes, which are each 8 minutes longer than the abridged versions shown by PBS in the USA. See my 2010 review of Sherlock: Season One for details on the disc Extras. The Blu-ray has the same content but in 1080i. Like the CSI TV series, some material might be too mature for children. ($34.98 SRP; Amazon US listing $9.00 DVD, Blu-ray/Multi-Format $11.48).
You can also see my reviews for:
Looking for a bigger and better BBC Sherlock gift? I have not personally examined it, but there is a BBC Sherlock Complete Series on Blu-ray set on Amazon US for $49.89.
If instead you want a Victorian Holmes from the big screen, consider getting the 2010 release of the Robert Downey, Jr. Sherlock Holmes movie or the 2025 Special Edition Blu-ray of Murder by Decree.
Books About Holmes & Conan Doyle
Sherlock Holmes Handbook: Second Edition by Christopher Redmond
This marvelous book offers the best introduction and general reference to the world of Sherlock Holmes. First get and read the original Conan Doyle stories – then get this book for a background to the tales and everything they've spawned. Besides covering all the stories, it discusses the characters, the themes, the movie and television versions, the Victorian era, Conan Doyle, and the entire Holmes phenomenon. It's an essential book if you don't have an annotated edition, and still useful even if you do have one. While there are other similar types of books, this one gets the facts right and is the best-written. Chris Redmond is a noted Sherlockian expert: be sure to get the 2009 second edition by him, not something by other authors with similar titles. ($32.00 SRP; Amazon US listing $25.62)
The Man Who Created Sherlock Holmes: The Life and Times of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle by Andrew Lycett
This up-to-date, comprehensive biography of Conan Doyle is ideal for new fans and even seasoned Sherlockians. Lycett's careful research included access to the Conan Doyle archives, and unlike almost all other Conan Doyle biographies, it provides extensive source notes. ($32.99 SRP; Amazon US listing $18.85; also in hardcover)
Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters by Daniel Stashower, Jon Lellenberg, and Charles Foley
The first book of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's private letters provides a first-hand, unvarnished account of his life until 1920. See my detailed review of A Life in Letters. While a biography offers a broader view of his life and work, these letters reveal details of everyday life and give a more personal impression of Doyle the man. ($30.00 SRP; Amazon US listing $18.00; also in hardcover)
The Baker Street Journal / The Sherlock Holmes Journal
Anyone interested in Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle should consider subscribing to at least one of these two leading journals on the subject. The Baker Street Irregulars, an American literary society, has published The Baker Street Journal since 1946 and produced the eBSJ 1946-2011 PDF Archive. The Sherlock Holmes Society of London publishes The Sherlock Holmes Journal and has an eSHJ 1952-2021 PDF Archive. To subscribe, see the BSI website and the SHSL website for details.
Free Sherlockian Newsletters
Peter E. Blau produces Scuttlebutt from the Spermaceti Press, a monthly newsletter that is available in printed form or for free online via his Scuttlebutt web page. The newsletter of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London, The District Messenger, is available free via email or online at the SHSL District Messenger webpage.
What's New in 2025: Top Holmes Gifts for Sherlockians
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 Best 2024 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:
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. More About the
Choices.
See also the two best Holmes movies for new fans above. 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 Best 2024 Holmes DVDs and 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:
2025 Books About Holmes & Conan Doyle
The year's best books about Holmes or Conan Doyle published in 2025. Listed in order by author; more About the Choices and E-books.
See also the best books about Holmes & Conan Doyle for new fans above. 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 Best 2024 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 all the previous best Holmes books and DVDs / Blu-ray selections. People just getting started with Holmes should see the best choices for new Sherlockians at the top of the current page.
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 the page.
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
The good news for people interested in Sherlock Holmes is that there are so many books and related items beyond the original 60 tales. The bad news is there are so many items – how do you choose what to get? I've tried to simplify things by highlighting the best material for a new Sherlockian, and the best new items for long-time Sherlockians.
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.
Selection criteria include my personal evaluation, other reviews, and price/value considerations. I read numerous Sherlockian publications for recommended new material and try to examine their top choices. For very new or unpublished items, I try to get advance copies or enough information to render a judgment. However, in order to publish this review before the holidays, items released after October 15 are usually evaluated for next year's list.
I've found all the items on this page to be enjoyable and/or useful, and place them among the best in their category. They've also received strong positive reviews from Sherlockian and/or general publications. Finally, in selecting items I consider both quality and price/value.
I limit the number of items in order to make this list easier and faster for people to use. However, that does mean there are some very good items that didn't quite make my list. And it's possible that I simply didn't get a chance to evaluate some 2025 items – feel free to send me email if you think there is something that should be on the list.
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 Best 2024 Sherlock Holmes books and DVDs / Blu-ray
All Prior Year's Best Sherlock Holmes books and DVDs / Blu-ray
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
Copyright ©2025
Randall Stock. All Rights Reserved.