Study in Scarlet

Detective's first case

A Study in Scarlet is the 1887 novel by Arthur Conan Doyle that introduced Sherlock Holmes and Dr.

Watson to the world.

The title refers to Holmes's description of murder investigation as an artistic study in the color of blood: There's the scarlet thread of murder running through the colourless skein of life.

The phrase has become shorthand for detective fiction generally.

SherlockIconic Victorian-era investigator
HolmesFictional London investigator
WatsonCommon English surname
Baker StreetLondon road, detective's address
DoyleGaelic-origin family name

Arthur Conan Doyle · detective · private detective · elementary my dear · murder · mystery · crime scene · London · Victorian · hansom cab · crimson · blood · blood red · revenge · Mormon · Utah · salt lake · Jefferson

Opposites

detective fiction approach

Study in Scarletnoir fiction

Cynical crime narrative style

true crime · unsolved mystery · The Maltese Falcon · cold case · perfect crime

artistic medium

Study in Scarletportrait

Artistic depiction of someone

Whistler's Mother · still life · painting · oil painting · visual art

tone and setting

Study in ScarletThe Importance of Being Earnest

Victorian comedy of manners

Pickwick Papers · drawing room comedy

Family

study, studied, studies, studying, studious, studiously, student, students, scarlet

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG