Arthur Conan Doyle's The Sign of the Four is praised for its intricate plot and masterful use of suspense. Readers appreciate the rich character development of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Critics note moments of racial insensitivity characteristic of the period, but the novel remains a seminal work in detective fiction, engaging and thought-provoking.

A reader who enjoys The Sign of the Four by Arthur Conan Doyle is likely captivated by classic detective fiction brimming with suspense and intricate plot twists. Fans of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes or The Hound of the Baskervilles will appreciate this engaging tale. Perfect for admirers of Edgar Allan Poe or modern adaptations like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, it offers a timeless appeal.

In The Sign of the Four, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson investigate the case of Mary Morstan, whose father disappeared years ago and who has been receiving mysterious pearls. Their search leads them through clues involving a hidden treasure, a secret pact among four men, and a complex web of deceit and murder. Along the way, Watson develops romantic feelings for Mary. The story includes outdated and offensive language.

Mysterious / Suspenseful / Dark / Informative / Adventurous

- The Sign of the Four was first published in 1890 and is the second novel featuring Sherlock Holmes, following Conan Doyle's first novel about the detective, A Study in Scarlet.
- The novel introduces the character of Mary Morstan, who later becomes Dr. John Watson's wife.
- Arthur Conan Doyle was reportedly inspired by reading Wilkie Collins' novel The Moonstone, considered one of the first detective novels, while developing the plot and themes of The Sign of the Four.

**Sherlock Holmes**  
The central figure and an exceptional consulting detective known for his logical reasoning, vast knowledge, and occasional reliance on recreational drugs to relieve boredom.

**Dr. John Watson**  
Holmes’s friend and confidant who narrates the story, he provides emotional balance to Holmes’s rationality and documents their investigative adventures.

**Miss Mary Morstan**  
A young woman who enlists Holmes and Watson's help in solving a mysterious case, she is intelligent and becomes romantically involved with Watson.

**Thaddeus Sholto**  
A nervous but honorable man who seeks to right his deceased father’s wrongs, particularly in relation to Mary and the treasure involved in the case.

**Major John Sholto**  
A former soldier whose betrayal and actions set in motion the events related to the Agra treasure, though he himself is only presented through others’ recollections.

**Jonathan Small**  
The primary antagonist with a wooden leg, driven by obsession and revenge, who seeks to reclaim his share of the Agra treasure.

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