His Last Bow
A 1917 anthology concluding with Holmes' war service, first printed in Collier's on 22 September 1917.
"His Last Bow: Some Reminiscences of Sherlock Holmes" is a 1917 collection by Arthur Conan Doyle, featuring the titular story "His Last Bow. The War Service of Sherlock Holmes," first published in Collier's on 22 September 1917. Released in the UK by John Murray and in the US by George H. Doran Co. that same month, the anthology contains nine stories, six of which originally appeared in The Strand Magazine between September 1908 and December 1913. A brief preface, attributed to "John H. Watson, M.D.," assures readers that Holmes remains alive and well despite retiring from detective work due to rheumatism. Notably, the US edition adjusts the subtitle to "Some Later Reminiscences of Sherlock Holmes," while also restoring "The Adventure of the Cardboard Box," a tale previously dropped from later editions of The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- Narrator
- Unnamed Third-Person Observer
- Setting
- Coastal cliffs on the South Coast (Sussex/Dorset), Southern England
- Key Ally
- Mycroft Holmes
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The collection spans stories published over nearly a decade, beginning with "The Adventure of the Cardboard Box" from 1893 and culminating in the 1917 title story. Six tales saw their initial appearance in The Strand Magazine between 1908 and 1913, including "The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge," which the magazine originally titled "A Reminiscence of Sherlock Holmes" and split into two parts: "The Singular Experience of Mr. John Scott Eccles" and "The Tiger of San Pedro." Later printings of the collection corrected the spelling to "Wisteria." The anthology also includes "The Adventure of the Red Circle," "The Bruce-Partington Plans," "The Dying Detective," "The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax," and "The Devil's Foot." These narratives, ranging from 1893 to 1917, were later adapted across film, radio, and television, with most receiving dramatisations by the BBC Sherlock Holmes series (1952–1969) and the Granada television series (1984–1994).
In Their Own Story
The final entry, "His Last Bow. The War Service of Sherlock Holmes," serves as an epilogue to the canon, first published in Collier's on 22 September 1917, exactly one month before the book's premiere on 22 October. The narrative concludes the collection of reminiscences by positioning Holmes as an active agent in the lead-up to World War I. This placement contrasts with the preface's claim that he is retired from detective work but still alive, suggesting a specific, singular mission rather than a return to general practice.
Reader's Guide
Readers should note that "The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge" underwent structural changes in its original magazine run compared to this collection. Originally published in The Strand as two separate parts under different titles, it was later unified and retitled within the book. Additionally, fans of earlier collections may be surprised to find "The Adventure of the Cardboard Box" here; it appeared in the first American edition of The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1894) but was omitted from subsequent editions of that volume until its inclusion in this 1917 anthology. For those seeking specific adaptations, the entire collection was adapted by the Sherlock Holmes Stoll film series (1921–1923), while "His Last Bow" specifically received a BBC Radio 4 dramatisation in 1994.
Did You Know?
- The US first edition of the book changes the subtitle to 'Some Later Reminiscences of Sherlock Holmes'.
- "The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge" was originally published as two separate parts titled "The Singular Experience of Mr. John Scott Eccles" and "The Tiger of San Pedro".
- The title story, "His Last Bow," was first published in Collier's on 22 September 1917, one month before the book's release.
- "The Adventure of the Cardboard Box" is included here because it was dropped from later editions of The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- All stories except "His Last Bow" were adapted for the 1939–1950 radio series The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where does 'His Last Bow' take place?
The narrative is set on the windswept coastal cliffs of Southern England during August 1914. This places the detective at a specific historical pivot point as the first shots of World War I are fired.
Who narrates this particular story?
An unnamed third-person observer tells the tale instead of Dr. Watson, which is unique for the canon. This perspective allows readers to experience the action in real-time without retrospective commentary.
How is Mycroft involved in this case?
Mycroft acts as a vital intelligence contact who supports Sherlock’s fieldwork from London. Their collaboration underscores the story's focus on high-stakes government espionage rather than private consultation.
What is the primary conflict in this story?
Sherlock must dismantle a German spy ring attempting to sabotage British defenses before they can launch an attack. He uses disguises and espionage tactics rather than his usual deductive reasoning alone.
Why is this story considered significant for Sherlock Holmes?
It signifies Holmes trading his Baker Street career for the battlefield, acting as a patriotic weapon during his country's darkest hour. The title suggests this is a final performance before he retreats from public life again.
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