Sherlock Holmes: Valley of Fear

By: Arthur Conan Doyle

Narrated by: Ian McKellan

Sir Ian McKellen was the winner of the BBC Audio Drama Award 2015 for Best Actor in an Audio Drama (for Eugenie Grandet)

Sir Ian McKellen reads The Valley of Fear, the last of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's four Sherlock Holmes novels.

The mystery begins with a coded warning of imminent danger, drawing the illustrious Sherlock Holmes and the faithful Dr. Watson to a secluded English country home. A trail of bewildering clues leads to sleuthing in the finest Holmesian tradition and the gripping backstory of a cult that terrorized a valley in the American West.

First broadcast as Book at Bedtime on BBC Radio 4.

©2015 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2015 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Not my favourite but great performance

Would you consider the audio edition of Sherlock Holmes: Valley of Fear to be better than the print version?

Yes, for sure.

Would you recommend Sherlock Holmes: Valley of Fear to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes, it is more engaging in an audiobook format

Which character – as performed by Ian McKellan – was your favorite?

He didn't do much in terms of distinctive voices, but probably Sherlock Holmes himself.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and no. It is very easy to listen to, but the second half was just a bit too long.

Well done, but not classic

I purchased based on the narrator. I enjoy his work and I am a huge fan of Conan Doyle. I found that this story did not have the Holmsian flare I have come to expect. Worth listening, but don't expect too much.

Loved it

Not my favorite Holmes story overall, but a really nice performance by Ian McKellan. I don't regret purchasing this one at all!

Excellent

The notation is magnificent.
The prose is brilliantly Victorian but still accessible to the modern ear.

great story

loved it . love Sherlock Holmes .the story was good and the reading was pleasant.

Excellent version of a classic

Ian McKellan does an excellent job reading one of the lesser known Sherlock Holmes novels. Much like "The Sign of Four" and "A Study in Scarlet," it contains a story within a story, which is really the only way this book could work.

I recommend the book for the compelling narrative and the first-class reading. It is a classic Doyle novel. A+

Awesome Story!

As always Sherlock Holmes stories hold your attention. I just may read this one again.

Terrific narration and fascinating plot

I loved how the two stories were weaved together and thoroughy enjoyed the familiar narrators!

Great Narrator

Not my favorite story in the Sherlock Holmes catalog, but with this narration you really cannot go wrong

Master tale told with a Masters voice

I have heard this this tale before, but what a joy it is to hear it read by Sir Ian! The performance, the pacing and the inflections are such that only a true thespian can share.... I highly recommend this performance... just sit back and listen... you will be there.