A Scandal in Bohemia

This is the first short story featuring Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. The story concerns the Grand Duke of Cassel-Feldstein and the hereditary King of Bohemia who is about to be married to a young Scandinavian princess. However, the duke is being threatened by a lady Irene Adler to interrupt his marriage with a forged photograph. In desperation, the duke tried means like burglary and bribery but could not get hold of the photograph for Irene is smart and a very resolute woman. In a final attempt, he employs Sherlock Holmes who exploits the prime reaction mechanism inbuilt in us which makes us rush for the dearest thing we hold in times of panic.

Still, Sherlock has a thing in waiting for Irene too is a master at the mind game and has planned her moves carefully.

Book Review by : Amit Kumar Khare