The Valley of Fear

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin

Thoughts, Sherlockians?

Daisey, erzascarletbookgasm, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, Aimeesue, Larkken, Librarybelle, mom2bugnbee, Chrissyreadit, Read4life, StayCurious, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, eeclayton, dabbe, IndoorDame, kelli7990, TheAromaofBooks, 5feet.of.fury, Tineke, Fr3NcHtOaSt, Blackink_WhitePaper, RayHallucinogen, Pageturner1, PageShifter, AllDebooks, AnnR, kimrenee, aroyse, CrystalE02

Librarybelle Does Conan Doyle have an interest in the American West? It‘s considered very unlawful in this period of time. We know that Conan Doyle had a love/hate relationship with Holmes, so maybe this is his way of diverting to an interest of his. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 1w

eeclayton Why, oh, why, indeed. Poor McMurdo, I was hoping for a happier ending for him.
I was also annoyed by the insta-love between Ettie and McMurdo, especially with him openly joining (pretending to join) the Scowrers. Or might he have told her the truth in secret? 1w

dabbe @Librarybelle I did read an article that stated Doyle was fascinated with cults, gangs, the occult and such (need I say “fairies“?), and I love your point about the American West being unlawful and gang-like. I bet that appealed to him greatly, and he found a way to get his Sherlock in the mix. 1w

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dabbe @eeclayton IKR? He goes through all kinds of stuff, lives to tell the tale, so to speak, and then dies in a half-hearted paragraph at the end. It's almost like Doyle got tired of writing the story and just wanted it done with.

Agree 💯 re: Ettie. I wonder if she was even necessary? She also got a quick write-off--just like Watson's Mary. Women are not treated well in Doyle's stories, are they? 1w

CatLass007 I understand that Mary died, but I can‘t remember even a sentence mentioning her death. Just all of a sudden, Watson was sharing rooms with Holmes again. 1w

AnneCecilie I guess I was hoping that the hero would survive. Ettie was already engaged to another member of the Scowrers when McMurdo arrived. It did give McMurdo an enemy to “steal” a fiancé 1w

dabbe @CatLass007 Here's the ONLY reference to Mary's death from “The Empty House“:
“In some manner he had learned of my own sad bereavement, and his sympathy was shown in his manner rather than in his words. 'Work is the best antidote to sorrow, my dear Watson, and I have a piece of work for us both to-night which, if we can bring it to a successful conclusion, will in itself justify a man's life on this planet.' “ Her name's not even mentioned! 😱 1w

CatLass007 @dabbe Thank you. I guess that totally went over my head. 1w

dabbe @CatLass007 Mine, too! You gave me the impetus to look it up! I thank you! 🤗 1w

CatLass007 You‘re welcome. 1w

eeclayton @CatLass007 @dabbe It went over my head while I was reading The Empty House, too. I had to go back and reread, like, wait, where did you say Mary is again? And then I got angry, the poor girl would have deserved a better fate. So would Ettie. (edited) 1w

CatLass007 @eeclayton Agreed. 1w

dabbe @CatLass007 @eeclayton Doyle's portrayal of women is a wee bit misogynistic, don't you think? 1w

CatLass007 Very. 1w

eeclayton @dabbe @CatLass007 They are definitely no more than plot devices, brought in and got rid of whenever it's convenient for the story Doyle wants to tell. 7d

dabbe @eeclayton #womenprops 😡 6d

41 likes16 comments

dabbe

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin

Thoughts, Sherlockians?

Librarybelle Moriarty is as close to a match for Holmes in regard to wit—according to Holmes‘ thoughts. It seemed odd that Holmes brought in Moriarty, so I thought I had missed something… 1w

eeclayton I was disappointed that Moriarty never got to be more than a bunch of throwaway comments in this book. I think it would've been better to omit him. 1w

dabbe @Librarybelle @eeclayton Plus the continuity errors that ensued! In “The Final Problem“, when we meet Moriarty for the first time, Watson has never heard of him. And since Moriarty dies and his organization is smashed at the end of that tale, THE VALLEY OF FEAR must be set before “The Final Problem“. Yet in this story, Watson already knows of the professor, and listens patiently to Sherlock's lengthy oral treatise about him. 1w

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CatLass007 I thought the introduction of Moriarty could‘ve been left out without a bit of loss to the storytelling. In fact, the storytelling might have benefited if Moriarty had been left out. I also was wondering if the Pinkerton detective had arranged his own disappearance to make everyone believe he was dead. 1w

dabbe @CatLass007 Your idea seems founded more in reality since Douglas knew they'd be after him the rest of his life. Just having Moriarty have him killed out of the blue is too far-fetched for me. 1w

AnneCecilie I thought, maybe even hoped, that Moriarty would have a more prominent role in the story. But it does create a tension to have him mentioned so early in part 1. I kept waiting for him to show up, which he never did. I think, for me, some of the tension in the story would have disappeared if he wasn‘t mentioned 1w

dabbe @AnneCecilie Good point. That tension kept me reading for sure! 🤩 1w

37 likes7 comments

dabbe

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin

Thoughts, Sherlockians?

Librarybelle It was a surprise to me, but I‘m terrible at guessing things, so maybe it wasn‘t as big as I thought it was! 😂 1w

eeclayton I was surprised, too 😁 1w

dabbe @Librarybelle @eeclayton I had read it years ago, totally forgot the surprise and was completely gobsmacked again! What does that say about my mental retentive powers? 😂 1w

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CogsOfEncouragement This was a first time read for me. I had other guesses that were wrong. Enjoyed the surprise. 1w

CatLass007 I was not surprised by the revelation of the identity of the Pinkerton detective. But I kind of blame that on Stephen Fry‘s introduction to the novel. 1w

dabbe @CogsOfEncouragement I did, too--the second time around! 🤩 1w

dabbe @CatLass007 I've heard how good Fry is. I should listen to one of the stories coming up. 🤩 1w

CatLass007 He is marvelous! 1w

AnneCecilie I was very surprised and didn‘t see that twist coming at all, but I‘m terrible at seeing twists 1w

dabbe @AnneCecilie #ditto! 🎯 1w

38 likes10 comments

dabbe

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin

Thoughts, Sherlockians?

Librarybelle Definitely a work of its times and is a window to the real thoughts of society at that time. Sad. 1w

Cuilin Surprising that Doyle was furthering the negative stereotyping at the time as both his parents were of Irish Catholic descent. I think his mother was Irish. Doyle is a name from County Wicklow in Ireland. During this time, of course there were many rebellions against British rule in Ireland so is it an attempt to distance himself. 1w

dabbe @Librarybelle @Cuilin Both Doyle's parents were of Irish Catholic descent. He's considered British but was born in Scotland. I've tried to find what he saw himself mostly as, and the results are murky. He did portray some of the Irish sympathetically, but it's hard to ignore the stereotypes. Is it also his views towards “American“ Irish or America in general? 1w

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Librarybelle Good thought, @dabbe …does it have something to do with “American?” 1w

CatLass007 The Freemasons, the organization on which the Free Men is based, are anti-Catholic. Perhaps that is why Doyle presents such a negative view of the Irish. The religion of the members of the Free Men is never mentioned, but perhaps they are Protestants. I know a little about the Masons because my Mom was Catholic and my Dad was Protestant and a Mason, which obviously wasn‘t all that important to him because they had 57 happy years of marriage. 1w

dabbe @CatLass007 I wonder is The Scowrers were Irish Protestant instead of Catholic. And interesting point re: Doyle's views since he was raised as an Irish Catholic. Perhaps that could be why he portrayed this group as being anti-Catholic, though I don't remember reading much evidence of religion in this book. 1w

CatLass007 I don‘t think religion is mentioned at all in this book. But he certainly portrayed the Irish Scowrers negatively. I suspect it‘s something that readers of that era would have known about. Plus, he might not have been free to express any religious views openly. 1w

AnneCecilie I didn‘t give this much thought. I was already familiar with the British though on the Irish. And I definitely didn‘t think about the religious aspect at all. Interesting that Doyle was Catholic raised by Irish parents, I didn‘t know that @CatLass007 @Librarybelle @Cuilin @dabbe 1w

dabbe @AnneCecilie And knowing all that still makes us wonder, doesn't it? Was Doyle ultimately British over being Irish-Catholic, or was he trying to show something else with these not-so-lovely Irish stereotypes? 1w

CatLass007 @AnneCecilie @dabbe @Librarybelle @Cuilin I didn‘t know that he was Irish Catholic until we started our discussion. I did know that the Masons are very anti-Catholic so I just made the assumption that the Irish Masons in this story were Protestant. Knowing that Doyle was raised by Irish Catholic parents does help with understanding that he was so ill-disposed against the Masons. 1w

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dabbe

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin

Thoughts, Sherlockians?

Librarybelle I could see part two as a standalone, not necessarily associated with Holmes. If someone handed me part two and gave me no other info, I‘d think it was a good mystery—a little long winded in the middle, but again the twist made it a surprise at the end. 1w

eeclayton @Librarybelle I agree. Here, I would've been much happier with a shorter backstory, especially since the mystery in part 1 was completely solved. 1w

dabbe @Librarybelle @eeclayton 🎯! If given Part 2 separately, I would have enjoyed it without knowing any reference to Holmes or Watson. I would not have considered it “one of the finest“ detective stories ever written, but I would have liked it. Pair it next to SH in Part 1, though, and it's a whole different story! 1w

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AnneCecilie Part 2 can stand in it‘s own, but can part 1? I don‘t remember being told the why in part 1 and in a mystery novel, I feel like that is important. In modern crime stories, the resolution comes at the end after learning the why you learn the who. I feel that Doyle shifts the focus and says that the why is more important 1w

dabbe @AnneCecilie Excellent point. And yes, the “why“ is usually in the resolution part. So, I guess you could say that ALL of Part 2 is the “why“ part, but it's so detailed, it could stand on its own--except for the last part where Sherlock comes back on the scene. 1w

AnneCecilie Backstory is important. At least I didn‘t spent half of part 2 wondering where I was and if there was something wrong with my copy like I did with A Study in Scarlet 1w

dabbe @AnneCecilie #truth 🤣 1w

34 likes7 comments

dabbe

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin
#TheValleyOfFear

Part 2 in the last SH novel in the canon! A lot like his 1st one A STUDY IN SCARLET, perhaps? 🧐

Thoughts, Sherlockians?

Librarybelle It does resemble The Study in Scarlet with the backstory related to the American West. As I said in my review, I‘m not the biggest fan of Conan Doyle removing the story from the land of Holmes. I guess I like purely Holmes‘ story, even though this one did have a big twist. 1w

eeclayton I enjoyed part 1 way more than part 2. 1w

Cuilin @eeclayton same. 1w

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dabbe @Librarybelle @eeclayton @Cuilin I think most of us thought the same in A STUDY IN SCARLET. Doyle then writes two fabulous novels, A SIGN OF FOUR and (IMHO) his magnum opus THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES, and then he reverts back to the same formula as his first novel, which was by far not his best. I just don't know why he did it again! 1w

CatLass007 He probably was tired of writing about Sherlock Holmes. He already killed him off once. So he just follows the formula. It‘s the formula that got him started. The triangle and circle are reminiscent of Masonic symbols. I guess the introduction by Stephen Fry spoiled thanks for me in a certain way because I knew that the Free Men were based on the Freemasons. I also knew that there was going to be some involvement from the Pinkertons or a (cont)⬇️ 1w

CatLass007 similar fictional agency. Did you know that many of the Founding Fathers were Freemasons? The circle and the triangle with the all-seeing eye in the center appears on the dollar bill. 1w

dabbe @CatLass007 I did! I didn't look at the dollar bill, though. Thanks for the info on that! And yet Doyle still wrote quite a few short stories after this one. Money and fame count, too, I guess. 🤣 1w

CatLass007 £££ 1w

dabbe @CatLass007 Gotcha! #doh 🤩🤣🤩 1w

CatLass007 I almost put dollar signs but then I realized…. 1w

AnneCecilie I liked this one. More than A Study in Scarlet. Maybe I have gotten used to Doyle‘s writing style? The mention of Moriarty at the beginning of part one had me intrigued, and the twist in part 2. I did not see that coming (edited) 1w

dabbe @AnneCecilie The twist got me twice! I can't believe I didn't remember it, having read it before! 🤦🏼‍♀️ 1w

AnneCecilie It‘s not possible to remember every twist of every book we read. Some just leaves more of an impression than others 1w

dabbe @AnneCecilie 🎯! 1w

34 likes14 comments

Librarybelle

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

so-so

I enjoyed the first half of this short novel; the second half was not so much. I previously struggled the last time with Conan Doyle‘s telling of past events in America, and this one left me feeling similarly. I guess I‘m all about Holmes‘s deductions and not reading about the lawless American West through the eyes of Conan Doyle!

So-so for me, but this checks off #LetterV #LitsyAToZ and #InThePublicDomain #52BookClub25 ! #NoPlaceLikeHolmes

Cuilin, Texreader, dabbe

dabbe Even though the 2nd half was also a detective story with a Pinkerton detective, he wasn't Sherlock, was he? Can't wait for our discussion! 🤩 2w

67 likes1 comment

Read4life

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

pick

I‘m ready for the #NoPlaceLikeHolmes discussion on 2/22!!

Cuilin, dabbe

dabbe Woohoo! So am I! 🤩 2w

LoverOfLearning Love Sherlock stories! 2w

59 likes2 comments

dabbe

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin @LitsyEvents

Hello, Sherlockians~
Just a reminder that the discussion for the 2nd half of THE VALLEY OF FEAR will be NEXT Saturday due to the long weekend. That gives us all more time to finish, too! Have a fabulous and relaxing weekend.

kelli7990 Yay! I‘m glad we have more time. I haven‘t started reading the story yet. 2w

Librarybelle I‘m interested to see how this story ends! 2w

dabbe @kelli7990 Yay! I'm glad, too! 😅 2w

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dabbe @Librarybelle Same. I read it years ago but had forgotten basically everything! 😂 2w

eeclayton I got mixed up and finished it last week, expecting the discussion to take place last weekend 😂
Looking forward to everyone's thoughts. 2w

dabbe @eeclayton You're ahead of most of us! I look forward to discussing this one, too. 🤩 2w

42 likes6 comments

dabbe

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#readyourkindle #readyourbooks @CBee

Hoping for a good reading month.

bookandbedandtea 🤞🏻😊 1mo

CBee #10, I‘m reading that now 👏🏻👏🏻 It‘s resolving some of my issues from the last book 😂🤪 1mo

dabbe @bookandbedandtea 🤩😂🤗 4w

dabbe @CBee #greatminds 🤩😂🤗 4w

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dabbe

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#bookspin25 #bookspin2025 @TheAromaOfBooks
#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin
#ChristiesCapers @Librarybelle

C'mon, February! 🩶🩷🩶

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Enjoy!! 1mo

Librarybelle Nice! 1mo

Cuilin Cool 👍 1mo

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Suet624 I like this graphic a lot. 1mo

dabbe @Cuilin @TheAromaofBooks @Librarybelle 🤩😂🤗 1mo

dabbe @Suet624 TY! I used it last year and really like it. 🩶🩷🩶 1mo

59 likes6 comments

Cuilin

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @dabbe @Cuilin

@CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Sace @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @AnishaInkspill

Cuilin @pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @alldebooks 1mo

Librarybelle I hope we learn more about the tattoo and its meaning and perhaps the connection to Moriarty! I suspected the priest hole was important when Holmes brought up “old house secrets” to the inspector. I was right! 😂 1mo

Cuilin @Librarybelle absolutely if you‘re going to mention a priest hole it better be used in the plot in someway. I also think we‘re going back in time. There are some unanswered questions. 1mo

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CatLass007 I missed the mention of the priest hole, but wasn‘t surprised when it appeared. As much as I enjoy Stephen Fry‘s narration and background information, I think he did spoil the time of the second part. 1mo

dabbe I had to read on because I really wanted to find out more about the relationship between Mrs. Douglas and Barker and what led to such a horrific murder. All I can say is, you'll see! 🤩 1mo

Daisey I thought the whole setup and setting for this story was great. Rereads of these are strange in a way because I don‘t feel like I remember any details, but I also feel I make better predictions than a first read so I must be remembering a bit. 1mo

AnneCecilie I hope we find out how Moriarty fits in and I‘m guessing we‘ll get the backstory 1mo

27 likes7 comments

Cuilin

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin @dabbe

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @AllDebooks

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Sace @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 1mo

Librarybelle It kind of reminded me of the very first story we read, with the next section alluding to a past circumstance (the convoluted long backstory from the first story we read popped into my mind. I section 2 is not like that). The reveal falls in line with other reveals. I think, overall, this story has more substance, as it is longer than a short story, which really helps bring out all of the details. 1mo

Cuilin @Librarybelle yes! There‘s a great energy/excitement yet the pace is calm. My curiosity was maintained without anxiety. 1mo

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dabbe @Librarybelle I wrote a similar thought re: similarities to A STUDY IN SCARLET, too! #greatminds 1mo

dabbe Without giving away spoilers to Part 2 (which I've just finished): While most Sherlock Holmes stories focus primarily on the puzzle and its solution, THE VALLEY OF FEAR incorporates broader themes such as justice, revenge, and the impact of secret societies. The backstory provides a richer, more complex understanding of the characters' motivations and the societal issues at play during this time period. 1mo

AnneCecilie It does remind me of several of the stories in that the solution comes before we know what happened. There‘s been several guilty people giving their statements to Holmes and explaining everything. 1mo

24 likes6 comments

Cuilin

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin @dabbe

I hadn‘t heard much about this mystery and feel it‘s somewhat underrated. I really enjoyed part I. What say you?

Librarybelle I liked this one too and have not heard much about it. I found I had to keep reading this section, I was that engrossed that I did not want to stop. 1mo

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CatLass007 I loved the comments about fictional detectives and the way they solve their cases without letting the reader know how they know. I think that was in the first or second chapter. I suspected the identity of the killer. 1mo

dabbe I read this aeons ago and forgot how intriguing Part 1 was! A cipher, a castle/mansion with a moat, a murder ... what's not to love? I have a feeling this one will be similar to A STUDY IN SCARLET in that Part 2 is going to take us to America and give us the whole backstory. 1mo

Cuilin @CatLass007 A little inside humor as we know Sherlock mysteries are not fair play. 😊 1mo

Cuilin @dabbe It had me a cipher, then a castle with a moat!! 🧑‍🍳 💋 1mo

CogsOfEncouragement This was my first time reading it and I really enjoyed it. 1mo

Daisey I really enjoyed Part 1, with the intriguing manor house and cipher and all. 1mo

AnneCecilie I enjoyed part 1 and the mention of Moriarty had me intrigued, but as a modern reader it is a little strange that we know the murder by part 1 and there‘s still a part 2. I more used to the murder being revealed at the end. It does change the focus on what‘s important important in the story (edited) 1mo

eeclayton I'm reading this for the first time and enjoying it a lot. I was a little confused for a bit because of the mention of Moriarty as to where on the timeline we were. 1mo

Cuilin @eeclayton Yes it was surprising to see Moriarty mentioned. We are reading in the order it was published. Watson/Doyle did necessarily write in chronological order. 1mo

24 likes12 comments

CatLass007

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes I am so glad I joined this buddy read. It has been both entertaining and enlightening. The Sherlock Holmes Definitive Audio Collection has proved to be an excellent investment. It is edited and narrated by Stephen Frye, who is absolutely marvelous. His introductions to the home novels and short story collections are brilliant, as is his narration. I just listened to his introduction to the tagged book. He provides (cont)⬇️

Cuilin, dabbe

CatLass007 fascinating context for this novel. I do remember watching the movie he mentions, the Molly Maguires with Sean Connery. I don‘t remember Richard Harris, but who could remember Richard Harris when watching Sean Connery? I grew up in West Virginia. I am a proud believer in labor unions, although I have never been a member of one. I would encourage you to watch The Molly Maguires, and I also would encourage you to watch the movie, Matewan, (cont)⬇️ 1mo

CatLass007 about the labor struggles in West Virginia. It stars Mary McDonnell, David Strathairn, and the always brilliant James Earl Jones. I just looked it up on IMDb and discovered that it also stars or features many people who were not famous at the time but who are now famous or highly respected in the field of acting. 1mo

Daisey I‘m listening to this collection as well and loving it! 1mo

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CatLass007 @Daisey Are you co-hosting this one? Or maybe I‘m confusing it with something else you‘re co-hosting? I‘m just now asking myself this question. 1mo

Daisey No, I‘m just following along with this one and not even participating in the discussion much, but I‘ve really been enjoying revisiting the stories on audio. 1mo

CatLass007 @Daisey This is the first time I‘ve ever read any Sherlock Holmes. Are you co-hosting #FellowshipOfTolkien? Maybe that‘s where I‘m confused. (edited) 1mo

dabbe @Cuilin and I (@dabbe) are hosting #NoPlaceLikeHolmes. We have been reading the canon in publication order and are now on Doyle's last novel, THE VALLEY OF FEAR. Feel free to tag #NoPlaceLikeHolmes to see all of our posts, and if you'd like to join our group, let me know, and I'll tag ya! 🩵🩶🩵 1mo

CatLass007 @dabbe I did tag you and @Cuilin but when I saw @Daisey‘s post I confused myself. I‘m going to blame it on lack of sleep and hit the sack. 1mo

dabbe @CatLass007 Our bads! You are now on the list, m'dear! 🤩😂😘 1mo

Daisey Yes, I‘m cohosting the Tolkien read. Sometimes it does get complicated keeping track of all the readalongs. Looking forward to The Fall of Arthur! (edited) 1mo

CatLass007 @dabbe How did I end up off the list? Because I‘ve been participating since the beginning. And I always get tagged on the discussion posts and the reminder posts. Not important though. 1mo

CatLass007 @Daisey Well, both buddy reads have lasted for years, so that kinda is what got me confused I think. I‘m skipping Arthur, because it‘s not available as an audiobook and I think I would do better if I could listen and read the print at the same time. But I hope y‘all have a great time and don‘t take me off the tag list, please. 1mo

dabbe @CatLass007 Probably because I'm a moron and somehow lost you! So sorry about that! You are now and forevermore on da list! 🤩😘 1mo

CatLass007 @dabbe I know you‘re joking at your own expense, but things like that, if they happen frequently, make us feel bad about ourselves. You most definitely are not a moron! More positive self-talk is hereby ordered for you. 1mo

dabbe @CatLass007 My husband tells me that as well. Thanks for the much-needed reminder! 😘 1mo

CatLass007 @dabbe Your husband sounds like a wise man. 1mo

42 likes16 comments

Read4life

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

dabbe I'm enjoying this one so far! 🤩 1mo

52 likes1 stack add1 comment

LitsyEvents

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

Repost for @dabbe

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin
#TheValleyOfFear

Hi, Sherlockians~
Friendly reminder: our next SH read (and last novel in the canon) is THE VALLEY OF FEAR and is linked below (spoiler alert). Part 1's discussion will be on February 1st and will be led by @Cuilin.

P.S. If you'd like to be removed from this list, let us know.

Link: https://shorturl.at/l8wxN

dabbe Thanks. 😊 1mo

32 likes1 comment

dabbe

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin
#TheValleyOfFear
@LitsyEvents

Hi, Sherlockians~
Friendly reminder: our next SH read (and last novel in the canon) is THE VALLEY OF FEAR and is linked below (spoiler alert). Part 1's discussion will be on February 1st and will be led by @Cuilin.

P.S. If you'd like to be removed from this list, let us know.

Link: https://shorturl.at/l8wxN

Cuilin Thank you 🙏💛 1mo

dabbe @Cuilin I better get reading! 🩵🩶🩵 1mo

Cuilin @dabbe 😥 same 1mo

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Librarybelle Thank you! 1mo

AnneCecilie I‘ve started this one, and some references in the 1st chapter has me really excited 1mo

dabbe @Librarybelle YW! 😘 1mo

dabbe @AnneCecilie Ch. 1 with the cipher grabbed me right away! 🤩 1mo

AnneCecilie @dabbe I was thinking more about the mention of a certain person 1mo

dabbe @AnneCecilie Oh, yes ... that, too! 1mo

43 likes9 comments

mjtwo

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

pick

20-23 Dec 24 (audiobook)
I particularly enjoyed this longer Holmes story. The historical aspect of the operation of the freemen‘s lodge and the Pinkertons was fascinating.

10 likes

dabbe

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin

Hey, Sherlockians~
We're not reading this one for a while, but it is on sale at Amazon. Just thought I'd let you know.

Daisey, erzascarletbookgasm, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, Aimeesue, Larkken, Librarybelle, mom2bugnbee, Read4life, StayCurious, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, eeclayton, dabbe, IndoorDame, kelli7990, TheAromaofBooks, 5feet.of.fury, Tineke, Blackink_WhitePaper, RayHallucinogen, Pageturner1, PageShifter, AllDebooks, AnnR, kimrenee, aroyse, CrystalE02

Librarybelle Thanks for sharing! 7mo

dabbe @Librarybelle 🩵💙🩵 7mo

Blueroseis I read this one a while back and enjoyed it a lot. 7mo

dabbe @Blueroseis It's been a long time since I've read it, so I'm looking forward to a reread. 🤩 7mo

51 likes4 comments

Bookwomble

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

pick

Although I've read The Valley of Fear several times before, and seen numerous TV adaptations, I'd still forgotten both the plot twist (which really should have been obvious to me - I see but I do not observe!) and the involvement of Professor Moriarty.
An interesting mash-up of a Holmesian mystery and a Western thriller 🔎🤠

dabbe #iamsherlocked ❣️ 2y

35 likes1 stack add1 comment

Bookwomble

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

"I am inclined to think ---" said I.
"I should do so," Sherlock Holmes remarked, impatiently.

Cat with a Gun! Meeow! ? Shots fired! ??
#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl
(Photo of the best Holmes ever, Jeremy Brett. You are, of course, entitled to your own "best Holmes ever", however inferior they may be to Jeremy ? ?)

Bookwomble Watson gets his own back a few lines later:
"You have heard me speak of Professor Moriarty?"
"The famous scientific criminal, as famous among crooks as ---"
"My blushes, Watson," Holmes murmured, in a deprecating voice.
"I was about to say 'as he is unknown to the public.' "
"A touch - a distinct touch! cried Holmes. "You are developing a certain unexpected vein of pawky humour, Watson, against which I must learn to guard myself." 2y

dabbe Jeremy Brett ROCKS Sherlock! I still have all of the dvds of the Granada films. I loved, too that Brett's versions were reenactments of the REAL stories and films, not pastiches. He is the quintessential SH for me, too! ❣️ 2y

Bookwomble @dabbe Impeccable Holmesian taste, Denise! 😁 2y

dabbe @Bookwomble I'm a Sherlock freak. 🤣❣️🤣 2y

35 likes4 comments

bekakins

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

pick

#doublespin done! Think this is my favourite Holmes story to date… my favourite bit being the flashback in the second half which didn‘t include Holmes or Watson at all 🙈 I guessed the twist, but still a god western romp!

TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y

11 likes1 comment

Blueroseis

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

pick

This was a story in two parts. The first was a crime to be investigated by Holmes after having received a notification by his enemy Prof. Moriarty. It was written in the style of the classic Holmes that every one knows from some of the great TV and Film produced over the years. Part two takes you back many years before the crime occured. Totally different and absorbing this was storytelling at its very best with a very unexpected outcome. *****

15 likes

Auntynanny

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

pick

I listened to this on audio, and I found my mind wandered a lot. I will have to reread it in print.

1 like

RaeLovesToRead

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

It's a beautiful day so I'm taking my reading outside! Hopefully I'll finish The Valley of Fear today.

38 likes

GatheringBooks

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#QuotsyApr21 Day 20: #Recognition

TK-421

37 likes

TCLinrow

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

pick

I wasn't a huge fan of the long segment from the past actions in America, but I did like the way it explained the character and actions of those in the main plot (other than, of course, the staple of Holmes and Watson).

Another excellent installment overall.

mabell I agree about the America segment - I don‘t care for it 4y

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Pip2

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

The Valley of Fear is the fourth and final Sherlock Holmes novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The story was first published in the Strand Magazine between September 1914 and May 1915. The first book edition was copyrighted in 1914. I am hard pressed to find a better Holmes novel than this one. I have read most of his works now and find this one to be top notch. The twist at the end was unexpected and a treat. Highly recommended for the mystery buff.

4 likes

Linsy

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

pick

Finished off the last of the Sherlock novels with some #audiocoloring! I enjoyed it immensely, if not the second half as much, but the ending was worth it!! 💀

That gives me just 8 hours for #DeweysReadathon. For #24b4Monday, I‘m up to 16! Good night, Littens!!

#teamtheme #teamslaughter #scarathlon

DeweysReadathon, Clwojick, Andrew65, jb72, BeansPage

Andrew65 Great time 👏👏👏 5y

74 likes1 comment

Texreader

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

pick

I finished this one on the road home and I definitely enjoyed my first Sherlock Holmes book! What great twists!

julesG And Derek Jacobi! Like his narration. 6y

CarolynM @julesG Me too, love his voice. 6y

74 likes2 comments

Texreader

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

On the long Texas roads and finished disc 3 of this book on CD. It‘s my first Sherlock Holmes and I am enjoying it. Sad to say I‘m struggling to distinguish Holmes from Watson. Otherwise the audio is well done.

BookishMarginalia Safe travels! 6y

Texreader @BookishMarginalia Thank you! 6y

81 likes2 comments

Texreader

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

Another bookish Christmas gift. This one from my in-laws in England. So perfect since we visited the Sherlock Holmes museum when we were in London. Heading out of town tomorrow to meet with a client for most of the week and taking this book on cd with me. This will be my first Sherlock Holmes book ever.

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thereadingowlvina

The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle

pick

A two-part mystery novel: Part 1 - murder of John Douglas; Part 2 - the earlier life of Mr. Douglas in Chicago as Pinkerton detective.

But I do feel that the murder solving by Holmes in Pt. 1 was short. Did not see the connection of these two mysteries until the very end.

I still enjoyed this 4th novel. Holmes stories are always a delightful read & re-read! I love the narration by David Timson in this audiobook 💕

Rating: 4🌟

@tjwill

27 likes

tjwill

The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle

pick

I wish there had been more connection between the two stories during the second. It felt completely separate until the very end. However, I did enjoy both stories—the first with Sherlock Holmes solving a murder case and the second going back in time to set up why anyone would want the man murdered. I am between a pick and a so-so, but will bump it up for the love of Sherlock. I still love the short stories more. #sherlocked #serialreader

Daisey, jpmcwisemorgan, thereadingowlvina, Richryan52, CSeydel, CoffeeNBooks

thereadingowlvina Agree! I felt the murder solving part is too short. I almost gave up on second part. Don't see the connection there until the very end. But I gave it a 4 stars read since it is like reading two mysteries in one story. 😁 6y

Richryan52 Similar structure to The Sign of Four. I love the story of the Scowerers. Plus it introduced Moriarty (edited) 6y

Daisey I agree, the separateness of the two parts kind of pulls me out of the story, but overall I did enjoy it. 6y

CoffeeNBooks I agree, also! It took me awhile to figure out how everything was related, as it seemed somewhat disjointed. But overall, I liked it. 6y

54 likes4 comments

CoffeeNBooks

The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle

I've switched from coffee to tea, and now I'm finishing up this Sherlock Holmes mystery. This is the first time I've ever read anything on Serial Reader, and I really like it! #TeaAndABook #SherlockHolmes #Sherlocked

Daisey I finished this yesterday and enjoyed it. Look forward to seeing what you think! 6y

87 likes1 comment

Daisey

The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle

pick

Part Two of this book seems to include more violence than many of the other Sherlock Holmes stories, but I really enjoyed the twist and how it connected back to Part One at the end. Yet, I still think I like the short stories better than any of the novel length stories.

First book from my currently reading list completed during the #readathon.

#Sherlocked #SerialReader

Daisey @tjwill I caught up and read ahead so I can get to some other October reading commitments. Looking forward to seeing your review. 6y

42 likes1 stack add1 comment

tjwill

The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle

#sherlocked

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Daisey

The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle

I finished Part 1 of The Valley of Fear tonight. I enjoyed how this part of the of the mystery worked out, so here‘s hoping Part 2 is just as interesting.

#SerialReader #Sherlocked

JazzFeathers I'm completelly failing this readalong 😭 Once again #NetGalley expiring files have kidnapped my TBR. Next year l need to be a lot more carefull how many ARCs l require. 6y

Daisey @JazzFeathers I know the feeling! I have a couple NetGalley books that are on my kindle, but so far past the publication date. I‘m behind on this readalong too, but hoping to get it finished and caught up on some other things with a readathon this weekend. 6y

tjwill @JazzFeathers @Daisey I had to stop requesting so many arcs from NetGalley because that kept happening to me. I have one right now that I haven‘t downloaded. I always make too many reading commitments! 6y

See All 9 Comments

Daisey @tjwill @JazzFeathers I usually only request a few and choose ones I can download to kindle that will not disappear. However, with all the other reading commitments I've made this year, can't even seem to keep up with that. 6y

JazzFeathers @tjwill @Daisey Up until last spring, NetGalley would deny half of the ARCs l requested, but recently they hardly Daniel any. So in that moment when del started according almost everything l asked for, but l still requested thinking half of my request would be turned down, l amassed an embarassing pile of ARCs 6y

JazzFeathers @tjwill @Daisey Now l'm much more selective 6y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @tjwill Same here! It can bury you quickly if you aren‘t careful. I had the same thing happen in the beginning @JazzFeathers & then because I couldn‘t possibly get through them all quickly, my rate of review went down & then I got a bunch of denials for awhile. So now I‘m try to be really careful, just request 1 or 2 at a time, so I don‘t get backlogged, and then don‘t request anymore until those are either denied or reviewed. It‘s hard though.. 6y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ...I feel like a kid in a candy store there. 6y

JazzFeathers @Riveted_Reader_Melissa l'll have to do the same. Certainly l'll have to be a lot more pick. Besides, if l have to be honest, l bailed on quite a few of the books l was granted. The ones l truly loved can be counted on the fingers of one hand. 6y

47 likes9 comments

tjwill

The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle

How‘s everyone doing with this #sherlocked #readalong? On #Serialreader, we are through issue 9, which is the end of Chapter 6 in Part 1.

I‘m enjoying this one more than his other novels, but I also think I know where it‘s headed... I could be wrong, of course. Sherlock is always a step ahead of everyone else.

Daisey, jpmcwisemorgan, thereadingowlvina, JazzFeathers, Richryan52, CSeydel, CoffeeNBooks

CoffeeNBooks I'm enjoying it so far! I feel like it seems so obvious that it has to be a twist of some sort. On a side note, this is the first time I've read something on Serial Reader, and I really like how it breaks up the text! 6y

Richryan52 This is my favorite Holmes novel. I think you may be in for a surprise. Let me know 6y

tjwill @Richryan52 Good to know! I‘ll share if it goes how I think or not. 6y

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tjwill @CoffeeNBooks Yes, I‘m trying to anticipate the twists! Serial Reader can make longer things more manageable! 6y

tjwill @Richryan52 Ok, so I just read ahead and finished part 1. Not at all what I suspected. Wow! 6y

Richryan52 I told you. Structure is very similar to A Study in Scarlet 6y

tjwill @Richryan52 Yes, with the past to tie it together, that‘s what I thought of. 6y

Richryan52 It‘s a bifurcated structure with the second story backloaded. I did something similar in The Vatican Cameos but used alternating chapters 6y

Richryan52 I love the second story btw 6y

tjwill @Richryan52 I did not know that is what it is called. I liked how you built the story that way in Vatican Cameos. I‘m looking forward to reading the 2nd half of this one! 6y

39 likes10 comments

Daisey

The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle

I made some time this evening to get started on the first few issues of The Valley of Fear on #SerialReader, and so far I‘m intrigued.

I haven‘t seen any other recent posts. Who‘s reading along for this round of #Sherlocked?

tjwill

JazzFeathers I didn't know anything about a new round of #Sherlocked 😱 6y

tjwill I am, but I‘ve not been good at posting. I‘ll try to get one in later today! I‘m so sorry, @JazzFeathers ! I thought I had tagged you when I was looking for others to read with me. Can you join us? 6y

Daisey @JazzFeathers Yeah, it was posted, but none of us did much to share or promote it this time. I just started yesterday after I finished The Fall of Gondolin. 6y

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Daisey @tjwill I‘m not sure how good I‘ll be at keeping on schedule this month, but I will try to post once in a while. 6y

JazzFeathers @tjwill l will gladly join, though like @Daisey l don't think l'll be very good at keeping on track. I'll go back and look for the schedule 😊 6y

tjwill @JazzFeathers That‘s ok. It‘s just doing Serial Reader speed, which is 23 issues, so finishing by October 23. It‘s 2 parts of 7 chapters each (edited to correct my mistake), and around 200 pages, depending on the edition. (edited) 6y

51 likes6 comments

tjwill

The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle

Want to start October 1st? #sherlocked #readalong It is 23 issues on #Serialreader, which is usually a manageable pace.

Daisey, jpmcwisemorgan, thereadingowlvina, Richryan52, CSeydel, CoffeeNBooks

Richryan52 Works for me 6y

CoffeeNBooks Sounds good! 6y

thereadingowlvina Sounds great! 👍 6y

jpmcwisemorgan I can do this! I may be behind a bit because I have a work trip this week but it should be easy to catch up. 6y

Daisey I was going to try and fit in the first issue tonight, but my app isn‘t cooperating. Maybe tomorrow . . . 6y

44 likes5 comments

tjwill

The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle

Does anyone want to do a buddy read (or reread) of The Valley of Fear, the fourth Sherlock Holmes, in October? The #SerialReader version is 23 issues, if that pace works for others. #Sherlocked

Daisey, jpmcwisemorgan, thereadingowlvina, Sarah83, JazzFeathers, Richryan52, CSeydel, CoffeeNBooks

Richryan52 I‘m in 6y

Daisey I would be willing to try, but I have a decent number of commitments in October, so no promises about staying caught up, even at Serial Reader pace. 6y

CoffeeNBooks I'm in! 6y

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Sarah83 Next time. 😊 It's not my favourite book. 🙈 6y

CSeydel Oooh, tempted. Not sure I‘ll be able to add this one in though. October is a really busy month around here. 6y

tjwill @Richryan52 @Daisey @CoffeeNBooks @CSeydel Ok! 👍🏽👍🏽 @Sarah83 The novels haven‘t been my favorites, but I‘m on a mission to read the whole canon! 6y

Sarah83 I have already read the whole canon. I am still dealing with my #litsyclassics ... 6y

thereadingowlvina Sounds good! I'm in 😁 6y

jpmcwisemorgan I can do this!!! I‘ve given up on all book challenges and I think next year I‘m not going to try to do any at all. 6y

tjwill @Sarah83 Good luck! 6y

tjwill @thereadingowlvina Great! 6y

tjwill @jpmcwisemorgan I totally understand. I‘ve abandoned mine, but I might go back to see how many of my books fit into the challenge categories. 6y

43 likes12 comments

erzascarletbookgasm

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#readingresolutions #fear

Jess7

Andrew65 A great one! 7y

85 likes2 stack adds1 comment

Richryan52

The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle

pick

Doyle uses a bi-partite structure in this novel. In this first section, Holmes and Watson investigate the Mysterious murder of a country squire. In the second part, readers are treated to the background that served as prelude to the crime. This may be my favorite Doyle novel because of the history that he brings to bear on a case involving the Great Detective. There are also hints at other plots that those new to the Canon may find interesting.

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Gezemice

The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle

pick

This was really two stories in one. The first a traditional Holmes story with its twists and surprises, the second set in America, giving voice of Conan Doyle‘s fascination with murderous secret societies. I must say I was getting a bit lost in the doings of the sinister lodge, but the end was all worth it. It is amazing that all mystery-thrillers come from Conan Doyle - he has done it all before everyone else. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

73 likes2 stack adds

melissanorr

Valley of Fear: A Sherlock Holmes Novel | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

For anyone who watched the BBC Sherlock series, this has to be the best line of Valley of Fear. 😂

12 likes

Brie

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

pick

This novel is structurally a bit odd, but all the loose ends come together at the end and there are even a couple unexpected twists.

This is the final Sherlock Holmes novel. The 1st part is set up as a classic locked room murder mystery. The 2nd part is an extended flashback that takes the case to America &incorporates organized crime and class struggle. Though I thought that section seemed far-fetched at times, it's based on historical events.

Richryan52 @Brie Doyle uses a similar structure in The sign of Four. The Hound of the Baskervilles is more linear 7y

66 likes2 stack adds1 comment

Andrew65

The Valley of Fear | Sir Arthur Doyle

pick

This was another Sherlock Holmes book where you have two sections - the part that has the murder and Sherlock Holmes in and the part that tells the back story that lead up to the murder. I always prefer the Sherlock Holmes books that tell a longer story, like this one, and enjoyed the second half of the story that was set in the US. Overall found this a totally engaging and enjoyable story and look forward to reading the next book.

22 likes

Andrew65

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

I'm continuing with my journey through the Sherlock Holmes books. Today started listening to The Valley of Fear, read by Simon Vance, who is one of my favourite narrators. He really brought Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel to life for me.

Who are your favourite narrators and for which books? #favouritenarrators

DGRachel Barbara Rosenblatt does the best job on the Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters; Davina Porter is incredible as the narrator for Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series; Frank Muller is excellent in everything he does - he narrated the first audiobook I ever listened to, which I'm pretty sure was one of LeCarre's Smiley novels; once I got used to him, I've come to really enjoy Tim Gerard Reynolds (Pierce Brown's Red Rising trilogy and 👇🏻 8y

DGRachel ...Michael J Sullivan's Riyria series) 8y

DGRachel Then there are actors with incredible voices that I could listen to as they read the phone book - particularly David Tennant and Richard Armitage. Oh, and Jim Dale is fabulous as the narrator for all of the Harry Potter books and narrates my favorite version of A Christmas Carol. 8y

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Andrew65 @DGRachel Jim Dale was also great with The Night Circus. Davina Porter does do a great job too. Not heard David Tennant do a narration but I'm sure it would be a wonderful experience.Also enjoyed Carolyn McCormick reading The Hunger Games. And all the narrators from The Help were fantastic. 8y

RaimeyGallant What a great idea! Sherlock on audio. I should do that. 8y

Andrew65 @RaimeyGallant I got the Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes for 1 Audible Credit, all of his books for one credit I thought was great value. Over 58 hours! So been working my way through them over the past few months. 8y

RaimeyGallant Good tip:) 8y

melrailey I'm working through Sherlock right now too! But I'm using Serial Reader and my old paperbacks. (edited) 8y

18 likes1 stack add8 comments

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