Sherlock Holmes: The Red Headed League

By Alex Woolf and Eve O'Brien

Join world-famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his ever-loyal sidekick Dr. Watson as they embark on a daring adventure.

What is the mysterious Red-Headed League and why is it giving jobs to people with red hair? Sherlock Holmes senses a major crime may be in the offing! Set off with the legendary sleuth as he races against the clock to catch the cunning criminals behind this latest plot.

This exciting tale has been retold and adapted with new illustrations, making it perfect for younger readers. Adapted by award-winning children's fiction author Alex Woolf, it will delight bright young things aged 7+.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcturus Publishing
• Release date: Jul 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781398818316

Alex Woolf

Alex Woolf is a senior lecturer in history at the University of St Andrews. He holds a BA in Medieval History and Medieval English, an MPhil in Archaeology and a PhD from the University of St Andrews. He is the author of a number of articles and books on medieval Scottish history, including From Pictland to Alba: Scotland, 789 to 1070, Scandinavian Scotland: 20 Years After and Beyondthe Gododdin: Dark Age Scotland in Medieval Wales.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Mr. Jabez Wilson

It was a fine October day in the year 1887. I had no appointments to see patients that morning and decided to take the opportunity to visit my old friend, the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. I arrived at his home at 221B Baker Street to find him deep in conversation with a large, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. The man was holding in his hands a dirty, wrinkled newspaper.

I’ll come again another time, I said, but before I could back out of the room, Holmes pulled me inside and closed the door.

Your timing is perfect, he said.

You look like you are busy with someone else, I said.

So I am, said Holmes. His name is Mr. Jabez Wilson. Mr. Wilson, may I introduce Dr. Watson, who has assisted me on many of my greatest cases, and I am sure he will be most helpful in yours.

The stout gentleman nodded his greeting, and I took a seat on the sofa.

Mr. Wilson, said Holmes. From your appearance I deduce that you have done manual work at some point in your life, that you have been to China, and that you have done a great deal of writing lately.

Wilson started up from his chair in surprise. How did you know all that? he asked. It’s true I did manual work—I started my working life as a ship’s carpenter.

That’s why your right hand is bigger than your left, said Holmes. You have worked with it and the muscles are more developed.

But how did you know I’d been to China?

The fish tattoo above your right wrist could only have been done in that country. Nowhere else in the world can they achieve the delicate pink of those fish scales.