Basic Information

Abbreviation: REIG (J. F. Christ, 1947)
Word length: 7,186 (C. E. Lauterbach, 1960)
First published: Strand Magazine, June 1893; Harper's Weekly, June 17, 1893
About the title: Harper's Weekly titled the story "The Reigate Puzzle," and that name has become standard in American editions. British editions continue to use "The Reigate Squires," following the Strand. Recent research, however, suggests that neither title is right and that the author originally intended a singular title, "The Reigate Squire."

Discussion Questions

• Did you have suspicions that the murder of the coachman was not what it seemed, or that the Cunninghams may have had something to do with it? If so, when did you begin to suspect that, and why?
• How does Holmes use his known “condition” or “illness” to his advantage throughout solving the case?
• Was Holmes being reckless by putting himself into a situation that endangered him? Do you think he was aware of the potential risk or was he just being foolish?
• Why did young Alec Cunningham persuade his father to participate in his schemes, rather than the other way around? How did the ongoing lawsuit affect him more than it affected his father?