Basic information

Abbreviation: STUD (J. F. Christ, 1947)
Word length: 43,483 (C. E. Lauterbach, 1960)
First published: Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887; Book edition from Ward, Lock & Co., 1888; first American edition, J. B. Lippincott Company, 1890.

Discussion Questions

Part I:

• Why do you think Holmes is eager to have Watson as a companion?
• How does Watson’s military background qualify him to be Holmes’ partner?
• What roles do Gregson and Lestrade play at the Lauriston Gardens crime scene?
• Are the political views expressed in the London newspapers regarding the murder pertinent to the plot?

Part II:

• What similarities and differences does Lucy Ferrier have with the other characters in the story?
• Is Mormonism an important attribute of the characters? Could they belong to any faith?
• How are women represented in the story?
• To what extent are Jefferson Hope’s actions justified?