Arthur Conan Doyle Books in Order

This reading order guide provides the complete list of Arthur Conan Doyle books in order, from the very first to the latest, so you won’t miss anything!

When we talk about the origins of detective fiction, one name rises above all others—Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Born in May 1859 in Edinburgh, Scotland, Doyle was not just a writer; he was also a trained physician, a keen observer of the human condition, and a man whose imagination changed storytelling forever. Though today he is best known for creating Sherlock Holmes, one of the most iconic fictional characters of all time, his life and work go far beyond the foggy streets of Victorian London.

Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle grew up in a Catholic household and received his early education at a Jesuit school in Lancashire. Even at a young age, he showed a strong sense of curiosity and storytelling. Later, he attended the University of Edinburgh, where he studied medicine from 1876 to 1881. But it was during these university years that something magical happened—he began to write stories in his spare time. He published his first story when he was just 19 years old. It was clear that while medicine was his profession, writing was his true calling.

After completing his studies, Doyle took on various jobs, including serving as a ship’s doctor on a voyage to West Africa. However, his medical career didn’t flourish in the way he had hoped. He once joked in his autobiography that not a single patient ever came to his eye clinic. But what seemed like a failure in medicine became a stepping stone in literature. In 1887, he introduced Sherlock Holmes to the world with the publication of “A Study in Scarlet”. The world would never be the same.

What made Sherlock Holmes so special? Part of the genius lies in Doyle’s inspiration. Holmes was loosely based on one of Doyle’s university professors, Dr. Joseph Bell, who had a remarkable talent for deduction. Doyle admired this ability and gave it to his fictional detective, turning logic and observation into powerful tools for solving even the most puzzling crimes.

Doyle’s personal life was filled with deep emotions and strong values. He was married twice and had five children. After his first wife, Louise Hawkins, died from tuberculosis, he eventually married Jean Elizabeth Leckie. Out of respect and loyalty, he had kept his relationship with Jean strictly platonic until Louise passed away—a sign of the kind of moral compass that guided much of his life. Doyle was also deeply spiritual, though his views were controversial. Despite being raised Catholic, he later identified as an agnostic and explored spiritualism, especially after the loss of close family members during World War I.

He didn’t just write about detectives and crimes. Doyle wrote historical novels, war commentary, and even books on spiritualism. Still, no matter how hard he tried to move away from Holmes, the public kept demanding more. In fact, when he killed off Sherlock in “The Final Problem”, readers were outraged. People wore black armbands in mourning; thousands cancelled their subscriptions to The Strand Magazine, where the stories were first published. Doyle eventually gave in and brought Holmes back, showing perhaps that the detective was not just a creation—but a part of Doyle’s own soul.

His storytelling left an unmatched legacy. The 56 short stories and 4 novels featuring Sherlock Holmes inspired not only generations of crime fiction writers, but also modern-day TV shows, films, and even video games. Shows like BBC’s Sherlock, movies starring Robert Downey Jr., and even characters like Dr. House from House M.D. all carry echoes of Doyle’s famous detective.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle passed away in July 1930, but his impact is still alive today. His last words, reportedly whispered to his wife, were: “You are wonderful.” That tender moment reflects the heart of a man who gave us not just stories, but characters that feel alive—even over a century later.

His epitaph reads, “Steel true, Blade straight.” It’s a fitting tribute to a man who stood firm in his beliefs, cut through the nonsense of his time, and gave us a detective whose shadow still walks beside us whenever we pick up a mystery novel.

In the world of books, Arthur Conan Doyle is more than just a name. He is a legend, a visionary, and the man who taught us that logic, loyalty, and a sharp mind can solve even the darkest mystery.