1. Order of Publication: This is the most common way to read the stories, as it reflects the evolution of the characters and the author's writing. Here's the order:
* A Study in Scarlet (1887)
* The Sign of Four (1890)
* The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1892) - a collection of twelve short stories
* The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1893) - another collection of twelve short stories
* The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902)
* The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1905) - another collection of thirteen short stories
* The Valley of Fear (1915)
* His Last Bow (1917) - a collection of seven short stories and one novel
* The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes (1927) - a collection of twelve short stories
2. Chronological Order: This is a bit more complex, as the stories don't always follow a linear timeline. There are many resources online that offer a chronological order, but it can be challenging to pin down the exact order of some of the stories.
3. Series within the Series: There are also different series within the Sherlock Holmes world, such as the "Adventures," "Memoirs," and "Return" collections of short stories. You could read each collection in its entirety before moving on to the next.
4. Standalone Novels: If you're just interested in the full-length novels, you can read them in the order they were published:
* A Study in Scarlet
* The Sign of Four
* The Hound of the Baskervilles
* The Valley of Fear
5. Modern Adaptations: If you're interested in modern adaptations like the BBC series "Sherlock" or the films with Robert Downey Jr., they don't necessarily follow the order of the original stories.
Ultimately, the best order for you depends on your preferences and what you're looking for in the experience. It's worth exploring different options and seeing what works best for you.