First published in 1892, Silver Blaze is the first story in the second collection of stories, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
What’s It About?
Champion racehorse Silver Blaze has been kidnapped… er, horsenapped from his stables and his trainer is found dead, struck once with a blunt instrument. Holmes is summoned to Dartmoor to investigate.
Is It A Mystery?
Most definitely – in the location of the horse and, most importantly, the killer of the trainer. And it’s got a very clever solution as well.
Is It Any Good?
Absolutely. I think this is possibly the best of the stories that I’ve read to date, with many possibilities considered and eliminated in the story before the truth is revealed. This is the sort of story that gave Holmes the reputation that he has today.
Anything Else?
Not really, other than a recommendation to go out and read it.
In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel 
I agree with you – “Silver Blaze” is one of the best stories. It is also the source of one of the most famous Holmes quotations:
“Is there any point to which you would wish to draw my attention?”
“To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time.”
“The dog did nothing in the night-time.”
“That was the curious incident,” remarked Sherlock Holmes.
Holmes at his best – and Doyle at his best, too.
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Ah pants, that was what I meant to say in the “Anything Else” section. Knew I’d forgotten something. Thanks for correcting my oversight, Les.
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