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The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes #7
The Problem of Thor Bridge
Neil Gibson, the Gold King and former Senator for "some Western state", approaches Holmes to investigate the murder of his wife Maria in order to clear his children's governess, Grace Dunbar, of the crime. It soon emerges that Mr. Gibson's marriage had been unhappy- he treated his wife very badly. He had fallen in love with her when he met her in Brazil, but soon realised they had nothing in common. He became attracted to Miss Dunbar; since he could not marry her, he had attempted to please her in other ways- by trying to help people less fortunate than himself.
Maria Gibson was found lying in a pool of blood on Thor Bridge with a bullet through the head and note from the governess, agreeing to a meeting at that location, in her hand. A recently discharged revolver with one shot fired is found in Miss Dunbar's wardrobe. Holmes agrees to look at the situation in spite of the damning evidence.
From the outset, Holmes observes some rather odd things about the case. How could Miss Dunbar so coolly and rationally have planned and carried out the murder and then carelessly tossed the murder weapon into her wardrobe? What was the strange chip on the underside of the bridge's stone balustrade? Why was Mrs. Gibson clutching the note from Miss Dunbar when she died? If the murder weapon was one of a matched pair of pistols, why couldn't the other one be found in Mr. Gibson's collection?
Maria Gibson was found lying in a pool of blood on Thor Bridge with a bullet through the head and note from the governess, agreeing to a meeting at that location, in her hand. A recently discharged revolver with one shot fired is found in Miss Dunbar's wardrobe. Holmes agrees to look at the situation in spite of the damning evidence.
From the outset, Holmes observes some rather odd things about the case. How could Miss Dunbar so coolly and rationally have planned and carried out the murder and then carelessly tossed the murder weapon into her wardrobe? What was the strange chip on the underside of the bridge's stone balustrade? Why was Mrs. Gibson clutching the note from Miss Dunbar when she died? If the murder weapon was one of a matched pair of pistols, why couldn't the other one be found in Mr. Gibson's collection?
1 pages, Audio Cassette
First published January 1, 1922
21 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
About the author
Arthur Conan Doyle
15.4k books24.1k followersSir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was a British writer and physician. He created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Holmes and Dr. Watson. The Sherlock Holmes stories are milestones in the field of crime fiction.
Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.
Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
July 31, 2019
Neil Gibson, a wealthy and influential man, asks Sherlock Holmes for his help in the case of the murder of his wife in order to clear Miss Dunbar, the governess, of the crime. Mr. Gibson’s marriage was unhappy: his wife loved him with in extremely and obsessively passionate way. But Gibson had fallen in love with the beautiful and kind Miss Dunbar.
Brilliant story! Recommended!
Brilliant story! Recommended!
July 13, 2018
Maria Gibson is shot through the head while standing on Thor Bridge on her estate, the family’s governess, Grace Dunbar, is soon arrested for murder. Not only does she admit meeting her mistress on the bridge, the police find the murder weapon in her room. She vehemently denies killing her employer and Senator J. Neil Gibson, the dead woman’s husband, believes her. He hires Sherlock Holmes to get to the bottom of it all. The Senator admits that he and Miss Dunbar have affections for one another but that neither of them had anything to do with his wife’s death. Dr Watson is convinced that the Senator is the culprit, but Holmes comes to an entirely different conclusion.
January 29, 2021
This was a great short Sherlock story! Very much recommended for people new to reading the stories. A tale of two women, one murder, and a love triangle! Who dunnit?
June 12, 2022
I knew it!!!! I knew it!!!
I was waiting for an ending like this for so long. It was so good.
I was waiting for an ending like this for so long. It was so good.
June 28, 2022
5 stars & 5/10 hearts. This is such a fascinating story! It’s one of the best criminal cases Holmes handles.
The cast was epic. An American millionaire of cold steel and resolve, afire with love. His unloved, passionate South American wife, full of wild hate. A beautiful, upright young English governess who finds her (married) employer obsessed with her. One of them is a killer.
I appreciated how Holmes handled Gibson and brought him down pegs; and I loved how passionate he was for friendless Miss Dunbar. And how he went about the case, and the way he proved his theory, were masterful. Definitely a tale not to be missed!
Content: D*mned; what the de**l. A married man falls in love with his children’s governess and tries to make her his mistress. She refuses, and almost leaves his house, but chooses to remain to influence him for good (a foolish decision but one she made in honesty and purity of motivation).
A Favourite Quote: “When once your point of view is changed, the very thing which was so damning becomes a clue to the truth. For example, there is this revolver. [She] disclaims all knowledge of it. On our new theory she is speaking truth when she says so. Therefore, it was placed in her wardrobe. Who placed it there? Someone who wished to incriminate her. Was not that person the actual criminal? You see how we come at once upon a most fruitful line of inquiry.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: A walk of half a mile or so across a wind-swept heath, all gold and bronze with the fading ferns, brought us to a side-gate opening into the grounds of the Thor Place estate.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “You have a case, Holmes?” I remarked.
“The faculty of deduction is certainly contagious, Watson,” he answered. “It has enabled you to probe my secret. Yes, I have a case. After a month of trivialities and stagnation the wheels move once more…. There is little to share, but we may discuss it when you have consumed the two hard-boiled eggs with which our new cook has favoured us. Their condition may not be unconnected with the copy of the Family Herald which I observed yesterday upon the hall-table. Even so trivial a matter as cooking an egg demands an attention which is conscious of the passage of time and incompatible with the love romance in that excellent periodical.”
The cast was epic. An American millionaire of cold steel and resolve, afire with love. His unloved, passionate South American wife, full of wild hate. A beautiful, upright young English governess who finds her (married) employer obsessed with her. One of them is a killer.
I appreciated how Holmes handled Gibson and brought him down pegs; and I loved how passionate he was for friendless Miss Dunbar. And how he went about the case, and the way he proved his theory, were masterful. Definitely a tale not to be missed!
Content: D*mned; what the de**l. A married man falls in love with his children’s governess and tries to make her his mistress. She refuses, and almost leaves his house, but chooses to remain to influence him for good (a foolish decision but one she made in honesty and purity of motivation).
A Favourite Quote: “When once your point of view is changed, the very thing which was so damning becomes a clue to the truth. For example, there is this revolver. [She] disclaims all knowledge of it. On our new theory she is speaking truth when she says so. Therefore, it was placed in her wardrobe. Who placed it there? Someone who wished to incriminate her. Was not that person the actual criminal? You see how we come at once upon a most fruitful line of inquiry.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: A walk of half a mile or so across a wind-swept heath, all gold and bronze with the fading ferns, brought us to a side-gate opening into the grounds of the Thor Place estate.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “You have a case, Holmes?” I remarked.
“The faculty of deduction is certainly contagious, Watson,” he answered. “It has enabled you to probe my secret. Yes, I have a case. After a month of trivialities and stagnation the wheels move once more…. There is little to share, but we may discuss it when you have consumed the two hard-boiled eggs with which our new cook has favoured us. Their condition may not be unconnected with the copy of the Family Herald which I observed yesterday upon the hall-table. Even so trivial a matter as cooking an egg demands an attention which is conscious of the passage of time and incompatible with the love romance in that excellent periodical.”
April 25, 2025
مغامرة جديدة لشارلوك هولمز
يطلب السيد نيل جيبسون السيناتور السابق و الملقب بملك الذهب من هولمز التحقيق بمقتل زوجته
قصة ممتعه و خفيفه
سمعتها على تطبيق ستوري تيل
أنصح بها
يطلب السيد نيل جيبسون السيناتور السابق و الملقب بملك الذهب من هولمز التحقيق بمقتل زوجته
قصة ممتعه و خفيفه
سمعتها على تطبيق ستوري تيل
أنصح بها
April 10, 2019
The Problem of Thor Bridge: By the time this story had been written, Sir ACD must have been sick with Holmes. Deeply immersed in his spiritualist crusades and thus proving himself to be an unbelievable simpleton everywhere, Sherlock Holmes must have been anathema to him. But he had somehow managed to produce this exceptional story, which works at many levels including that of a locked room mystery albeit happening under open sky.
The other stories are enjoyable, and prove how good a storyteller Sir ACD was.
Recommended.
The other stories are enjoyable, and prove how good a storyteller Sir ACD was.
Recommended.
August 24, 2023
3.5/5
কে খুন করছে সেটা কিছুটা অনুমান করা গেলেও, কিভাবে খুন করা হলো সেটা অনুমান করা শক্ত ছিলো, মোটামুটি মানের গল্প বলা যায়।
কে খুন করছে সেটা কিছুটা অনুমান করা গেলেও, কিভাবে খুন করা হলো সেটা অনুমান করা শক্ত ছিলো, মোটামুটি মানের গল্প বলা যায়।
December 8, 2023
ذكاء حاد … عيون شعلتهم متقده دائما تدور ف محجريهما
January 19, 2024
النساء.. آه منهنّ!
القصة لطيفة وجميلة للغاية، وأثارت شكوكي
لطيفة لليلة شتوية باردة، وقلبٍ بارد يريد أن يتنشط ليعود لحياتِه.
القصة لطيفة وجميلة للغاية، وأثارت شكوكي
لطيفة لليلة شتوية باردة، وقلبٍ بارد يريد أن يتنشط ليعود لحياتِه.
August 19, 2021
Está el audiolibro en bookmate y lo suspendí al escuchar las palabras correo electrónico
Read
December 10, 2024"The Problem of Thor Bridge" is one of the darkest Sherlock Holmes stories, and among those that adhered most strongly to my memory. By general agreement, the later Holmes corpus is relatively lackluster compared to the earlier stories. If so, "The Problem of Thor Bridge" stands out as a stark exception. Despite the late date of its publication, I think it's one of the best.
July 11, 2012
This is the first Sherlock Holmes mystery I have read, and I foresee it will be the first of many. This was a short, very interesting read - I can definitely see how Sherlock Holmes has weathered the ages and is still a beloved classic character!
November 24, 2018
Very Jane Eyre (Highly recommend that book if you enjoyed this). Seems like Arthur Conan Doyle was a Jane & Rochester shipper, considering how the wife who was pushed to suicide is portrayed as the villain, getting in the way of the abusive husband and the young governess.
December 25, 2019
لا
معضلة آرثر كونان دويل أنه لا يجيد كتابة قصة بوليسية مكتملة الأركان ، لا يجيد كتابة شخصيات مثيرة .. يكتفي بشرح اللغز و حله و الثناء ع ذكاء هولمز فقط .
معضلة آرثر كونان دويل أنه لا يجيد كتابة قصة بوليسية مكتملة الأركان ، لا يجيد كتابة شخصيات مثيرة .. يكتفي بشرح اللغز و حله و الثناء ع ذكاء هولمز فقط .
September 25, 2021
Una historia de un hombre muy obsesionado, una mujer vengativa, una muy inocente y un hombre muy perspicaz.
La historia inicia con Watson haciéndonos un recuento de casos fallidos ¿? porque why not, y después nos comienza a relatar esta historia. Trata sobre el señor Gibson, un hombre estadounidense extremadamente rico que está casado y lleva una vida normal, pero un día su esposa, Maria, aparece asesinada en el puente Thor y la principal sospechosa es la institutriz de sus hijos, Grace, porque aparentemente Maria estaba muy celosa de ella por la atención especial que le daba su marido y porque encontraron una nota en la mano de la fallecida donde había una cita entre las dos mujeres, y un arma en su armario.
Y veremos a Sherlock resolver el caso y trasladarse a la propiedad para examinar los escenarios de cerca.
Spoiler:
Efectivamente este hombre tenía un crush en la institutriz y rechazaba el amor de su esposa, la chica lo sabía y no estaba interesada 8porque GROSS, la entiendo perfectamente) pero decidió quedrse porque creyó que de esa manera podría influenciar a Gibson en tratar mejor a sus empleados, hacer un mejor uso de sus recursos, y básicamente dejar de ser un empresario tirano y explotador. La esposa, Maria, llena de celos se decidió quitar la vida y planearlo de tal forma que pudiera inculpar a Grace, a devil.
I mean, el culpable aquí es Gibson, ¿por qué desechas a tu esposa con tanto descaro? y ¿por qué te fijas de una jovencita?
La historia inicia con Watson haciéndonos un recuento de casos fallidos ¿? porque why not, y después nos comienza a relatar esta historia. Trata sobre el señor Gibson, un hombre estadounidense extremadamente rico que está casado y lleva una vida normal, pero un día su esposa, Maria, aparece asesinada en el puente Thor y la principal sospechosa es la institutriz de sus hijos, Grace, porque aparentemente Maria estaba muy celosa de ella por la atención especial que le daba su marido y porque encontraron una nota en la mano de la fallecida donde había una cita entre las dos mujeres, y un arma en su armario.
Y veremos a Sherlock resolver el caso y trasladarse a la propiedad para examinar los escenarios de cerca.
Spoiler:
Efectivamente este hombre tenía un crush en la institutriz y rechazaba el amor de su esposa, la chica lo sabía y no estaba interesada 8porque GROSS, la entiendo perfectamente) pero decidió quedrse porque creyó que de esa manera podría influenciar a Gibson en tratar mejor a sus empleados, hacer un mejor uso de sus recursos, y básicamente dejar de ser un empresario tirano y explotador. La esposa, Maria, llena de celos se decidió quitar la vida y planearlo de tal forma que pudiera inculpar a Grace, a devil.
I mean, el culpable aquí es Gibson, ¿por qué desechas a tu esposa con tanto descaro? y ¿por qué te fijas de una jovencita?
May 31, 2020
The Problem of Thor Bridge is a Sherlock Holmes love triangle gone bad! Sort of.
One character is framed for a serious crime. But, when Holmes takes the case, we find out that everything is not as it appears. It's the classic impossible crime setup. A body with a bullet hole in the head. But without any sign of a weapon. The police find the murder weapon hidden in the most likely suspect’s room. They also discover a note from the suspected murderer arranging to meet the victim at the time and place of their death. Of course, once Holmes reveals the most obvious is wrong, and the actual solution it is simple.
The story is notable within the Sherlock Holmes canon for the initial reference to a tin dispatch box. In this Dr. Watson has papers of some of Holmes' unsolved or unfinished cases. According to Watson: "Among these unfinished tales is that of Mr. James Phillimore, who, stepping back into his own house to get his umbrella, was never more seen in this world". The unknown fate of Phillimore has been a subject for other stories. As have the papers themselves.
A decent tale, with some nice twists.
One character is framed for a serious crime. But, when Holmes takes the case, we find out that everything is not as it appears. It's the classic impossible crime setup. A body with a bullet hole in the head. But without any sign of a weapon. The police find the murder weapon hidden in the most likely suspect’s room. They also discover a note from the suspected murderer arranging to meet the victim at the time and place of their death. Of course, once Holmes reveals the most obvious is wrong, and the actual solution it is simple.
The story is notable within the Sherlock Holmes canon for the initial reference to a tin dispatch box. In this Dr. Watson has papers of some of Holmes' unsolved or unfinished cases. According to Watson: "Among these unfinished tales is that of Mr. James Phillimore, who, stepping back into his own house to get his umbrella, was never more seen in this world". The unknown fate of Phillimore has been a subject for other stories. As have the papers themselves.
A decent tale, with some nice twists.
July 31, 2024
I'm not the biggest fan of the Sherlock Holmes books but I really enjoyed this novella. I listened to the Stephen Fry audiobook and I think he breathed life into the words. I highly recommend it if you're struggling with Conan-Doyle's books.
The reveal might be a little more obvious in today's murder mystery atmosphere but it's a great one.
The reveal might be a little more obvious in today's murder mystery atmosphere but it's a great one.
January 26, 2024
جريمة شيقة وغامضة لم أكن أتوقع القاتل أبدا
November 30, 2021
Het leek een goed verhaal te worden totdat SH opeens met een wel heel wonderbaarlijke oplossing kwam.
December 22, 2021
I love locked room mystery, I seriously do! And what a story teller ACD was!
April 19, 2022
3.5/5
تحدي #٧كتب_في_٧أيام
-الكتاب الرابع-
تحدي #٧كتب_في_٧أيام
-الكتاب الرابع-
September 17, 2023
من اجمل مغامرات شيرلوك في انقاذ شخص بريء او ربما تكون الاجمل بين كل قراءاتي لارثر كونان دويل
February 12, 2025
A good problem, a classic solution, but missing that x factor that makes it a top great Holmes story. But still, it's pretty good!
My rating: 4.25/5 (rounded down)
Would I own/re-read?: Probably!
TW: Death, Suicide, Conspiracy, Adultery, Conspiracy, Era-Accurate Racism
Does the animal die?: No animals are harmed on Thor Bridge.
How difficult was the mystery?: I knew the solution going into it, but I think someone could figure out the specific details of the how with the clues given.
My rating: 4.25/5 (rounded down)
Would I own/re-read?: Probably!
TW: Death, Suicide, Conspiracy, Adultery, Conspiracy, Era-Accurate Racism
Does the animal die?: No animals are harmed on Thor Bridge.
How difficult was the mystery?: I knew the solution going into it, but I think someone could figure out the specific details of the how with the clues given.
July 28, 2024
Ok.
This was ok, but not going to review it.
For the moment at least.
It’s public domain. You can find it HERE.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1927] [30p] [Crime] [2.5] [Not Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★☆ 1. A Study in Scarlet [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 2. The Sign of Four [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
★★★★☆ 4. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes [3.5]
★★★★☆ 5. The Hound of the Baskervilles
★★★★☆ 6. The Return of Sherlock Holmes
★★★☆☆ 7. The Valley of Fear
★★★★☆ 8. His Last Bow [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 9. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes [2.5] <--
★★★☆☆ 10. The Complete Sherlock Holmes
-----------------------------------------------
Ok.
Esto estuvo ok, pero no voy a reseñarlo.
Al menos por ahora.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1927] [30p] [Crimen] [2.5] [No Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
This was ok, but not going to review it.
For the moment at least.
It’s public domain. You can find it HERE.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1927] [30p] [Crime] [2.5] [Not Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★☆ 1. A Study in Scarlet [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 2. The Sign of Four [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
★★★★☆ 4. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes [3.5]
★★★★☆ 5. The Hound of the Baskervilles
★★★★☆ 6. The Return of Sherlock Holmes
★★★☆☆ 7. The Valley of Fear
★★★★☆ 8. His Last Bow [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 9. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes [2.5] <--
★★★☆☆ 10. The Complete Sherlock Holmes
-----------------------------------------------
Ok.
Esto estuvo ok, pero no voy a reseñarlo.
Al menos por ahora.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1927] [30p] [Crimen] [2.5] [No Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
March 25, 2020
I think sometimes I don't give late Conan Doyle enough credit. Although this story unfortunately doesn't have the excitement of the earlier works, it has some absolutely lovely moments between Holmes and Watson, such as Watson worrying that the autumnal falling leaves will provoke his friend's depression and how Watson says he always brings his service revolver to ensure that his friend is protected on their adventures, despite Holmes' frequent carelessness. (For those of us who notice such things, there's also the lovely phrase, "laying a hand upon each of my knees he looked into my eyes with the peculiarly mischievous gaze which was characteristic of his more imp-like moods."
As for the mystery itself, the setup is quite tragic--a woman, taken away from her native Brazil, who is now unloved by her husband. It's the second time Doyle has adapted the Jane Eyre plot for his purpose, and while the murder-that-isn't-what-you-think-it-is ending is great, the blatant stereotyping of Latinos isn't. I also find it uncomfortable that the accused governess and her employer The Gold King seem to be headed for matrimony at the end, since he was blatantly taking advantage of her position (for which Holmes very rightly rebukes the man). I would have preferred more sympathy for the victim's awful position, as well as for the man not to have profited by his ill treatment of her.
As for the mystery itself, the setup is quite tragic--a woman, taken away from her native Brazil, who is now unloved by her husband. It's the second time Doyle has adapted the Jane Eyre plot for his purpose, and while the murder-that-isn't-what-you-think-it-is ending is great, the blatant stereotyping of Latinos isn't. I also find it uncomfortable that the accused governess and her employer The Gold King seem to be headed for matrimony at the end, since he was blatantly taking advantage of her position (for which Holmes very rightly rebukes the man). I would have preferred more sympathy for the victim's awful position, as well as for the man not to have profited by his ill treatment of her.
January 30, 2013
SPOILERS
One of my favorites out of the 'late' Sherlock Holmes stories. The fact that the whole issue can be resolved through the observation of principally one location makes it is very focused and typical of the best Holmes stories, in which his deduction skills are the key to solving the crime (an entertaining the reader). Furthermore, this is one of the few Holmes cases that can A) be solved by reading it and B) are not easy to guess while C) still making sense in the end. Hence, it is definitely very captivating and thrilling. Of course, like most Holmes stories (apart from the four novels that is), it is a very short read, but short and sweet it is.
One of my favorites out of the 'late' Sherlock Holmes stories. The fact that the whole issue can be resolved through the observation of principally one location makes it is very focused and typical of the best Holmes stories, in which his deduction skills are the key to solving the crime (an entertaining the reader). Furthermore, this is one of the few Holmes cases that can A) be solved by reading it and B) are not easy to guess while C) still making sense in the end. Hence, it is definitely very captivating and thrilling. Of course, like most Holmes stories (apart from the four novels that is), it is a very short read, but short and sweet it is.
May 30, 2024
Very clever story, as far as the mystery goes. Not so admiring of the love triangle. Power and money loving tycoon falls in love with his children's pretty governess, but she says "no". He stays enamored with her, probably because she's unattainable. Meanwhile, treats his wife like garbage. My sympathies are entirely with the wife. Also, wife is portrayed as a stereotype --passionate, unbalanced Brazilian lady.
Screen history:
1923 -- Stoll film series
1968 --BBC -- Peter Cushing/Nigel Stock --lost episode
1991 --Granada --Jeremy Brett/ Edward Hardwicke -- orthodox retelling
Screen history:
1923 -- Stoll film series
1968 --BBC -- Peter Cushing/Nigel Stock --lost episode
1991 --Granada --Jeremy Brett/ Edward Hardwicke -- orthodox retelling
March 26, 2019
Sherlock Holmes is forced to use his deductive powers to the fullest in order to investigate a seeming slam-dunk case against a man's mistress for the death of his wife. The solution seems absurdly simple, but that's honestly only after Sherlock Holmes has revealed the answer to the problem.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews