A pleasant rendition of a classic with some homey opening information about the narrator and his relation to Holmes. Sound is a bit hollow, but there is the ambiance of the fireplace throughout.

You can’t go wrong with Sherlock Holmes. When I started this audiobook I wasn’t sure if I liked the narrator’s voice or not, but after listening for a little bit of time I got used to the narrator’s voice. Very expressive and the crackle of the fire place was nice too. It did seem like the quality of the recording was more like the audio bit from a video, so I think that could have been clearer if they maybe focused on just the audio book or just the video. And I could have done without the intro of the random narrator story. I think I would have enjoyed it more as a video. But overall good story and decent storytelling.

Fireside Reading is a series of audiobooks read by Gildart Jackson, where he reads a number of classic books with faint cracklings of fires in the background. It provide a cozy atmosphere, and I have listened to Jungle Book in the same manner previously which also was very enjoyable.

The rating is for this particular narrated audiobook rather than the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's book, which is the first book in Sherlock Holmes series. The book was originally published as a magazine series in 1880s which became very popular. It is still popular to this day with a number of movie and TV series adaptations. The book is an interesting introduction to the main characters, written from Dr. Watson's point of view. I didn't find this case to be so interesting from mystery perspective; however, pretty lengthy section of the second half of the book takes place in American west in pioneering are, which I personally found fascinating as I resides this area as well. It is a departure from Holmes/Watson storytelling though,and this may not appeal to some Holmes fans. I felt the overall story is about 3.5 stars for me, and would like to read more of Holmes books in future where it focuses more on whodunit mysteries. This book includes character introductions which takes away from mystery solving.

As to the narration, Mr. Jackson is very animated and engaging. I enjoyed his personal stories with the book at the beginning as well. I didn't feel this book is particularly for YA audience, and could be enjoyed by wider audience. I look forward to listening another of fireside series.

I would like to offer gratitude for NetGalley and Dreamscape Audio for providing me a copy of this audiobook for review purposes.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Audio for allowing me to listen to this audio of A Study in Scarlet.
I am a fan of the Fireside Reading series. Under A Study in Scarlet, it said it was for Teens and YA. I should have paid attention. I don't think of Sherlock Holmes as for YA only and, anyway, some of these Fireside Reading audios are fun for the whole family.
As with all the Fireside Reading series, this is narrated by Gildart Jackson. He prefaces the reading by saying that his father had read the story to him as a youngster and when his father was very old, he read it to his father. It is the first book in the Sherlock Holmes series where the reader meets Holmes and Dr. Watson. Jackson reads it as if to a young teen. After seeing so many different Holmes over my lifetime, none of them geared to a young teen, it was jarring to have the story read to me in this way. I found it annoying and had to stop about half-way through.
I have not found this to be the case in other books Jackson has read. But I hope as he develops this series to include more and more books, he tones down his talking to children and finds a way to speak to the rest of us who may enjoy being read to as much as young children.

(4.5 rounded up to a 5)

Fireside Reading of A Study in Scarlet is just what it sounds like: a wonderfully narrated version of the mystery novel by Arthur Conan Doyle, read before a fire. I listened to the audiobook, which clocks in at six hours and is narrated by Gildart Jackson.

This is the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson and was originally published as a magazine serial in 1887. Here, both men are strangers who meet and decide to split the rent at a flat located at 221B Baker Street, though an old friend warns Watson about Holmes's eccentric nature. Holmes notes that he is a "consulting detective," and is working on a case involving two murders of Americans who are somehow connected to sinister Socialist groups who are gaining power in Britain and America. The first part of the book is the whodunit story. The second part of the book is mostly a flashback to provide background information about the people involved in the whodunit.

It is quite lovely to hear a fire crackling in the background while Jackson is reading. I also appreciated that he added a bit of personal notes in his introduction to the book as a whole. The second half did drag a bit for me, but in the end I was glad to have learned the full backstory.

CW: murder, death, violence, blood, animal death, alcohol abuse, forced marriage (mentioned)

Special thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing an audio galley of this book for me to review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

When Dr. John Watson is in London convalescing from a war wound. He resolves to find an afforadable rooms, and thus meets the enigmatic Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Together, they share rooms at 221B, and soon Dr. Watson learns that his new acquaintance is a consulting detective who solves ‘little problems’ that others cannot. When a baffling murder confounds Scotland Yard, Dr Watson accompanies Mr. Holmes to the crime scene and an intriguing investigation.

I can’t remember the first time I read this story. It has always been a favorite of mine. Even with the rather boring middle section that explains the murderer’s actions manages to keep my attention. Any fan of Mr. Sherlock Holmes must read or listen to this, the first story.

This was my first time listening to A Fireside Reading with Gildart Jackson. He has a soothing, interesting voice, and reminded me of listening to a beloved uncle. His character voices amused me. The ambiance, with the crackle of the fire, lent very well to the story.

If I was to complain about anything, it would be the chosen music to begin and end the chapters. I didn’t care much for it, but it is a small thing.

I would recommend this to ones who enjoy listening to classic books.

Fireside Reading of A Study in Scarlet is an enhanced recording of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's first Sherlock Holmes adventure. Due out 26th April 2022 from Dreamscape Media, it will be available in video and audiobook formats.

Besides being a classic of Victorian sensational literature and a beloved standard (I can recall having it read to me at a very young age by my grandparents), this is a nicely updated and accessible way to listen. The recording is enhanced with music and some sound effects. It's an unabridged reading and the run time is 5 hours and 56 minutes with an introduction and short background information. The narration by Gildart Jackston is superb and he reads with nuance and facility. There are a number of different accents for both male and female characters and he manages them distinctly and well.

Although I've read the book several times and was previously familiar with the plot and resolution; I think anyone hearing it read for the first time would have no trouble following along. There are also links on the affiliated youtube channel which connect to both free and paid content.

Five stars. Really enjoyable read. Not entirely sure the music and sound effects enhanced the effect overmuch, but the narration is top notch.

Disclosure: I received a pre-release recording at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

This was a fun reread. The narrator was wonderful and I loved the crackling fire in the background.
I read this quite a while ago and didn't remember a lot of it. Funny enough, I remembered more about the second half which had nothing to do with Sherlock Holmes and Watson. I just remember thinking
"what does this have to do with the mystery they are trying to solve?"
This book starts with Watson looking for a place to live in London and coming across someone he knows who knows someone looking for a roommate. This roommate happens to be Sherlock. It was really fun to watch Sherlock and Watson meet since when you think of them, you think of them together. The mystery they are trying to solve was intriguing and kept my interest. The second part is so different from the first part, but I got so into it wondering how it connected with the first part. Then it all gets brought together and we understand.
This was definitely a classic Sherlock story and it makes me want to read and reread more of them!

Atmospheric- the narrator makes you feel like you’re really there next to the fire with him listening as he reads to you. Great for a family listen. I tried listening to this as I was driving at night and wouldn’t recommend doing that because the story and narrator makes you relaxed and somewhat tired listening so don’t listen when driving - just my two cents. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen early!

What a delightful reminder that Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes didn't just spring forth from the womb as the dynamic working team we all know. Written in 1887, it first appeared as an installment series in a magazine and, well, was less than a hit. Some hits obviously take a while to build up steam, I guess. I won't detail the plot, it is a classic after all and easily found, but will say that long-time readers of the series might do well to dive into this one to freshen up their memories. We've seen so many depictions of the duo on stage and screen that I found I'd forgotten details.

Besides, listening to Gildart Jackson's reading of the story is fun and reminds us how odd Holmes really must have seemed to not just John Watson but readers meeting Holmes for the first time, too. I must admit that I wasn't fond of the music heard between chapters but am still undecided if that was because of the music itself or my own impatience to get on with it. All in all, however, despite the big leap from London to the US that the setting takes us through, I enjoyed this and will be on the lookout for more interpretations from Gildart Jackson.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for inviting me back in time to meet the orginal Holmes and Watson.

This was an entertaining read of A Study in Scarlet, the first Sherlock Holmes story by Conan Doyle. This part of a series called Fireside Readings by Gildart Jackson. I am familiar with his voice work from listening to books by Benedict Jacka. And of course, his acting in Charmed as Gideon. He has done numerous other acting and voice roles.
The only thing I didn’t care for in the production was the music. Music mostly just seems unnecessary in an audiobook.
Also, thanks to the narrator for translating the Latin phrase at the end of the story. It saved me from having to look it up.