Plot holes in Sherlock Holmes stories (wide open spoilers)

[Thudlow_Boink]

@RealityChuck

Most obvious was “The Speckled Band.” The snake is drawn back to its owner by “a low, clear whistle.” But snakes have no ears and cannot hear the pitch of a whistle.

@Colibri

Although it’s regarded as one of the greatest Sherlock Holmes stories, my English teacher used it as a glaring example of bad writing.

@Wikipedia

it is considered by many to be one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s finest works, with Sir Arthur himself calling it his best story

@ftg

The Adventure of the Speckled Band struck me as being weirdly contrived, even by Doyle standards. And not just the usual mumbo jumbo like the snake, a “swamp adder”, being known to Holmes as the deadliest snake in India when no snake by that name exists there.

So this snake, goes thru a ventilator. Skinnies down a fake bell cord. Goes right to the intended victim. Attacks and kills the victim*. And then suitably retreats.

The magically venomous snake, of course, being successfully brought back from India and kept alive for at least 8 years.

Right.

Plus all the other plot magic about who is where at the right time which the Big Bad should know and yet doesn’t alter his planning.

• Succeeded once. Would have succeeded a 2nd time if Holmes hadn’t been there. And went right back to the ventilator and killed the Big Bad.

Fridge Logic?

Yeah, it’s a pretty bad story by plausibility standards. I can’t decide whether to scoff at Arthur Conan Doyle, or give him props for writing such a popular and effective story based on such a ridiculous premise.