Sharlock Holmes Samagra VOL 1 by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle [Paperback]

This book discusses the evolution of criminal investigation methods, highlighting the unreliability of witness testimony due to bribery, coercion, and manipulation. It then introduces phrenology, a theory proposed by German physician Franz Joseph Gall, which suggested that a person's skull shape could reveal their personality, intelligence, and character traits. Gall even created a brain map, dividing the brain into twenty-seven regions, each associated with different mental faculties.

Phrenology gained significant popularity, leading to the establishment of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society in 1820. But why discuss this here? Because one of the most enthusiastic admirers of this new wave of forensic science was none other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes.

Doyle incorporated phrenological ideas into Holmes' physical description, giving him a high forehead, suggesting superior intelligence. After all, a detective's brain must be sharper than a criminal's.

In Bengal, many have translated Sherlock Holmes, including the late Adrish Bardhan, whose work was exceptional. Inspired by this legacy, the author undertook the bold task of translating Holmes’ stories for Biva Publications. The first volume includes two novels, and time will tell whether readers embrace this new translation.