About The Five Orange Pips

Dr Watson reads some news to Sherlock Holmes. This illustration by Sidney Paget originally appeared in The Strand Magazine where ‘The Five Orange Pips’ was first published.

The Five Orange Pips is a dark, menacing tale that originates in America’s Deep South and ends up in the foggy streets of Victorian London.

Sherlock Holmes’ client is John Openshaw, a Sussex gentleman who has received a letter marked K.K.K with five orange pips enclosed.

It is the exact same note that both his father and his uncle had been sent shortly before their unexplained deaths.

Openshaw hurries to Sherlock Holmes’ digs in Baker Street for answers and protection. But will Holmes be able to act in time to save the terrified young man’s life?

Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. “I think, Watson,” he remarked at last, “that of all our cases we have had none more fantastic than this.”
– Dr Watson, in The Five Orange Pips