First published 1917 in the December issue of The Strand Magazine, The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax is the fifth story in the fourth collection of short stories, His Last Bow.

What’s It About?

Holmes has been approached by the former governess of Lady Carfax who has been out of contact for long enough for her to become worried. Watson is dispatched to Lausanne, Switzerland, to try and track her down…

Is It A Mystery?

Not really, it’s an adventure really as Watson (and later Holmes) race against time around Europe to try and save Lady Carfax from whoever is trying to abduct her for whatever reason.

Is It Any Good?

It’s rather fun, especially to see Holmes being outsmarted at one point, but it does go on a bit, and the need for a positive outcome for Holmes makes the criminals look a bit stupid, to be honest. It would have had more weight with a darker ending.

Anything Else?

The Jeremy Brett adaptation does go a little bit darker (just a little) with the ending. Otherwise… nope, can’t think of anything.