The Five Orange Pips

Interesting Facts

• In "The Five Orange Pips," Sherlock Holmes encounters the mysterious organization of the Ku Klux Klan, making it one of the few works by Conan Doyle where a real organization is mentioned.
• The title of the story is linked to the unusual method of warning victims: they receive a letter with five orange pips, symbolizing a deadly threat.
• This is one of the few instances where Sherlock Holmes fails to prevent a crime, and the culprits go unpunished, adding a particular drama to the story.
• The story highlights themes of racism and prejudice, which was a bold move for literature at the time.
• The story begins with a visit from client John Openshaw, who recounts the strange and frightening events related to his family, immediately immersing the reader in an atmosphere of mystery and danger.