Would you like some help understanding the beginnings of the detective genre? The Sign of Four is one of the earliest detective mystery novels and had significant impact on the genre.This guide will allow you to understand the development of the detective genre and details the historical background to the story. It offersIntroduction to the detective mystery genre;Annotated list of characters;Historical background of the story;Each chapter is given a helpful commentary following guiding questions. The questions encourage readers to a deeper understanding of the background, themes, and characters of the text. They are designed to stimulate thought, discussion and interpretation.A range of graphic organizers allows the reader to make concise notes on Holmes' scientific method of solving a case.