What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedElementary
Robert Doherty · Series · 2012
If you loved Elementary, start with Sherlock Holmes (Guy Ritchie, 2009) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 3 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Elementary across media.
What hooked you in Elementary was the way complex investigative brilliance relies on the fragile, evolving chemistry between two mismatched partners.
Books on the same thread
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes (Collins Classics)
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle · Book · 2012
Explores: Deduction, Logic, Friendship.
If Elementary captured your imagination, return to the source material where the foundational logic and deduction skills of Sherlock Holmes first defined the art of the literary investigation.
Perry Mason
Erle Stanley Gardner · Book · 1933
Explores: Justice, Deception, Moral Ambiguity.
Much like the procedural focus of Elementary, these legal thrillers emphasize the sharp intellect and moral ambiguity required to navigate complex cases and find justice within the system.
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
Arthur Conan Doyle · Book · 2008
Explores: Deduction, Logic, Criminal Investigation.
Fans of Elementary will appreciate revisiting these classic tales that established the character's incisive mind, providing the original blueprint for the brilliant, truth-seeking detective you know so well.
John Fulghum, PI, Mysteries
E W Farnsworth · Book · 2022
Explores: Boston, Classified Government Agency, Unusual Crimes.
The partnership dynamic in Elementary finds a modern parallel here, as this detective relies on his own brilliant companion to crack unusually challenging and complex criminal cases together.
Films on the same thread
Sherlock Holmes
Guy Ritchie · Film · 2009
Explores: bromance, deductive reasoning, criminal conspiracy.
This film mirrors the bromance and deductive reasoning found in Elementary, showcasing an unconventional hero who relies on his trusted partner to unravel deadly conspiracies and defeat villains.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Guy Ritchie · Film · 2011
Explores: Genius vs. Genius, Cat and Mouse, Stopping Global Conspiracy.
The high-stakes intellectual rivalry seen in Elementary is mirrored in this film, as Holmes faces a mastermind whose brilliance forces him to push his own deductive capabilities further.
Elemental
Peter Sohn · Film · 2023
Explores: Opposites Attract, Cultural Differences, Finding Common Ground.
While shifting genres, this story captures the core 'opposites attract' tension that makes the relationship between the leads in Elementary so compelling and essential to their mutual growth.
Podcasts on the same thread
Sherlock & Co.
Podcast
Explores: detective, crime investigation, bromance.
This audio drama reimagines the classic partnership through a modern lens, echoing the way Elementary centers the bond between Watson and Holmes as they navigate complex crime investigations.
Forensic Files
Podcast
Explores: crime scene investigation, scientific analysis, evidence-based analysis.
If the meticulous forensic science in Elementary kept you watching, this series offers a real-world look at the high-tech evidence-based analysis used to solve the most baffling mysteries.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the premise of Elementary?
Elementary is a modern-day drama series featuring a crime-solving duo. The show follows Sherlock, who moves to Manhattan after a stint in rehab, where he is forced by his father to live with his sober companion, Dr. Watson, while they assist the NYPD with impossible cases.
Who are the main characters in Elementary?
The main characters in Elementary are the eccentric Sherlock and his sober companion, Dr. Watson. The show focuses on their partnership as they navigate life in Manhattan and work together to solve complex criminal investigations for the NYPD.
Where does Elementary take place?
Elementary is set in Manhattan. The series follows Sherlock after he leaves London to escape a fall from grace and enters rehab, eventually settling in New York City to work as a consultant for the NYPD alongside his sober companion, Dr. Watson.
Why does Sherlock live with Dr. Watson in Elementary?
In Elementary, Sherlock is forced to live with Dr. Watson because his wealthy father insists on it. Watson serves as his sober companion following Sherlock's fall from grace in London and his subsequent time spent in rehab before moving to Manhattan.