A spate of mysterious deaths, claimed to be suicides though many are sceptical, grips London. However, Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson (Nigel Bruce) are on holiday in Scotland. Holmes says he feels ill and then appears to fall to his death into a river, though his remains are never found.
But of course Holmes is not really dead, he returns in disguise and begins the hunt for whoever is behind these mysterious deaths. Disguised as an Indian gentleman down on his luck, Holmes encounters Adrea Spedding (Gale Sondegaard) who is interested in single men down on their luck. Indeed, she is keen to kill them using deadly spiders so she can claim their life insurance...
This is a great film, if you suspend disbelief at the basic concept (insurers don't pay out for suicides usually) it is highly enjoyable. Adrea is a great villain, including having a taste for killing people in very intricate and imaginative ways.
