Arthur Conan Doyle

The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Hound of the Baskervilles is the third of four crime novels featuring the detective Sherlock Holmes. It was a serial in The Strand August 1901 - April 1902 by Arthur Conan Doyle and published in volume form by McClure, Phillips & Co., 1902.

The story opens with a visit from Dr. Mortimer, a friend of Sir Charles Baskerville, to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Dr. Mortimer tells them about the death of his friend and of the large footprint of a "gigantic hound" near Sir Charles's body. Dr. Mortimer enlists the aid of Sherlock Holmes and his friend Dr. Watson to solve the mystery of the death or murder of his friend, Sir Charles, and to help protect Sir Henry Baskerville, the only member of the Baskervilles known to be alive and sole heir. Mortimer recounts the tale of one Sir Hugo Baskerville who, several generations previously, had been killed by a huge hound and which now is believed by some to be a curse on the family. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, not believers in the supernatural facts, start to investigate at Baskerville Hall in the Devon County. Baskerville mansion is located close of Dart moor, a barren and boggy landscape. Sir Henry tells Holmes that he has received a letter, warning him to keep away from the moor, made out of words cut from the Times, and one of his new boots was stolen. When Dr. Mortimer and Sir Henry leave Watson and Holmes see a man disguised with

a black beard, which follows then. Watson got to Devonshire to protect Sir Henry. Henry's new boot has returned. Watson and Sir Henry arrive to Baskerville Hall. There are living Perkins (the driver), Barrymore (the butler), Barrymore's wife (the cook), and a scullery maid. That night Watson hears a woman crying. Later, Watson discovers that the crying woman was Barrymore's wife. Walking home, Dr. Watson meets Stapleton, the naturalist. When Watson returns to Baskerville hall, he meets Stapleton's sister, a dark and beautiful woman. She warns Watson to go back to London because she believes there is an evil hound on the moor. A series of mysteries arrive in rapid succession that Dr. Watson decrypts. Finally Sherlock and Dr. Watson catch the culprit and unmask the mystery of the giant hound, in a dramatic and exciting scene at the moor.

The Hound of the Baskervilles is a highly recommended mystery book, with a plot that
entertains you until the end. In this novel is more highlighted the Watson's character, you can take in missing the moments of interaction between Watson and Holmes. Either way its a good story of crime and terror.