The Hound of the Baskervilles Review, Why Arthur Conan Doyle’s Classic Mystery Still Holds Up

Today, we will be reviewing the classic Sherlock Holmes novel, The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle. Keep reading to find out what we thought of the novel and if you should add this legendary mystery to your reading list.

The Hound of the Baskervilles Summary

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are visited by Dr. James Mortimer, who arrives with a troubling story about the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville. According to Mortimer, Sir Charles died from what appeared to be a heart attack. But near the body was something terrifying, the footprint of a gigantic hound.

Mortimer also shares the dark legend that has haunted the Baskerville family for generations. The story tells of Hugo Baskerville, a cruel ancestor who was supposedly hunted down and killed by a supernatural hound on the moors. Ever since then, the Baskerville family has lived under the shadow of the curse.

With Sir Henry Baskerville arriving from Canada to inherit Baskerville Hall, Holmes fears that he could be the next target. Holmes decides to send Dr. Watson to Devonshire to stay close to Henry and report back on everything happening around the estate. Watson is tasked with protecting Henry while also investigating the strange events surrounding the Baskerville family.

Once Watson arrives at Baskerville Hall, he quickly realizes that something feels wrong about the isolated countryside. The moors are eerie and dangerous, strange cries can be heard at night, and several suspicious figures seem to be hiding secrets. Watson begins to uncover clues piece by piece while trying to determine whether the legendary hound is real or if there is a more human explanation behind the terror.

As the mystery deepens, the question becomes whether Holmes and Watson can solve the case before another Baskerville falls victim to the curse.

The History of Sherlock Holmes

It is hard to overstate just how popular Sherlock Holmes became after Arthur Conan Doyle introduced the detective to readers. Holmes first appeared in A Study in Scarlet in 1887, but the character truly exploded in popularity once Doyle began publishing short stories in The Strand Magazine.

Readers became obsessed with Holmes. The stories were unlike anything else at the time and helped shape modern detective fiction. Holmes was brilliant, observant, and always one step ahead of everyone else. Meanwhile, Dr. Watson served as the perfect companion and narrator, helping readers follow the mysteries while also grounding Holmes as a character.

Ironically, Doyle himself eventually grew tired of Sherlock Holmes. He wanted to focus on writing historical fiction and viewed Holmes stories more as work than passion projects. Doyle even killed Holmes off in “The Final Problem” in 1893, believing he was finally done with the character.

The reaction from readers was immediate and intense. Fans were furious over Holmes’ death. Thousands reportedly canceled their subscriptions to The Strand Magazine, and Doyle received countless angry letters from readers demanding Holmes’ return.

Eventually, the pressure became too much to ignore. Doyle brought Holmes back in 1901 with The Hound of the Baskervilles. Interestingly, the novel takes place before Holmes’ supposed death, allowing Doyle to revisit the character without fully undoing the ending right away.

Even after reviving Holmes, Doyle still struggled with the character’s popularity. He reportedly charged huge sums of money to continue writing Sherlock Holmes stories, hoping publishers would refuse. Instead, they kept agreeing, making Doyle one of the highest paid authors of his era.

Despite Doyle’s complicated relationship with Holmes, it is impossible to deny the impact these stories had on literature. Sherlock Holmes became one of the most recognizable fictional characters ever created and remains a defining figure in detective fiction to this day.

The Hound of the Baskervilles Review

Now let’s talk about the novel itself.

The Hound of the Baskervilles absolutely deserves its reputation as one of the greatest detective novels ever written. Even more than a century after its release, the story still feels entertaining, suspenseful, and surprisingly readable for modern audiences.

One of the biggest strengths of the novel is its atmosphere. Doyle leans heavily into gothic horror elements throughout the story. The fog-covered moors, the isolated Baskerville Hall, and the constant fear of the unknown all create a creepy setting that works incredibly well. There are moments where the novel almost feels like a horror story instead of a traditional detective mystery.

The mystery itself is also excellent. Doyle does a great job of slowly building tension while introducing multiple suspects and misleading clues. Every time you think you understand what is happening, another strange detail appears that changes everything.

What surprised me most while reading the novel was how important Dr. Watson feels to the story. Holmes is obviously still the star of the series, but Watson carries much of the narrative here. Since Holmes spends a large portion of the novel away from Baskerville Hall, Watson becomes the eyes and ears of the investigation.

And honestly, it works perfectly.

Watson often gets overshadowed in adaptations, but this novel reminds readers why he is such an essential part of the Sherlock Holmes stories. He is intelligent, brave, and genuinely compelling as a protagonist. Watching him investigate the mystery on his own adds a different dynamic that makes this novel stand out from other Holmes stories.

Holmes himself is still fantastic whenever he appears. Doyle writes Holmes with so much confidence and charisma that every scene involving him immediately becomes more engaging. Even if Holmes disappears for stretches of the novel, his presence is always felt throughout the story.

Another reason the novel remains so memorable is the concept itself. A giant supernatural hound stalking an old family across the English moors is simply an amazing premise. It is one of those ideas that instantly grabs your attention and makes you want to keep reading.

The pacing also holds up surprisingly well. Some classic novels can feel slow by today’s standards, but The Hound of the Baskervilles moves along steadily and keeps the mystery interesting from beginning to end.

Should You Read The Hound of the Baskervilles?

Absolutely.

Whether you are already a Sherlock Holmes fan or someone looking to read more classic literature, this novel is worth your time. It is accessible, entertaining, and still manages to create genuine suspense more than one hundred years after it was first published.

If you have never read a Sherlock Holmes novel before, this is probably the best place to start. It captures everything people love about the series, memorable characters, a fascinating mystery, sharp deductions, and an unforgettable atmosphere.

The novel also helped define the detective genre as we know it today. You can see its influence everywhere, from modern mystery novels to television crime dramas.

Most importantly, it is still just a really fun read.

Conclusion

As a fan of detective fiction, I can confidently say that The Hound of the Baskervilles is a must read. Arthur Conan Doyle created a mystery that feels timeless and delivers one of the strongest stories in the entire Sherlock Holmes series.

The gothic atmosphere, intriguing mystery, and fantastic use of Watson all help make this novel stand out even among other Holmes adventures. It is easy to see why so many readers consider this to be the best Sherlock Holmes novel ever written.

Even after more than a century, The Hound of the Baskervilles continues to prove why classic mysteries never go out of style. Until next time, happy reading!

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