The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1902)

The Hound of the Baskervilles is a mystery novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, first published in 1902. This is one of the most famous cases featuring the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal friend, Dr. John Watson. Set in the eerie, fog-drenched moors of Devonshire, the novel blends mystery with elements of the supernatural as Holmes and Watson investigate a centuries-old curse that threatens the last heir of the Baskerville family.

Plot Summary

The legend of the Baskervilles was an ancient one, a story whispered across generations on the mist-shrouded moors of Devonshire. Centuries ago, Hugo Baskerville, a wild and profane man, had abducted a young woman and locked her in Baskerville Hall. That very night, she escaped, fleeing into the desolate moorlands. Enraged, Hugo unleashed his hounds in pursuit, vowing to give his soul to the powers of evil if he could only overtake her. But what awaited him in the darkness was not the girl, but a monstrous black hound, a beast larger and more fearsome than any hound of flesh and blood. Both Hugo and the maiden were found dead, and since that night, it was said that the hound of Hugo Baskerville roamed the moors, a curse upon his descendants.

Many years later, Sir Charles Baskerville, the last master of Baskerville Hall, was found dead under mysterious circumstances near the grounds of his ancestral home. The local doctor, James Mortimer, recounted his final days, during which Sir Charles had become increasingly fearful of the hound’s curse. He had been in poor health, with a failing heart, and one evening, as he took his habitual walk along the yew alley on his estate, his body was found with no sign of violence—except the unmistakable look of terror on his face. Near the site of his death were the footprints of a large hound. Fearing for the life of Sir Henry Baskerville, the next heir, Dr. Mortimer sought the help of Sherlock Holmes.

Holmes, ever the rationalist, listened carefully to the tale of the curse and Sir Charles’ tragic end. Though skeptical of the supernatural, he was intrigued by the circumstances. After Sir Henry arrived in London from Canada to claim his inheritance, Holmes quickly realized that danger followed the young baronet. A warning letter, composed of words cut from a newspaper, urged Sir Henry to stay away from the moor. Stranger still, Sir Henry’s boots disappeared mysteriously, one after another, from his hotel room. Despite these unsettling events, Sir Henry was determined to travel to Baskerville Hall, and Holmes, unable to join him immediately, sent Dr. Watson in his stead to observe and protect Sir Henry.

Baskerville Hall was a place of grandeur, surrounded by the desolate beauty of the moors, but there was an air of menace that hung over the estate. The old servant couple, the Barrymores, were loyal and diligent, but they too seemed to be hiding something. At night, Watson observed strange signals between Baskerville Hall and the moor—Barrymore with a candle at the window and a distant response from the wilderness. Watson learned that Barrymore’s actions were part of an effort to aid his brother-in-law, Selden, a convicted murderer who had escaped from nearby Princetown prison and was hiding on the moor.

As Watson explored the moor further, he encountered more peculiar figures. One was Jack Stapleton, a naturalist who lived with his beautiful sister, Beryl, in a remote house called Merripit House. Stapleton, though friendly and eager to show Watson the natural wonders of the moor, seemed to have an uncanny knowledge of the Baskerville curse. His sister, however, was less composed. In a moment of panic, she warned Watson to take Sir Henry back to London at once, hinting that something terrible would happen if he stayed.

Watson, growing increasingly suspicious of the various characters, kept in contact with Holmes, who had not yet revealed all of his plans. Eventually, Watson discovered that Holmes had been secretly observing events on the moor from a nearby stone hut, following clues to unravel the mystery. Together, they pieced together the truth: the curse of the Baskervilles was not supernatural, but a carefully orchestrated scheme of murder.

The true villain was Jack Stapleton, whose real identity was a Baskerville by blood, seeking to claim the family fortune. Stapleton had used the legend of the hound to terrify Sir Charles, driving the older man into a fatal heart attack. Now, he had set his sights on Sir Henry, employing a massive, vicious hound trained to attack on command. The hound had been painted with phosphorus to give it an otherworldly glow, ensuring that it would be mistaken for the legendary beast of the Baskervilles.

Holmes and Watson set a trap for Stapleton. They arranged for Sir Henry to walk across the moor at night, knowing that Stapleton would unleash the hound upon him. Hidden in the darkness, Holmes and Watson waited as the monstrous hound, eyes glowing with phosphorus, charged at Sir Henry. With precision, they fired at the beast, killing it just in time to save Sir Henry’s life. The hound was nothing more than a trained animal, but it was deadly enough to have brought down its target had Holmes and Watson not intervened.

As the fog of mystery lifted, Holmes revealed the full extent of Stapleton’s deceit. He had lived under a false identity, pretending to be a humble naturalist while plotting the deaths of his relatives. His wife, Beryl, had been a reluctant accomplice, forced into the role of his sister. After the failure of his plan, Stapleton attempted to flee into the moor, but the treacherous terrain claimed him. His body was never found, swallowed by the Grimpen Mire, leaving his fate unknown.

With the mystery solved, Baskerville Hall was safe once more, and Sir Henry, though shaken, was free to live without the shadow of the curse that had haunted his family for generations.

Main Characters

• Sherlock Holmes: A brilliant and eccentric detective known for his sharp intellect and keen powers of observation. In this story, Holmes is tasked with solving the mystery of the Baskerville family’s curse. Though he often works in the background, his presence is felt throughout as he pieces together the puzzle.

• Dr. John Watson: Holmes’ loyal companion and the narrator of the story. Watson is sent to Baskerville Hall to observe and protect Sir Henry, while Holmes secretly works on the case from a distance. His observations and interactions help reveal critical details of the mystery.

• Sir Henry Baskerville: The last heir of the Baskerville family, who has recently inherited Baskerville Hall after the mysterious death of his uncle, Sir Charles. Sir Henry is brave and rational but is disturbed by the dark legend of a supernatural hound that haunts his family.

• Dr. James Mortimer: A country doctor and close friend of the Baskervilles. He is deeply concerned about the legend of the hound and the safety of Sir Henry, and he brings the case to Holmes’ attention.

• Jack Stapleton: A seemingly mild-mannered naturalist who lives near Baskerville Hall. He becomes a central figure in the investigation as his intentions and connection to the Baskerville family come into question.

• Beryl Stapleton: The beautiful wife of Jack Stapleton, who is trapped in a controlling relationship. Her fearful warnings to Sir Henry hint at deeper mysteries involving the Baskerville curse.

Theme

• The Supernatural vs. Rationality: The novel explores the tension between supernatural beliefs and scientific reasoning. The legend of the hound is steeped in superstition, but Holmes’ rational mind continually works to debunk these fears and uncover the logical truth behind the mystery.

• Nature and the Environment: The desolate and eerie moorland serves as both a literal and symbolic backdrop to the story. The isolation and harshness of the landscape mirror the danger and unpredictability that the characters face.

• Family Legacy and Curse: The Baskerville curse is at the heart of the novel’s mystery, raising questions about inherited guilt, fate, and the weight of family history. The supposed curse on the Baskerville family is used to explore the impact of past sins on future generations.

• Fear and Psychological Manipulation: Fear is a powerful force in The Hound of the Baskervilles, as characters grapple with the unknown. Stapleton uses fear to manipulate others, exploiting the legend of the hound to his advantage, while Holmes works to strip away the layers of fear to reveal the truth.

Writing Style and Tone

Conan Doyle’s writing in The Hound of the Baskervilles is atmospheric, drawing readers into the moody, foreboding setting of the Devonshire moors. His descriptions of the mist-covered landscape and the eerie howling of the hound create a palpable sense of suspense and dread. The novel is written in first-person through Dr. Watson’s perspective, which adds a layer of intimacy to the unfolding mystery. Watson’s narration is both detailed and reflective, often showcasing his admiration for Holmes’ methods while revealing his own uncertainties and fears.

Doyle employs a mix of concise dialogue, detailed descriptions, and introspective monologues to build suspense and slowly unravel the mystery. His tone is often formal and precise, reflecting the analytical mindset of Sherlock Holmes, but there are moments of levity in Watson’s observations, making the dynamic between the characters engaging and humanizing. The balance between rational investigation and eerie gothic elements creates a rich, layered tone that keeps readers invested in the mystery until the very end.