Arthur Conan Doyle brings back the brilliant Sherlock Holmes after a long absence, and he does it with one of his most famous cases. The story starts with Dr. James Mortimer visiting 221B Baker Street with an ancient manuscript. It tells of a curse on the Baskerville family: a giant, phantom hound that stalks the moors and kills the heirs. The latest victim, Sir Charles, is found dead on his estate, his face twisted in terror, with the footprints of a gigantic hound nearby.

The Story

Holmes sends his trusted friend, Dr. Watson, to Dartmoor with the new heir, Sir Henry Baskerville, to protect him and gather facts. Watson finds himself alone in a bleak landscape of rolling fog, dangerous bogs, and a lonely manor house. He meets a cast of suspicious characters: the mysterious Barrymores, the eccentric naturalist Stapleton, and his beautiful sister. Strange events pile up—a lonely cry on the moor, a mysterious light at night, and the ever-present feeling of being watched. All the while, Watson sends detailed reports back to Holmes, who is working on the case from London. The tension builds until Holmes himself arrives on the moor for a final, dramatic confrontation with the truth behind the legend.

Why You Should Read It

This book is a masterclass in atmosphere. Doyle makes you feel the isolation and dread of the moor so completely that you'll want to read it with the lights on. But what I love most is the dynamic between Holmes and Watson. Here, Watson isn't just a sidekick; he's our eyes and ears on the ground, bravely facing the unknown. His loyalty and growing anxiety make him incredibly relatable. The mystery itself is clever, with clues scattered fairly for the reader to find. It asks a great question: when something seems impossible, is it magic, or is there a logical explanation waiting to be uncovered?

Final Verdict

This is the perfect book for anyone who loves a good ghost story but also craves a satisfying, solvable puzzle. It's for readers who want to be transported to a vividly creepy setting and follow along with one of fiction's greatest detective duos. Whether you're new to Sherlock Holmes or a longtime fan, The Hound of the Baskervilles delivers everything you want in a mystery: chills, brilliant deduction, and a finale that truly satisfies.