The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle - is the third of the four crime novels by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle featuring the detective Sherlock Holmes. Originally serialised in The Strand Magazine from August 1901 to April 1902, it is set in 1889 largely on Dartmoor in Devon in England's West Country and tells the story of an attempted murder inspired by the legend of a fearsome, diabolical hound of supernatural origin. Holmes and Watson investigate the case. This was the first appearance of Holmes since his apparent death in "The Final Problem", and the success of The Hound of the Baskervilles led to the character's eventual revival.

One of the most famous stories ever written,[3] in 2003, the book was listed as number 128 of 200 on the BBC's The Big Read poll of the UK's "best-loved novel". In 1999, a poll of "Sherlockians" ranked it as the best of the four Holmes novels.

Plot
An old legend tells of a curse that runs in the Baskerville family since the time of the English Civil War, when Sir Hugo Baskerville was killed by a demonic hound, which has haunted the mires of Dartmoor ever since, causing the premature death of many Baskerville heirs. One day, Sir Charles Baskerville, who takes the legend seriously, is found dead in the yew alley of his estate, Baskerville Hall, in the midst of Dartmoor. The death is attributed to a heart attack, but his face retains an expression of horror, and not far from his body are the footprints of a gigantic hound. Dr James Mortimer, a friend of Sir Charles', fears for the next in line, Sir Henry Baskerville.

In London, he asks for the aid of Sherlock Holmes, who dismisses the curse as nonsense. However, he agrees to meet Sir Henry, who is arriving from Canada, where he has been living. A young man, Sir Henry is sceptical about the legend and eager to take possession of Baskerville Hall, in spite of receiving an anonymous note, warning him to stay away from the moor. Later, someone shadows him while he is walking down a street. Holmes asks Watson to go with Sir Henry and Mortimer to Dartmoor, in order to protect the heir and investigate who is following him.

The trio arrive at Baskerville Hall, which has a married couple, the Barrymores, as butler and housekeeper. The estate is surrounded by the moor and borders the Grimpen Mire, where anyone can sink into mud to their death. Meanwhile, convicted murderer Selden has escaped from Dartmoor Prison and is hiding on the moor.

There are strange events during the first night, keeping Sir Henry and Watson awake. In the daylight, they explore the neighbourhood and meet its residents. Watson faithfully sends details of his investigations to Holmes. Among the residents, the Stapletons, brother and sister, stand out: Jack is overfriendly and curious toward the newcomers, while Beryl seems weary of the place and attempts to warn Sir Henry of danger.