Book review: The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle

There are books that entertain, books that intrigue, and books that cast a shadow over your imagination long after you’ve turned the final page. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle belongs, without a doubt, to that last category. I recently revisited this timeless classic and found myself once again spellbound by its foggy moors, mysterious legends, and the razor-sharp deductions of Sherlock Holmes.

Originally published in 1902, The Hound of the Baskervilles is perhaps the most celebrated of all the Sherlock Holmes novels. Written after Holmes’ presumed death at the Reichenbach Falls, the book was a triumphant return of the great detective, even if its events are set before his apparent demise. Blending gothic horror with classic detective fiction, it straddles the boundary between a chilling ghost story and a logical, methodical unraveling of truth. The novel was intended for readers who appreciate not only intricate plots and psychological tension but also a touch of the supernatural cloaked in reason. While suitable for a wide audience, its rich language and atmospheric tension are best appreciated by mature readers and fans of Victorian literature or crime fiction.

The story follows Dr. Watson and Holmes as they are drawn into a centuries-old legend involving the noble Baskerville family of Devonshire. When Sir Charles Baskerville dies under strange circumstances on the grounds of his ancestral estate, rumors revive the old tale of a monstrous hound said to haunt the family. The arrival of the new heir, Sir Henry Baskerville, from Canada raises fears for his safety, and Holmes is called in to investigate whether the danger is myth or a far more human menace. The action unfolds largely on the misty, wind-swept Dartmoor, an area made all the more menacing by its lonely landscapes, ancient ruins, and treacherous bogs. The book is driven by the interaction of Holmes, whose genius is tempered by his aloof demeanor; Dr. Watson, who provides both a steady moral compass and the eyes through which we experience the story; and a host of well-drawn secondary characters, each cloaked in some form of suspicion or secrecy. The central mystery revolves not only around a potential crime but also the interplay between superstition and logic, fate and free will.

What makes The Hound of the Baskervilles so compelling is Doyle’s mastery of tone and pacing. From the very beginning, he immerses the reader in an atmosphere of dread and foreboding, but never allows the suspense to become overwrought. His prose is elegant without being florid, rich with detail but never drowning in description. The structure of the novel is particularly effective, alternating between letters, first-person accounts, and direct narrative. Much of the tale is told from Watson’s perspective, which cleverly limits our knowledge and places us in a similar position of uncertainty and speculation. This approach not only heightens the suspense but also allows Holmes’ eventual deductions to come as a revelation, rather than an inevitability. Watson’s earnest, sometimes puzzled commentary makes him a deeply relatable narrator, and his loyalty and tenacity provide a compelling emotional counterbalance to Holmes’ cold rationality.

The imagery in the book is striking and often haunting. Dartmoor, with its bleak expanses and eerie stillness, becomes a character in its own right. Doyle paints it with such vividness that I could almost feel the chill of the mist against my skin or hear the distant howl of a creature hidden in the darkness. He leans into the gothic elements with restraint but effectiveness, invoking ancestral curses, hidden rooms, secret staircases, and sinister strangers with a deft touch. Yet at no point does the story descend into melodrama; the sense of realism, bolstered by Doyle’s attention to detail and logical consistency, remains intact throughout.

At the heart of the novel are themes that transcend the detective genre. There’s a deep tension between belief and skepticism, the pull of ancient fears against the push of Enlightenment reasoning. The characters are caught between the old world and the new, between myth and modernity. Doyle subtly explores how fear can warp perception, how legends grow in the absence of understanding, and how easily the unknown becomes the source of dread. The emotional content of the book is understated but present: Watson’s growing anxiety, Sir Henry’s frustration and courage, the sorrow that haunts Baskerville Hall—all of these contribute to a narrative that feels personal as well as cerebral.

If there is a flaw in the novel, it may lie in Holmes’ relative absence from the central chapters. For readers expecting the detective to be present on every page, this can be slightly disappointing. Watson takes the spotlight for much of the investigation, and while this serves a clear narrative purpose—keeping Holmes’ deductions obscured until the final act—it may frustrate those who read primarily for Holmes’ intellectual gymnastics. However, from a literary standpoint, this decision enhances the dramatic payoff. Holmes’ reentry into the story is all the more powerful, and his resolution of the mystery feels earned rather than effortless.

Personally, what impressed me most was the seamless blending of genres. The Hound of the Baskervilles is not just a mystery; it is also a psychological thriller, a gothic novel, and a character study. It evokes unease without cheap tricks, builds tension organically, and satisfies the intellect while also stirring the imagination. I found myself reflecting on the ways fear is constructed, how it can dominate even rational minds, and how legends persist in the cracks of our understanding. Doyle’s ability to sustain this atmosphere without ever sacrificing plot coherence is nothing short of brilliant. The book stands apart from other detective novels of its time in its willingness to explore darkness—emotional, psychological, and mythological—without losing sight of its rational foundation.

So, The Hound of the Baskervilles is a masterful novel that delivers not only as a detective story but as a work of atmospheric fiction. It is a testament to Arthur Conan Doyle’s genius that the book remains as gripping today as it was over a century ago. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a clever, suspenseful, and immersive read. Fans of mysteries, gothic tales, or classic literature will all find something to admire in its pages. Ultimately, it’s a novel that proves the enduring power of logic—even when it walks through the shadows of legend.

This book review was written using the following references 👇

• Full text The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle at LitArchive
• Audiobook The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle at AudioReads