book review sherlock holmes hound baskervilles

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Parents' guide to, the hound of the baskervilles.

The Hound of the Baskervilles Poster Image

Common Sense Says
Parents Say 6 Reviews
Kids Say 11 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Holmes in top form vs. spectral hound on the moor.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 10+?

Relatively little violence happens in real time, but its anticipation and afterm

The alcoholic carousing of Sir Hugo Baskerville and his friends is criticized fo

The word "hell" comes up periodically, always with reference to the hound's orig

Besides being a murderer, the villain is both a wife-beater and a cad, as we lea

Any Positive Content?

This is arguably the best introduction to detective fiction kids can get. The qu

Holmes himself, not merely brilliant but also ingenious and diligent in his clie

While Doyle wrote his stories as entertainment, both he and his protagonist had

Violence & Scariness

Relatively little violence happens in real time, but its anticipation and aftermath figure prominently in the story. The Baskerville ancestor who brought about the curse was ostensibly mauled to death by a giant dog; now another Baskerville has died, apparently of fright, with giant paw prints seen in the vicinity of the body. Howls are heard on the moor at night, the new heir receives dire warnings to stay away. Meanwhile, an escaped murderer is loose on the moor, which also contains numerous patches of deadly quicksand that dooms unwary local ponies. One man is killed trying to escape the hound, another has a near escape, and the hound himself is killed by Holmes, et al.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

The alcoholic carousing of Sir Hugo Baskerville and his friends is criticized for its excess; Dr. Watson, Holmes, and their peers consume wine in moderation.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

The word "hell" comes up periodically, always with reference to the hound's origins.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Besides being a murderer, the villain is both a wife-beater and a cad, as we learn by the end of the story that he's been making false promises of marriage to a woman in the district to advance his plans. However, while the disapproval of Doyle, Holmes, and Watson is evident, salacious details are not.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Educational Value

This is arguably the best introduction to detective fiction kids can get. The quality of writing and plot construction deserve attention in themselves, but equally noteworthy are the characters, settings and plot devices that have become mainstays of the genre ever since: from Holmes and his faithful, obtuse, long-suffering Watson to the lonely house on the windswept moor, the fresh-faced heir from foreign parts, the mysterious family curse. It is also a good introduction to the views and mores of the later Victorian era.

Positive Role Models

Holmes himself, not merely brilliant but also ingenious and diligent in his client's service and a true friend to Watson, has become an icon through the years but appears especially well here. Likewise Watson, tenaciously loyal both to Holmes and to his appointed task. Sir Henry Baskerville, newly arrived from North America to the strange, accursed family estates, shows courage and a generous spirit, particularly in dealing with his longtime family retainers the Barrymores, who turn out to have a family secret of their own and repay him with their own loyalty.

Positive Messages

While Doyle wrote his stories as entertainment, both he and his protagonist had a fairly rigorous moral compass, along with some sense of realism. Hence, while Holmes is ultimately able to foil the adversary who's seeking to destroy the innocent Sir Henry, the path is neither smooth nor free of consequences, even to Sir Henry himself.

Parents need to know that this is classic Holmes and Watson, and also free of some of the more problematical content that crops up elsewhere in the Sherlock canon (e.g. the famous 7 percent solution of cocaine). Probably more cerebral and less spooky than its many movie treatments, it's still effective at evoking an atmosphere of foreboding, which may be an issue for more sensitive kids. This edition also includes the original illustrations that accompanied the story when it was first serialized in The Strand , a nice atmospheric period detail.

Where to Read

Parent and kid reviews.

Parents say (6)
Kids say (11)

Based on 6 parent reviews

A Solid Introduction to a Cultural Icon

What's the story.

Sir Henry Baskerville, a young man recently arrived from North America to take possession of the estate of his uncle, who's died suddenly, seeks the counsel and protection of Sherlock Holmes. The wealthy Sir Charles apparently died fleeing in terror from an unknown enemy; meanwhile, Sir Henry himself is receiving mysterious threats, perhaps related to a Baskerville family curse involving an innocent maiden, a reprobate ancestor, and a vengeful hound. Holmes, busy with other affairs, sends the faithful Dr. Watson to the country to keep watch over Sir Henry and send back reports, which are soon flowing with accounts of the gloomy moor and surroundings. Among the cast: Dr. Mortimer, the eccentric country practitioner; the enigmatic Barrymores, who have has been servants to the Baskervilles for generations; Stapleton and his ubiquitous butterfly net, not to mention his sister, who quickly becomes Sir Henry's romantic interest. Meanwhile a murderer has escaped from the nearby prison and is loose on the moor, spine-chilling howls are heard at night by sober men, and Watson and Sir Henry are more nervous than they care to admit. Surprise revelations and terrifying moments ensue before Holmes brings things to a generally safe conclusion.

Is It Any Good?

There's a pretty good case to be made that this is Holmes at his finest; in any case, it's a great introduction to the master detective and his faithful chronicler. The plot moves along at a good pace, the quality of the writing is excellent (even if Watson and Doyle are a bit wordy by today's standards), and none of the potential pitfalls that crop up elsewhere in the canon and might require parental intervention, from Mormon-bashing to drug use, is in evidence here. Holmes and Watson are well portrayed and have some classic, character-defining interactions.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about detectives and how they solve problems. How did Sherlock Holmes figure out the true nature of the threat to Sir Henry and the identity of the villain?

What do you think about the idea of a family curse? Do you think they're real? How might the idea of a family curse be used to manipulate people in ways other than in this story?

Do you think Holmes and Watson might have done a better job of protecting Sir Henry? How?

One of the great scenes in this story involves Holmes looking at the portraits of Baskerville ancestors in the hallway of the mansion and seeing their resemblance to his contemporaries. What stories come to mind when you look at photos of your ancestor? What living family members do they remind you of?

Book Details

Author : Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Illustrator : Sidney Paget
Genre : Mystery
Book type : Fiction
Publisher : Finisterra Books
Publication date : February 25, 2011
Number of pages : 228
Last updated : June 9, 2015

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The Hound of the Baskervilles book review

The Hound of the Baskervilles book review : A legendary curse has apparently claimed one more victim. Sherlock Holmes is called to examine.

This novel is one of the most enduringly popular of the Sherlock Holmes stories, which brought significant financial and publishing success.

With a brilliant plot and rich, immersive atmosphere, The Hound of the Baskervilles book’s detective story was already a classic. A thrilling tale of suspense, today, the book is considered the best detective novel ever written.

Sir Charles Baskerville is dead with no signs of violence, but showing a terrified face. The word is that a hideous and devilish hound-like beast had torn out the throat of Hugo Baskerville years before.

Has the ghostly demon attacked again? More importantly, is Sir Henry Baskerville in danger now?

Sherlock Holmes is summoned to protect the noble from the fate that has been threatening the Baskerville family.

The Hound of the Baskerville was first published as a series in The Strand Magazine in 1901 to, eight months later, appear as a book on store shelves.

The Hound of the Baskervilles book encouraged Conan Doyle to return to writing Holmes stories after he had killed the legendary detective at the end of “The Final Problem,” published in 1894.

The creepy atmosphere and suspenseful plot twists have made Hound one of our favorites of the Sherlock Holmes canon.

Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle, one of the most famous British writers, became noted for creating Sherlock Holmes and for his detective fiction. ( read mini-bio )

The Book Review

In investigation thriller, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson face the mystery of a legendary hound who kills Baskerville’s family members, a curse into which Holmes and Dr. Watson are not buying.

After the death of Charles Baskerville from pure terror, the legend gets loud and the heir of the state, Hugo Baskerville, asks for Holmes’ help to solve the mystery involving his uncle’s death.

As the investigating duo begin to examine the case, a blood-chilling howl from the foggy outskirts that surround the place signals that danger is creeping about; The mythical hound is preparing for another attack.

Doyle majestically handles all the relationship between the characters and the unexpected and providential appearance of Holmes to just prevent another crime is superb.

If you enjoy reading mystery stories and detective fiction, this novel is for you. Don’t miss this classic among mystery stories. The Hound of the Baskervilles book is very entertaining and with surprising twists on the plot.

Recommended for Adults , Teenagers and Kids .

Please leave a comment about this book review.

Your opinion is very important to us.

The Hound of the Baskervilles, book Book Cover

2 thoughts on “ The Hound of the Baskervilles book review ”

This is a fantastic classic from Conan Doyle ! I remember reading it several during my “teenager days”. This post reminded me of those times. Anyway, The Hound of Bakersville is one of the favorite books I’ve ever read. Thanks for the nostalgic post. Bruno

Thanks for sharing your input, Bruno. Cheers!

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The Hound of the Baskervilles: Book Review

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle

Today, we will be reviewing the classic Sherlock Holmes novel, The Hounds of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle. Keep reading to find out what we thought of the novel and if you should give to a read!

The Hound of the Baskervilles Summary

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are visited by Dr. James Mortimer who tells them about the death of Sir Charles Baskerville. He died to a heart attack but near his body, there was a footprint of a giant hound. A letter shown by Mortimer tells of a legend of the first Baskerville who was killed by a hound.

This leads Holmes to sending Watson to accompany Henry Baskerville , the next in line, to Baskerville Hall. Holmes wants Watson to keep Henry safe as well as tell him about everything that goes on around the area and the residents.

The Hound of the Baskervilles Sherlock Holmes book review mystery

As Watson gets a lay of the land, he comes across a few suspicious characters. And who was the person following Henry when he arrived to London? The answer to these questions will determine Henry Baskerville’s fate. Will Holmes and Watson solve the case before the hound of the Baskervilles strikes again?

History of Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes first made his appearance in 1987 but rose to populariy when he was featured in short stories in The Strand magazine. The popularity of Sherlock Holmes made Doyle hate the character and even kill him off in 1983 in The Final Problem.

Holmes death shocked the public and they were outraged with Doyle and The Strand. That led to over 20,000 people canceling their subsciption to the Strand and Doyle receiving hate mail. In 1901 , Doyle gave into the pressure and revived Sherlock Holmes, much to his disdain.

But that wouldn’t stop Doyle from trying to terminate Sherlock Holmes in other ways. He would charge a ridiculous amount to write another Sherlock Holmes story hoping The Strand wouldn’t agree. But they always agreed, making him the highest paid author alive at one point.

Doyle thought of the Sherlock Holmes stories as work and wanted to be remebered for his historical fiction novels. The public had other ideas and wanted only Sherlock Holmes stories from Doyle. And unfortunately for Doyle, he is best remembered for his Sherlock Holmes.

Shoould You Read The Hound of the Baskerville?

With that out of the way, now we can talk about the book itself. You may be wondering should you even read a book that the author wasn’t a fan of himself? The novel is well written and Doyle did not take the lazy route. He does make Holmes disappear quite a bit throughout the novel though. If you didn’t know his relationship with Holmes, you wouldn’t think much of it.

The mystery at hand is intrigiung and makes for a great detective novel. Holmes is in his element and Dr . Watson plays a great part in this novel and feels like the protagonist for most of the novel. Doyle creates a mystery that is fresh and one that also makes for a great title! If you had to read one Sherlock Holmes novel, then this is it.

Conclusion

As a fan of detective novels, The Hound of the Baskervilles is a must read. I am glad that I did because Doyle is a great writer and the novel holds up even over a century later . It is a must read in my opinion and I do see why the novel is considered to be the best one in the Sherlock Holmes series.

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Having read this story three times since my teens, I still think it’s one of the best anywhere!

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Review: The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Hound of the Baskervilles
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
January 10, 1902
Sherlock Holmes #5

The Hound of the Baskervilles is one of those quick favorites for me. What I mean when I say that is when I experience a new piece of media; be it video games, books, music, movies, etc.; I tend not to call something a favorite unless I feel it holds the same amount of enjoyment for me in a year, with repeat visits in between. When I read this book for the first time earlier this year, I knew it was here to stay.

The Hound of the Baskervilles is a book that doesn’t waste your time with side plots that don’t go anywhere. There aren’t any characters who never amount to anything plotwise. It’s short and to the point, doesn’t overstay its welcome, and keeps you guessing who the antagonist(s) are.

The book features far less Sherlock Holmes than I would have expected; what seems like the majority of the book is from the perspective of Dr Watson. This is the only gripe I have with the book. I started to feel a certain kinship with Holmes in the very first chapter when he asked sidekick to deduce information about their host, based on his walking stick. He not only waits for sidekick to make his inferences but even praises him along the way; only to immediately turn around and berate him for being wrong. The entire thing was a setup to deliver a backhand to the face, something I often relish at the chance to do.

I couldn’t recommend this book more, this book has been around since 1902 and I think this will be around for another 120 years. Do yourself a service and pick up a copy.