After watching the Sherlock BBC Miniseries (my review), I decided to re-read the original Sherlock Holmes stories. And what better one to start with than Hound of the Baskervilles. It’s an interesting book because of not only the style that it was written in, but also because Sherlock Holmes is not even in the majority of the book. That’s a challenge to any author who has a popular character, that the public is clamoring to see, and to get a hugely popular book that hides the character for large swathes of the book.

In addition, this was a missing Sherlock Holmes story. Doyle killed off Holmes in 1893 at the end of the story “The Final Problem” (collected in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes), and this was the first Holmes story since his death. But this story was set at a time before his death and then published in 1902. Doyle had wanted to write other things, but felt that Holmes was keeping him from doing so. This book was Doyle’s return to Sherlock Holmes and led to Holmes actually returning the following couple of years.

So, what is the mystery to be solved?

Sir Hugo Baskerville was found dead of a heart attack on the grounds of his manor. His friend Dr. Mortimer comes to visit Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Dr. Mortimer relays a story of a family curse and is worried about Sir Hugo’s nephew Sir Henry Baskerville, who is coming to collect his inheritance. After meeting with all the parties, Holmes sends Watson off to the Baskerville manor to protect Sir Henry and find any evidence while he stays in London finishing up some cases.

This is where the first interesting choice of Doyle comes from. He sends Watson off to the manor and keeps Holmes off stage until much later in the book. Doyle also writes the story in an interesting style. There are several chapters written as letters from Watson to Holmes. And then a couple chapters written as Watson’s diary entries. Stylistically this is very different than the traditional Holmes story. Usually Holmes is front and center searching for clues and making deductions, but here we have Watson doing most of the action.

Then, finally, Holmes shows up and talks to Watson about what has happened and goes on to help solve the case (as expected). The story is very well written and adventurous stylistically. The book not focusing on Holmes helps flesh out the other characters. We learn a lot more about Sir Henry and the Baskerville servants (John and Eliza Barrymore) are given much to do as well. But above all else, this is a Dr. Watson story. He is the prime mover and shaker and does a lot of the heavy lifting. His letters and diary entries are our view into the world and without him, the story would not have been quite as good.

The Hound of the Baskervilles is probably one of the most well known of the Holmes stories and it was not a disappointment. The mystery is unwraveled one thread at a time and the characters are memorable, coupling that with the wonderful writing and you have a classic detective story. Highly recommended.