The Hound of the Baskervilles (Easy Classics)

Written by Arthur Conan Doyle and Stephanie Baudet

Narrated by Richard Usher

An illustrated adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic Sherlock Holmes mystery – at an easy-to-read level for readers of all ages!
I shall now reveal the truth of the legend behind the hound of the Baskervilles … No Baskerville should ever cross the moor at night.
With a deadly phantom hound on the loose and a mysterious man living on the moor, Devon is a dangerous place to be. But Holmes and Watson must put their fears aside. The country’s favourite crime-fighting duo need to unravel the strange case of Sir Charles Baskerville’s murder before his nephew meets the same fate.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sweet Cherry Publishing
• Release date: Oct 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781782264361

Arthur Conan Doyle

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1859. Before starting his writing career, Doyle attended medical school, where he met the professor who would later inspire his most famous creation, Sherlock Holmes. A Study in Scarlet was Doyle's first novel; he would go on to write more than sixty stories featuring Sherlock Holmes. He died in England in 1930.

Reviews for The Hound of the Baskervilles (Easy Classics)

[leslie398 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think that I would have enjoyed this even more if I hadn't already known the solution from movies and dramatizations. Even so, this is one of Holmes' more suspenseful stories and the descriptions of the moors and the hound are amazing.

[therebelprince · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very, very enjoyable read: definitely the pinnacle (thus far) of the Holmes canon.

Every element fits into its proper place: the isolated location is well described, with many fascinating features such as the Neolithic huts, fatal bogs and rows of yews. Each character is well-drawn, and each has their own mystery which interlocks perfectly with the overarching puzzle. By utilising different aspects of Watson's narrative voice - his diary, his letters, his reminiscences - Conan Doyle is able to shake up his writing formula somewhat, and present us with a mystery in which both Watson and Holmes are used to their respective strengths.

Beyond this, the mystery is multi-faceted and - particularly noteworthy - the novel is about every aspect of the crime, not just the "whodunnit" or how. As a result, even though the revelations are really no more than typical Conan Doyle fare, they are in no way a letdown, because it is only part of a larger canvas.

Seasoned crime readers like myself will probably pick up on the big clue planted very early in the book but, even then, it by no means allows you to solve the crime. The only aspect which might be seen by some as negative is that the book is always happy to pause and consider any minute clue (half a chapter is spent on exactly which newspaper a ransom-style note was cut from). To me, though, this is quintessential Holmes. The traces of romantic characterisation and storytelling linger, but are kept in check by the power of the work overall. As a result, I'm soldiering on with renewed vigour to the sixth of the nine Holmes books.

[comfypants · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Dr. Watson moves in with a man in danger of being murdered, possibly by a demon.C (Indifferent).I suspect this story was initially planned without Sherlock Holmes, and he was added to sell it. It really doesn't work as a Holmes story, and it doesn't have a chance to work as anything else since it IS a Holmes story.(Oct. 2022)

[bobbybslax · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

 I realized late in the book that Holmes is absent from the story for long stretches, where Watson contributes a lot of the detective work for the reader. An unusual and yet unsurprising twist on the structure, since Watson is the main POV of these stories. As far as the Holmes novels go, so far this one is the most advanced mystery-wise. We get a red herring or two and Watson has to figure out what’s going on for himself. It utilizes a creepy, gloomy atmosphere fit for the genre that’s more heightened than the previous two. It has the titular monster as its central symbol, a potentially supernatural/demonic beast that haunts a countryside mire. It’s more visually thrilling—a greater feeling of danger. And the mystery is just preposterous enough to intrigue.

[brittaniethekid · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, I expected this to be much like those stories which, while entertaining, started to get more tedious as I read on. However, Doyle is renewed in his sense of Holmes' and Watson's characters and produced a wildly entertaining mystery full of deceit, scandal, and murder. Holmes' genius and dry, sarcastic wit plus Watson's admiration for his companion and own brand of intelligence make this a great study in character. The story itself is full of adventure and has many characters and plots that keep the reader guessing until finally the mystery is solved by the dynamic duo and friends.

[cbl_tn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sir Charles Baskerville has just died on his Dartmoor estate, seemingly the victim of a generations-old curse on the Baskervilles and the giant hound that haunts the moor. His heir, Sir Henry Baskerville, is due to arrive to take possession of the estate, and the neighborhood doctor fears for his life. Sherlock Holmes sends Watson to accompany Sir Henry to Baskerville Hall and to keep watch over him while Holmes attends to urgent business in London. As if a ghostly beast wasn’t enough, an escaped convict is also loose somewhere on the moor. Watson does his best in Holmes’s absence, but it will take the great detective to put an end to the curse.All of the story elements work together to create one of the most memorable mysteries ever written. Baskerville Hall and Dartmoor are described so vividly that I could imagine I was actually there. I would recognize the characters on the street from the thorough descriptions of their physical characteristics and mannerisms. The atmosphere is a perfect blend of horror, suspense, and intrigue, with just a dash of humor. I regret that I had only one chance to experience this book for the first time, and this wasn’t it. Re-readings can’t recapture the thrill of the first time around.

[josephcamilleri-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Some books have such a grip on the popular imagination that it is easy to fall under the mistaken impression that you know them very well. One such novel is certainly Conan Doyle's “The Hound of the Baskervilles”, in which the great “consulting detective” Sherlock Holmes solves the mystery of a spectral hound haunting the scions of a wealthy family on the bleak Devon moors.

I vaguely recall reading “The Hound of the Baskervilles” in my early teens. Fresh from a week’s stay in Dartmoor, I returned to it, and was surprised to discover that my impressions of the novel were based less on my recollections than on misconceptions and second-hand retellings.

For one thing, at the very beginning of the book I noticed an element of what could only be “self-parody”. Consider the following extract from the opening chapter, which led me to double-check whether I was reading the original text or a spoof:

I stood upon the hearth-rug and picked up the stick which our visitor had left behind him the night before...
"Well, Watson, what do you make of it?"
Holmes was sitting with his back to me, and I had given him no sign of my occupation.
"How did you know what I was doing? I believe you have eyes in the back of your head."
"I have, at least, a well-polished, silver-plated coffee-pot in front of me," said he.

Although the setting of the story is before Holmes’s presumed death at the Reichenbach Falls in (what should have been) his “Final Problem”, the Hound of the Baskervilles was the work in which Holmes returned to print after an absence of eight years to appease the public clamour for a new adventure featuring the seemingly omniscient detective. Conan Doyle’s playful opening scene might be poking fun not only at his own characters but also at the public’s obsession with his creation.

I was also surprised at the fact that, for the greater part of the novel, Watson is the protagonist. Certainly, the “presence” of Holmes hovers over each chapter, but putting Watson in the foreground gives the book a particular flavour. As Anthony Lejeune puts it in his foreword to this Capuchin Classics edition, you can stereotype Holmes but not Watson. It also makes this more of an “adventure story” than a “puzzle-solving” crime novel.

The most striking fact about Doyle’s “little book” however is how much it owes to the Gothic genre. Whilst most Holmes stories have a gothic element, this is generally of the Dickensian “London” type, where evil is battled in foggy city streets. Here however we’re in the classic territory of solitary country mansions, nightly terrors, eerie moorland, mires which entrap unwary men and beasts, escaped convicts, femmes fatales, family curses and, to top it all, a giant ghostly hound with flaring nostrils. And although the final neat (yet complex) solution explains away the supernatural trappings (as is typical of that strand of “rationalistic” Gothic which runs from Ann Radcliffe to Scooby-Doo), the brooding sense of fear and dread is difficult to shake off and gives the novel its distinctive aftertaste.

This is an undisputed classic.

[tobinelliott · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This must be at least the third, and maybe as much as the fifth time I've read this novel. And damn if it simply doesn't just get better with each re-read.

I've enjoyed all of the Holmes cases up to this point—some, obviously more than others—but none as much as this one. The atmosphere of Grimpen Mire, of the home of the Baskervilles, the puzzle of the Stapletons...all of it. It all works, and it works so well.

With a bunch of books still left to read in the Doyle series of Holmes and Watson adventures, I don't believe any of them will match this one.

[drfuriosa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh, this is exactly what I look for in a Sherlock Holmes adventure. Mystery, mishap, twists, turns, and something grotesque that turns out to be perfectly logical and explainable. Still as good as I remembered it being.

[bookishtexpat · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

For my first Sherlock Holmes book, this was a good one! I enjoyed the story and was genuinely puzzled until near the end, when I finally figured it out. It was a short, fun read - I'll definitely pick up another Sherlock Holmes!

[muumuumousie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Holmes’ cool logic meets Gothic horror in this, the most famous of the Sherlock novels. The eerie setting does not disappoint, with the centuries-old Baskerville Hall, the deadly mire, and the moonlit moor. These make a wonderful atmosphere for an intricate mystery. The tone is on point, the twists and turns really deliver, and the secondary characters are quite compelling. I especially liked the young Sir Henry, a man of action and decision whose powerful persona is like to that of Sherlock. Sherlock, John Watson, and Sir Henry are all newcomers to Baskerville Hall, and it was fascinating to watch the ways in which each of them handled the transition to such an unusual and dangerous place. This novel certainly delivers, and it completely deserves all its hype. Moody and dark, and utterly unforgettable.

[niquetteb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sherlock Holmes mystery taking place in England, told by his accomplice, Dr. Watson. It has a rather slow beginning, but the end makes up for it with suspense and action.

[jguidry-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Classic Sherlock Holmes at his finest. A great story with thrills along the way. I've read and seen the movie versions of this story multiple times, but I still enjoy reading this over and over again. The story never gets old.

[varwenea · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

“The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.” – Sherlock HolmesAfter having watched the movies and TV shows, I finally read my first Sherlock Holmes book. From various reviews and from the Foreword, I thought I had chosen one of the best, if not the best, Holmes book. Unfortunately, it felt --- ‘passive’. I’ll explain.The story surrounds a ghostly hound that haunts the Baskervilles family from several generations ago. After the untimely and unexplained death of Sir Charles Baskerville, the last Baskerville heir, Sir Henry, and his family friend, Dr. Mortimer, seek the help of the famous Sherlock Holmes to determine once and for all, the truth between the mystery hound and the legend that curses the Baskerville family members and estate. With a butler and wife at the estate, a number of inquisitive neighbors, an escaped convict, and the shadowy, foggy grounds of Grimpen Mire with moor and bog-hole that is the grassland version of quicksand, a delectable setting is laid for the whodunnit and how.Perhaps movies and televisions have ruined my perspective; I had expected to journey with Holmes and Watson in their fact-finding. Since Holmes is tied-up with his current cases, Watson accompanies Sir Henry to his newly inherited estate ahead of Holmes. The facts are then revealed via Watson’s reports and excerpts from his diary; this approach and associated writing-style yields a past-tense feeling and the reader is not on the same journey with them. When Holmes ‘arrives’ (I’ll let you interpret the reason for the air-quote marks), the action begins, but the culprit is already identified. Even the ta-da moment is rather flat, and a last chapter is written as a retrospection. I didn’t even have a chance to get excited. Having guessed a couple of things didn’t help either. The book simply didn’t generate the excitement I had wanted. I feel like such a traitor to literature for saying such blasphemy against the great Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Well, if it’ll make you feel better, when I was little, I thought these stories were based on a real detective. Anyway, it’s still a pretty good read, especially since its first release was 1901. I also valued the book having reinforced the Holmes’ and Watson’s behaviors and methods commonly depicted on the screen. One quote:On the love between siblings:“…But first I had the unpleasant duty of breaking the news to Barrymore and his wife. To him it may have been an unmitigated relief, but she wept bitterly in her apron. To all the world he was the man of violence, half animal and half demon; but to her he always remained the little willful boy of her own girlhood, the child who had clung to her hand. Evil indeed is the man who has not one woman to mourn him.”

[lgandt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Actually now having "read" it, after having seen so many film versions. I had little trouble "seeing" it all happen.

[greeniezona · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

(This is not the version that I own, which makes me a little cranky, but I'm moving on.)

After watching the BBC Sherlock rendition of The Hound of the Baskervilles, I had to re-read the original to see what was kept and what was changed. I brought it with me on a road trip to Chicago and ended up reading it all aloud to Andrew in the car.

Some books are pure pleasure to read aloud, and this is one of them. The phrasing is right for speech. The vocabulary is just a slight stretch from one's normal daily repertoire. There is enough variety between quiet moments and passionate ones to support a variety in pitch of voice. Books from this era were almost certainly meant to be sometimes shared aloud by the fireside or in the parlour. (When I was your age, television was called books!) Reading them in the car is close enough to do.

As with many of the Sherlock stories I've read in the past, I remembered the how, but not the who or necessarily the why. It was a pleasure to rediscover, especially alongside someone experiencing the novel at the same time, and reading instead of watching allowed for the sorts of pauses to speculate and exchange theories.

There are other stories I want to revisit as well, in addition to some I've yet to read, in light of my current obsession with BBC Sherlock. As always, there are too many things to read, not enough time to concentrate through the distractions of my house full of boys.

[m.belljackson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Though the incredible cruelty to a dog gets totally ignored in this frightening tale,we get most of the clues and so can make more predictions than in previous short novels.The mystery is a complicated one, not the least of it is why Dr. Watson did not follow Sherlock'sexplicit instructions to never leave the baron alone. One other remaining mystery - since neither he, nor his body, were ever found, where is the final proof that the murderer is dead?

[nx74defiant · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

For a large section of this book Sherlock does not appear. You hear Dr. Watson's point of view. It is only later you learn what he has been doing off screen. It was a really enjoyable mystery.

[carolfoisset · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Doyle's descriptions of both characters and setting are top notch. I always enjoy "deducing" along with Sherlock and Watson. The mystery in this book was just so-so.

[andrew1theqm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A veritable classic, what more can you say! Despite the course of time this is still a great story. After all the collections of stories about Sherlock Holmes I really enjoyed the greater depth that a novel allowed with a very intriguing story and some great inventiveness in the writing! I wish he'd written more as extended novels. Definitely should be read by everyone.

[murderbydeath · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What can I say? Hound of the Baskervilles is a classic and might possibly be the best of the Holmes stories. Perfectly crafted, and perfectly atmospheric, this is the kind of story that can be read again and again. In fact, this is at least my third read and on this go-around I was much more able to admire the subtle clues and hints Conan Doyle wove through the tale. Although I do have one question: Dr. Mortimer's wife is mentioned several times in the story and I have to wonder how she felt about him traipsing off around the world without her? If you like gothic, or mysteries, or just a good atmospheric thriller, you can't go wrong with this one.

[lydia1879 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I purchased a lovely, and clothbound copy of this book because it is one of my favourite books.

I love this story. I love Sherlock Holmes, I love John Watson. I love the way Conan-Doyle writes atmosphere in this novel. This story, in particular, is somewhere between a detective story, an adventure story and a gothic thriller.

The first time I read this book, I read it almost completely in one sitting. And when I looked up, the sun had set.

Oh. Oops.

I was totally enamoured and enraptured with this story. I think it's one of Conan-Doyle's most beloved because it's a little bit longer than the short stories, so people get sucked in a bit more.

ANYWAY. Totally biased review. Holmes & Watson are my favourite. Everyone can go home. The end.

[empressreece · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Im fan of everything Sherlock Holmes by Doyle & Laurie King. I wish Dolye was here to continue the stories because no one but Laurie King compares.

[thebookmagpie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There is nothing that needs said about this that has not already been said.

Although sometimes I wish that Holmes would be a TOUCH nicer to Watson?

[laphenix · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Slow and monotonous, and the world flip toward the end was jarring at best.

[karin7-11 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Holmes and Watson are engaged on a case to both find out how someone died and to save his heir from the same fate. Legend has it that there is a giant demon hound with glowing eyes and mouth who prowls about the moors, and giant dog footprints are found near the body of the victim. Naturally, Holmes doesn't believe it's something supernatural, and so he sends Watson off to investigate & report back to him.

This is my first, and most likely last, Conrad Doyle novel. I almost liked it. I'm not sure what all the fuss is about over this writer or his Sherlock Holmes character. It was not the best 19th century mystery novel I've read, and I wasn't particularly impressed with Holmes. The writing is so-so, and so I'm really rating this 2.5, but have rounded it up.

[soulflower1981 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When you recognize that you love a good mystery book it is hard to say that you hate the king of the mystery/detective story, so I won't because this was legitimately an excellent book. It held my interest from the first few pages until the very end, which is rare for a book to do for me. In most instances I find myself not wanting to come back for at least a day and then pushing myself to read the rest of a book, but this one I read every single day since I started it for at least an hour a day.

Doyle came back to Holmes for this great story that infused supernatural and reality together nicely. He made you believe that it was possible the supernatural was occurring, but then revealed all when appropriate. I enjoy a writer that can turn the plot around quickly to reveal the truth of what is happening to characters.

The characters are believable for the time period. The motives are sound and reasonable as well. Some mysteries I have felt that the author is grasping at straws, but here everything adds nicely. It may just be that Doyle has had enough experience filling in every plot hole imaginable that one doesn't feel that he is lacking. He even goes as far to explain how an animal was fed while its master was away. These things showcase a brilliant writer who thinks about the aspects that a reader may notice or question.

This story made me desire to devour more Doyle in the future. I believe that reading some more Sherlock Holmes stories may be in my near future!

[carmenmilligan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was good, but not great. One of the most popular and enduring detective series ever written? Well, I would rather read an Agatha Christie, I think. I still think about Ten Little Indians...

Don't get me wrong, I liked the book and enjoyed reading it, but it doesn't make me want to run out and get another Sherlock Holmes book. However, nor will it keep me from reading another one, should it be recommended.

As for recommending this one, I would say that yes, you should read it. If for nothing else than it is of some repute and should be added to your read list based solely on that merit.

[rosa.mill · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The text was adapted extremely well however the style of the illustrations was a little bit to bright and happy for the tale. I felt like this should have had a darker illustration style.

[bearlyr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Being a Sherlock Holmes fan, picking a favorite is difficult... but pressed to do so this would have to be the winner! It has everything, mystery, horror, it's creepy, Dr. Watson get to shine a bit, and the interactions between Holmes and Watson are exemplary. There is also no shortage of the incorrigible behavior Sherlock is so well known for. If you haven't perused this book yet, get a copy and read a great story!