The Hound of the Baskervilles Summary

Plot overview

The Hound of the Baskervilles is a classic detective novel by Arthur Conan Doyle featuring Sherlock Holmes and his friend Dr. John Watson. Set after Holmes fakes his death and returns to practice, the book blends a locked-room detective structure with gothic atmosphere, rural moorland, and the methods of scientific observation and deduction that define Holmes's work.

The plot begins when Dr. James Mortimer brings Holmes a manuscript and news of a family curse: a monstrous hound said to haunt the Baskerville line. Sir Charles Baskerville has recently died under mysterious circumstances; his heir, the young Sir Henry, arrives from London and immediately receives threatening notes. Holmes stays behind in London to chase leads while Watson accompanies Sir Henry to Baskerville Hall on the bleak Devon moor. Watson reports strange nightly sobs, secret signals by the Barrymores, the reclusive Stapletons and his sister, sightings on the moor, an escaped convict, and a terrifying hound-cry. Holmes later appears on the moor with crucial discoveries, and the novel follows their efforts to protect Sir Henry and unravel the human explanation behind the terrifying legend.

The story endures because it marries deductive reasoning with atmospheric suspense, creates vivid landscapes and memorable secondary characters, and probes the tension between folklore and scientific inquiry. Its clear plotting, moral complexities, and the interplay between Holmes and Watson keep readers engaged across eras.

Chapter summaries

1. Chapter 1: Mr. Sherlock HolmesWatson describes Holmes's deductions from a forgotten walking-stick and Dr. James Mortimer arrives with a strange, urgent case.
2. Chapter 2: The Curse of the BaskervillesDr. Mortimer brings Holmes a family manuscript about a monstrous hound and the mysterious recent death of Sir Charles Baskerville.
3. Chapter 3: The ProblemDr. Mortimer describes Sir Charles's death, the mysterious hound sightings, and asks Holmes for advice about the heir, Sir Henry.
4. Chapter 4: Sir Henry Arrives in LondonSir Henry Baskerville and Dr. James Mortimer visit Sherlock Holmes with a threatening pasted note; Holmes pursues a suspected watcher and sends Cartwright to search local hotels.
5. Chapter 5: Three Broken ThreadsHolmes traces several puzzling clues in London, Watson agrees to travel to Baskerville Hall, and a false lead about a cabman frustrates Holmes.
6. Chapter 6: Baskerville Hall ArrivalSir Henry, Dr. Mortimer and Watson arrive at Baskerville Hall; they meet the Barrymores, explore the gloomy house, and Watson hears a mysterious sob at night.
7. Chapter 7: The Stapletons of Merripit HouseWatson investigates Barrymore, meets the Stapletons, hears the moor's eerie sounds and receives a stark warning from Miss Stapleton.
8. Chapter 8: Watson's First ReportWatson writes to Holmes, describing the moor, local people, Stapleton and his sister, the Barrymores' suspicious nightly activity, and plans to investigate.
9. Chapter 9: The Light upon the MoorWatson uncovers Barrymore's secret signaling to an escaped convict and he and Sir Henry chase the man across the moor, hearing the terrifying hound-cry.
10. Chapter 10: Extract from Watson's DiaryWatson records foggy moor days, Barrymore reveals a burned letter signed L.L., and Watson investigates a mysterious watcher and possible hound.
11. Chapter 11: The Man on the TorWatson interviews Laura Lyons, follows a new lead on the moor, discovers a hidden hut and is surprised by Holmes.
12. Chapter 12: Death on the MoorHolmes reveals his presence and findings, then Watson and Holmes race across the moor to a scream and discover a dead man — Selden — not Sir Henry.
13. Chapter 13: Fixing the NetsHolmes lays plans, identifies Stapleton in a portrait, interviews Laura Lyons, and prepares to ensnare the suspect with Lestrade's arrival.
14. Chapter 14: The Hound of the BaskervillesHolmes, Watson and Lestrade lie in wait at Merripit, confront a flaming hound that attacks Sir Henry, and discover Mrs. Stapleton bound and Stapleton's disappearance in the mire.
15. Chapter 15: A RetrospectionHolmes reviews the entire Baskerville case for Watson, explaining Stapleton's identity, motives, methods and how they finally trapped him.

Characters

• Dr. John WatsonNarrator
• SSherlock HolmesProtagonist
• Sir Henry BaskervilleProtagonist
• Dr. James MortimerMajor character
• Sir Charles BaskervilleMinor character
• Jack StapletonAntagonist
• Mr. BarrymoreMajor character
• Mrs. BarrymoreMajor character
• Beryl StapletonMajor character
• Mr. FranklandMinor character
• The HoundAntagonist
• CartwrightMinor character

All 16 characters ›