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The Hound of the Baskervilles
The Hound of the Baskervilles
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Audiobook5 hours

The Hound of the Baskervilles

Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Narrated by David Case

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

()

About this audiobook

First published in 1901, The Hound of the Baskervilles tells the story of Sir Henry Baskerville, who arrives at Baskerville Hall to investigate the mysterious death of his uncle, Sir Charles. Charles's strange and unexpected death resurrects long-ignored fears about a gigantic ghostly hound that is said to have haunted his family for generations.

Sherlock Holmes, always calm and calculating, uses his keen powers of observation to discern the fine lines between good and evil, truth and fiction, and reason and superstition, even as the story's events threaten to spiral out of control.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateSep 29, 2008
ISBN9781400178971
Author

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) was a Scottish writer and physician, most famous for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes and long-suffering sidekick Dr Watson. Conan Doyle was a prolific writer whose other works include fantasy and science fiction stories, plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction and historical novels.

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Reviews for The Hound of the Baskervilles

Rating: 4.0394736842105265 out of 5 stars
4/5

152 ratings115 reviews

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Arthur Conan Doyle wrote "Hound of the Baskervilles" eight years after he'd killed Holmes in an attempt to abandon what he thought of as bullshit pop writing and an escape to more serious historical fiction, none of which we give a shit about today. We're all familiar with the belated sequel (*cough* George Lucas). (And he did charge double his usual price for its publication, knowing Holmes' popularity.) Furthermore, he wrote it together with one Fletcher Robinson, whose name reminds me of the awful John Fletcher, Shakespeare's protege, with whom Will wrote such terrible plays as Henry VIII and The Two Noble Kinsmen.

    So how surprising is it to we sequel-weary people that Hound of the Baskervilles totally kicks ass?

    But it does. Of the two Holmes novellas, this and "Study in Scarlet," Hound is obviously superior. It's perfectly plotted, and its Gothic theme meshes surprisingly well with Holmes' invincible rationality. It's a terrific book.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    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!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This is a traditional black and white graphic novel. The story is well known and as a graphic novel it sticks to the plot of the original novel well. The drawings are basic and I have to admit to wanting a little colour. Having said that the drawings are clear and concise with good consistency with the characters faces.This is a short graphic novel which was a quick fun read.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    All of Doyle's books seem to be characterized by a dry, just-the-facts-ma'am writing style, possibly indicative of Holmes' personality, but this one just seemed more so than most. The literary convention used, of Watson advancing the "action" through letters to Holmes became tedious. Far too wordy for my taste.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    In a word: overrated. I love the Sherlock Holmes short stories, but I thought this one was a bit weak and not that convincing, maybe because Doyle had to take a typical Holmes case and stretch it out over more pages than usual. My conclusion: Holmes’ schtick works better in short-form.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This was the first Sherlock Holmes novel I've ever read, even though I have had The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes sitting on my bookshelf since middle school or earlier (I got it with a 2 for $1 deal at Walmart). I like to read a series in its entirety and in order, and it was frustrating to me to not know which came first and what else there was; but then I realized that I was going to have to let it go and just enjoy what was in front of me (especially if I was going to finish it in time for the book club next week).This, I believe, was a great introduction to the world of Sherlock Holmes. We all know of Holmes, through TV, movies, stories, etc. And really, he lived up to all of my expectations. I can't really say that his character surprised me in any way, because he's been so well-defined in other media. Which, in this case, is a good thing.The Hound of the Baskervilles is the only full-length Holmes novel, and it is definitely an adventure. From London to the moors of Devonshire, the reader is kept interested by Dr. Watson's account and interest in the neighbors of the haunted and cursed Baskervilles.Legend has it that Hugo Baskerville was a villainous man, and his evil deeds led to the creation of a very real demon from Hell, which hunted him down and killed him, with the threat/promise of killing the rest of his family for generations to come to atone for his misdeeds. And it seems that this curse is real, because many years later his descendant, Sir Charles Baskerville, is chased down and killed, the only evidence being a single footprint of a hound near the body. The last living relative, therefore, must come to live at Baskerville Hall, but not before enlisting the services of the one and only Sherlock Holmes.Will Holmes solve the mystery in time, or is there really a supernatural demon loose that cannot be stopped until vengeance is had? I was kept intrigued throughout the creepy and mysterious chapters, but not freaked out enough that I had to sleep with the lights on, which is a good combination for me. So, if you like a good mystery but don't like being scared silly, I highly recommend you read The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 4 out of 5 stars.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I love all Holmes, and this story is perhaps the finest. those dark hours when the powers of evil are exalted
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The real hero of these stories is Watson for having the restraint not to have strangled that insufferable egomaniac Holmes whenever he had a chance. Holmes is brilliant...and never misses an opportunity to let you know it.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I can´t help it - this is my favorite Sherlock Holmes mystery. Maybe because it was the first I read but I do love the moor, the mist, the howling and the legend of the dreadful monstrous dog. It´s a perfect read for a stormy winter´s evening in your favorite chair with a cup of tea beside you.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Very good read. It was very fun to try to figure out the mystery throughout. And it was also very fun to marvel at his amazing skills. To be able to tell pretty much everything about Mortimer just based on his walking stick was pretty awesome to read, and then try to figure out the train of logic.I highly recommend The Hound of the Baskervilles. Definitely worth purchasing.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    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.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    The only Sherlock Holmes book I have ever read. This was a fairly straightforward read, with enough characters to treat as 'suspects' so it isn't obvious 'whodunnit'. In fact, given that the source of the deaths appears to be a supernatural being, it's always at the back of your mind that there may be some spooky solution, which adds an interesting dimension.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    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.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This was an interesting way to read this iconic Sherlock Holmes case. The illustrations worked well to bring the narrative to life, especially with the nature of abridgement making it difficult to get details into a story. A little more attention to word bubble (is that the technical term for them?) placement would have improved the reading experience a little bit, especially for younger readers. A few panels had a third, "off-screen" character talking, but the placement made it seem like one character had two spots of text when it wasn't the case.

    The abridgement itself would likely be effective for a young reader to read and enjoy this Holmes story. For an adult I felt it was a little too abridged in places; a little rushed. Overall it was an entertaining, refreshing look at Doyle's work.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The Hound of the Baskervilles is one of Sir Arthur Conan's best detective novels. As he wrote this in the time period where Gothic novels were prominent, it is not the usual detective novel, but with a supernatural twist. When Sherlock Holmes is asked to investigate the mysterious curse which has plagued the Baskerville family for years, he finds himself in the midst of a dilemma. This novel is recommended for all fans of Sherlock Holmes and gothic fiction.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    My first Sherlock Holmes mystery, but probably not my last. Slighly slower pace than a modern mystery, but good whodunit.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This novel is of course by far Conan Doyle's most famous Sherlock Holmes story, and has been the subject of over 20 film adaptations across the world, in addition to TV adaptations. It is very atypical of Conan Doyle's Holmes stories, being very largely set outside London and in a thinly populated and bleak Dartmoor. The description of the landscape is very evocative and, combined with the harsh lines of Baskerville Hall and the eponymous gigantic canine, conveys an atmosphere of Gothic horror. Holmes is absent from the main action for a large proportion of the novel. The plot is tense, but perhaps over familiarity has led me to find it a little too drawn out. I do think Holmes stories work best in the short story format, where brevity and conciseness suit Holmes's ultra focused approach to crime detection.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This was a super fun read. I was looking for something a little lighter to read and this definitely fit the bill!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Het oer-detectiveverhaal, maar minstens evenzeer neogothic verhaal. Breder thema: de zekerheden van wetenschap en rede tegenover bijgeloof; zelfs Holmes als aardsrationalist gaat aan het twijfelen, ook hij gebruikt intu?tie, speculatie en verbeelding! Het verhaal zelf wordt grotendeels gedragen door Watson.Eerste lectuur toen ik 16 was en de finesses nog niet helemaal kon waarderen.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This is the first Sherlock Holmes novel I've read, though I've long been a great fan of the short stories. I think the most interesting character in this story, by far, was the moor itself. Having finished the tale, I feel somewhat ambivalent about the mystery itself, but I am very much intrigued by the moor, and would love very much to see it for myself and find out if it deserves all the superlatives that were heaped upon it by Conan Doyle. I found the mystery itself so-so mainly because there was no answer to the question provided by Watson at the end: what was Stapleton thinking he'd do once Sir Henry was out of the way? No clear logic was present and Holmes' theories all somewhat unsatisfying. It felt as if Conan Doyle couldn't think of a solution himself, so he just wrote it off as an unfathomable bit of the mystery. Not what I expect out of our good friend Mr. Holmes.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I did not mention this book in anything I wrote which has survived, but I do remember I liked it much.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This copy of the Conan Doyle wonderful story is bruised and battered but I bought it anyway, I bought it from Buy the Book in Kinsale, Ireland. I was intrigued by the other label in the book advertising Cite du Livre, Nessim Mustacchi & Cie, Alexandria, Egypt.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Audiobook. Very good and interesting mystery. The narration was very well done too. I liked listening to the story rather than reading it since I tend to get lost and forget what happened in the written Sherlock Holmes books.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    When Charles Baskerville is found dead at his home, his next of kin, Henry, returns home. Watson accompanies Henry in hopes of figuring out what happened to Charles. The rumours include the mysterious ghostly hound that haunts the grounds. The book was ok. Unfortunately, I just can't say I enjoyed it any more than the Sherlock Holmes short stories I've read. I'd hoped I'd enjoy a Holmes novel more. I just couldn't really seem to focus much on the story, so I was never completely pulled in or all that interested, though parts were interesting. However, writing this review only a day after finishing, I've forgotten even the parts I was finding interesting at the time.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This was the first "Sherlock Holmes" book that I had ever read. It was very good and interesting; quick and witty dialogue fast-paced, etc. My only complaint was that it did begin to drag near the end. I will definitely read another of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's detective stories!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    My favourite Sherlock Holmes story. Excellently crafted, with marvellous descriptions of the Grimpen Mire. Holmes is on top form despite playing an almost backseat role.Most enjoyable.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A Sherlock Holmes classic. Spooky things are happening on the moors surrouding and old estate. Is it a family curse, a ghost, or something a bit more earthly? Has the charm of a Victorian mystery novel.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Perhaps the most interesting part of this book was the absence of Holmes himself. It's been a long time since I've read a Holmes story--and so I had forgotten that, in actuality, the story is told by Watson, Holmes' trusty sidekick.

    I think that I have read this book before (but so long ago in high school it is hard to remember...), so when I guessed correctly who the killer was, I wasn't too shocked.

    All in all, this was a good book to read bit by bit (emailed daily to me by DailyLit.com--check it out), but I don't think it would be one that I would want to take and read on my own. Good stuff.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Another classic, if you haven't read any Doyle be prepared for a wild romp of a mystery. This was one of my first introductions to his works and I haven't read a work by this author that I haven't enjoyed.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I have seen several movie versions of this story, but the actual written word surpasses the visual presentation. Doyle is a master of description of character and setting. He sets the mood for that great hound to come charging into the moor. The women are minor characters in the majority of the stories, but they hold a few trump cards. I like the way Dr Watson unfolds the story and summarizes the deeds. Watson stands like a celebrated barrister and presents the case.