Resumo de The Hound Of The Baskervilles

THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES
This novel of 150 pages of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a top grade thriller where we find Sherlock Holmes transformed into an action hero from a mere theorizing consultant detective, who is totally committed to his clients and will go to any length to save them from danger. The story starts at London, moves to the rugged, marshy and dangerous terrains of South West England where the wealthy Baskervilles have their estates (Devonshire to be precise) and ends at London with a very neat plot.

Dr. James Mortimer, the physician and personal friend of Sir Charles Baskerville, seeks the help of Sherlock Holmes in unraveling the mystery behind the death of his patient. Sir Charles Baskerville belongs to the Baskerville family which is supposed to be under some curse for past misdeeds of a member of the family in 17th century who got himself killed by a supernatural phantom hound. The peasants in the neighborhood believe that the phantom hound is still haunting the moor adjacent to the Baskerville Hall and any member of the family venturing in to the moor at night times runs the risk of losing his life by the hound. Meanwhile Sherlock Holmes learns that the next heir to the estate Sir Henry Baskerville is coming from Canada. The doctor apprehends that the new occupant?s life too may be in danger. Events in London, the shadowing of Sir Henry by some mysterious fellow and a warning to him by some unknown source not to go to the estate, prove the doctor to be correct. So it is decided that Dr. Watson accompany Sir Henry and remain with him at Devonshire till the case is solved by Sherlock Holmes.

The nights at the Baskerville Hall are particularly spine chilling. Dr. Watson happens to hear the hideous and soul shaking howls of a hound from the midst of the vast moor into which man fears to enter even during day time. Dr. Watson comes across one Mr. Stapleton, an entomologist and his ?sister?. Mr. Stapleton is not sure whether the hound is supernatural or not. His ?sister? mistaking Dr. Watson as Sir Henry entreats him to go to London immediately. When pressed by Dr. Watson she speaks of the phantom hound. Dr. Watson is sending reports to London believing that Sherlock Holmes is there. But the wily and daring detective has already come to Devonshire and he is staying in one of the rocky huts where prehistoric men lived. Completely unmindful of the inclement weather and hard conditions of existence, Sherlock Holmes continues with his investigations particularly during night times and finds out the truth of the phantom hound. In this he is ably assisted by Dr. Watson and his reports. We also admire the boy who assists Sherlock Holmes in his work at Devonshire.

The beauty of the book lies not only in its neat plot but also the unexpected twists and turns and surprises. The relationship between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson is heartwarming and even Lestrade, the Scotland Yard official has become reverential in his attitude towards Sherlock Holmes. The reader will enjoy the very beginning of the novel in which Sherlock Holmes finds out facts about Dr. Mortimer by simply examining his walking stick. We also find that Dr. Watson has learnt a thing or two by his association with Sherlock Holmes.

It is not wise to read this novel during night times, particularly when one is lonely.
SATHYA

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