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A review by rodrigolopez
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
3.0
While The Hound of the Baskervilles remains one of the most well-known Sherlock Holmes stories, I found it somewhat underwhelming. One of the novel’s strongest elements is its atmospheric setting—Arthur Conan Doyle excels at crafting a gloomy, suspenseful landscape. The moor is described with such vividness that it almost becomes a character of its own, creating a powerful sense of isolation and unease. This aspect adds a gothic flavor that I genuinely appreciated.
However, the story falters in areas that are essential for a mystery. Despite its reputation, the novel offers surprisingly little room for genuine suspense or deduction. Much of the plot feels telegraphed, and the presence of a supernatural hound as the central threat feels somewhat out of place in a Holmes story, which usually prizes logic and realism. The idea of using a mythical beast detracts from the intellectual appeal that typically defines the detective genre.
In short, while the novel has a strong setting and rich descriptions, its lack of true mystery and the oddly chosen villain make it one of the less compelling Holmes adventures in my view.
However, the story falters in areas that are essential for a mystery. Despite its reputation, the novel offers surprisingly little room for genuine suspense or deduction. Much of the plot feels telegraphed, and the presence of a supernatural hound as the central threat feels somewhat out of place in a Holmes story, which usually prizes logic and realism. The idea of using a mythical beast detracts from the intellectual appeal that typically defines the detective genre.
In short, while the novel has a strong setting and rich descriptions, its lack of true mystery and the oddly chosen villain make it one of the less compelling Holmes adventures in my view.