A spectral hound stalks the moors. An ancient curse threatens an old family. Only Sherlock Holmes can separate legend from murder. The greatest detective novel ever written—now in a definitive edition with over 28,000 words of original analysis. When Sir Charles Baskerville dies in mysterious circumstances, his face frozen in terror, a chilling family legend surfaces: for generations, a monstrous hound has stalked the Baskervilles across Dartmoor, claiming each heir in turn. When Sir Henry arrives from Canada to claim his inheritance, Sherlock Holmes sends Watson to protect him on the desolate moor whilst he investigates in London. But Dartmoor conceals more than one secret. A mysterious figure watches from the ancient tors. Strange cries echo at night. An escaped convict lurks in the darkness. And somewhere in the treacherous Grimpen Mire, something is waiting. Why This Edition Is Essential This definitive annotated edition includes over 28,000 words of original scholarly material: The Fascinating Publication History — How Doyle killed Holmes in 1893, resisted resurrection for eight years, then used The Hound as a desperate compromise that fooled nobody Comprehensive Biography — Doctor, knight, war correspondent, spiritualist, and champion of justice. Doyle's heroic defence of George Edalji and his complex relationship with his most famous creation Historical Context — Victorian England in 1901: the death of Queen Victoria, imperial anxiety, class tensions, and the world that shaped this novel Dartmoor and the Gothic Tradition — How Doyle transformed real landscape into Gothic horror, drawing on folklore, prehistory, and the sublime power of wilderness Literary Legacy — How this novel established the country house mystery, influenced Agatha Christie, and changed detective fiction forever Perfect For: First-time readers wanting context that enriches without spoiling. Returning readers discovering new depths. Students needing scholarly analysis. Anyone who loves classic mysteries, Gothic atmosphere, or understanding how great fiction works. What You Get This scholarly edition provides 28,000+ words of analysis, revealing why this matters, how Doyle achieved his effects, and what influence this work has had on everything that followed. Published in 1902, The Hound of the Baskervilles remains the gold standard for detective fiction—the perfect fusion of rational investigation and Gothic terror. This edition honours that achievement whilst revealing the artistry, historical context, and literary influence that have kept this novel compulsively readable for over 120 years. When the hound bays in the darkness, when fog rolls across the Grimpen Mire, when ancient evil threatens modern England, only one man can solve the mystery. And only this edition reveals the full story behind the story. Discover why this remains the most filmed, most adapted, most beloved Sherlock Holmes novel of all time. Understand how a weekend visit to Dartmoor became the greatest detective novel ever written. Experience Victorian Gothic at its finest, brought to life by the most famous detective in literary history. Scroll up and click "Add to Basket" to experience the definitive edition of the greatest detective novel ever written.