Parents' Guide to

The Hound of the Baskervilles

By Mary Eisenhart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Holmes in top form vs. spectral hound on the moor.

Book Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Mystery 2011
The Hound of the Baskervilles Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 13+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Janelle212
Janelle212 Parent of 10-year-old
December 18, 2020
age 12+

13 y/o daughter not interested

The content is appropriate for 10 and up. I’m very conservative in general. The language is old, the imagery is good, the mystery was kind of boring. My 13 year old had to read it for Brave Learner homeschool curriculum and she kept trying to avoid it and read something else. To each his own. But maybe check it out of a library before spending $ on it.
Murfee F.
Murfee F. Adult
December 11, 2017
age 16+

Review of The Hound of the Baskervilles

I had found out about The Hound of the Baskervilles through the novel, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.” Hearing that it was a Sherlock Holmes series, I immediately thought I should read it, considering I am a huge fan of the Holmes movies. The book did not disappoint. It included sparks of mystery, while keeping the eerie mood throughout the novel. The reader never has a chance to relax with the constant tension build up, making it impossible to put the book down. Dr. Watson served as an excellent complimentary character to Holmes and was the narrator of the incredible acts of Sherlock Holmes. He was able to capture all of their encounters in a way that could paint vivid pictures in the minds of readers. All in all, I understand completely as to why people regard this book as one of Arthur Conan Doyle's bests, it was an exceptional book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

This title has:

Educational value
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What's the Story?

Sir Henry Baskerville, a young man recently arrived from North America to take possession of the estate of his uncle, who's died suddenly, seeks the counsel and protection of Sherlock Holmes. The wealthy Sir Charles apparently died fleeing in terror from an unknown enemy; meanwhile, Sir Henry himself is receiving mysterious threats, perhaps related to a Baskerville family curse involving an innocent maiden, a reprobate ancestor, and a vengeful hound. Holmes, busy with other affairs, sends the faithful Dr. Watson to the country to keep watch over Sir Henry and send back reports, which are soon flowing with accounts of the gloomy moor and surroundings. Among the cast: Dr. Mortimer, the eccentric country practitioner; the enigmatic Barrymores, who have has been servants to the Baskervilles for generations; Stapleton and his ubiquitous butterfly net, not to mention his sister, who quickly becomes Sir Henry's romantic interest. Meanwhile a murderer has escaped from the nearby prison and is loose on the moor, spine-chilling howls are heard at night by sober men, and Watson and Sir Henry are more nervous than they care to admit. Surprise revelations and terrifying moments ensue before Holmes brings things to a generally safe conclusion.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (10):

There's a pretty good case to be made that this is Holmes at his finest; in any case, it's a great introduction to the master detective and his faithful chronicler. The plot moves along at a good pace, the quality of the writing is excellent (even if Watson and Doyle are a bit wordy by today's standards), and none of the potential pitfalls that crop up elsewhere in the canon and might require parental intervention, from Mormon-bashing to drug use, is in evidence here. Holmes and Watson are well portrayed and have some classic, character-defining interactions.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about detectives and how they solve problems. How did Sherlock Holmes figure out the true nature of the threat to Sir Henry and the identity of the villain?

  • What do you think about the idea of a family curse? Do you think they're real? How might the idea of a family curse be used to manipulate people in ways other than in this story?

  • Do you think Holmes and Watson might have done a better job of protecting Sir Henry? How?

  • One of the great scenes in this story involves Holmes looking at the portraits of Baskerville ancestors in the hallway of the mansion and seeing their resemblance to his contemporaries. What stories come to mind when you look at photos of your ancestor? What living family members do they remind you of?

Book Details

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