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Usborne Classics Retold
The Hound of the Baskervilles: Usborne Classics Retold: Usborne Classics Retold
The world's most famous detective is brought to life for a new generation of readers in this gripping retelling of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic tale. When Sir Charles Baskerville is found dead in peculiar circumstances, Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson are called in to investigate. Could the death have something to do with the monstrous hound said to haunt the Baskerville family? And will Holmes and Watson solve the mystery before another innocent man is claimed by the terrible Baskerville curse?
- GenresClassics
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 5, 2015
“The Hound of the Baskervilles” is one of the most famous cases that Sherlock Holmes solved. There are several versions of this story but what made this version special was the letters that Dr.Watson wrote to Holmes. The letters have more information about the case.
Like other cases of Sherlock Holmes, A person came and met Holmes, then told to solve or help with the problem. The problem is a strange murder of Sir Charles so the man predicted that the murderer will murder the young owner so asked Holmes to find out the murderer. Unfortunately, Holmes was on another case so Dr. Watson was asked to protect Sir Henry, the new owner of the Baskerville Hall away from the scary legend around the moor.
Watson accepted to protect the new young owner and investigate the surroundings for a clue of Sir Charles’s murder. Can he investigate and solve the case himself? Can he also protect Sir Henry from the murderer? What about Holmes? Will he be in the case to help his friend Watson? Well, go for the book if you want to know. :D
Like other cases of Sherlock Holmes, A person came and met Holmes, then told to solve or help with the problem. The problem is a strange murder of Sir Charles so the man predicted that the murderer will murder the young owner so asked Holmes to find out the murderer. Unfortunately, Holmes was on another case so Dr. Watson was asked to protect Sir Henry, the new owner of the Baskerville Hall away from the scary legend around the moor.
Watson accepted to protect the new young owner and investigate the surroundings for a clue of Sir Charles’s murder. Can he investigate and solve the case himself? Can he also protect Sir Henry from the murderer? What about Holmes? Will he be in the case to help his friend Watson? Well, go for the book if you want to know. :D
March 4, 2019
Personal Response
I liked this book because of how smart it made Sherlock Holmes seem. There are several moments in the book where Sherlock explains to Watson, and the reader, what exactly is happening. It’s also fun to see if you can solve the case before the Master Detective.
Plot Summary
After the death of Sir Charles Baskerville, owner of the Baskerville Hall, Dr. Mortimer, a friend of Charles, brings the strange case to Sherlock Holmes. Mortimer is suspicious of the death because humongous dog prints are found near the body, and there is an urban legend of a hellhound that haunts the Baskervilles. Mortimer now fears for Sir Henry, the current heir to the Baskerville estate. Holmes meets with Sir Henry, who shows him a note he found telling him to stay away from the estate and tells them that one of his boots has been stolen.
Holmes tells Watson to go to the estate with Henry but says that he must stay in London. When they arrive, Watson and Henry are informed that murderer Seldon is thought to be in the area. Watson meets a pair of siblings who live nearby named Mr. and Miss Stapleton, and when Mr. Stapleton runs off to catch a butterfly, Miss Stapleton tells Watson to leave immediately, mistaking him for Sir Henry. When she and Sir Henry do meet, Henry falls in love with her and this angers her brother. Watson discovers that Sir Charles’ former butler, Barrymore, has been leaving supplies for Seldon as he is Barrymore’s brother-in-law. Sir Henry agrees not to alert the police, so Barrymore shows him the remains of a letter he found. The letter was addressed to Sir Charles, asking him to wait by the gate, the very spot he died at, and is signed by an L. L. Watson questions Laura Lyons, who admits to writing the letter hoping Sir Charles would pay for her divorce. She did not go to the gate on the agreed night, however, because Stapleton agreed to pay for her divorce and said he would marry her afterward.
Holmes appears, as he has been working on the case undercover the entire time, and reveals to Laura that Stapleton’s sister is actually his wife. Holmes and Watson hear a scream and find Seldon dead, after falling of a cliff. Mr. Stapleton then arrives and appears shocked that the body isn’t Sir Henry. Holmes and Watson go to Stapleton's house, where Sir Henry is dining, and shoot the hound that Stapleton released to chase Sir Henry. Holmes discovers that it was a normal dog, covered in a glowing paint. They find Miss Stapleton tied up, and find out that she sent the warning note to Sir Henry. Stapleton dies while trying to escape, and Sir Henry's boot is found, which gave the hound Sir Henry's scent.
Recommendations
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in mysteries. The book presents the case in a solvable way, without making it obvious who the killer is. Anyone looking for a somewhat interactive read will enjoy this book.
Characterization
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is an extremely intelligent man, with a vast knowledge of many things. He can remember very minor details and is a master of deduction. He is kind but can seem a bit egotistical at times.
Dr. Watson
Dr. Watson is also smart, but not as great a genius as Sherlock. Watson is the more physical of the two though. Holmes often describes him as a man of action.
Mr. Stapleton
Mr. Stapleton was a long lost member of the Baskerville family, who sought to claim the family fortune by any means necessary. He was very sly and cunning, able to outthink Sherlock for the most part. He was very seductive and cruel toward women.
I liked this book because of how smart it made Sherlock Holmes seem. There are several moments in the book where Sherlock explains to Watson, and the reader, what exactly is happening. It’s also fun to see if you can solve the case before the Master Detective.
Plot Summary
After the death of Sir Charles Baskerville, owner of the Baskerville Hall, Dr. Mortimer, a friend of Charles, brings the strange case to Sherlock Holmes. Mortimer is suspicious of the death because humongous dog prints are found near the body, and there is an urban legend of a hellhound that haunts the Baskervilles. Mortimer now fears for Sir Henry, the current heir to the Baskerville estate. Holmes meets with Sir Henry, who shows him a note he found telling him to stay away from the estate and tells them that one of his boots has been stolen.
Holmes tells Watson to go to the estate with Henry but says that he must stay in London. When they arrive, Watson and Henry are informed that murderer Seldon is thought to be in the area. Watson meets a pair of siblings who live nearby named Mr. and Miss Stapleton, and when Mr. Stapleton runs off to catch a butterfly, Miss Stapleton tells Watson to leave immediately, mistaking him for Sir Henry. When she and Sir Henry do meet, Henry falls in love with her and this angers her brother. Watson discovers that Sir Charles’ former butler, Barrymore, has been leaving supplies for Seldon as he is Barrymore’s brother-in-law. Sir Henry agrees not to alert the police, so Barrymore shows him the remains of a letter he found. The letter was addressed to Sir Charles, asking him to wait by the gate, the very spot he died at, and is signed by an L. L. Watson questions Laura Lyons, who admits to writing the letter hoping Sir Charles would pay for her divorce. She did not go to the gate on the agreed night, however, because Stapleton agreed to pay for her divorce and said he would marry her afterward.
Holmes appears, as he has been working on the case undercover the entire time, and reveals to Laura that Stapleton’s sister is actually his wife. Holmes and Watson hear a scream and find Seldon dead, after falling of a cliff. Mr. Stapleton then arrives and appears shocked that the body isn’t Sir Henry. Holmes and Watson go to Stapleton's house, where Sir Henry is dining, and shoot the hound that Stapleton released to chase Sir Henry. Holmes discovers that it was a normal dog, covered in a glowing paint. They find Miss Stapleton tied up, and find out that she sent the warning note to Sir Henry. Stapleton dies while trying to escape, and Sir Henry's boot is found, which gave the hound Sir Henry's scent.
Recommendations
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in mysteries. The book presents the case in a solvable way, without making it obvious who the killer is. Anyone looking for a somewhat interactive read will enjoy this book.
Characterization
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is an extremely intelligent man, with a vast knowledge of many things. He can remember very minor details and is a master of deduction. He is kind but can seem a bit egotistical at times.
Dr. Watson
Dr. Watson is also smart, but not as great a genius as Sherlock. Watson is the more physical of the two though. Holmes often describes him as a man of action.
Mr. Stapleton
Mr. Stapleton was a long lost member of the Baskerville family, who sought to claim the family fortune by any means necessary. He was very sly and cunning, able to outthink Sherlock for the most part. He was very seductive and cruel toward women.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2014
I'm a huge fan of Conan Doyle, although some of the story was more predictable than his other works, he continued to make shocking twists and turns to keep you on your toes. Unrealistic? Over the top? Perhaps, and yet, I didn't mind it. Not his best work, despite its fame, but still an entertaining and intriguing read.
January 3, 2015
I didn't expect this to be so funny, but you can't help but laugh at its overblown pomposity. Sherlock Holmes is an arrogant jerk and I love him for it.
February 10, 2026
I love this book soooooo much, a perfect entrance into the world of Sherlock Holmes, and perhaps a slightly easier read than the original Conan Doyle. A brilliant book, scary, creepy, and perfectly Sherlock Holmes!! I once read this book three times in two days, a perfect rainy day book!! Very highly recommend!!!
February 20, 2015
" Students of criminology will remember the analogous incidents in Godno, in Little Russia, in the year '66, and of course there are the Anderson murders in North Carolina, but this case possesses some features which are entirely its own."
The grim and melancholy nature of the setting in which the events take place is thoroughly conveyed throughout the book. You can almost feel a chill run down your spine during some parts. The complexity of characters, the building-up of events, the plot-twits and the natural and supernatural suspicions that you have in your head throughout the book make it a true masterpiece.
The grim and melancholy nature of the setting in which the events take place is thoroughly conveyed throughout the book. You can almost feel a chill run down your spine during some parts. The complexity of characters, the building-up of events, the plot-twits and the natural and supernatural suspicions that you have in your head throughout the book make it a true masterpiece.
January 6, 2015
The moors. The thick fog. The Baskerville Hall. The glowing hound. The murder. The classic.
June 25, 2014
Easy and interesting. This was my first Sherlock Holmes book.
May 27, 2014
An excellent retelling for young readers. We read it in one (long) day!
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May 27, 2018Henry
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews