The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

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Holmes investigates the death of Sir Charles Baskerville who died of an apparent heart attack while walking upon the moors.

The executor of the Baskerville estate engages Holmes to investigate the death and makes Holmes aware of a letter left by Sir Charles detailing the family legend of the curse of a vicious hound that roams the region and has brought a terrible end to many a Baskerville heir. The letter is addressed to Henry Baskerville, the nephew and heir to an estate of over 700,000 Pounds. Henry asks Holmes to accompany him to the estate while he puts things in order, but Holmes begs off as he is currently engaged in the investigation of blackmail.

Instead, Holmes sends Watson to investigate and keep an eye on Henry.

Watson conducts his investigation while Holmes is updated by post. A series of suspected meddlers is introduced including the butler and housekeeper who are husband and wife, an elderly man who stands to inherit the fortune if something were to happen to Henry, the mysterious woman L.L. who sent a letter asking for a meeting on the very night of Sir Charles death, and a fanciful butterfly enthusiast and his beautiful sister. Watson dutifully follows all the leads and keeps Holmes appraised of the progress while also beginning to hear the wails of what sounds like the mysterious hound.

Holmes finally makes his appearance at the estate and in short order recognizes Watson's mistakes while putting together all the clues.

I've never been much of a fan of this kind of tidy mystery novel with the inevitable red herrings, false clues and "surprise" revelations. It always feels a bit too contrived. But as these stories go, at least this one left enough breadcrumbs that one could follow one's suspicions and not be tripped up by some hidden information.

After reading 'The Idiot', I was searching for something that is light and a quick read. This served that purpose well enough.