The sudden death of Sir Charles Baskerville on the desolate Dartmoor landscape triggers a high-stakes investigation into a purported ancestral curse. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson arrive to determine if the demise is the work of a supernatural entity or a calculated human predator. The narrative unfolds through the perspective of Dr. Watson, who documents the investigation while Holmes operates with his characteristic analytical detachment. They face the physical hazards of the treacherous moor and the psychological pressure of a community gripped by superstition and fear.

Readers frequently highlight the effectiveness of the Dartmoor setting as a character in its own right, noting how the landscape amplifies the tension of the mystery. Discussion often centers on the balance between the gothic atmosphere and the clinical, logical approach Holmes brings to the case. Critics often point to the novel as a pivotal moment in the series, marking the return of a character previously thought to be lost. The thematic tension between ancient superstition and modern science remains a primary focus for those analyzing the work's enduring appeal. Many readers appreciate the interplay between Watson's grounded observations and the complex, often hidden machinations of the antagonist.