The BBC hit series Sherlock has introduced a whole new generation of fans to Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous creation, the detective Sherlock Holmes. Selected by Sherlock co-creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, this essential collection of Conan Doyle stories features some of Britain’s favourite directive’s most famous cases, including: Sherlock’s first appearance in “A Study In Scarlet”, “The Sign of Four”, “The Final Problem”, and, most famous of all, “The Hound of the Baskervilles”.
“The Hound of the Baskervilles” was the first appearance of Holmes since his apparent death in “The Final Problem” (also featured in this collection), and the success of this third Sherlock Holmes novel, set before the detectives apparent death, would lead to the character’s eventual permanent revival two years later in “The Adventure of the Empty House”, where Doyle explains that Holmes had faked his own death.
The fundamental inspiration for the Baskerville tale of a hellish hound and a cursed country squire came from the legend of Richard Cabell of Brook Hall, in the parish of Buckfastleigh, Devon. Richard Cabell lived for hunting and was what in those days was described as a “monstrously evil man”. The Squire gained this reputation for, amongst other things, immorality and having sold his soul to the Devil. There was also a rumour that he had murdered his wife, Elizabeth Fowell, a daughter of Sir Edmund Fowell, 1st Baronet (1593-1674), of Fowelscombe. On 5 July 1677, Cabell passed away and was laid to rest in the sepulchre. The night of his interment saw a phantom pack of hounds come baying across the moor to howl at his tomb. With such an inspiration, it is no wonder “The Hound of the Baskervilles” is today considered a Gothic classic and has become the most filmed of all Doyle’s novels.
Each of the nineteen classic cases in this collection represents a masterclass in crime fiction and is a potent mix of murder, suspense, cryptic clues, red herrings and revenge. A groundbreaking combination of forensic science and bold storytelling. With Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle established new rules for what a fictional hero could be, and provided a template for detective stories that modern crime dramas still follow today. With insightful introductions by Moffat and Gatiss for each of these classic stories, this beautifully designed paperback is the perfect introduction to the world of Sherlock Holmes and a great gift for fans of the show it inspired who are ready for the original Sherlock.
SHERLOCK: THE ESSENTIAL ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE ADVENTURES VOLUME TWO / AUTHOR: ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE / SELECTED AND INTRODUCED BY: MARK GATISS & STEVEN MOFFAT / PUBLISHER: BBC BOOKS / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
