Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles

Perhaps the most famous of Doyle's Holmes series, The Hound of the Baskervilles is a grim mystery tale set in the omninous Grimpen Mire (actually Dartmouth) in the south of England. Doyle based his tale on the legend of the great black hound of Dartmouth, a favorite story in the area. He expanded this tale to a masterful mystery plot, full of hidden identities, attempted murder, and of course Sherlock Holmes and trusty Dr. Watson hot on the case.

The story opens with Dr. Mortimer suspicious of foul, supernatural play in the death of his friend, the late Sir Charles Baskerville. Mortimer believes that Sir Charles was frightened into a heart attack by the presence of a large black hound, a beast that, according to legend, has plagued the unfortunate Baskervilles for centuries. In true Sherlockian fashion, Holmes begins his investigation. What follows is a wonderful mystery tale, a great story for a cold night with a cup of tea.