The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is one of the most famous Sherlock Holmes mysteries. The crux of the novel centers around the investigation of the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville, a wealthy landowner, who is believed to have been killed by a legendary supernatural creature — a ghostly hound that haunts the Baskerville family.

At the heart of the story are several key elements:

1. The Curse of the Baskervilles

The legend that haunts the Baskerville family is that of a giant, supernatural hound that is said to have killed Sir Charles' ancestor, Hugo Baskerville, and is now responsible for Sir Charles' own death. The idea of the curse serves as the central mystery, with the question being whether Sir Charles' death is the result of this supernatural force or something more earthly.

2. The Investigation

Sherlock Holmes and his faithful companion, Dr. Watson, embark on an investigation to uncover the truth. Watson is sent to Baskerville Hall in Devon to observe the situation and report back to Holmes, who remains in London, initially remaining somewhat distant from the scene. Watson, who initially takes the supernatural fears seriously, soon uncovers a web of human intrigue, and begins to question whether the curse is real or just a cover for a more human conspiracy.

3. The Real Culprit

It is ultimately revealed that the "hound" is not a supernatural entity but a real dog, trained to appear monstrous. The murderer is revealed to be Jack Stapleton, a Baskerville relative who was attempting to inherit the Baskerville estate by eliminating the heirs. He used the myth of the hound to frighten Sir Charles and Sir Henry Baskerville into a vulnerable state, eventually leading to Sir Charles' death. Stapleton's plan is foiled when Holmes and Watson uncover the truth.

4. Themes

The novel touches on themes of reason vs. superstition, the power of legend and fear, and the pursuit of truth. Holmes, as the emblem of rationality and scientific investigation, uncovers the real, human causes behind the mystery, dispelling the myth of the supernatural.

In Conclusion

The crux of The Hound of the Baskervilles lies in the unraveling of a seemingly supernatural mystery to reveal a human plot driven by greed and a desire for inheritance. The novel showcases Holmes’ deductive reasoning and serves as a reminder of the importance of logic and evidence in solving mysteries, even in the face of seemingly impossible odds.