Isn't it lovely having Holmes back? The air around Baskerville Hall feels sort of crackly with excitement, just having him about. Okay, no, that's the air around my couch, and it's probably because Baby, it's cold outside, and the furnace is making things static-y. However, I like to imagine it's due to Sherlock Holmes being around, infusing us with his energy. Although he says Watson's the one who always wants to "do something energetic" (p. 672), I think it's Holmes who moves events just by being.
Anyway, now we know that Stapleton has plenty of motive because he's a long-lost Baskerville himself. The plot thickens like good gravy, doesn't it?
But when Holmes and Watson announce they're going back to London (even though we know they're not), Sir Henry protests, "The Hall and the moor are not very pleasant places when one is alone" (p. 676). Does he think they're just going to stay with him forever?
Anyway, we learn what Laura Lyons' role was in the whole affair, and look! Lestrade's arrived! An appreciative Lestrade who's here to help -- such an improvement on his earlier demeanor in the canon.
Favorite Lines:
"You have been walking for some months very near to the edge of a precipice" (p. 679). (Yes, I just like this line because it's so similar to my blog's name.)
Possible Discussion Questions:
While describing Mrs. Barrymore's reaction to the death of her brother, Watson ruminates, "Evil indeed is the man who has not one woman to mourn him" (p. 673). I'm wondering, though -- at this juncture in their lives, what woman would mourn either Watson or Holmes, should they die?
Book reviews by a Christian writer/wife/mother
Yes!! The story seems so much more exciting with Holmes!!
ReplyDeleteThat is a very good discussion question!! 1) Is Watson could be "dating" his future wife right now (maybe not, I don't remember), 2) Watson seems like the kind of guy who has a good mother who loves him. Holmes is another story. Maybe the women who he has rescued and solved cases for? Probably the general public would too. The mystery is escalating!!
Watson meets Mary Morstan at the beginning of "The Sign of the Four" and is engaged to her by the end of it, after knowing her for like 2 weeks, so I don't think she's in the picture here. Of course, there's great dissension in the ranks of Sherlockians as to how many wives Watson has had (I say two, but some say more).
DeleteI just realized, though, that Mrs. Hudson would mourn them both. Perhaps especially because Holmes payed her a great deal more than the flat was worth once his reputation was established and he was making good money...