The story unfolds in foggy region of Dartmoor in Devon in England's West Country. The mysterious attempted murder may have been inspired by the legend of a fearsome, diabolical hound of supernatural origin. Sherlock Holmes and his companion Dr. Watson investigate the case. This was the first appearance of Holmes since his apparent death in 'The Final Problem', and the success of The Hound of the Baskervilles led to the character's eventual revival.