This is my favourite full length Sherlock Holmes novel so far. I like that it shows Holmes and Watson slowly finding clues and working out the case logically, and it doesn't end with several chapters of flashbacks to the founding of Mormonism, of the plundering of Indian treasures,for example.

The characters are all interesting and the climax (SPOILERS) is very exciting. I was genuinely shocked and confused when the hound actually came bounding along, and was covered in flames!

I can definitely see why this is one of the most popular Holmes stories.