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The Illusion of Magic Realism as a Stratagem in the Hound of the Baskervilles

The focus of the current research is on the relationship between detective fiction and the art of magic. Such a study is important in order to bring into surface a hidden aspect in one of the most popular novels of detective fiction, i.e., The Hound of the Baskervilles and to reconsider this novel from a new and different point of view. The research approach adopted in this paper includes reconsidering the antagonist of the novel as a professional illusionist rather than a mere villain. The findings from this research provide evidence that adopting an illusionist’s position can provide the antagonist of the novel with concealment and more freedom of action. The main conclusion drawn from this study is that resort to the art of magic on the antagonist’s part can become a great challenge to a detective in a detective novel. This paper recommends that all the antagonists of detective fiction assume hidden roles for achieving their goals not yet known by the readers.