The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz
Release Date: 1st November 2011
Publisher: Orion Books
Format: Paperback
Pages: 294
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Publisher: Orion Books
Format: Paperback
Pages: 294
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Summary from Amazon:
"London, 1890. 221B Baker St. A fine art dealer named Edmund Carstairs
visits Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson to beg for their help. He is
being menaced by a strange man in a flat cap - a wanted criminal who
seems to have followed him all the way from America. In the days that
follow, his home is robbed, his family is threatened. And then the first
murder takes place.
Almost unwillingly, Holmes and Watson find themselves being drawn ever deeper into an international conspiracy connected to the teeming criminal underworld of Boston, the gaslit streets of London, opium dens and much, much more. And as they dig, they begin to hear the whispered phrase-the House of Silk-a mysterious entity that connects the highest levels of government to the deepest depths of criminality. Holmes begins to fear that he has uncovered a conspiracy that threatens to tear apart the very fabric of society."
Almost unwillingly, Holmes and Watson find themselves being drawn ever deeper into an international conspiracy connected to the teeming criminal underworld of Boston, the gaslit streets of London, opium dens and much, much more. And as they dig, they begin to hear the whispered phrase-the House of Silk-a mysterious entity that connects the highest levels of government to the deepest depths of criminality. Holmes begins to fear that he has uncovered a conspiracy that threatens to tear apart the very fabric of society."
Review:
I had my doubts about this book. I had heard that it was really great, but I wasn't sure that Anthony Horowitz could really capture the essence of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's writing, as the book blurb proclaimed. But I had no need to worry - I absolutely loved this. It was great because it managed to capture the essence of Sherlock Holmes, convert it into a really great story by connecting seemingly unconnectable story lines together with twists and turns left, right and centre. As always, you are left in the dark until the final last chapters, when Holmes starts to bring everything together.
I gave this book a rating of 5/5, which is a full star higher that what I gave 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle {my review here}. The reason why is because Conan Doyle wrote short stories, whereas Horowitz has written a full length novel, giving him the ability to create a really deep and thorough storyline that would otherwise be unachievable in a short story. On top of that, I found it a little difficult to work my way through Conan Doyle's short stories, whereas I had no such problem with this book. I won't go so far as to say that this book surpasses what Conan Doyle wrote (nobody could write a better, and more authentic Holmes storyline), but Horowitz has managed to write a really great, authentic book.
Overall, this is a must read. If you're a Sherlock Holmes enthusiast like me, you will love this book. If you're a mystery and crime enthusiast, then you will love this book. If you just want a good read, then you will love this book.
I had my doubts about this book. I had heard that it was really great, but I wasn't sure that Anthony Horowitz could really capture the essence of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's writing, as the book blurb proclaimed. But I had no need to worry - I absolutely loved this. It was great because it managed to capture the essence of Sherlock Holmes, convert it into a really great story by connecting seemingly unconnectable story lines together with twists and turns left, right and centre. As always, you are left in the dark until the final last chapters, when Holmes starts to bring everything together.
I gave this book a rating of 5/5, which is a full star higher that what I gave 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle {my review here}. The reason why is because Conan Doyle wrote short stories, whereas Horowitz has written a full length novel, giving him the ability to create a really deep and thorough storyline that would otherwise be unachievable in a short story. On top of that, I found it a little difficult to work my way through Conan Doyle's short stories, whereas I had no such problem with this book. I won't go so far as to say that this book surpasses what Conan Doyle wrote (nobody could write a better, and more authentic Holmes storyline), but Horowitz has managed to write a really great, authentic book.
Overall, this is a must read. If you're a Sherlock Holmes enthusiast like me, you will love this book. If you're a mystery and crime enthusiast, then you will love this book. If you just want a good read, then you will love this book.
I have seen this book popping up on people's lists lately; maybe I should be adding this to my TBR list in the coming year.
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