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Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hardly Elementary My Dear Reader,
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This review is from: The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel (Hardcover)
Kudos to Mr. Horowitz for taking on such a project. To be the first officially authorized Sherlock Holmes novel in 125 years, as granted by the Arthur Conan Doyle Estate, is a daunting task. Any use of this icon is subject to intense scrutiny by legions of fans and the clubs dedicated to his study and enjoyment. As a fan of Foyle's War, I was sure Mr. Horowitz would be a stickler for detail which was so ably demonstrated in that Second World War mystery series.What struck me most was how well he captured the tonality of Holmes and Watson - he positively channeled Conan Doyle. He brings the environs of 1890's London to life, as well as, the dialogue of the period from Baker Street Irregulars to beat cops to upper society. Pacing is very good - nothing drags and suspense is in good supply. In terms of plot, he employs a very common Holmes convention of two overlapping and interweaving stories. And while I surmised one of them quite quickly, it did not take away from interest or pleasure of the entire novel. What carries the book is the relationship between Holmes and Watson and the author's decision for the latter to write this as a memoir in his waning days. It is quite clear that Horowitz has a passion and fondness for these two and it is expressed throughout. I look forward to lively discussions of this book with members of the Sherlock Holmes club I belong to ... A Study in Scotch.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great listen!,
By
This review is from: The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel (Audio CD)
Once I discovered Sherlock Holmes in my younger years, I devoured every tale, fascinated with Holmes' powers of observation and deductions.Sir Arthur Conan Doyle died in 1930. The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz is the first time a new Holmes story has been sanctioned by his estate. I started to listen to the book with, I must admit, with more than a little trepidation. Would it do justice to Doyle's characters? Would the story have the same 'feel'? 1890's London England. Sherlock Holmes is called in by an art dealer who fears a member of the Flat Cap Gang has followed him from America to Britain and means him harm. Aided by the trusty Dr. John Watson, Holmes begins investigating - aided by the young Baker Street Irregulars. One of the boys ends up dead - and the case leads to places and people that believe they're untouchable. And really you don't need much more of the plot, as it truly is a Sherlock tale. Horowitz has done a fantastic job of recapturing the tone of previous works - the back and forth between Holmes and Watson, the clues and deductions, the Victorian settings and more. As I mentioned, I chose to listen to the audio version. And am I ever glad I did! Derek Jacobi did a simply amazing job. His voice is so expressive and rich and captured completely the tone of the story and the characters. The House of Silk is climbing up bestseller lists - and with good reason. Definitely recommended.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Elementary,
By
This review is from: The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel (Hardcover)
Maybe it's a coming trend. First the Gershwin estate authorizes a Broadway version of 'Porgy & Bess,' in an attempt to milk its assets. Then the Arthur Conan Doyle estate authorizes for the first time a Sherlock Holmes novel. Another similar event and we might just be enjoying a fad.Be that as it may, this novel is based on one of the many unpublished adventures of the famous detective, with Watson, now retired, recalling one last case a year after Holmes' death. It begins when a London art dealer visits Baker Street and tells Holmes and Watson about his confrontation in the United States with a Boston gang which has murdered a customer of his and which he believes followed him back to England. From this flows an intriguing tale far afield from the original surmise. The writing flows like an original Sherlock Holmes tale, and the logic and analysis reflect the virtuosity and great mind of the singular detective. Too often attempts to recreate classics fail or end up being something else. Such is not the case with this novel, and it is recommended.
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