Reviews

Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz

megareads42's review

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3.0

This is one of those books that was fairly undone by virtue of its ending. I knew all along that there was a grand twist, and when it came it felt so anticlimactic as to be annoying. Also takes the 'unreliable narrator' thing too far. I felt cheated and it seemed like a cop out to make the narrator Moriarty. Basically, meant everything I had read in this character's 'voice' was a lie. Not cool. Maybe if he goes back to Holmes and Watson I'll read another.

zbmorgan's review

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4.0

Some complained about the slow build up, but I very much enjoyed the cat and mouse game between Athelney Jones, a minor character in one of Conan Doyle's original stories, and arch-villain-who-may-be-working-with-Moriarty Devereaux. It was a tense page turner, and Horowitz's excellent television writing makes this a beautifully done story - he keeps the plot moving while making interesting characters and plenty of atmosphere. Simply wish television success didn't keep hom so busy - more books, please!

ginaparrish's review

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2.0

Horowitz took a risk in changing up Doyle’s tried-and-true formula, one he imitated very well in House of Silk, but unfortunately the risk did not pay off.

Had Horowitz written this book as cleanly as his previous one, and had it been plotted and edited just as well, it might have worked. But this book never left the “that could be interesting” stage. It felt like he did not completely think it through and that the publisher rushed it to market.

At most Moriarty was mildly entertaining. With reluctance, I followed two new characters that Horowitz gave me no reason find interesting. For most of the book I knew almost nothing about them, had no idea why they continued to put themselves in the path of (unnecessarily excessive) bloodshed, and cared little whether or not they would succeed.

That was the book’s biggest failing: it sacrificed many of the necessary conventions of writing and storytelling all for the sake of... the twist! Personally I cannot stand when authors make this mistake. It tends to happen more in thrillers than mysteries. It means that, unless I fall for the twist, the book falls flat. I want to be interested in the story even if I guess the ending, and that means having developed characters and a solid plot.

While other reviewers seemed taken aback by the ending, I was not, and I doubt avid fans of the mystery genre will be surprised. I had hoped for a double twist, perhaps with the reappearance of our great hero, Holmes, if only Horowitz would have pushed himself that much farther...

tacanderson's review

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adventurous dark mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Enjoyable with a good twist at. I did find myself questioning some of the decisions and what seemed like plot holes until you start to realize there's probably something else going on, but even with that suspicion, I didn't guess what was really going on. 

jenpaul13's review

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4.0

Sherlock Holmes. These two words will grab my attention, and for good reason since I like the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories, the mousey rendition from my childhood in The Great Mouse Detective, the BBC series, and the Robert Downey Jr. films. You could say I'm pretty well initiated into the world of Holmes. Oh, and let's not forget that when I studied abroad in London, I made sure to pop by 221 Baker Street. When I heard some buzz about Anthony Horowitz's Moriarty, my inner fangirl had a (not so) quiet little moment and I knew that I'd have to read it--and much thanks to Shelf Awareness for my signed copy.

To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.

This Sherlockian story begins with an American Pinkerton agent, Frederick Chase, investigating the circumstances behind one of his men's death while undercover in London, which places him right in the middle of the infamous Reichenbach Falls double death of Moriarty and Holmes. Chase, meeting resistance from the Swiss authorities, is introduced to Scotland Yard detective Athelney Jones; Jones has conducted investigations where Holmes consulted and solved the case, thus creating a sort of obsession in Jones to become as observant as Holmes. Together the men are investigating the death of Moriarty and murderous crime spree occurring in London under American emigrants direction, which was supposedly controlled by the "Napoleon of crime" Moriarty.

The narration was something I enjoyed and provided a nice reprieve from the conventional, commonplace narrative of today. The entire plot was well strung together and while I anticipated the twist (which I cannot divulge because it will spoil the book for anyone who still wants to read it), I was still taken along for the ride of deceit and intrigued to see what the next clue will be and where it will take the two men. The writing and story both make me sympathetic toward Moriarty, which is something that is quite rare and difficult to do (although for those heavily invested in fandoms, it can be an all too common practice, which I am fully aware of).



elendilkitten's review

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dark mysterious medium-paced

4.0

I enjoyed this book a lot, and I almost half-guessed the twist at the end. Definitely interesting to read what is technically a Sherlock Holmes fanfic where he dies right at the start, and yet his presence is there throughout. 

soni_fair's review

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

lalawoman416's review

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5.0

It's not often that I read a book where I immediately want to re-read it as soon as I've read the last chapter (or in this case, the second to last chapter). This book starts just days after Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty heading over the Reichenbach falls. Pinkerton Detective Frederick Chase teams up with Professor Athelney Jones to take down an American criminal mastermind filling the void left behind by Moriarty. The writing is such a great homage to Doyle without being too on point so as to be distracting. The tone is dark, dreary, and exciting. Not enough can be said about this book, and yet nothing should be said so as to not spoil the book. Can't wait to read House of Silk.

elodiethefangirl's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

humatariq's review against another edition

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4.0

It started off quite slow, but built up to a really satisfying end. Keep writing more Horowitz...I'm officially a fan!
One thing that really bugged me throughout was at times it was quite deprecating about Holmes at times. It's one thing if Doyle writes that way about Holmes, he was the creator...and we all know how he tried to kill Holmes off. But it's another thing if Horowitz criticizes him. But it all works out in the end I guess.