Reviews

The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz

gbweeks's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed this recreation of Sherlock Holmes--I haven't read the original in many years so I wasn't concerned with strict comparisons. Horowitz constructs top notch plots with plenty of uncertainty and twists. A lot of disparate threads come together with a secret that goes to the highest social and political levels and threatens Holmes' life. From the U.S. to Dublin to London, with art dealers, criminals, opium dens, and high society. Good summer book.

alongapath's review against another edition

5.0

I have never been a fan of Sherlock Holmes. I attempted the Hound of Baskervilles way back in my university days but I couldn't wrap my brain around the quirkiness of Holmes' personality. The historical time frame was lost on me and I generally found it to be more work than pleasure.
But this was a completely different experience. Is it Horowitz' writing style? Is it the awesome audio rendition by Derek Jacobi? Is it just my maturity and willingness to step out of my comfort zone? Or is it because, having watched an episode or two of the TV series, I could visualize Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman in the starring roles? No matter, I have been enlightened and am all the happier for it.

helene_g's review against another edition

5.0

I love a classic Sherlock Holmes story and Horowitz does a great job of carrying on the Arthur Conan Doyle tradition.

abbypar11's review against another edition

3.0

This was...darker then I was expecting. I was cringing several times. HOWEVER, with that said. I have been a Sherlock Holmes fan for most of my life, and I have read all of his adventures. Horowitz does a fantastic job of slipping into Arthur Conan Doyle's shoes! The voice and style are the same,

Spoiler

I just wish it wasn't full tilt child sexual abuse right out of the gate!

Overall, I look forward to more from Horowitz!

rinn's review against another edition

4.0

Well I was not expecting that ending!

vladina's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

3.0

moorek330's review against another edition

4.0

Excellent Sherlock Holmes! I can see why he was approved! It was so well written and dark and twisty turny and amazing!!!

Having read the original works, I would say I am very pleased and look forward to the other Holmes book he wrote!

dennisfischman's review against another edition

4.0

Imagine an elderly Dr. John Watson, reflecting on the things he wrote about Holmes and the questions he never thought to ask, from the vantage point of his many years. Now imagine a Holmes adventure he never told, one that fits squarely in the canon but shows us aspects of Holmes, Watson, and even Inspector Lestrade that we might have guessed but never saw before.

Add in a truly ingenious plot and a glimpse of some of the darker corners of Victorian London and you have this book, a generous gift by author Anthony Horowitz to his fellow fans.

I cannot give it a perfect rating because I figured out which character was the crucial link between the American back story and the British events. I did not anticipate the details, however. I recognized many of the clues but not the pattern they made. If you are more like Holmes and less like Watson than I am, you may figure it all out-/but you will not find it elementary!

revoli's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.25

cantastic's review against another edition

5.0

Loved this book! Felt like it was written by Doyle himself.