The House of Silk
![RIP8main300_zps3f26c546[1]](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MlRGece6KK4/UmQc2x-JUUI/AAAAAAAAF84/gOGJhcTc28k/s1600-h/RIP8main300_zps3f26c54613.jpg "RIP8main300_zps3f26c546[1]")
(Book 6 for RIP)
The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz.
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Mulholland Books(October 2, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0316197017
The House of Silk begins with a brief, personal recounting of events by Watson. The reader is informed of the particulars regarding the first meeting of Watson and Holmes, including the circumstances of the Afghan War and a mention of the case that was "too shocking to be revealed until now."
The client of "The Flat Cap case" is introduced as a man by the name of Edmund Carstairs, an art dealer whose paintings had been destroyed by a gang of Irish robbers. After the murder of Carstairs' client, and a failure on the part of a hired detective, he turns to Sherlock Holmes, who employs the aid of the Baker Street Irregulars, and upon locating the hotel wherein the supposed Keelan O'Donaghue (one of the leaders of the gang) is currently staying, one of the newest recruits of the Irregulars, a boy named Ross, is stationed to wait outside until Holmes, Watson, and Mr. Carstairs arrive. When the group finally arrives, Ross appears inexplicably horror-stricken and is later found brutally murdered by thugs of the House of Silk. When Holmes makes inroads with the House of Silk case, he is framed for murder and sent to prison
Having recently read another Sherlock Homes book I found myself comparing writers.. something I never really do. I think because of my age and my familiarity with the very old back and white Holmes movies with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce that I tend to hear their voices in the dialog and so draw on what sounds more like the movies I remember. I have to say that I think the other book, Dust and Shadow, reads more like the Conan Doyle books I remember that turned into movies.
That being said I will say that this was still a very good read. Unfortunately, I have not been feeling well and so this book, which I should have read in a few short days, took me a long time to read, but it had nothing to do with the writing.
This book begins a little slow (not toooo slow) and builds as it goes along, until the final few chapters just race by. I do think that anyone who likes Sherlock Holmes stories will enjoy this book.
posted by DesLily | 2:11 PM
5 Comments:
So sorry to read you have not been feeling well, my dear Pat...I hope whatever it is, leaves quickly and that you will be 100% very very soon.
I wonder about the "rights" to these Conan Doyle characters...Can anyone write books using these well known--well established characters?? OR, are the Conan Doyle books in Public Domain? It all seems very very odd to me....!
I quite enjoyed this but I think that's primarily like you mentioned that I have the voices of my favourite actors running along inside my head when I'm reading which tends to alter my perception a little. I thought Horrowitz made a good go of getting the 'feel' right and I did enjoy visiting Holmes and Watson again but there were just a few little things for me and in particular the story itself which didn't feel like something that ACD would ever have written about. I'm not particularly criticising the story it's just one of the points that made me feel this didn't read true.
Lynn :D
Posted too soon! Meant to say I'll definitely check out Dust and Shadow so thanks for that.
Hope you feel much better soon.
Lynn
Sorry to hear you're still feeling bad. Wish they could find a way to sort out your problems.
I quite liked The House of Silk too but agree with Lynn that this is not a subject ACD would have brought into his books. I found a book on GoodReads that I fancy - Holmes vs Dracula by Loren D. Estleman. Lots of Holmes books being written it seems. Some hit the spot, some don't.
I have bought a copy (used, thankfully) to try it when I'm in the mood for some Sherlock HOlmes. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Pat. I wondered about the back blurb if it was going to be typical Holmes, so we'll see when I get to it. Thanks for your review.
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