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The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel
Unavailable
The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel
Unavailable
The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel
Audiobook10 hours

The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel

Written by Anthony Horowitz

Narrated by Derek Jacobi

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

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Currently unavailable

Currently unavailable

About this audiobook

For the first time in its one-hundred-and-twenty-five-year history, the Arthur Conan Doyle Estate has authorized a new Sherlock Holmes novel.

Once again, THE GAME'S AFOOT...

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.

The Arthur Conan Doyle Estate chose the celebrated, #1 New York Times bestselling author Anthony Horowitz to write The House of Silk because of his proven ability to tell a transfixing story and for his passion for all things Holmes. Destined to become an instant classic, The House of Silk brings Sherlock Holmes back with all the nuance, pacing, and almost superhuman powers of analysis and deduction that made him the world's greatest detective, in a case depicting events too shocking, too monstrous to be recounted... until now.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateNov 1, 2011
ISBN9781611136906
Unavailable
The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel
Author

Anthony Horowitz

ANTHONY HOROWITZ is the author of the US bestselling Magpie Murders and The Word is Murder, and one of the most prolific and successful writers in the English language; he may have committed more (fictional) murders than any other living author. His novel Trigger Mortis features original material from Ian Fleming. His most recent Sherlock Holmes novel, Moriarty, is a reader favorite; and his bestselling Alex Rider series for young adults has sold more than 19 million copies worldwide. As a TV screenwriter, he created both Midsomer Murders and the BAFTA-winning Foyle’s War on PBS. Horowitz regularly contributes to a wide variety of national newspapers and magazines, and in January 2014 was awarded an OBE.

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Rating: 3.8886106345431792 out of 5 stars
4/5

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Worthy Conan Doyle successorReview of the Audible Audio edition narrated by Derek JacobiI might be overrating this 2011 Holmes adventure somewhat as I read it in tandem with Caleb Carr's extremely boring "The Italian Secretary" (2006) in a small catch-up of not-so-recent Sherlock Holmes pastiche fiction. Nevertheless, there is no question that Horowitz is much truer to the original characters and provides a much more thrilling plotline.I notice also that Horowitz is now the officially commissioned continuation author of 2 iconic British mystery/thriller series with his Holmes ("Moriarty" (2014) is his 2nd one) and his James Bond ("Trigger Mortis" (2015) & "Forever and a Day" (2018)). The narration by veteran actor Derek Jacobi was outstanding throughout.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Horowitz does a good job with this Sherlock Holmes mystery novel. I am actually not a huge fan of Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, and arguably Horowitz does it even better. The book is significantly longer than a Doyle story, and Horowitz uses this extra space well, to show the characters and spin out the plot. Horowitz emulates a late 19th century writing style, but does not ape it; he keeps a modern twist. His plot and descriptions of the setting also have a little extra modern perspective that I think makes the novel more interesting. It is a good mystery—solvable in theory from the information you're given, though I didn't solve it myself. A very little action, enough to spice it up. The story focuses on Holmes and Watson, with a few cameos. I would have liked to have seen a few more characters developed.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Doctor Watson narrates the exploits of Sherlock Holmes as he investigates a murder and the brutal death of a street urchin.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Lately, I find I enjoy mysteries set in the Victorian era. This book has been on my To-Read shelf for a bit and I was given another book by this author for Christmas and it made me remember this particular book, sooooo I decided to read this one first.I was a little leery about some one else writing as Watson, trying to write as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but I was not disappointed once I got into the book. The pace is good, the writing paints the era in a way that makes you feel you are viewing the activities, and the characters are real. Horowitz keeps close to the way Doyle portrayed Watson's writing, the actions of Holmes, Watson, Mrs. Hudson, the Baker Street Irregulars, Lestrade and others. It feels as if it could be a continuation of the original series.The case is one that has taken place at an earlier point in the Watson - Holmes relationship, but was not written up until after Holmes has died. Watson is much older, a widow, a father and grandfather. Time has passed, yet Watson feels this one case still needs to be told. The reason this case comes to light so many years later is after Watson wrote it, was because it was stored with his solicitors with the order to not release it until Watson had been dead 100 years. And so it now comes to light.Edmund Carstairs, an art dealer, visits Holmes asking for help to find out who is watching him. There is a man wearing a flat cap who seems to follow him around the city. Carstairs thinks the man is a member of an Irish-American gang, and returned on the same boat from America that he and his wife sailed on: the same boat that Carstairs met his wife on. When the Carstairs home is burgled, and a murder occurs, Carstairs becomes even more worried.While utilizing the Baker Street Irregulars to help locate where this Irish man is hiding out, they post one of the boys as a lookout in case the man leaves. When Holmes, Watson and Carstairs get to the location, the boy is visably shaken by one of thems' appearance. Later the boy is found brutally murdered. A connection is made between him and a charitable school for boys, from which he ran away. A second mystery now presents itself.Holmes uses his logic to solve both mysteries and at the same time weave the connecting threads of each to each. The pace is good and the tension keeps you reading.Can't wait to read the next book by this author!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I loved this! It "felt" like a Holmes novel and had all the requisite intrigue and characters. Great read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Good story line, typical Sherlock Holmes tale with lots of twists and turns. I was left guessing right up until the last. What I enjoyed the most about this Audiobook, was the narration, by Derek Jacobi, it was absolutely fantastic! Being such an acclaimed actor and one of my favourites, he read it like a play, and I was totally enthralled.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I admit that I am not a huge fan of the Sherlock Holmes books, and I was hoping for something more like "Magpie Murders" but this was just straight forward Sherlock Holmes. I liked some of the period detail but the story did seem to drag on. There was a lot of intricate plotting, so if you are a Holmes lover you'll probably enjoy this more than I did. I got a little bored.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Hidden away by Dr. Watson until the salacious details were safe to print, The House of Silk tells the tale of a Holmes' case that started with a seemingly innocuous robbery, and progressed to murder and far-reaching conspiracy.It's easy to see why Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's estate approved this book. It reads in Watson's voice so beautifully, and the characters ring so true to Doyle's originals.The mystery is expertly built, layers upon layers that become a twisted tale much bigger than it originally appears. I also really like the nods to Watson and Holmes' friendship, my favorite friendship in fiction.This was such a good take on Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.If you are a Sherlock Holmes' fan, I definitely recommend this book.
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    Poorly researched and written. Does not seem to be Holmes and Watson at all. Author does not seem to know the period at all.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Written in the true style of Conan Doyle. An excellent, excellent mystery and very period correct.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    The initial mystery was okay (the flat cap gang one.) The house of silk mystery however started out good, but upon finding out what it was, became disturbing.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Really enjoyable. Horowitz seemed to effortlessly slip into the style of Conan Doyle and it was easy to believe you were reading a genuine Holmes book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Probably the best Sherlock Holmes pastiche I've read, certainly the best in a long time. It has the flavor of Doyle without seeming formularic. It's intriguing, it's exciting, and it's satisfying.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A marvelous, if horrifying, addition to the Holmes canon. Horowitz gets Holmes' and Watson's voices exactly right, and the tale spun is both accurate to the genre and the time period, as well as being likely in the canon in which it is cast. While the book looks to be a reasonable length, it is in fact a quick read, and as with every other tale in the Holmes canon, all the clues are present if the reader knows where to look. This is something on which one should spend a snowy weekend - albiet with a warm blanket and a stiff drink at hand.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This review contains SPOILERS.This full length new Sherlock Holmes novel is a cracking good read. The author has the authentic style of Conan Doyle down to a tee (his author's note at the end makes clear why) and the great bulk of this could have been written by the great man himself, though the final revelation of the eponymous institution alludes to themes Doyle could not have covered in mainstream literature in the early 20th century, albeit that Horowitz still covers them obliquely. My only criticism might be what struck me as the slightly gratuitous, though interestingly handled, inclusion of Moriarty. 5/5
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I picked this novel up more or less by chance - I found myself faced with the journey home from work with nothing to read (the last novel that i had started had proved to be too dreadful to persist with), and more or less grabbed the first book I saw in Waterstones just before it closed for the night. What a serendipitous choice!I always enjoyed Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories - superior teen fiction from before the term was coined - and this novel captures the tone of the originals quite marvellously. The book purports to be a manuscript by Dr Watson for which he had placed the embargo that it should not be published until one hundred years after his death. The reasons for this becomes apparent as the plot infolds. It features all of the regular characteristics that peppered the original stories - the Baker Street Irregulars have a major role to play, Mrs Hudson is as indignant and Inspector Lestrade as initially misguided as ever, and there is even a cameo appearance from Moriarty. Holmes is as relentless as ever in his meticulous cold-reading of everyone whom he meets, and the portrayal of Victorian London is as simultaneously enticing and repulsive as ever.The plot is as intricately constructed as one would hope, and the denouement enthralls the reader.Most enjoyable.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Stale. Maybe it's just not possible to write about this character anymore?
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    It has to be admitted that I approach any pastiche of Sherlock Holmes with a certain amount of caution. Many of these,notably those written by Laurie King,annoy me to no little degree. So I began 'The House of Silk' with trepidation as to what may occur in the course of the story. I need not have worried as this is one of the best depictions of Holmes that I have come across.Horowitz is obviously a keen fan of Conan Doyle and that he is going to keep to the sense of the original stories.As he states in his interesting 'Afterword', this book is about twice as long as any of the Doyle long stories and as such can offer a rather fuller and fleshed out version. It re-introduces us to several of the minor characters used by Doyle,including a Lestrade that certainly eclipses that of the original.The story itself is perhaps of less interest than the characters,both old and new,but perfectly acceptable for all that. My only slight quibble is that one of the two crimes taking place ,is rather obvious at an early stage.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I am a Sherlock Holmes fan and I do enjoy some (but not all) of the new books/TV series based on the character, such as the "Study in Emerald" by Neil Gaiman or the BBC series "Sherlock".House of Silk is one of these new adventures of Sherlock Holmes that I did enjoy, not only that, I found that it was very faithful to the original. Also, due to the events that take place it does make sense that the case would have been hidden and not published by Watson at the time (which is explaind by Watson at the beginning).I would recommend it to any fans of the original.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I am always drawn to any story that relates to Sherlock Holmes and was not disappointed in this one. Dr Watson is writing his memoirs of his friend Sherlock and this story is one of the adventures that they were involved with. The blurb on the inside cover of the book says that the author delivers a first rate Sherlock Holmes mystery for a modern readership whilst remaining utterly true to the spirit of the original Conan Doyle books.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I'm not one generally for "coat-tails" books - that is, books where the central character was not created by the author, but I couldn't resist something read by Derek Jacobi. And of course Anthony Horowitz is pretty well known as a television dramatist, in particular for his work on Midsomer Murders and Murder in Mind, and episodes for Poirot and Murder Most Horrid.I think Sherlock Holmes followers will enjoy THE HOUSE OF SILK. Sherlock Holmes is long dead and Watson recalls how he very nearly died during this case. Poor old Dr. Watson is writing at the end of his life recalling a story from twenty five years before, set in London in the late 1890s. Anthony Horowitz was given access to the estate of Conan Doyle and also carefully studied many of the original stories. It certainly has an authentic feel to it, although I am far from being a Sherlock Holmes expert.Jacobi does, as we would expect, an excellent job of the narration.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This is a Sherlock Holmes mystery, the first time that the Conan Doyle Estate has authorized a new novel. Anthony Horowitz does a fabulous job following in those elusive footsteps of Conan Doyle. I love the ramblings of Dr. John Watson, and his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. Due to the nature of the investigation, Holmes brings his brother, Mycroft, into the case. Poor Watson, did not even know of the existence of Mycroft. After watching many of the PBS programs, I can imagine this book as a presentation. The Sherlock Holmes novels are interesting in the detective work and the development of theories.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    It's briliantly written, a chilling tale.Unfortunately the story itself is a lot like "William S.", the untouchable upperclass sexualy abusing vunrable children and they keep getting away with it. As infuriating as it is, it won't change and I don't want to be reminded of that too often.But as a novel, it's a thrill to read. I absolutely loved it.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A few pages into this book and you forget the book is not written by Conan Doyle. Mr Horowitz has captured the Doyle prose and used it in this excellent story that places Holmes and Watson together before his "death" at the falls. It is engrossing and very easy to read. Excellent!!!!!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Excellent addition to the canon. Sticks very closely to the spirit of the originals, but adds a modern language sensibility and plays with the formula to good effect. Nicely judged set of herring rouge to keep the plot going.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This audiobook was really made better by the reader, Derek Jacobi, the wonderful British actor. The newest irregular is murdered while on assignment for Sherlock. It's not difficult to guess what the House of Sil is and the lengths that the powerful men who frequent it will go to cover up it's existence. Sherlock is framed and Watson is on his own to help solve the case.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Entertainig but too predictable
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Anthony Horowitz has done a good job of trying to produce a new Holmes novel. The balance he has struck between pace and description feels faithful to the Conan Doyle's style, as does the relationship between Holmes and Watson, though perhaps the great detective is a little less acerbic than you might have expected. Of course, you might wonder why it is necessary for anyone to write a new Holmes novel, but it's a satisfying, speedy read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    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.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Im November 1890 betritt der Galerist Edmund Carstein, ein elegant gekleideter Mann mittleren Alters, die Wohnung des berühmtesten Detektivs seiner Zeit in der Baker Street 221b. Er bittet Sherlock Holmes um Hilfe, da er sich seit einiger Zeit von einem raubeinigen Mann verfolgt fühlt. Was die Sache für ihn besonders bedrohlich erscheinen lässt, ist die Tatsache, dass dieser Mann kein Unbekannter für ihn ist: Er kennt ihn von einem kürzlichen Aufenthalt in den Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika. Dort sei der vermeintliche Schurke nämlich Teil einer berüchtigten Bostoner Verbrecherbande gewesen, der Flat Cap Gang, an deren beinahe radikaler Auslöschung Holmes‘ neuer Klient einen bedeutenden Anteil hatte. Jedoch soll einer der Bandenmitglieder überlebt haben und es scheint, als sei dieser Carstein nach London gefolgt, um sich an ihm zu rächen. Als Holmes und sein treuer Gefährte und Chronist Dr. Watson sich auf die Spur des mysteriösen Mannes heften, geraten sie in einen Sog der Gewalt und des Verbrechens, der selbst die kühnste Vorstellungskraft des Meisterdetektivs überschreiten und ihn bis ins Gefängnis bringen soll. Ein weißes Seidenband am Handgelenk eines zu Tode geprügelten Straßenjungen spielt dabei eine nicht unerhebliche Rolle …Bei dem hier vorliegenden Buch handelt es sich um den ersten offiziellen und vom „Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Literary Estate“ genehmigten Roman eines neuen Falles des berühmtesten Detektivs der Welt. Dem vor allem für seine Jugendbuchreihen „Ein Fall für Alex Rider“ und „Die fünf Tore“ bekannten Autor Anthony Horowitz wurde dabei die Ehre übertragen, diesen zu verfassen. Und dies macht er, um es gleich vorneweg deutlich zu sagen, richtig gut. Der Roman beginnt mit einem Vorwort, in dem ein gealterter und kurz vor seinem Tod stehender Dr. John Watson die Umstände der späten - weit über hundert Jahre nach den geschilderten Ereignissen - Veröffentlichung seiner Aufzeichnungen über diese „ungeheuerlichen und schockierenden Ereignisse“ plausibel und schlüssig erläutert.Nach einem unterhaltsamen Beginn, in dessen Verlauf Holmes seinem alten Freund Watson auf die ihm unnachahmliche Art und Weise seine absolute Meisterschaft auf dem Gebiet der Ratiocination demonstriert, entwickelt sich eine clever und absolut überzeugend konstruierte Erzählung mit zwei verschiedenen Handlungssträngen, die viel Raum für Spekulationen des Lesers offen lassen. Wie man es von einem Sherlock Holmes-Roman erwartet, spürt man auch hier auf jeder Seite die unvergleichliche Magie des viktorianischen Londons. Zum einen steigt man mit den beiden Protagonisten hinab in den Moloch des Verbrechens, der Opiumhöhlen und der verwahrlosten Straßenkinder, zum anderen bewegt man sich mit ihnen in den höchsten Kreisen der englischen Gesellschaft und kann sich dabei nie sicher sein, wo das wahre Böse lauert.Der Schreibstil von Horowitz ist dabei sehr gelungen und überzeugend. Auch wenn er nicht auf jeder Seite des Buches immer nahezu perfekt nach dem großen Arthur Conan Doyle klingt, schreibt er doch so nah am Original wie das heutzutage, etliche Dekaden später, wohl noch möglich ist. Über einen ganzen Roman von knapp 350 Seiten den Tonfall unverwechselbar nach Doyle klingen zu lassen, dürfte sehr schwierig sein. Die kleinen Abweichungen in der Ausdrucksweise fallen aber auch gar nicht großartig auf, und wenn doch, so trüben sie den Lesegenuss in keiner Weise.Verwunderlich und ein wenig befremdlich ist, dass der ansonsten als sehr nüchterner und doch eher gefühlskalter Analytiker bekannte Holmes im Laufe des Romans ungewohnte Emotionen zeigt, was jedoch in diesem spezifischen Fall den Ereignissen der Handlung geschuldet und somit durchaus glaubwürdig ist.Auch sonst können beim besten Willen keine größeren negativen Eindrücke geschildert werden.Insgesamt gefällt das Buch daher sehr gut und ist vorbehaltlos weiterzuempfehlen. Und zwar nicht nur Liebhabern der alten Geschichten um Sherlock Holmes, sondern jedem, der gerne gute Bücher liest. Die Erwartungen werden durch den geschickten Plot und die überraschende Lösung des Falles völlig erfüllt, es ist durchweg spannend und dank der guten Übersetzung auch sehr angenehm zu lesen. Horowitz hielt dem Druck der Erwartungen stand, kam mit den Anforderungen sehr gut klar und liefert hier eine erstklassige Arbeit ab.Das schöne Äußere des Buches rundet den absolut positiven Gesamteindruck noch ab.