The House of Silk

A Sherlock Holmes Novel

By: Anthony Horowitz

Narrated by: Derek Jacobi

Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Sherlock Holmes is the greatest detective in literary history. For the first time since the death of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a new Holmes story has been sanctioned by his estate, whetting the appetites of fans everywhere. Information about the book will be revealed as deliberately as Holmes himself would unravel a knotty case, but best-selling novelist and Holmes expert Anthony Horowitz is sure to bring a compelling, atmospheric story to life. With access to the estate's archives and careful study of the original stories, Horowitz is sure to weave a tale that satisfies new fans as well as the most dedicated Baker Street Irregular.

©2011 Anthony Horowitz (P)2011 Hachette

Holmes and Watson are alive and well!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Holmes? Watson? How do you choose? They have a bromance that is so entertaining!

What does Derek Jacobi bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator sounds just like I expect Watson to sound. He reads a bit slow, so I listened to it at 1.5 speed and it was perfect. Great narration brings the book to life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. It's a bit long and complicated, as are all Sherlock Holmes books. I listened to a chapter or two at a time.

Any additional comments?

If you are a fan of Doyle's irrepressible Holmes and Watson, you'll love this book. Hopkins captures Doyle's style exactly. This book was the first Holmes book sanctioned by the Doyle foundation since his death. It is easy to see why when you read it. It is exactly as Holmes/Watson were being penned by Doyle himself.

Please note: this is classically written Holmes. So it is a more intellectual listen. If you have never read Holmes, try a free version to see if you like the style. If you like that, you'll love this.

Grade A- match to Conan Doyle. Great read

Fans of the original will be very happy with this story. Very closer match to the original stories.

Deserving of the praise it has received

Horowitz has truly captured the spirit of the original ACD stories. Holmes shows all of the traits we've come to expect - arrogance, humor, and a flair for the dramatic all make an appearance, as well as his disdain for those less gifted. He is still disparaging of Watson's efforts, yet his deep admiration for and attachment to his loyal biographer is clear.

What can I say about Sir Derek but bravo for another stellar performance. I think I could listen to him narrate the phone book and still enjoy it! I did not want the book to end.

I'd read Horowitz' excellent "Moriarty" before listening to this book, so I anticipated a good story, but Silk surpassed my expectations.

I hope he takes another shot at a Holmes and Watson novel in the near future.

Loads of fun.

Great story and performance. I was thoroughly entertaining and felt it stayed true to the spirit of Doyle. I will continue with the next one.

Excellent Tribute to Sir Arthur

What did you love best about The House of Silk?

The House of Silk was a pleasant combination of two of my favorite things in literature, Sherlock Holmes and Anthony Horowitz. Mr. Horowitz spins a wonderful tale that does justice to Sir Arthur's Sherlock universe. He is true to the style and suspense of the original stories.

What did you like best about this story?

I especially enjoyed how this story was knitted into the plot lines of the originals and fits perfectly.

Which scene was your favorite?

The best scene in the whole book is the final one where all the threads of the mystery come together and are revealed by Mr. Holmes.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My spine was tingling as the secrets were revealed because I could not predict the outcomes.

Any additional comments?

Mr. Horowitz does a wonderful job continuing the Sherlock story. I have only one negative point that is more of a testament to Mr. Horowitz's writing style than a downfall of the book. I feel that Mr. Horowitz unnecessarily embellishes details of certain scenes that make them drag out. There were times when I had reached the climax of the scene long before the text did and I found myself saying aloud "get on with it." I love Mr. Horowitz attention to detail in a story but as an avid Sherlock Holmes reader, I was discouraged that the main points were not achieved more quickly, as in the original stories.

Note: DEREK JACOBI did an excellent job of reading this story. I will seek him out in other books.

All the Way Holmes

If you could sum up The House of Silk in three words, what would they be?

Horowitz did it!

What did you like best about this story?

The author clearly did his homework in having researched his subject thoroughly, producing a story that will delight fans of Sir Arthur's canon.

Have you listened to any of Derek Jacobi???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

There is a reason that Derek Jacobi is considered one of the finest actors in the English language. Listen to this book, and you'll know yourself.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Without revealing too much of the plot, I will say only that this novel really humanizes Holmes more than we are used to seeing in other popular portrayals of the character.

Great Listening. Great Mystery

What did you love best about The House of Silk?

The voice of Dr. Watson and the authenticity of Anthony Horowitz's voice of Arthur Conan Doyle. Derek Jacobi is a brilliant actor and reader.

What about Derek Jacobi’s performance did you like?

Really Believably Good!

great fun

Sir Arthur Conan Doyal would be proud.
Some great writing. I enjoyed it very much.

Conan Doyle would be proud

While reading the original Sherlock Holmes series, the readers are repeatedly reminded that the 4 novels and 56 short stories only represent the tip of an iceberg. A smart later-day author would find the Holmes world a rich soil for growing their own crops. Anthony Horowitz is just such an author. The Holmes estate made a great choice in asking him to write 3 more Holmes novels. In The House of Silk, the author not only weaves the plot effortlessly into the existing Holmes world, integrating so many of the prior elements, (Holmes's way of dedication, the Baker Street Irregulars, Watson's wife, Mycroft Holmes, etc.) but also spins an irresistible yarn. The darkest and the most complex Holmes adventure ever.

The narration is very engaging. Once I started listening, I used every excuse I could find to minimize the time I spent on other things. Finished the whole book in less than two days.

Just as good as the original stories!

Such an amazing and enthralling new chapter in the Sherlock Holmes repertoire. I definitely felt that the author kept to the tone and tradition of the sir Arthur Conan Doyle books, and I was equally enraptured by this story! Great read for any fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories.