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

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

I've read all of the complete works of Sherlock Holmes and this has to be the story that comes closest in style and formula. In that respect it's quite amazing. However, there's nothing like the real thing and therefore I enjoy when Sherlock Holmes is given new spins. It's a good book, one I would recommend to hard core fans but it falls flat. A part could be due to the narration. The narration could have made the characters more distinctive. Instead it sounded like only one (ok, may 2 with that bad America accent) was part of the book.

House of Silk

I found this too long and drawn out. The reader was excellent and it does have the SH ambience throughout. If you just can't get enough SH and have already gone through all his Conan Doyle books then this book is for you.

In my opinion the best reader of the Conan Doyle SH books is David Timson. They are also very well dramatized by the BBC. I believe these are all available from audible.

I thoroughly Enjoyed this book

Beatifuly read by Derek Jacob this Sherlock Holmes adventure had all the twists and turns of the original books but with a slightly modern voice and a social conscience .This did not detract from the story telling, Anthony Horowitz has done an amazing job . I think Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would not be disappointed with the result. However I feel certain that he would never written about the horror that This Sherlock uncovers , it would never have been discussed in polite society in his day even though it surely existed behind closed doors we should be grateful we have come a little further in 2017 and are able to shine a light on this dark side of humanity.

Sherlock Holmes Book

If you like Sherlock Holmes you will like this book. It moves along at a good pace and Watson relates the tale.

Thoroughly enjoyed it!

Of course, this is not Conan Doyle’s Holmes or Watson. But the characters are true to the spirit of the tradition, and it’s so good to have them back in a well-written story that I didn’t care. It’s a dark, disturbing tale that is atmospheric and eventful. And Derek Jacobi did a wonderful job with the narration. I did object to the use (more than once), of the phrase “at the end of the day,” which I think is one of the most annoying in the English language. Did people even use that phrase in 1890? I hope not.

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.