The House of Silk

A Sherlock Holmes Novel

By: Anthony Horowitz

Narrated by: Derek Jacobi

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 ever appear in print...until now.

Worthy and entertaining story.

I took to 'House of Silk' with great eagerness. Horowitz is a good writer and he captures the essence of Holmes and Watson quite well.
The performance is top notch and makes up for some of the story's mild shortcomings.

While I felt guided through a series of events through London in the late 19th century, I felt the story offered little chance for the reader/listener to deduce anything on their own. What clues that Horowitz does leave are obvious and offer no red herrings.

We're left with the last minute revelations of wires to Dublin, Belfast and Boston to have Holmes magically come to the conclusion giving the listener no opportunity to work it out them selves.

That said, I did enjoy this story and do recommend it to those who enjoy Holmes.

Great story, wonderful writing.

Would you listen to The House of Silk again? Why?

Well, I seldom listen to audiobooks twice no matter how good they are - too many I haven't heard!

Any additional comments?

I always know an audiobok is great when I can't wait to get back to it. this was one of those. I also vividly saw the places and characters. Loved it!

If you're a Sherlock Holmes fan, I think this will more than measure up.

Fabulous Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would! The story line keeps you from the beginning to the end of the book. It keeps you wondering what is going to happen next, and how are they going to proceed with the invesigation. And not only that, the twists that are in this audio book, keeps you in awh.

What other book might you compare The House of Silk to and why?

Haven't come across that yet.

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

I am not sure. But he is good, very good.

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

OMG! When my husband and I heard what the House of Silk was, and who was involved. That was powerful.

Any additional comments?

My husband and I were speechless! Just fabulous!

Could've been written by Doyle himself very good

Finished the second half of the book in one night. Sherlock Season 4 promises a "dark" place episode. This story could be it.

The game is afoot!

As a huge fan of Doyle and SH, I'm always a little warty about a new Holmes story and read alot of them. This was up there as of the best I've read / listened to. Consumed most of this via the audio book and very very much enjoyed the narrator. Recommend both!!