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The House of Silk  By  cover art

The House of Silk

By: Anthony Horowitz
Narrated by: Sir Derek Jacobi
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Publisher's summary

THE GAME'S AFOOT... It is November 1890 and London is gripped by a merciless winter. Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson are enjoying tea by the fire when an agitated gentleman arrives unannounced at 221b Baker Street. He begs Holmes for help, telling the unnerving story of a scar-faced man with piercing eyes who has stalked him in recent weeks. Intrigued by the man's tale, Holmes and Watson find themselves swiftly drawn into a series of puzzling and sinister events, stretching from the gas-lit streets of London to the teeming criminal underworld of Boston. As the pair delve deeper into the case, they stumble across a whispered phrase 'the House of Silk': a mysterious entity and foe more deadly than any Holmes has encountered, and a conspiracy that threatens to tear apart the very fabric of society itself. With devilish plotting and excellent characterisation, bestselling author Anthony Horowitz delivers a first-rate Sherlock Holmes mystery for a modern readership whilst remaining utterly true to the spirit of the original Conan Doyle books. Sherlock Holmes is back with all the nuance, pace and powers of deduction that make him the world's greatest and most celebrated detective.
©2011 Anthony Horowitz (P)2011 Orion Publishing Group Ltd

What listeners say about The House of Silk

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  • Overall
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Recommended as a welcome return

What a pleasure to have a new Sherlock Holmes adventure to enjoy, written in the true Conan Doyle style and as complicated and enthralling as usual.

This tale is rather darker in places than Holmes tales with which we are familiar. Nowadays some subjects can be addressed which Conan Doyle, in his time, could not mention although he would not have been unaware. This is perfectly acceptable and it is only fitting that the genre can be updated in this way, but it may seem strange to modern readers who do not realise the innocent ignorance of so many in the Victorian era.

It is good to have such a distinguished narrator as Derek Jacobi, a pleasure to hear and who even managed to make Holmes a fraction more likeable. At least Holmes seemed to be a little kinder to Watson, a change long overdue.








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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A perfect Sherlock Holmes novel

An aged Dr. Watson remembers a story of his friend, Sherlock Holmes, and shares it in his old age with the world. Anthony Horowitz were able to transport us back to Sherlock Holmes' London to escourt him and Dr. Watson on one of his most difficult adventures to date. While paying homage to the Athur Conan Doyle style of writing and using all the elements of a good Sherlock Holmes story, Horowitz also gives the reader a glimpse of his own take on this well-known detective. I thoroughly enjoyed this dubble twisted story. Derek Jacobi brings "The House of Silk" to life with his "Sherlockish" voice. This is an exellent book that will even satisfy the die-hard Arthur Conan Doyle supporters. In a certain way I do find this novel a bit more mature than some of Arthur Conan Doyle's own novels. A must read... listen!

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Surprisingly impressive

I truly did wonder if anyone could quite match Conan Doyle when writing a new Sherlock Holmes - so many have tried and failed, however this was fantastic. It was very true to Conan Doyle's style and character but still different enough for Horowitz to be true to himself as a writer. It was a great story with enough twists and turns (as one would expect from Sherlock Holmens) to keep you listening.

Derek Jacobi was an excellent choice as narrator, he has the perfect voice and accent for this story, injecting just enough difference for each character to keep it interesting without being overly theatrical.

Well done Horowitz, you've done an excellent job, I'm sure Conan Doyle would be proud and thrilled with how you have taken his character and 'run with it'. I look forward to many many more Sherlock Holmes stories from you.

I highly recommend this book.

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5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Very Much an Homage

If you are a fan of the Sherlock Holmes's stories, you are going to like this very much. Horowitz does an excellent job of echoing the Conan Doyle voice. In Sherlockian tradition, the narration is through the POV of Watson and all the familiar recurring characters put in an appearance.

The plot is also very much in the tradition. It starts with a smaller story and the tentacles of the mystery spread out to create a far wider tale with grave implications for welfare of the nation.

As an homage it is faultless. The only reason I didn't give the story 5 stars is because I would very much like to see a 21st century take on Sherlock. I'm not sure how much we need yet another Conan Doyle copy. I'm hoping that some day someone will do what, for instance, Frank Miller did with Batman. Take the characters in the original and look at them from a different angle, offering another perspective or more depth.

This definitely isn't one of those approaches. It honors the original slavishly. And Jacobi's narration is perfect. Just perfect.

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Reflections on Sherlock and ourselves...

Horowitz's novel is worthy of the name, presenting an insightful reworking of Conan Doyle's privileged acts onto a broader stage. Holmes' cold deduction is turned inwards and Watson chronicles are darkened with the consequences. The sequence and pacing lead and capture, enlivened all the more by Jacobi's prowess. A great pleasure - thank you!

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4 people found this helpful

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Wonderful to listen to and an intriguing story

A fantastic performance by Derek Jacobi reading this. It is a pure pleasure to listen to it.

I was quite a time since last I read a Sherlock Holmes, but this has the same atmosphere as I remember from them.

Truly enjoying

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not suitable for under 16yrs

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

no

If you’ve listened to books by Anthony Horowitz before, how does this one compare?

well

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

yes very well

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

yes a death of a character

Any additional comments?

the content is not suitable for the young

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Typical Sherlock Holmes even if not by the origina

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

Totally engrossing plots

What was one of the most memorable moments of The House of Silk?

The denouement in the house.

Which character – as performed by Derek Jacobi – was your favorite?

Mycroft Holmes

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Not for the squeamish !

Any additional comments?

Very well written and superbly read.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Simply wonderful!

What made the experience of listening to The House of Silk the most enjoyable?

Sherlock Holmes comes alive again à la Arthur Conan Doyle. Exciting story with an absolutely excellent narrator who makes all the characters seem so authentic. Easy on the ear with an English as

Who was your favorite character and why?

The story is told from Dr Watson's point of view and it is this character who is the thread throughout the story. I loved his comments and observations on Holmes' personality.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended listening - I will certainly look out for more books by this narrator.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very true to the originals

“The house of silk” is very true to the original stories of Sherlock Holmes but makes the characters, especially Holmes, more human. The story is classical, quite melodramatic and keeps you listening. The reading by Derek Jacobi (as Watson) is perfect.

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