The House of Silk: The New Sherlock Holmes Novel

It will be inappropriate to compare this author to the genius of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle but this is definitely an enjoyable read for any Sherlock Holmes fan. The plot is good, fast paced. The suspense builds as chapters elapse ending with a totally unexpected twist. Sherlock Holmes has been portrayed as less egoistic, a little bit emotional and vulnerable. The research done by the author to recreate the Victorian era is admirable.

It's perhaps a tribute to the quality of the original characters that the stories of this detective and his slightly bumbling companion are still popular.So popular that every year there seems to be either a new book or a movie or a BBC t.v series out, with varying degrees of success.I consider myself a fan but even to me the original short stories and novels (with a few exceptions) seem dated. More than the stories, it's only nostalgia and a certain Victorian atmosphere that the Holmes novels are suffused with that makes them still readable.It's no wonder that the movies and t.v serials have tried to provide an updated account of their tales. Taking this into account, "The House of Silk" is faithful to the original, an old fashioned homage. Large tracts of it seem to be pastiches of older novels (which may be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your point of view) which induce a sense of deja-vu. I found myself wondering every now and again, "isn't this dialogue/setting the same as the one in that book ?".But niggles like these aside, the story is entertaining and it's a fast paced read.The central mystery/mysteries are involving enough and the eventual resolution fairly satisfying.Go ahead and read it if you a are fan and you won't be disappointed. If you aren't, then I would suggest you watch the B.B.C t.v series "Sherlock" instead. Elementary no ?

Sherlock Holmes fans of the world, rejoice! In "The House of Silk," Holmes is back in all his glory--the world's most famous fictional detective with an almost superhuman power of deduction.

Horowitz evokes a picture of Victorian London with precision and with a miniaturist's eye for detail, uncannily reminiscent of Conan Doyle's writing. The story follows Holmes and Watson through London and its outskirts on the trail of a crime that is unlike any other. The words "House of Silk" run as a whispered refrain throughout the book--a premonition of unheard-of evil.

Although Horowitz has numerous predecessors in writers adding to the Holmes canon after Conan Doyle, The House of Silk is the first such addition to be endorsed by the Conan Doyle Estate. That tells us this book is for purists. If you are looking for a reinvention, this book may not be for you. None of the Ritchie-esque exaggerated superhero-style fight sequences here. Those are throughly enjoyable, in their own place, though. This, as the subtitle states, is the new "Sherlock Holmes novel"--true to its inspiration.

It is always a difficult task to recreate a long cherished classic and when the hero is somebody as popular as Sherlock Holmes whom generations have adored it really is asking for a miracle from a comparatively new writer but Mr.Anthony Horowitz passes this test with flying colours.My hats off to this writer for really getting into the shoes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle .I just would say I agree with other reviewers regarding the merit of this fast paced Holmes novel,I must also admit it sometimes appeared to me more riveting than some original Holmes novels.My profuse apologies to purists.Moreover the novel addresses some very important social issues like the poverty rampant in victorian England,the problem of vagrant children etc.in a very engaging manner .So in addition to being a sherlock Holmes novel it serves also as a beautiful social commentary.A book to be read by all .I anxiously wait for the next work of this author because in Holmes famous words 'the game is afoot'as far as this writer is concerned.

Driven by curiosity when I saw this title on Flipkart, I chose to buy it. I didn't have to wait long, thanks to Flipkart's exemplary efficiency - within a couple of days I had this book in my hands all day, swallowing every word and struggling to take my mind away from the plot even when I was at work.

Anthony Horowitz pays a true tribute to Conan Doyle with this gripping novel, where he recreates Victorian London and the canonical characters exactly the way Conan Doyle had described them.So much so that you can't be blamed if you believed that the narrative is indeed written by an aged Watson. The plot is woven intellegently and so far I have failed to pick one flaw in the characters or one plothole that leaves you dissatisfied at the end. I would strongly recommend this book to all crime fiction lovers as well as fans of Conan Doyle's Holmes.