Title: The House of Silk
Author: Anthony Horowitz
Type: Fiction
Page Count/Review Word Count: 406
Rating: 8/10
Anthony Horowitz – The House of Silk
There seems to be a bit of controversy around this book – it’s a reboot of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series, written by Anthony Horowitz, and so of course some purists are incensed by the fact that the book even exists. I disagree with them – I think Conan Doyle himself would’ve understood the public’s desire to read more, because it even forced him to resurrect Holmes himself in his own lifetime, after he killed him off so he could focus on his other work.
Horowitz is actually quite a good choice as the author to create the book, because although it’s not exactly easy to step in to the shoes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Horowitz does at least have big feet, metaphorically speaking. He’s a good enough writer and he has a knack for imitating Conan Doyle’s inimitable style.
I won’t go too deeply in to the story line because that’s always a risk when you’re reviewing a mystery novel, but it’s safe enough to say that it’s super engaging and simultaneously authentically Victorian but with a modern twist. It’s a lot darker than most of Conan Doyle’s work too, but despite that it still feels like it could be a story that he would’ve written.
Anthony Horowitz
Ultimately, the book is just what it promises to be – a modern day addition to the Sherlock Holmes ouevre which, while not written by the master, is at least written by a decent author. A sequel to the book is rumoured to be in the works, and I’ll definitely be reading that if it’s anywhere near as good as this – it might be non-canonical, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t awesome.
Because at the end of the day, the plot is complicated and there’s plenty to draw you in to it, and Holmes and Dr. Watson are both in fine form. You can expect to see some other well-known characters too, and I think you’ll agree that Horowitz’ treatment of some of literature’s finest characters is more than skillful. It’s as if a long-dead relative has come back to life and back to normal.
So if you’re a fan of the Sherlock Holmes series then be sure to check this out, especially if you’ve read all of Conan Doyle’s books and need something new.
Anthony Horowitz Quote
