About Sherlock Holmes
One of the most famous fictional characters is Sherlock Holmes, the celebrated detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes has been the model detective inspiring not just other mystery authors, but also many policemen around the world, who try to use his techniques to take on crime.
Holmes was introduced to the literary world first in 1887. Its been 125 years since Holmes arrived and even today, he is regarded with veneration by mystery lovers. There are a total of 4 novels and 56 short stories in the Holmes series. After his death, his son Adrian Conan Doyle wrote “The Exploits of Sherlock Holmes” (along with John Dickson Carr). Since then, many authors have written books featuring Holmes, some of them satisfactory, some of them average and some of them poor.
Introduction
Anthony Horowitz is a British author and screenplay writer. He has written childrens novels, some works of mystery and many television adaptations of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot. Incidentally, he is writing the screenplay for the second Tintin movie to be made by Spielberg.
Horowitz has written a Sherlock Holmes full-length novel titled “The House of Silk”. And the Conan Doyle Estate has officially given their stamp of approval to this book, which is extremely significant, because this is the first ever story written by another author to be recognized by the Conan Doyle Estate. So naturally, expectations would be very high while reading this book.
The Book
Before I tell you the story, let me express my gratiMr_customtakeouter to @viratbond from whom I first learnt about this book. I then placed a request to my library JustBooks to buy this book and I finally got my hands on it some days back.
The book is written just as any other Sherlock Holmes book is written, with Holmes’ friend and companion John Watson being the narrator. Like other Holmes stories, references are made to other famous cases of Holmes (eg : Dying Detective) to establish the timeline of the story.
This is not a short story, but a full length novel and it features all the regular characters like Holmes, Watson, the housekeeper Mrs. Hudson, Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard, Sherlock’s brother Mycroft and the Baker Street irregulars the gang of street urchins who assist Holmes in his case (plus a surprise character, whom I cannot name as I don’t want to reveal any spoilers). The old characters presented in the same kind of narration is the first big plus point for this book.
Plot & Storyline
The principal theme of this novel is that this adventure is so shocking, that it could upset the very fabric of society and hence this story has to be suppressed and Watson makes it clear that the case can be published atleast 100 years later, so that society would be able to digest the shocking incidents in the story. Horowitz has struck gold with this plot device, as it whets your appetite and heightens curiosity to know what is the horror involved.
Now coming to the story, Edmund Carstairs is a new client of Holmes who comes to meet Holmes to explain about a villainous American gang called Flat Cap gang and how he is being harassed. As Holmes enters the case, he makes use of the Baker Street Gang. Soon, a shocking incident occurs that reveals the existence of a mysterious ‘House of Silk’. Something that is so secretive and so influential that even Mycroft Holmes warns Sherlock not to meddle with it.
But as you would have realized, Holmes decides to unravel the mystery of the House of Silk and in the process, a series of incidents occur, which end in Sherlock Holmes being put in an extremely precarious and dangerous situation, one which no one could imagine!!
Note : It is very difficult for me to write this review without revealing spoilers, but I have done my best, so if you feel I haven’t given enough details, please excuse me, but I don’t want to spoil the interest of those planning to read this.
As the adventure moves on, Watson finds himself in a dRajeev_Vermarate situation needing to save Holmes from sure disaster.
Can Watson do something to save Holmes?
What is the House of Silk and what is the horror it holds?
What is so sinister about this case that the author says it would destroy the fabric of society?
How does Holmes solve the case and are the culprits brought to book?
If you want the answers to these questions, please read The House of Silk, an extremely well-written Holmes adventure.
Positive things about this book
Some of the highlights of this novel are:
1) The writing style which matches Sir Doyle’s writing to a great extent and makes you feel that you are reading a story written by the great man himself.
2) The storyline which is unique and creates interesting situations which ensures that you keep reading.
3) The plot device about ‘fabric of society being affected’, which definitely heightens tension.
4) The interesting situations particularly the ones in the opium den, Watson’s secret journey, the prison scene and of course the ending.
5) The ability of the author to keep you entertained.
Negative things about this book
1) It is very difficult for anyone to match the writing skills of a genius like Sir Doyle. So, your expectations will be high and naturally you would feel that this book is not written by Doyle.
2) The initial part of the story did not meet my expectations and I was wondering if I made a mistake reading this book, but as the story picks up, its is very engrossing.
3) The plot is something which everyone may not like, appreciate or be comfortable with. I cannot reveal more, but I was a bit uncomfortable with the plot, but then as everything unraveled realized the whole picture
4) You will have high expectations because this is an official Holmes book, so expect to be a bit disappointed.
Recommendation
‘The game is afoot’, so join Holmes and Watson by reading this enjoyable adventure. A must for all Holmes fans and highly recommended for mystery lovers. However, if you have never read Holmes, then don’t start with this book!!
I give this book a rating of 8/10 – surely recommended :)