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

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!

6 people found this helpful

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.

5 people found this helpful

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.

5 people found this helpful

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!

4 people found this helpful

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

4 people found this helpful

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.

2 people found this helpful

Awful story; awful performance

A more annoying voice would be hard to find. it turned a very mediocre story into an execrable one. The subtle racism and classism did not add worth to the story and was just an unnecessary swipe at those who were not of the English gentlefolk class.

Amazing

I'm so pleased with this audiobook. The narrator did a wonderful job even though I had a hard time understanding what he was saying at the beginning. The story is perfect.

Captures the essence of Sherlock Holmes adventures

Loved the story and the story is set in the same pinnacle of age and mystery , like we remember of his earlier adventures.