BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 / The House of Silk- Anthony Horowitz

**Posted by Davina** August 14, 2012 6:52 am

I am a great fan of Anthony Horowitz, especially his Alex Rider spy books. Having read reviews of this book which are universally positive and reading that Hepzibah thought it was good too I think I shall have to buy it! This book was officially sanctioned by the Conan Doyle estate. Has anyone else read it?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15553421

www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/the-house-of-silk-by-anthony-horowitz-6262618.html

Last edited by Davina (August 14, 2012 6:53 am)

**Posted by SusiGo** August 14, 2012 7:04 am

Yes, I have, and I liked it very much. He remains very true to the canon and the story was really good. I'd recommend it any time as I would Lyndsey Faye's "Dust and Shadow".

Last edited by SusiGo (August 14, 2012 7:30 am)

**Posted by Sentimental Pulse** August 14, 2012 10:54 am

Sounds interesting. The House of Silk sounds rather sexy. Is there a touch of adult whimsy in this or is my mind wandering again?

**Posted by Davina** August 14, 2012 11:31 am

Well I've just ordered it from Amazon so I will soon be able to tell all.

**Posted by Davina** August 27, 2012 12:14 pm

I have literally just finished reading this book. I can thoroughly recommend it. Excellently written, great plot and characterisation. Clever denouement if disturbing content at times.

**Posted by Sherlock Holmes** August 27, 2012 1:20 pm

Sounds interesting. Thanks for the recommendation!

**Posted by Davina** August 27, 2012 2:46 pm

If you like reading the canon stories I am fairly sure you will enjoy reading this. It has great 'pace'.

**Posted by tardislass** March 29, 2013 4:23 pm

I loved THOS, thought Holmes and Watson were pretty much in character, even with the very non-Victorian reveal at the end. Great pacing and even solves the mystery of Mary Watson's death. I loved how AH used both new and minor characters from the canon in such a way to see logical. Really wish AH would write more Holmes fiction but I believe he said this was a one-time book.

More is the pity.

**Posted by beekeeper** April 10, 2013 4:41 pm

Really liked this too

My only very slight-well not complaint really, just something for people to perhaps be aware of-is that the denoument does make it, I'd say, categorically unsuitable for younger readers. My Sherlock Holmes obsessed nine year old is desperate to read it but I've said no. (he's also only seen a few of the Sherlock episodes).

I really wish he'd write another book or two. I think this is about the best homage I've seen. I also really liked his Moriaty also.

**Posted by Davina** April 10, 2013 11:23 pm

Yes it is definitely only suitable for young adults and above I would say. He is a wonderful writer. Perhaps your 9 year old might like his stories about the young spy Alex Rider. I have read them, my son read them when he as younger and they are really, really good.

**Posted by Be** April 15, 2013 3:04 pm

The House of Silk is avaliable in german titled: Das Geheimnis des weißen Bandes.

**Posted by beekeeper** April 22, 2013 8:55 am

apparently he has said he has plans for a sequel! Yay!

**Posted by Davina** April 22, 2013 10:21 am

Oooooo! Excited muchly!

**Posted by SusiGo** April 22, 2013 10:28 am

That would be amazing.

**Posted by beekeeper** April 22, 2013 2:16 pm

ok let me find the link

http://www.welovethisbook.com/news/anthony-horowitz-oblivion

it sounded VERY tentative...but I so hope he does write one. I have read a lot of sherlock holmes modern fiction and no one else comes close to him.

**Posted by KeepersPrice** April 22, 2013 5:11 pm

I hope he does write another one. I did so LOVE the last paragraph of HoS.

**Posted by Cumbercookie** November 10, 2013 7:30 pm

I absolutely love it! But, there is one thing I don't undersand, how does it solve the mystery of Mary's death?

**Posted by KeepersPrice** November 11, 2013 2:31 am

I guess the only 'mystery' surrounding Mary's death is that Sir Arthur really never wrote how she died. In canon it's just mentioned that she has died so I guess people have always wondered about it. It's been a while since I read HoS but I believe the Watson in this story writes that she will eventually succumb to influenza - or maybe it was pneumonia (both common afflictions of the times).

**Posted by Be** November 12, 2013 2:12 pm

There is just speculation about Mary's death if I remember correctly. In ACD canon people interpret the word "bereavement" in The Empty House. Holmes tells Watson that it can be helpful to distract himself from his bereavement while working on the case.

**Posted by besleybean** February 11, 2016 4:56 pm

Didn't realise I hadn't contributed to this either: this is an excellent book.