The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel
Series: Sherlock Holmes (Horowitz), Book 1
By: Anthony Horowitz / Narrated By: Derek Jacobi
Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins
Bravo to Horowitz, and a special BRAVO to Jacobi!!!
Here it is: A new Sherlock Holmes mystery sanctioned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s estate. Horowitz specializes in all things Holmes, and it very much shows in The House of Silk. The language flows smoothly and with such an artistic flair, you feel like you’re listening to Conan Doyle himself. This, the first in Horowitz’s series, is sure to delight fans across the board.
When an enigmatic gentleman comes in asking for protection, Holmes and Watson are off and running. An unfortunate murder seems, on the one hand, to complete their chore, but on the other hand, it starts them looking into the meaning and wherefores of the House of Silk. The latter is tied into the grisly murder of a mere boy. And since the boy was one of the Baker Street Irregulars, Holmes takes it quite personally and feels responsible for it.
I could’ve done without some of the thorough explanations of “what just happened” because they rather hamper the story’s flow, but as the novel progressed, I have to admit that such explanations were accepted gratefully. The story moves swiftly, covering everything from opium dens to unfortunate arrests to even a jail break. There aren’t many red herrings, but all unravels slowly and with great style.
And Derek Jacobi!!! What a delight his narration is! While there’s not toooo much in the way of mystery, there is indeed quite a bit of action, and Jacobi carries it off with great vim and vigor. And if Holmes pants after much exertion, Jacobi narrates with many puffs of breath. If Watson feels tremendous rage, he slows his narration down, as Watson deliberates, comes to judgment on his own.
Enjoy this audiobook, even if you’re not a huge fan, as the language and writing are wonderful. Holmes’s observations are keen and witty as always, and Watson, who sinks to law-breaking along the way, is ever the faithful companion. And if you ARE a fan? Well, you’re sure to find this a true pleasure of a book.
10+ hours fly by when you’re having fun…!
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