Group Read: The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz - STARTS 1/1/15

[Ken B]

This is the thread for discussing the group read of by Anthony Horowitz.

Let's start on 1/1/15. Feel free to discuss as you go along. Use spoiler tags and chapter numbers when you discuss in order to avoid unintended spoils.

Let's have fun!

[MissJessie]

I enjoyed this one very much a couple of months ago!! I think you all will too.

[Ken B]

Let's get this started! Remember, if you comment, use chapter numbers and spoiler tags!

[Ken B]

Prologue:

Its a prologue, so no spoilers.

I am not a big fan of Sherlock Holmes pastiche prologues. They are all essentially the same. Some case that was way too secret to publish at the time and held back to protect the innocent. Used to establish the provenance of the case. Nothing too exciting.

Horowitz chose to go with Watson's shoulder injury, as referred to in "A Study in Scarlet", as opposed to the leg injury referred to in "The Hounds..."

Interesting that Horowitz writes that Watson chose not to speak at Holmes' funeral with Watson stating he "would have felt [Holmes] standing at my shoulder, gently mocking whatever I might say from beyond the grave." A subtle nod to Doyle's belief in Spiritualism?

I liked Watson's reference to Holmes' lack of skills as a writer by pointing to "The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier", one of only a couple of original Holmes stories in which Holmes was the narrator.

[Charity]

I finally found it! Yay! Had to hunt for this book, but it sounds like it's worth it.

[Ken B]

I am about 45% through the book and enjoying it. I had a couple of false starts on this one a year or so ago. Not sure why that happened. But, the book is pretty good.

How far along is everybody else?

Also, I didn't know that Anthony Horowitz did a second Holmes novel, published in December 2014, Moriarty. Has anyone read this one yet?

[Charity]

I'm not as far along as you but it's fun. I've always liked the feel of a Sherlock story(joined a group didn't I) but sometimes they get long winded or a little to convoluted. This is one of the good ones, hope it only gets better. ;}

[Ken B]

Finished

SPOILERS!!!

I enjoyed the book. I see from the reviews that there are several people saying this is the best Sherlock Holmes pastiche that they have read. I'm not sure that I agree with that in my case, but it certainly was a good pastiche.

(view spoiler)[I guessed pretty early on what the House of Silk was. Its not that there were a lot of clues, its just that it seemed to be where the author was heading.

Holmes' escape from prison was pretty predictable. It was a fun aspect and I guess more than anything, I hoped I had guessed right on that one. (hide spoiler)]

I gave the book 4 STARS.

[Amanda]

I read this book a few years ago, I liked how Anthony Horowitz portrayed Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. His writing style was very close to how the original stories were written.

I have read Anthony Horowitz's second book, Moriarty. I didn't care as much for it as I did The House of Silk. Sherlock Holmes doesn't really have any parts in the story and in my opinion, the story really drags on in places.

[Silvio111]

I just finished listening to the audiobook of MORIARTY by Anthony Horowitz. I thought it was excellent. Perhaps I am gullible, and I grant you that I never figure out the mystery until it is handed to me on a silver platter, but I totally did not see the conclusion of Moriarty coming.
I particularly wanted to listen to the audiobook because it is narrated by Sir Derek Jacobi and Julian Rhind-Tutt. The latter was dear to me because of a role he played in an old Masterpiece Mystery show, HEAT OF THE SUN. He is a British as British can be. Imagine my surprise when he played the role of a New Yorker! Derek Jacobi I had the hardest time recognizing because he did not use his fruity high-class English accent; it was a bit more low key.

Anyway, I would recommend this one as an audiobook; can't speak for how it would be to read it.

[Amanda]

Anthony Horowitz also wrote a Sherlock Holmes short story called The Three Monarchs. I read this while I was reading Moriarty, it helps to read the short story before starting Moriarty, but, you don't really need to. Here is the goodreads link, if anyone is interested in reading it. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

[Silvio111]

Thanks, Amanda! I did not know about this one.

[Charity]

Are we going to read another book as a group next month?

[Ken B]

Charity wrote: "Are we going to read another book as a group next month?"

Sure, I'm game. I'll start a thread.

[Rohit]

I read this book back in 2012. Enjoyed it a lot, now looking forward to reading its sequel 'Moriarty'

[Nickleby]

The House of Silk was alright.
But I really enjoyed Moriarty!
Still need to read the Three Monarchs short story.

[Rohit]

I think I will need to read House of silk again before reading Moriarty as i have forgot a few (actually many) things from the story

[Nickleby]

Nah you don’t need to worry about a reread of The House of Silk. The two stories don’t really refer to one another. You can go into Moriarty having never read House of Silk and be more than fine.

[Rohit]

Oh that sounds great. Thanx for informing this to me or else I would have wasted a month reading house of silk again. :)

[Sarah]

I've had Moriarty on my shelf for a couple of years, now, and should really give it a go... alas, my allergy to pastiche...

[Rohit]

I just bought this book last week. Sarah if you are able to cure your allergy of pastiche, and decide to read it, please let me know I would like to join you in reading it

[Sarah]

I certainly will let you know, thank you!