The House of Silk - Review

Anthony Horowitz's The House of Silk was released earlier this year, offering a new novel to add to the Sherlock Holmes brand. The novel tracks Doctor Watson's attempt to chronicle the detective, and the two embark on a two-fold mystery which is, of course, resolved in the final few pages.

This is certainly a book for Holmes' boffins. There are references to other tales, such as The Red Headed League which shows Horowitz's love for Conan Doyle, who is never far from the narrative. We are also provided an insight into Watson's mind as he struggles to protect and transcribe his friend, which adds a new dimension to the legend.

Horowitz aims to provide a anthropological reading of Victorian London, focusing on the hardships faced by the vulnerable in that time. He conjures the spirit of the city well, and we are left in no doubt that the smog, smoke and fog will curl around the reader to make a gripping detective novel. 

If one fault could be found with the novel it is that the red herrings are too red. They are warning lights flashing in the darkness of London. Nowhere is this more apparent than when the two march, seemingly blindly into the Dr Silken's House of Wonders. Holmes would never be so blunt.

All in all this is a good read, and a welcome addition to the Holmes' legend.

Purchase House of Silk here