Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz

Reviewed by Ambrea

 Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz opens at the close of Sherlock Holmes’ apparent last case, “The Final Problem,” in which Holmes confronts Professor James Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls. Horowitz basically picks up where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle left off and, in some small measure, focuses on what happens to the world’s favorite detective and his arch nemesis. Horowitz, however, takes a surprising turn and introduces a new character: Frederick Chase, an investigator with the Pinkerton Detective Agency of New York.

 And Frederick Chase isn’t alone. Horowitz also introduces a new villain, a man who rivals James Moriarty in his duplicity and his invisibility, a man who may very well be seeking to extend his criminal empire over the sea to fill the shoes of Europe’s “Napoleon of Crime.”

I was intrigued by the premise, especially since Horowitz decided to recycle characters from Conan Doyle’s mysteries, like Inspector Athelney Jones and Inspector Lestrade. Jones appears to take the place of our beloved Sherlock. As an ardent student of Holmes’ methods, Jones takes center stage, pinpointing unexpected clues, making great leaps of logic with inexplicable ease, and cornering criminals. Jones makes an intriguing character and, I will say, a fine detective.

 Likewise, Frederick Chase makes a fine narrator. He, like Dr. John Watson, documents events surrounding the case, providing a candid account and detailed insight for the reader. I find I like Detective Chase for his candor and his ability to pen a riveting story; however, I found I was a little alarmed by his allusions to the future—and for good reason.

The final two chapters of Moriarty see the entire plot unraveling, reaching a climax that I certainly didn’t expect. I mean, the conclusion of Horowitz’s novel was like a punch in the stomach. Although the narrator alludes to future events, to the potential for tragedy, I didn’t expect events to unfold as they did. In concluding the novel as he did, Horowitz created a truly brilliant—and truly terrifying—villain.

 My one complaint about Moriarty is the pace. Although Chase and Inspector Jones consistently find themselves wedged in a spot of trouble, stumbling into dangerous situations and bizarre adventures that should surely keep the reader intrigued, I would occasionally lose interest in the development of the story. With so many unanswered questions, so many twists that consistently seemed to develop into nothing, I was not the most dedicated reader and I frequently took breaks between chapters. While the final two chapters proved to be the most exciting, the others were much less so.

Note: With the release of the new Sherlock Homes movie starring Ian McKellan as an elderly version of the detective, we thought this was an appropriate time to post a this review.  The movie is based on the book A Slight Trick of the Mind by Mitch Cullin.  There is a review of that book here.

The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz

Reviewed by Jeanne

Almost since the first day of publication, the character of Sherlock Holmes has captured the popular imagination.  Numerous books, movies, plays, short stories, radio programs, cartoon and other media have featured Holmes, his chronicler Dr. Watson, and various other characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and have appeared in many different languages.  Most of these have been, while legal, uses not authorized by Conan Doyle’s estate.  In fact, no new novel had ever been authorized by the estate—until now, when the estate commissioned a new Sherlock Homes novel from author Anthony Horowitz, best known for his Alex Rider series of children’s books and for his screenplays of TV series such as Foyle’s War and the Agatha Christie TV adaptations.

The House of Silk opens with an aged Dr. Watson recalling a controversial case, one too politically sensitive to have been written about before now, when he knows he is nearing the end of his life. It began with a visit from an art dealer who has recently returned from America where he ran afoul of a gang.  He believes that one of gang has followed him back to England and fears for his life.  Holmes’ investigations lead him to the heights and depths of society, from art galleries to opium dens. 

In addition to the original stories, I’ve read or watched a number of Sherlock Holmes variations.  Some were quite good, such as Laurie King’s extraordinary Mary Russell series of novels or the Jeremy Brett television shows or the new modern day Sherlock series; some were dreadful, such as the movie whose name I’ve mercifully forgotten but which featured a frozen Holmes being thawed out in modern New York City; and some were just rather odd, like the Sherlock Holmes series I’ve been watching in Russian with subtitles. (I can tell the actors and scriptwriters saw a lot of the Basil Rathbone movies.)

This is all just to give you an idea of my tastes in Sherlockanalia, because people tend to have very strong opinions about different versions.  Just take a look at some of the reviews on amazon.com and you’ll wonder if any of these people read the same book.

Personally, I enjoyed House of Silk.  I would like to know if Horowitz had seen the new contemporary Sherlock series starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman before he wrote this book because it seems to me that his Watson is more in the mold of that version:  a devoted friend, but one who can also see Holmes’ flaws and who is a bright and capable man in his own right.  I enjoy that view of Watson far more than the bumbler as portrayed by Nigel Bruce.  Watson is still rightfully impressed by Holmes’ insights and sheer genius, but he also questions some of Holmes’ choices, such as involving the Baker Street Irregulars in activities that could be dangerous.  Horowitz seemed to capture London of the era quite well, with the damp fogs and clattering cobblestones, but also the sense of social stratification.  It simply feels more real than some Holmes stories, which seem to be set in an idealized Victorian England.  Horowitz sets a good pace in the book so that even during exposition scenes we feel the story moving forward, which, alas, isn’t always true in some Holmes tales. I found it well plotted and well written; I had figured out some of the answers but not all by the end of the book.  Some people have objected to a major plotline as something Conan Doyle wouldn’t have approved but I have a reservation as to whether that’s a judgment any of us can make.  More importantly, I think that it’s a mystery novel that non-Sherlockians can read on its own merits.

Note:  Sherlock fans have had quite a lot to chose from lately in film or television:  two films starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law as Holmes and Watson, respectively; the aforementioned 21st century Sherlock with Cumberbatch and Freeman which will have a third series; and this fall, the CBS series Elementary, with Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock and Lucy Liu as Joan Watson.

New Novels for November!

David Baldacci has a new book out, Zero Day!  Army combat veteran and special investigator John Puller is called to the scene of a brutal murder in rural West Virginia, where nothing is what it seems to be and a local homicide might have international implications.

Anthony Horowitz has made quite a name for himself as an award-winning screenwriter as well as a novelist writing thrillers for both adults and children.  Now he takes on a rather unusual assignment for the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. . . writing the first authorized Sherlock Holmes novel  for 106 years. If you’re a Sherlock Holmes fan, you’ll want to reserve House of Silk.

What if you could go back in time and change an event? That’s been the hook for many a novel, some good and some very, very bad.  This time, however, the question is asked by Stephen King—and the event is the Kennedy assassination.  This could be very, very, very good indeed! The title is  11/22/63 and the time to reserve it is today!

Danielle Steel‘s newest book is Hotel Vendome, a behind the scenes look at a five star hotel in New York.  Expect glamour, glitz, secrets, celebrities, romance—in short, all the ingredients that have made Danielle Steel a best-selling and beloved author.