The House of Silk

Starred review from November 7, 2011
The hype surrounding whatâs being billed as the first pastiche ever officially approved by the Conan Doyle estate is amply justified in this authentic, if melancholy, recreation of the beloved Baker Street characters by the creator of the acclaimed Foyleâs War TV series. A year after Sherlock Holmesâs death (from natural causes), Watson takes up his pen one last time to recount a case they shared in 1890 that was âtoo monstrous, too shockingâ to appear in print. The opening is prosaic enough. London art dealer Edmund Carstairs asks for the detectiveâs help after a shadowy figure in a flat cap, apparently an Irish-American thug bent on revenge, surfaces near Carstairsâs Wimbledon home. When a murder follows Holmes getting involved, the trail leads him and the good doctor to a powerful secret society known as the House of Silk. Horowitz gets everything rightâthe familiar narrative voice, brilliant deductions, a very active role for Watson, and a perplexing and disturbing series of puzzles to unravelâand the legion of fans of the originals will surely be begging for Horowitz to again dip into Watsonâs trove of untold tales. Author tour.

Starred review from January 30, 2012
Jacobi, whose readings of many of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories have been impressive, more than does justice to Horowitz’s standout pastiche, easily one of the best ever attempted. The dark and somber plot plunges Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson into the dark underbelly of Victorian London in search of the titular house, the mere mention of which sparks fear at the highest levels of the British government. The detective’s probe overlaps with a murder case linked to the stalking of an art dealer, apparently by an old nemesis from America. Jacobi is unparalleled at making his vocal characterizations distinct: his Watson has an inherent warmth and humanity and is a sharp contrast from his rendition of the doctor’s higher-pitched and higher-energy companion. Even minor parts, such as Holmes’s smarter older brother, Mycroft, a pawnbroker, and members of Holmes’s young assistants, the Baker Street Irregulars, benefit from Jacobi’s considerable gifts. Fans of Doyle’s original stories are in for a real treat, both from the compelling story itself, and this memorable and gripping performance from Jacobi. A Little, Brown/Mulholland hardcover.

The game is afoot for Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they embark on a new (authorized) adventure. Derek Jacobi's cultured tones shift from Holmes's crisp enunciation to Watson's humphs as he recounts each scene. Jacobi brings forth a multitude of British accents to represent the other characters--every one distinct and understandable. Lestrade and Mycroft make appearances to fence verbally with Holmes as he and his Baker Street Irregulars investigate the Flat Cap Gang. In the midst of convoluted discussion, subtle clues, and scant evidence, Holmes, of course, solves the mysteries. Jacobi is a perfect narrator with his ability to fluidly switch character, scene, and tempo. Holmes fans, starved for new adventures, will love this. M.B.K. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine