Neil Gaiman (The Sandman series)
has delivered a Sherlock Holmes pastiche that scores big on Canonical
references and is just about adequate on the mystery element.
In the classic tradition, Inspector Lestrade comes knocking at 221 B, seeking Holmes’s assistance. A German royal has been murdered and the word “RACHE” has been inscribed nearby. Holmes applies his powers of observation and deduction and brings the case to a successful conclusion. The story is very brief (about a 9 page PDF to be exact) and revealing any further details will be going into spoiler territory.
As readers of the canon would have realized, the story is influenced by both A Study in Scarlet and A Scandal in Bohemia. The first encounter between Holmes and Watson at St Bart’s Hospital has been expanded on and Gaiman nails this one perfectly.
In the classic tradition, Inspector Lestrade comes knocking at 221 B, seeking Holmes’s assistance. A German royal has been murdered and the word “RACHE” has been inscribed nearby. Holmes applies his powers of observation and deduction and brings the case to a successful conclusion. The story is very brief (about a 9 page PDF to be exact) and revealing any further details will be going into spoiler territory.
As readers of the canon would have realized, the story is influenced by both A Study in Scarlet and A Scandal in Bohemia. The first encounter between Holmes and Watson at St Bart’s Hospital has been expanded on and Gaiman nails this one perfectly.
Another nice touch is related to Holmes’s advice to Watson in The Final Problem about picking not the 1st or the 2nd hansom. I loved this part and I am sure other Sherlockians will do as well.
Overall, a decent effort from Gaiman. The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz is still my favorite Sherlock Holmes pastiche.
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Image Sources: Neil Gaiman
I will look this one up.
ReplyDeleteI still not getting why you like house of silk so much. I was very disappoint
In it.
I am still trying to find where to get Bill's book for you.
Thanks for stopping by, John.
DeleteI loved 'The House of Silk'. My review here might convince you of the merits of this pastiche :)
I would love to hear from you about your favorite Sherlock Holmes pastiches. I am always looking for new pastiches to read.
Cheers!
I think I agree with Foxessa. I was expecting more from Horowitz since I love his other work and Foyle's War.
DeleteI don't think the story showed Holmes anywhere near his best.
I have not read any other books by Horowitz and am not able to compare 'The House of Silk' to his usual standards.
DeleteI don't think anyone other than Sir Doyle can show Holmes at his best :)
thx for the heads up on this; i like gaiman. is this story in a collection?
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Divers and Sundry.
DeleteI am not sure if this story is part of a collection. You can read this story online
here .
great! free online is even better. :) thx
DeleteWelcome :)
DeleteFunnily enought, I've just started House of Silk!
ReplyDeleteGreat coincidence, Gypsy King!
DeletePlease do let me know your thoughts on the book.
I love hearing about new Holmes pastiches. Thanks for the review of A Study in Emerald. I'm sharing this with my Holmes group.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Kathleen.
DeleteWhereas I was not impressed with House of Silk. Partly, because it came across somehow as a cheap, unimaginative shot, what the House was about, which these days of constant bombardment of pedophilia abuse, was signaled just about immediately by Horowitz. It was too easy, which is what I think I mean by cheap and lazy -- as opposed to creative and imaginative.
ReplyDeleteWhich reminds me of the proverb - 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder' :)
DeleteI just don't get it.
ReplyDeleteHouse of Emerald.
I must be missing something real obvious.
The writing style was fine, but it lacked any purpose.
Oh, well.
Yes, the writing style was a good imitation of Sir Doyle. The plot did not have much going for it though...
Delete