The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz - a Sherlock Holmes story commissioned by the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes is approached by an art dealer who fears he is being threatened by a member of an American gang. The dealer was instrumental in a police action that resulted in all the gang members being killed except one, the man he thinks is threatening him. But somehow this all becomes an investigation into the mysterious House of Silk, the very mention of which can find you threatened by high figures in the government. Holmes and Watson face some of their darkest moments. I thought the style very much like Doyle's.
4 stars
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The Three Monarchs by Anthony Horowitz - an elderly man shoots an intruder. When it is discovered the intruder had robbed three houses of the identical figurines of Queen Victoria, Abeltheny Jones calls in Sherlock Holmes. A short story, the solution of which leaves Jones very downhearted. Which is important to the next story....
3 stars
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Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz - directly after Sherlock and Moriarty's meeting at Reichenback Falls, Pinkerton detective Frederick Chase and Abeltheny Jones meet when they arrive to view the body of Moriarty. Chase is on the heels of three American bad guys wanting to partner with Moriarty. They find a clue that leads them all over London, trying to find the elusive criminal who rarely ventures outside. This story is told by Chase so it doesn't have the flavor of House of Silk.
3.5 stars
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An Apple Core, a Toilet:Misadventures and Memories of a 1970's Childhood by Tom Purcell - a collection of newspaper columns. Somewhat humorous but very repetitious. In real life, I suppose the columns would be spaced out a little more. Since these were collected to support his theme of kids need to be outside and parents only worry now because of 24 hour news, the stories got a little old.
2 stars
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I don't usually review books I haven't finished but this needs a warning label.
An Innocent Client by Scott Pratt - the language is crude, one character's attitude towards women is appalling and his sexual comments are awful. The plot is the all too familiar evil preacher who secretly goes to strip clubs and ends up murdered. Plus the main character is depressed. I quit after a couple of chapters.
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