Title: Moriarty
Author: Anthony Horowitz
First published October 23, 2014
310 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781409109471 (ISBN10: 140910947X)
Rating: 3.79
Overview
Meet Sherlock Holmes, the greatest detective of all time. He’s a master of deduction and reason, who solves the most complex cases with ease.
But what if we told you that you’ve been looking at Sherlock all wrong? Meet Warlock Holmes, an idiot with the power of a thousand demons and a flatmate who always has his back.
Dr. Watson is there to save him from gruesome deaths and Victorian propriety, but Warlock Holmes is always ready to take on the world’s most challenging cases. Join the chaos as Warlock Holmes and Dr. Watson reimagine six stories, showcasing their charm, wit, and alchemy skills.
This imaginative and addictive retelling of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic tales will have you hooked from the very beginning. So, get ready to explore the supernatural world of Warlock Holmes, where vampires, ogres, and warlocks work together to solve crimes.
About the Author
Anthony Horowitz is a highly acclaimed author, known for his exceptional spy-kids books, which have earned him a place among the likes of Enid Blyton and Mark A. Cooper, as reported by the New York Times.
Anthony’s passion for writing began at the tender age of eight and has since turned into a successful career that started when he was twenty. Along with creating the famous Alex Rider series, he has also written and produced award-winning detective dramas such as Foyle’s War and Collision.
Anthony has also contributed to other television shows like Poirot, Murder in Mind, Midsomer Murders, and Murder Most Horrid. In 2009, he took on the role of patron for East Anglia Children’s Hospices.
On 19 January 2011, the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle declared that Anthony Horowitz was the chosen author for a new Sherlock Holmes novel. The announcement was significant as it was the first time the estate had officially endorsed a new book in the series, which was titled the House of Silk.
Editoral Review
Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz brings back the infamous archenemy of Sherlock Holmes in this gripping mystery novel that explores the mind of the man behind the criminal mastermind. Horowitz, known for his works in crime and mystery, stays true to his genre in this novel providing thrilling twists and turns throughout the plot, keeping the reader on edge until the very end.
The novel starts with Frederick Chase, a Pinkerton detective from America, travelling to London to seek help from the only man who can assist him in his quest to take down Professor James Moriarty. This is where we meet the protagonist of the novel – the unreliable narrator, Athelney Jones, an inspector in Scotland Yard who has been dubbed Sherlock Holmes’ successor.
Together, they try to uncover the motive behind Moriarty’s crimes and put a stop to his latest scheme. Horowitz artfully intertwines his plot with the plot of the original Arthur Conan Doyle stories, creating a seamless continuation of the Sherlock Holmes universe.
Horowitz’s writing style is reminiscent of Conan Doyle’s, creating an immersive atmosphere that captures the essence of 19th-century London. The setting perfectly complements the dark, twisted plot of the novel, highlighting the corruption, greed, and immorality that existed within the city at the time.
One of the strengths of Moriarty is the detail given to the characters, making them feel like real people with their own unique motivations and quirks. Through the eyes of Athelney Jones, we get to see the twisted mind of Moriarty and understand his motives, humanizing the villain in a way that is rarely done in crime novels.
The character development of Chase and Jones are also noteworthy, as their initial disdain for each other is replaced with mutual respect as they solve the case together. The pacing of the novel is fast and relentless, making it difficult to put down, with the plot unraveling at the perfect rate to keep the reader engaged.
However, some readers may find the ending to be too predictable, lacking the same level of surprise evident in the rest of the novel. Overall, Moriarty is a beautifully written novel that adds depth to the Sherlock Holmes universe.
Horowitz’s writing style is impeccable, and his characterization is impressive. Fans of Sherlock Holmes will appreciate the continuation of the universe, but the book can also be enjoyed as a standalone work for those unfamiliar with the original series.
Therefore, I would highly recommend Moriarty to anyone who enjoys crime and mystery novels, as well as those interested in the works of Arthur Conan Doyle. I give this novel a score of 8/10, based on its captivating plot, engaging characters, and seamless continuation of the Sherlock Holmes universe.