Three Pastiches Related to Sherlock Holmes Novels

NOTE: Our local library group is having a “Summer of Sherlock.”  In June, we read Arthur and Sherlock, by Michael Sims.  (This book is about how Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created Sherlock Holmes and who were the models for the detective.)  In July, we discussed the four Sherlock novels written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.   In August, we will discuss three current Sherlock Holmes novels authorized by the Conan Doyle Estate: Moriarty and The House of Silk, by Anthony Horowitz, and The Italian Secretary by Caleb Carr.  The following posting is long, but it contains discussion guides for the three novels as well as a few general questions.

The Italian Secretary, by Caleb Carr

Characters

Sherlock Holmes Dr. John Watson Mycroft Holmes – Sherlock’s brother, confidant of Queen Victoria David Rizzo – murdered 1566 - private secretary to Mary Queen of Scotts Sir Alister Sinclair – murdered – architect at Holyroodhouse Dennis McKay – murdered – foreman Alex Morton – latest of nine to try to kill Queen Victoria Lord Francis Hamilton – resident family member at Holyrood, scamming people about ghost in Holyrood Hackett – butler Andrew – son – footman Robert Sadler – park gillies “Likely Will” Sadler – armourer – partner of Lord Francis in scam Alison Mackenzie – pregnant by “Likely Will”

 For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from 2005 paperback edition

1. Do you think the depiction of Sherlock Holmes in this modern novel agrees with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original character?  In your discussion consider the following:
1. On page 176 Holmes is very complimentary to Alison Mackenzie and makes similar compliments to Andrew on page 182.
2. Did you have unanswered questions when you were done with the book?  Where these “red herrings” to throw the reader off?  If so, were they effective?  The two things that I wished had been explained (and maybe I just missed it) were:
1. The Queen’s toothache – on page 102 Holmes asked which tooth it was and on page 109 he said that the dentist was of great importance.
2. What was the significance of the lute and sheet music at the end?
3. Did you like the addition of the ghost?  In the “Afterword” written by Jon Lellenberg, the U.S. Representative of the Conan Doyle Estate, he wrote that, “I am not sure Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would approve…” but cited The Hound of the Baskervilles as “excuse and inspiration” (page 330).

The House of Silk, by Anthony Horowitz
Characters
Sherlock Holmes Dr. John Watson Mycroft – Sherlock’s brother Inspector Lestrade Ridgeway House: Edmund Carstairs Catherine – wife (Keelan O’Donaghue) Eliza – sister Mother – died of gas asphyxiation Baker Street Irregulars: Wiggins Ross Dixon Sally Dixon – Ross’ sister	Flat Cap Gang: Keelan O’Donaghue Rourke O’Donaghue Chorley Grange: Reverend Charles Fitzsimmons Joanna – wife Mr. Vesper – teacher Robert Weeks – teacher House of Silk: Inspector Harriman Dr. Thomas Achland Lord Horace Blackwater Honorable Alec Ravenshaw

 For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from paperback edition.

1. Did you think that the subject matter (pedophilia) was a bit riskier than what Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would write?   Was it effective?
2. How many places did you find that the author paid homage to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?  Two that I picked out were the mention of the short story, “The Red-headed League” (page 101), and where Sherlock explained to the pawn broker how he deduced so much about him similar to when Sherlock first met Dr. Watson (page 111) in A Study in Scarlet.

Moriarty, by Anthony Horowitz
Main Characters
Good Guys	Bad Guys
Athelney Jones – Scotland Yard Elspeth – wife Beatrice – daughter Robert Lincoln – son of Abraham Lincoln, American Envoy in London Police: Lestrade Gregson Multiple others NOTE: Jones, Lestrade and Gregson are characters from The Sign of Four	Frederick Chase – Pinkerton – narrator, a.k.a. James Moriarty Jonathan Pilgrim Colonel Sebastian Moran – sharpshooter Perry Clarence Devereux – agoraphobia, a.k.a. Coleman DeVriess Edgar and Leland Mortlake Scotchy Lavelle Highgate: Scotchy Lavelle – tortured and murdered Henrietta – Lavelle’s mistress - murdered Clayton - petty criminal - murdered Mary Stagg – survived Cook and Kitchen boy – murdered Chancery Lane: Silas Beckett – barber, a.k.a. John Clay Archie Cooke – hurdy-gurdy man, a.k.a. Duncan Ross

For discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from the paperback edition.

1. When Beatrice was being held captive and Devereux was using her as a bargaining tool to get Jones and Chase to meet with him, there were two lines of thinking about Devereux’s motivation.  Which did you think was correct?  Did your opinion change when you finished the book?
1. On page 271 Jones felt that Elspeth did not need to worry, that Devereux had nothing to gain by hurting them,
2. On page 272 Chase thought that Devereux had a more sinister plot than just wanting to talk with them, Devereux might kill them simply because it was his nature.
2. When Jones and Chase were held captive, Jones still had his walking stick.   Did you think this was logical or did you question this?  Why?
3. What did you think when you finished the book?  How was it different from what you expected?
4. If there is a sequel what do you think it will be about?
5. Moriarty thought he had left clues for the reader to figure out who he was – see page 346.   Did you pick up any clues?  Were you at any time suspicious that there was a twist coming?
6. Discuss your reading experience?   Did you start the book with any preconceived ideas that were not correct?

General Discussion

1. How true were these three novels to the Conan Doyle canon?  Would Sir Arthur Conan Doyle approve?
2. If you read more than one, which did you enjoy the most?  The least?  Why?
3. Why do you think Sherlock Holmes continues to be so popular?

*****

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