The House of Smoke

By: Sam Christer

Narrated by: David Thorpe

Big Ben chimes in the first seconds of the first day of 1900, the start of a fresh century. Inside London's oldest gaol, preparations are afoot to hang Victorian England's deadliest assassin, a man wanted for two decades' worth of murders.

Cold-blooded killer Simeon Lynch has lived a brutal and glorious life in the employ of the House of Moriarty - the most feared criminal enterprise in the world. Now, as he faces the noose, Simeon learns dark truths about his master, about Sherlock Holmes and about his own past. Truths that make him determined to escape and kill again....

Follow Simeon's bloody footsteps through the capital's cobbled alleyways, wretched workhouses and flash taverns as he crosses swords with Sherlock Holmes and the villainous characters of Victorian London.

©2016 Sam Christer (P)2016 Isis Publishing Ltd

Critic reviews

"You can almost feel the cold weight of the old stones pressing down on you. This is one of those very rare books that is capable of both thrilling and chilling the reader." (James Becker on The Stonehenge Legacy)

"Well-plotted and well-executed, this is a chilling and clever thriller." ( Daily Telegraph on The Turin Shroud Secret)

"Smart, slick and effective." ( Daily Mail on The Stonehenge Legacy)

Good story...

I enjoyed this tale...I am a sucker for Gothic, Edwardian , and Victorian short stories and although this was full length I listened just about right through it...the narration was terrific...the ending was predictable, a set up for a sequel most likely... The stars above to rate the book are hard to punctuate ....I 'd give it a 4 except for narration which was outstanding.....

Wow!

Would you listen to The House of Smoke again? Why?

I would definitely listen to this wonderful story again...I felt I was there watching, listening and smelling each moment ....immersed in a time and place that only this author and narrator could take me.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved to hate Simeon...he was bad, he was good....he loved, and he hated..a true criminal that evolved from the darkest of circumstances.

Which character – as performed by David Thorpe – was your favorite?

Simeon

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The entire tale had me laughing one moment, angry and tearful the next.

Any additional comments?

David Thorpe took the words of this fantastic novel, and made it come alive. I cannot possibly give away any more about story or plot....this is a gem that needs to be discovered.

Disappointing

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No. I was sorely disappointed overall, as I was expecting more Sherlock Holmes and less of the Moriarty gang. However, insight into how the gang began (this author's premise, that is), was well thought out.

Would you recommend The House of Smoke to your friends? Why or why not?

No, narrator dragged out the story

How did the narrator detract from the book?

For me, the narrator dragged the story out by reading too slowing, his voice was not to my liking after a few chapters, and I ended up listening to it at 1.25 speed. That made the book easier to follow.

Could you see The House of Smoke being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No.

Any additional comments?

The ending was a surprise, but left me hanging, although, if there is a sequel, I won't read or listen to it. I've had enough of the Moriarty gang and their murderous, sociopathic thugs for a long, long time.