Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz

Why are we so fascinated by Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick, Dr. Watson?  Countless movies, television shows and books have been written about this character.  Whether it is the old atmospheric movies starring Basil Rathbone or the newer ones starring Robert Downey, Jr., the television series such as the British Sherlock starring the irrepressible Benedict Cumberbatch or the American show Elementary featuring Jonny Lee Miller as the detective, we can't get enough of this character.  There are books written studying the phenomena and even books that claim to help you 'think like Sherlock Holmes'.  We love this character.

Anthony Horowitz has been authorized by the Doyle family to continue the series and give the reader new Sherlock stories.  Moriarty is his second Holmes novel after the success of the first, The House Of Silk.  In this novel, the story revolves about what happens after the climatic scene at Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland when Sherlock and Moriarity tumble over the falls and are swallowed up by the mist. 

With the death of the two adversaries, a vacuum exists and we all know how nature views a vacuum.  Soon, another crime mastermind emerges and wrecks havoc in London.  Two detectives pair up to attempt to bring this new criminal to justice.  Frederick Chase is an American Pinkerton detective while Athelney Jones works at Scotland Yard and helped Sherlock on some cases.  Together they attempt to use the precepts they learned from Sherlock to solve the most infamous case since his fateful fall.

Horowitz has written a novel that will be must reading for Sherlock Holmes fans.  There are twists and turns and plot secrets but all along the motto remains the same; the most famous Sherlock maxim: "when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."  I've always been a huge fan as are many IT employees.  Holmes' use of logic over emotion and rationality as king is a huge attraction.  This book is recommended both for diehard Holmes fans and for mystery readers new to the characters.