The Red Circle 1

Becoming Sherlock #1

by Anthony Horowitz, Sarah J. Naughton

Who is Sherlock Holmes?

We are 40 years into the future, and London is a city in decay. John Watson has returned from medical service in the war in Afghanistan and lives by himself in a run-down part of ​town. On his way home from work, he stumbles upon a beaten man in the street – unconscious and completely naked. His chances of survival are minimal.

The same evening, a passenger plane crashes in Richmond Park. There are several hundred victims, and Watson and the mysterious man are left to their own devices.

When the man wakes up the following day, he has no memory of who he is or where he came from but reveals excellent detection skills. This is the start of a mystery that unravels rapidly with one burning question at its core.

Can he solve the mystery of himself?

The Red Circle, the first instalment in the upcoming trilogy Becoming Sherlock by international bestseller Anthony Horowitz (known for Midsomer murders, Foyle's war, Alex Rider, and Hawthorne) and Sarah J. Naughton. Story development by Søren Vestergaard.

Genres: Audiobook, Mystery, Fiction, Science Fiction, British Literature, Crime

10 pages, Audible Audio

First published December 7, 2023

About the author

Anthony Horowitz, OBE is ranked alongside Enid Blyton and Mark A. Cooper as "The most original and best spy-kids authors of the century." (New York Times). Anthony has been writing since the age of eight, and professionally since the age of twenty. In addition to the highly successful Alex Rider books, he is also the writer and creator of award winning detective series Foyle’s War, and more recently event drama Collision, among his other television works he has written episodes for Poirot, Murder in Mind, Midsomer Murders and Murder Most Horrid. Anthony became patron to East Anglia Children’s Hospices in 2009.

On 19 January 2011, the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle announced that Horowitz was to be the writer of a new Sherlock Holmes novel, the first such effort to receive an official endorsement from them and to be entitled the House of Silk.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/anthon...

Reviews

[Mike Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

IN A NUTSHELL
‘Becoming Sherlock: The Red Circle‘ was excellent. An original idea, executed with style and conviction, delivering a genre-bending story with a solid mystery at its heart. It was clearly designed to be an audiobook, and it made the most of that medium without dropping into the see-how-immersive-our-sound-effiects-are? mode that I usually find distracting. 

Ipicked this book up thinking that I was going to get a Sherlock Holmes pastiche, with Anthony Horowitz producing new Sherlock Holmes novels in the same way that he writes now James Bond novels. 'Becoming Sherlock' was cleverer and more original than that. It was an engaging reworking of Sherlock Holmes, set in the near future and with some twists to the characters. 

I loved that, although it used characters from Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories, it changed them in fundamental and surprising ways. It was a bold thing to do, but it worked. 

The near-future Britain-in-decline setting gave a lot of freedom for twisting the story into something new, while weaving in elements that are linked to Victorian London, like the use of horse-drawn vehicles and gas-powered lights, alongside gleaming tower blocks. laptop computers and crashing passenger jets. 

The mystery was complicated and exciting. A big part of the mystery was who the man who becomes known as Sherlock Holmes is. He himself has no memory of his name and only fragmented and confusing memories of his past. He also has astonishing recuperative abilities and a logical mind that equals the abilities of his namesake. 

The story is told from John Watson's point of view, but, unlike the Conan Doyle version, this isn't a first-person account written in admiration of his extraordinary friend, the great detective, Sherlock Holmes. We see John Watson from the outside, but we learn more about his thoughts than Sherlock's. I liked Watson. He came across as a competent and practical, recovering from the trauma and injuries of war and struggling to find his place in a disjointed world. 

I won't go into how the other characters differ from their namesakes, as part of the fun of the novel is finding that out. I admired that the characters felt real, which made their divergence from who I expected them to be even more engaging. 

This is the first book in a trilogy. This novel wasn't a cliff-hanger; the mystery of The Red Circle was solved, but I was left with a lot of questions that I'm looking forward to having answered in the next two books, not least of which is who it is that is 'becoming Sherlock'. 

I strongly recommend the audiobook version. Click on the YouTube link below to hear a sample of Alfred Enoch's performance. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jVQw...

[Diana Jankowiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful venture! Anthony Horowitz and Sarah J. Naughton have recreated a masterpiece. It cannot be easy to regash old themes, where all the characters are known and plots have become sonewhat predictable. Yet, “Becoming Sherlock” offers a completely new world - very believable, even though it presents a scary outlook, and have given new life to Holmes, Watson and Mrs, or Missy Hudson.
Reading this has been pure pleasure and perhaps ot is a rare case where the remake surpasses the original.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars rounded up. The novel has an intriguing concept - to set the Sherlock Holmes cast of characters in London 40 years from now. There have been a series of environmental and economic catastrophes which plunge London backwards and allow Horowitz to have an almost Victorian setting for Holmes, Watson, Mrs. Hudson et al to operate in. Holmes’ relationship to Mycroft seems that it will be very different than as normally portrayed. At times I felt that the devastation that had befallen was laid on a bit too thick. Will be interested to see how the series develops.

[Kris-Ann Moyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What fun! Sherlock Holmes in post-apocalyptic London, Sometime in the future. It has all the characters and elements that make us love Sherlock Holmes stories. Horowitz does a good job of constructing accessible characters that are comfortably familiar, yet fresh and new.

[Chantelle Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4 🌟 (Audible)

Entered this alternate world of Sherlock without any clues. Horse-drawn carriages in a dystopian 2050s era? Interesting world building + character shifts, while still maintaining the essence of Sherlock. I need to absorb more before I can make an educated response to this series.

Excellent narrator, though!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy, fast read with a new take on the Sherlock Holmes legend set in a semi-dystopian future London. Interesting enough to keep me reading the series.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio

[Mariam Ashraf · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was such fun to read up until the ending. It was a tad disappointing. Now I have some doubts about continuing the series but we'll see how it goes.

[Francesco Mancuso · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is truly captivating and well crafted. I enjoyed very much how Ms Naughton and Mr Horowitz rebuilt the iconic Sherlockian setup in a quasi Victorian London. The narration of Mr Enoch is nothing short of brilliant. Highly recommended.

[Lotta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Efter allt jag läst och alla serier jag sett om och med någon version av Sherlock Holmes så är det svårt att överraska mig. Men här tycker jag att det känns nytt och fräsch ändå, trots att boken inte avviker allt för mycket från huvudspåret. Den utspelar sig i en ganska dyster framtid där mycket har fått återgå till det analoga i brist på resurser. I brist på bränsle så dras vissa fordon med häst igen och det är bara de rika som har råd att flyga som exempel. Karaktärerna känner man snabbt igen även om deras bakgrunder är lite annorlunda jämfört med andra versioner. Jag gillar även att de snabbt kastas in i ett antal mysterier som behöver lösas, några mer förutsägbara än andra, men det är spännande att följa. Nu vet jag inte om jag är så förtjust i Watson och Missy som par, det lär ju bli intressant när Mary dyker upp… Jag hoppar genast in på bok två, så att jag kan läsa klart innan tredje boken släpps nu snart.

[Biana]

*Stars are fine, but words tell the story*

I think I was interested in this book because it was inexpensive to buy in audio and Sherlock is a classic.

In this incarnation of Sherlock, we are in the London of the future. But it looks like the London of old. Transportation is back to horses, coal is the available fuel source, and London is simply in ruins. John Watson has returned from the latest war and is a porter at the hospital. He's disenchanted, probably with everything. And he drinks. Oh my does he.

But he's still John Watson. When he finds a man naked, beaten, and near death... he knows he can help, he should help. At the hospital, they dismiss this man, he's beyond help. But John is frustrated with the jaded doctors and he takes matters in his own hands, corralling in his favorite nurse Missy Hudson.

Of course the word gets back to the hospital powers that this patient was essentially squatting and that John was the guy behind it all and even that Missy assisted. Both Sherlock and John get kicked out and Missy is on the edge of loosing her post as well. John stands up and claims all the blame, thus saving Missy's job. Missy insists that both gentlemen come stay with her.

And the sleuthing begins.

[Mehlika Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook olarak dinlediğim bir kitap. Sıklıkla kütüphaneye kadar yürürken, yemek yaparken veya köpeğimi gezdirirken dinlediğim için bana müzik dinlemek yerine çok daha rahatlatıcı bir deneyim oldu.
Karakterlerin ismi eski Sherlock’la aynı olsada, hikaye gelecekte, antiutopik ve iyimserlik içinde barındıran bir kitaptı. Böyle bir uyarlanmaya ihtiyaç var mı diye düşünmedim değil, çünkü Sherlock’un hikayeleri benim için hep şaşırtıcı, kısır döngü, son anda değişen durumları anımsatsada — burada daha ilk kısmında benim için durum çözülmüştü. Ancak yine de keyifle dinlediğimi kabul ediyorum. Çok uzun süredir haber almadığınız arkadaşınızla bir daha buluşma esintisi bıraktı bende.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Becoming Sherlock The Red Circle" is the first in a series. Taking place in a near dystopian London, Holmes and Watson meet and grapple with a sinister organization called the Red Circle. This is a completely different take on the Holmes mysteries than any others I have read. AS one would expect of Anthony Horowitz (I am not familiar with Sarah Naughton, the other half of this writing duo), the writing is excellent and peppered with bits of humor. I look forward to future episodes in the series.

[Johanna Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book set in post apocalyptic London Alternative history . I like that it was very engaging, even though it was a rewriting of A Study in Scarlet and so the mystery is. no so much a mystery. I also like that it was rated PG . Also, there were little winks at covid propaganda in this story. I liked that too. I also liked that it addressed good to have a doctor that has time to listen to you. Having a good diet was also mentioned multiple times. I think that the author must be a fan of bringing awareness to health.

[Lessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A creative reimagining of the Sherlock Holmes’s tale. The reader experiences the story through the eyes of John Watson in a dystopian future London that is quite dark. Holmes is more than a smart detective, he is a mysterious down-and-out with super powers, a source of which isn’t explained. While there are loose threads that may be tied up in future novels, I like this ending and these characters.

[Carla Leemans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Via Storytel heb ik deze reeks leren kennen. Anthony Horowitz is mijn lievingsschrijver en Sarah Naughton schrijft in dezelfde stijl .Het verhaal speelt zich af in de toekomst waardoor alles er net even anders uit ziet en toch ook weer vertrouwd. Een aanrader.

[Lilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Jeannie R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s definitely different.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story with familiar characters charmingly presented in an entertaining tale.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting premise, story moved along well.

[Megan Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this. Highly recommend.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I'm not a fan of dystopian novels, this one is pretty good. Excellent start of a new Sherlock Homes series.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun fun fun. If this was pitched in an elevator to me i would say Sign Me Up!

[Maeguin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le pongo 4 por la inmersión en mis antiguas lecturas de juventud. 😍

[o.m 🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5.; t’was different but it was fun.

[Renee Adelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect audiobook for my long drive home today. At 9 1/2 hrs as an audiobook it filled my drive with a nice version of Sherlock Holmes that is completely immersive.

[Gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this on audio and it was great! The perfect Sherlock Holmes mystery!

[Kris Morley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is set in a not-too-distant future in a semi-dystopian London. John Watson finds a badly injured unconscious man in the streets and performs life-saving surgery. The man has amnesia, and the kind-hearted Watson, along with the landlady Mrs. Hudson, work to get the man back on his feet. Several situations reveal the man's (randomly named Sherlock Holmes) extraordinary detective abilities. The world building is believable and the story is quite an adventure. Excellent read!