'Foyle’s War' Creator a Hit in Belmont

British writer Anthony Horowitz seemed more like a standup comedian Thursday night than the creator of the popular "Foyle’s War" television series, constantly throwing out one-liners to an appreciative audience at the Belmont Library.

More than 100 people, some standing in the aisles between stacks of books, listened for over an hour as Horowitz regaled them with his literary experiences, including his latest contribution – resurrecting Sherlock Holmes. The price was right. Admission was free, thanks to “M” is For Mystery, the San Mateo bookstore noted for bringing outstanding mystery writers to the area.

Horowitz’ latest book is “The House of Silk,” (Mulholland Books, $27.99), which he wrote after he was contacted “out of the blue” by agents for the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle, who gave life to detective Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson.

“I told the agents I would need time to think about writing the book,” he said. “So I thought about it for five seconds.” The book marks the first time the estate authorized a new Holmes story.

“I fell in love with the Sherlock Holmes stories when I was sixteen,” Horowitz said earlier. “I simply couldn’t resist this opportunity to write a brand new adventure for this iconic figure.”

Horowitz said Doyle and Ian Fleming, who wrote the James Bond series, inspired him to become a writer.

Doyle still could be an inspiration. The Holmes’ creator became interested in spiritualism in the later stages of his life so Horowitz bought one of Doyle’s books which became a talisman placed beside him as he worked on “The House of Silk.”

Surprisingly in a computer age, Horowitz said the first drafts of his books are done in pen. If it was good enough for the likes of Jane Austen, it is good enough for him, he said.

The new Holmes’ book has the “seal of approval” of the Doyle family, even though Horowitz said the relatives did not see the work until it was completed. He said he was “passionate” and protective of what he writes. He said he did not want to produce “an Indiana Holmes,” referring to the Indiana Jones movie series. The aim, he said, was to stay as true to the Holmes’ legacy as possible.

Horowitz’ Holmes will have tough acts to follow. Most of the questions after the talk were about "Foyle’s War", starring Michael Kitchen as World War II Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle, and the Alex Rider series of books for children.

Those in the audience included Connor Sheehy, 10, who came from New York to hear Horowitz speak.

“We missed him when he was in New York,” said his mother, Marjorie, adding that her son had read all the Rider books. “This is his birthday present.”

Connor, who was called to the podium to meet the creator of Alex Rider, said he felt that Horowitz spent three hours “on every word he writes.”

As if to add a touch of mystery, the lights in the library went out for a split seconds.

“Where’s the body?” Horowitz asked.

 “No one leaves the room,” someone shouted as the audience laughed.