by Andrew Lane
Macmillan Children's Books
ISBN: 978-0-230-75850-6
Suggested Ages: 12+
Buy From Indigo
Description:A mysterious fire, a friend who has vanished……a man who claims to raise the dead. Sherlock Holmes is at a loss. His friend and her father have disappeared. Their house is empty, as if nobody has ever lived there.
His attempts to solve the case take Sherlock to Scotland, and into an even darker mystery – one that involves kidnapping, body-snatchers and a man who says he can control the dead. He’s faced death before, but can Sherlock Holmes defeat the forces of Hell?
The Good Stuff
- Exciting and fast paced
- Good mystery - not sure what's going to happen next
- Excellent character development - really see how young Holmes could develop into the fascinating Holmes that Doyle created
- As mentioned before really like how Lane teaches the readers about history, geography and science in such a brilliant subtle way, kids won't realize they are learning something
- Nicely placed humour to lighten some of the darker bits of the story
- Set in Scotland which gives in a neat twist and well my background is Scottish (way in the background as most of my family has been in Canada for a very long time)
- Finally find out more about the sly and nasty Mrs Eglantine
- Like the realistic relationship between Holmes and his friends and family
- Wow - quite the cliffhanger ending - now how long do I have to wait for the next installment
- Highly impressed we these books, they just get better and better
The Not So Good Stuff
- Maybe a wee bit too dark and scary for younger readers
"It was so stupid, he thought, that something as simple as inheriting land and a house from your parents could set you apart from other people. When he grew up he would make sure that he never made social distinctions between people like that."
"The Scots themselves are a Celtic race, which means that they are prone to moods that range from maudlin depression to sudden anger."
"There were even - Sherlock had to suppress a gasp at this - men wearing skirts.
Matty noticed Sherlock's reaction. "Yeah," he said, sorry - I probably should have mentioned that. Took me by surprise when I was here a few years back."
"Men with skirts? Well, maybe you thought I wouldn't notice,"
"They're not skirts," Matty said firmly. "They're kilts."
Who Should/Shouldn't Read
- Will appeal to both male and female readers
- Would say more for the developed reader over the reluctant reader -- but that's just my opinion - if you need a more educated opinion ask your local children's or school Librarian
- This will appeal to those who like a good mystery
- Would be fabulous for a class discussion
I received this from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review
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