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Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Death Cloud by Andrew Lane

Death Cloud (Young Sherlock Holmes)From Goodreads:

The year is 1868, and Sherlock Holmes is fourteen. His life is that of a perfectly ordinary army officer’s son: boarding school, good manners, a classical education – the backbone of the British Empire. But all that is about to change. With his father suddenly posted to India, and his mother mysteriously ‘unwell’, Sherlock is sent to stay with his eccentric uncle and aunt in their vast house in Hampshire. So begins a summer that leads Sherlock to uncover his first murder, a kidnap, corruption and a brilliantly sinister villain of exquisitely malign intent . . . 
The Death Cloud is the first in a series of novels in which the iconic detective is reimagined as a brilliant, troubled and engaging teenager – creating unputdownable detective adventures that remain true to the spirit of the original books.
The author, Mr. Andrew Lane has gotten the approval of several prominent people who protect Sir. Author Conan Doyle's works to create this fiction. It shows that he did his homework. We meet Sherlock as a 14 year old inquisitive boy who seems to have a knack for being in trouble. His father is called away by the Royal Army and his mother and sister are not doing well at home. Mycroft, his older brother, has found him a place at his uncle and aunt's estate whom he had never met. He tries to be good by doing nothing but count the seconds to the end of his forced imprisonment with surly and unattentive family. Of course, with a track record like Sherlock, trouble finds him like a bee to honey (pun intended). A vagabond by the name of Matty finds him and tells him a strange story of a black cloud that killed a man. He wants to get to the bottom of things since he likes the town and figures Sherlock is just smart enough to get all the answers. And while Sherlock investigates we see the beginnings of his deductive logic and an introduction to his biggest mentor, Amyus Crowe.

There are actually several mysteries going on within this book. First, there is the main mystery of the death cloud. What it is to who is behind it and also why are spread out like a puzzle within the book. We also wonder what the housekeeper has got against Sherlock, exactly what Mycroft does for a living, and if Matty could be the indomitable Watson? Some of these questions are answered and some are left to weave themselves within the other books of this series. You'll be glad to know that the main mystery is solved like all good Doyle mysteries the precedes this one. So, no cliffhanger, but an open invitation at the end to join Sherlock in his next adventure.

I give this book 4 stars and recommend it to anyone who loves a YA mystery. You will enjoy this one.

I received this ARC from the publisher and no compensation has been given.

20 comments:

  1. This book sounds great. I love Sherlock Homes and I would love to read adventures in his teen years. Sweet. Nice review :)

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  2. I've never read any of the Sherlock Homes books, perhaps this might be a good place to start.

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  3. The jailbait on the cover is kind of cute. Haha. This actually sounds really good. I might have to check this one out!

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  4. I hadn't even heard of this one. Thanks so much Melissa! My son is a frustratingly reluctant reader so I'm always looking for something that has boy appeal but I could still read. I'm gonna have to go look into it this series more. :)

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  5. Ha! Sherlock as a teen? I never thought of him that way. But everyone has got to pop their cherry at some point, and it does seem interesting to follow him around on his first case.

    Another book you have added to my radar. Thanks Melissa.

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  6. @ladystorm... it is. :)
    @Savannah... I think you'll like it. Especially since you love Holmes. :)
    @...Petty... you might enjoy it. It is very YA tho..
    @Looksie... LOL It's pretty good. I want the next one.
    @Rhianna... It might work. Just tell him you don't want him to read it. ;)
    @Missie... *fans self* my, oh my... such language! LOL

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  7. Sherlock as a teenager..oh I wonder what he was like then, cool :)

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  8. It seems to be a nice YA book about Sherlock - I might be tempted! I would like, though, to read more about his older years. Fourteen is still very young...

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  9. I love Sherlock - I'll have to check this one out!

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  10. Sounds right up my street! I love seeing an well known character from a different angle - and a young sherlock is fun! :-)

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  11. I like this - You can do so much with a young Holmes. And what's Holmes without Watson?

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  12. You know I always loved watching Holmes and stuff on tv. And even the ones where he was to be a teen and all that. But I have never read a book with him. This sounds like a great read! Thank you!

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  13. @Blodeuedd It was interesting to see the author's interpretation!
    @anachronist... It is like starting at the beginning.
    @Alyssa and Mel... then I think you'll both like this one.
    @Stephanie... Well, unless it's Mattie... he isn't there. :)
    @Melissa (my world)... Yea, it was interesting seeing him as a young teen!

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  14. I had never heard of this book, it sounds great! =D

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  15. Ohhhhh I want to read this one, I love Sherlock xD

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  16. This one sounds like so much fun!I love how you worded the way the book ended - no cliffhanger but an open invitation to join the next adventure. Brilliant Melissa! I'd never heard of this one, so I'm super excited you reviewed it so now I can add it to the list:)

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  17. I swear I don't read nearly enough mysteries! This sounds rich and inviting, and I love that there isn't some absurd cliffhanger. Fabulous review! :)

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  18. @Larissa... love your av! :)
    @SAmita.. I think you like him!
    @Jenny... Thanks. :)
    @Melissa... it's a nice mystery too! :)

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  19. Completely agree with your review on this one. It was interesting to see someone's take on Sherlock's younger years.

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