Peacock, Shane. Last Message. (Seven the Series.)

Peacock, Shane.   Last Message. (Seven the Series.)   Orca  237p  $9.95  978-1-55469-935-3      2012  ms/hs   VG        Mystery/Detective

In this hi-lo action adventure, Adam must complete three tasks in increasing order of difficulty or danger.  Adam felt he never measured up to his grandfather’s expectations during the latter’s lifetime.  In the grandfather’s will, seven cousins are each ordered to complete a task. Adam considers the terms of the will a chance to redeem himself and maybe even compensate for some of his grandfather’s character flaws, which only come to light when he reads the letter addressed to Adam containing the three tasks.  As Adam crisscrosses parts of France, covering territory his grandfather saw in World War II, Adam must return a Van Gogh painting to its rightful owners, find a rock belonging to writer Saint-Exupery, and enter a cave that is off limits to tourists but filled with ancient drawings.  Adam comes to understand his grandfather better through the adventures, and he meets fascinating people who help or hinder him in his desire to fulfill the conditions of the will.  Excellent geographical descriptions of locale, character development, and introductions to classic art and literature are all found in this easy-to-read book.  Those who love adventure with a hint of mystery will appreciate this novel and others in Seven the Series.  There is one typo on  page 221: “There was major a surprise”.  The words “major” and “a” need to be in reverse order.

Seven the Series contains the easy-to-read adventures of seven cousins, all carried out to satisfy a grandfather’s will.  Each is written by a different author, with very different plots and unique personalities.

For those who like adventure and action novels, they are perfect. Grades 6-10.     

Adventure-Fiction                                    --Lois McNicol

Peacock, Shane. Becoming Holmes. (The Boy Sherlock series)

Peacock, Shane.                   Becoming Holmes. (The Boy Sherlock series)      Tundra Books  245p       $21.99  978-1-77049-232-5    2012            ms/jr       E-BN                  Mystery/Detective           

It is 1870, around the time of Charles Dickens’ death. As all of London mourns his passing, Sherlock Holmes embarks upon his last mission, in which he faces his nemesis, Malefactor and his henchmen (Crew and Grimsby).  Sherlock is nearly seventeen in this concluding escapade in the Boy Sherlock series.  He senses that he is rapidly becoming depressed since his father’s death and the developing illness of his mentor, Sigerson Bell.  To recoup a little bit of family he takes off to visit his brother, Mycroft, who works for the Treasury.  While talking to his brother he spots one of his nemesis’ crew walking into the building. Sherlock knows that Malefactor is up to something because there is no way that Grimsby could be a banker.

Sherlock shakes off his malaise  and starts to investigate the possibilities. Throughout this book there are little slivers of insight into Sherlock’s deductive powers and his ability to read people from their body language. Readers will also get some insight into the conditions that existed in London in the 1870s era.  Sherlock’s sense of justice drives him into dangerous and sometimes unscrupulous actions.  His mentor assists in many of these actions, but he also acts as Sherlock’s conscience as his own illness progresses.

 
In the final pages of the book Sherlock finds himself helped by the young Lestrade.  Crew is cornered in a crypt with several large very poisonous snakes.

Readers who have followed this series will like the fast pace and spine-tingling twists as the story concludes.  But will they wonder who that body was, climbing out of the water?   

Mystery stories, Sherlock Holmes                                                                   --Linda McNeil

 

Peacock, Shane. The Dragon Turn.

Peacock, Shane.   The Dragon Turn.  Tundra Books, 2011. 220p.  $21.99   ISBN 978-1-77049-231-8    VG-BN      Mystery/Detective

     Once again, the boy Sherlock Holmes becomes mixed up in the mysteries of a magical dragon and the disappearance of a well-known magician. It is a story full of mystery, conflict with the police, drama, and fast-paced chases that will capture the reader's interest.  In this fifth book of The Boy Sherlock Holmes series, the author has once again provided the reader with insight into the cultural and political times in which Sherlock Holmes developed his skills and survived in a challenging environment.
      Sherlock’s involvement with Irene Doyle, the daughter of an aristocrat, shows the intricacies of the class system at turn-of-the-century England. His constant struggle with the police one-up-manship provides readers with continuing drama. This contrast between his reasoning and his actions can be compared with the Le Strades' inadequacies to illustrate how far crime technology has progressed.  I can’t help but wonder what Sherlock Holmes would think of CSI television shows today.                 

Subject: Mystery and Detective Stories

Linda McNeil

 

The Secret Fiend (Boy Sherlock 4th Case).

Peacock, Shane. The Secret Fiend (Boy Sherlock 4th Case).
Tundra Books 2010 244p 19.95
978-0-88776-853-8 ms/jr VG-BN
Once again young Sherlock Holmes is thrust into a mystery. It is a sequel to: Eye of the Crow, Death in the Air, and Vanishing Girl. This intriguing mystery takes places in Victorian London during 1868 when Disraeli becomes England’s first Jewish born prime minister. It is a time of unrest with the upper classes being unsettled with the changes occurring and the poor angling for improvement in their down trodden poverty.
Sherlock is manipulated into helping a former neighbor and classmates when the are attacked on Westminster Bridge by a maniac dressed like a bat. The culprit is named, Spring Heeled Jack for the old penny thrillers.
The story will keep readers full of suspense right up until the end as Sherlock once again spars with his old friends Malefactor (street urchin) and Lestrade (police).
Young readers and older Shelock Holmes enthusiasts will enjoy this novel. It is well written with twists and turns to captivate the mind and confound most readers. McNeil, Linda

Peacock, Shane. Vanishing Girl.

Peacock, Shane. Vanishing Girl.
Tundra Books 2009 307p 19.95 978-0-88776-852-1 ms/jr This is the Boy Sherlock Holmes’ third case as he strives to be known as master detective of all time. In this case Sherlock hears about a young girl mysteriously disappearing from Hyde Park. He feels haste is of the utmost because he needs to impress Irene Doyle, stay ahead of that street urchin, and lastly to beat Scotland Yard. In this case Sherlock hears about a young girl mysteriously disappearing from Hyde Park. Sherlock feels haste is of the utmost because he needs to impress Irene Doyle with his capabilities, stay ahead of that street urchin, Malefactor, and his gang, and lastly to out solve Scotland Yard. Sherlock expands his sleuthing capabilities as he goes to both the countryside and the sea coast to follow some leads that eventually lead to an exotic country estate the villagers think is haunted. Sherlock braves the midnight hours and haunting creatures to explore the lair of the culprits. He must act fast and solve the mystery of the kidnapped girl before Scotland Yard gets credit. The author has once again written a faced paced novel that young readers will thoroughly enjoy to the fullest. Young Sherlock’s ability is getting more refined with each episode. Readers will see that he still works for the apothecary and wants to better himself by learning everything he can. Readers will find it all, romance, hostility, loneliness, determination, persistence, and an unfailing desire to be the best detective in the world. Mystery/Detective McNeil, Linda