Fourth in the Young Sherlock Holmes series, Fire Storm may be the best yet. A credible villain who is creepily threatening makes the book more realistic in some ways. There was a good amount of information on Edinburgh and the practice of providing cadavers for medical research (tastefully handled) that was appropriate for the time. My only warning is that there is a scene where Sherlock is being tortured that could be disturbing. In my opinion, it wasn't prolonged enough to be gruesome, so I was fine with it.

Sherlock Holmes fans, young and old should enjoy this book. ( )

The story begins with fourteen-year-old Sherlock deciding to do something about the sinister housekeeper, Mrs. Eglantine, who seems to do exactly as she pleases and hold something over his , Uncle and Aunt. He finds out about the family secret and deals with it and Mrs Eglantine’s co-conspirator is a very satisfying way. In the market place he also overhears, in passing, about some men searching for his tutor and daughter but thinks nothing more of it. When he remembers the conversation Sherlock, with his friend Matty Arnatt, hurries to visit his tutor but instead finds both Amyus Crowe, and daughter Virginia, have vanished. It seems completely baffling that there is no sign that they were ever there at all. Matty begins to doubt their friendship but Sherlock never doubts that he will find a clue left behind that will explain where they have gone. Finally an obscure clue points him to Scotland.
Sherlock, Matty and Rufus Stone, his violin tutor , friend and part-time spy, are not the only ones following that clue leads them to Edinburgh and into the throes of a bigger mystery that involves kidnapping, two groups of ruthless villains, body snatchers and a man who claims he can raise and control the dead.. Sherlock must use all his wits. as he battles to discover what has happened to his friends. He is in a deadly fight for all their lives and he only has a short amount of time to figure out how to save them all. ( )

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

Favorite Quotes/Passages

"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

4.75 Dewey's



I received this from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review ( )

In Fire Storm by Andrew Lane, young Sherlock's friend and her father have vanished. Their house looks as if nobody has ever lived in it; the neighbors claim never to have heard of them. Sherlock begins to doubt his sanity, until a clever clue points him to Scotland. Following that clue leads him into a mystery that involves kidnapping, bodysnatchers, and a man who claims he can raise the dead. Only the budding detective Sherlock can untangle the mind-bending--and dangerous--puzzles that ensnare his friends. Think you know Sherlock Holmes? Think again!