No Place Like Holmes

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - Griffin Sharpe is sent to England in 1903 to spend the summer with the uncle he has never known (not even his first name) or met. The only knowledge he has is his uncle is a detective, is called Snoops, and lives at 221 Baker Street, the address of the famous Sherlock Holmes. But, he is met with an unfortunate reality when he learns his uncle lives at 221A Baker Street and Holmes lives at B. In reality, his uncle is testy and doesn't really want him around but, when they land a strange case involving a missing man believed to be eaten by the Loch Ness Monster, it will take both of them, Griffin using is genius brain, and his uncle, using his strange devises, to uncover the truth. But the truth is bigger than either of them realized.

Author - Jason Lethcoe

Age Group - 12 and up

Positive - Griffin relies on God and prays to Him when things get tuff. He tells the truth and tries to do the right thing. Even when it is hard, he tries to be nice and respectful to others even when they don't return the friendliness. When his uncle explains why he is the way he is, Griffin empathizes with him. He also tries to protect the ones he cares about, even at the risk to himself. People also admit the things they did that were wrong eventually.

Negative - Not much negative. Griffin's uncle isn't so nice at first and is insulting to his neighbor, Sherlock Holmes. He wants nothing more than to beat Sherlock and he holds much anger towards him for a matter later found out in the book.

Writing - The writing was good and the characters well put together. I didn't see how more detail could have been added. I guess Griffin Sharpe was another legendary detective but I never heard of him until now but the author did say that we get to see many of the legends about him in the book.

Personal Opinion - Okay, it was the picture of the Loch Ness Monster on the front that first drew my interest. I know, kinda pathetic. But, as I was reading it, I found it was a good book with a good mystery. The only thing that got me was the robot that worked on steam. I don't know if that existed back in 1903 (or any of the other inventions of the uncle) but it just seemed strange. Other than that, it was a good story that moved well and contained many good lessons which the characters picked up. The mini-mysteries at the end were fun, even got one before reading the answer but the second one, no such luck. I don't know how many other people will get this but I was excited that Father Brown made an appearance (okay, I never read a Father Brown Mystery but I do think I know who the author is and am so excited that he was in the book). A mystery that is good for Christians and anyone else who wants to read it. It also leaves you with the knowledge that there will be more books to come...

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher through Booksneeze.com.

Links - Learn more about the book and author at: http://www.jasonlethcoe.com/The_Wonderful_World_of_Jason_Lethcoe/Welcome.html , http://www.noplacelikeholmes.blogspot.com/ , and http://www.jasonlethcoe.com/holmes/ (This one has a book trailor if you are interested). Found some information about the book here: http://www.familyfiction.com/authors/jason-lethcoe/books/no-place-like-holmes/ and even see the cover of the next one.

Special Notes - There is going to be a second book and it said on amazon.com that it will be in December.