This was such a cute Sherlock Holmes inspired retelling for the younger set. I loved the characters and the mystery and how diverse the story was. It was such a fun and quick read and hope this becomes a series! ( )

This was such a cute Sherlock Holmes inspired retelling for the younger set. I loved the characters and the mystery and how diverse the story was. It was such a fun and quick read and hope this becomes a series! ( )

I really want to like these books more, but I can't get over the fact that they're set in Harlem and the majority of the characters are Black, except for Shelby, the savior of the stories. Why couldn't Shelby also be Black? And the books don't directly address how much more at risk of harm John is than Shelby in all the scenarios Shelby forces them into, because he's a Black boy and she's a white girl.

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. ( )

Looking forward to seeing more of these characters! Hint, hint, just in case the author hadn't planned to go that route.... If I taught 3-5 grades, I would read this one outloud. Love the Holmes, Watson, Sir Arthur and Baker Street references ( )

A cute twist on the traditional Sherlock Holmes story line.

11-year-old John Watson isn’t sure what to make of his new home at 221 Baker Street, in Harlem, NYC. Being a military brat, he’s accustomed to moving a lot and has always found it pretty easy to make friends. Then he meets his new neighbor, 9-year-old Shelby Holmes, and his whole life changes. A renowned neighborhood detective, Shelby is asked to solve a crime involving the disappearance of a classmate’s show dog, and somehow, John gets pulled into the mystery with her. Utilizing her smarts and his social skills, the two solve the case and along the way, become friends.

What I liked: Great characters…I just love John Watson. Shelby comes across a bit egocentric and bossy, but then, that would be how Sherlock Holmes would most likely have come across as a child as well, so I understand. Her relationship with Watson develops nicely throughout the book, and the mystery was cute, even if not too dramatic. References to the original Sherlock Holmes throughout the book were fun as well.

What I did not like: In trying to maintain the Sherlock story line, the author includes minor characters such as Michael Holmes, Shelby’s (also smart) brother, and Detective Lestrade. The only scene with the brother felt so forced it was uncomfortable, and Lestrade came across as not only incompetent, but also completely unnecessary to the story line.

Still, all-in-all, a fun read.

4 out of 5 stars ( )