The Initiation

July 11, 2016
The famed rivalry between Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty gets an update in this modern-day origin story, first in the Lock and Key series, which sees the two future archenemies rooming together at the elite Baskerville Academy. James Moriarty and his younger sister, Moria (who narrates), struggle to fit in after being sent to Baskerville, several hours away from their Boston home, also dealing with the weight of their family’s lengthy association with the school. When their family Bible, a prized possession of the Academy, is stolen, the pressure is on for James to unravel the clues and retrieve it. With Holmes and Moria alternately helping and hindering his efforts, he additionally investigates a conspiracy that seems to be targeting him. While Pearson (the Kingdom Keepers series) tries to put a new spin on these classic characters, he fails to capture their true essence; it’s hard to take the future “Napoleon of Crime” seriously as a surly 14-year-old, and Holmes is more annoying than brilliant without a Watson to temper his excesses. Coupled with a convoluted central mystery, this reimagining misses its mark. Ages 8–12. Agent: Amy Berkower and Dan Conaway, Writers House.

July 1, 2016

Gr 5-7-Baskerville Academy is the locale where teenagers James Moriarty, his younger sister Moira, and Sherlock Holmes meet as new students. Immediately, something untoward happens. The irreplaceable Moriarty Bible, which belonged to the original Moriarty ancestor, goes missing. The entire student body is under suspicion, but only James receives curious red envelopes containing cryptic messages as to the Bible's whereabouts. His roommate Sherlock offers to assist him, as does Moira, but James refuses all help because he finds Sherlock arrogant, and now that he is in school, he distances himself from Moira as well. Instead, James prefers to align himself with some unsavory upperclassmen. When James and Moira's father dies, Moira asks Sherlock to do some sleuthing, because his death was not accidental. This new role for Sherlock pleases his restless spirit. On campus, there is a secret society that includes the headmaster and James's late father. The members of this clandestine organization, called The Fellowship of Scowerers, want James to join. The initiation involves tattooing James's underarm with the symbol of a tree and key as well as warning him that to reveal anything about this society could lead to his death. Pearson perfectly captures Holmes's deductive methods. He humanizes Holmes's prickly personality by creating an innocent, blossoming romance with Moira. Likewise, Moriarty's persona becomes darker and more devious as he transforms into a malevolent force. VERDICT The first installment in an exciting new series that's ideal for fans of Pearson and those looking for a more modern take on Sherlock Holmes's mysteries.-Lillian Hecker, Town of Pelham Public Library, NY

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2016
Set in modern-day Boston, this first in a new series chronicles the interactions between high school age Sherlock Holmes and his nemesis, James Moriarty.Moria, James' younger sister, narrates, chronicling the first clashes between the famous archrivals. James, already angry at being forced to attend Baskerville Academy according to family tradition, is further enraged when he is paired with Sherlock Holmes for a roommate. Sherlock is prideful and talks too much, and true to character, he is unapologetic for his intellect. When the Moriarty family Bible goes missing from its display case, the school is put into lockdown. Both James and Sherlock believe that the administration's extreme reaction is proof that the Bible holds secret information. But while Sherlock applies his intellect to the mystery, James relies on deception and bullying. Lengthy narrative passages and long-winded monologues slow down the action. And although Moria and Sherlock's budding romance is sweet, their endless banter is both repetitive and exhausting. Further, James' sudden shift in character from loving brother to cruel criminal mastermind-in-training is abrupt and unsupported. It is never clear why he hates Sherlock so much, which makes him seem like a petulant child rather than an evil genius. Though the Moriartys are now Boston Brahmins, Pearson does not deviate so far from canon as to depict his leads as anything other than white. A disappointing reinvention of beloved characters. (Mystery. 8-12)

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July 1, 2016
Grades 4-6 In his new Lock and Key series, Pearson reimagines the story of Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty as set in a contemporary New England boarding school. James' sister Moria narrates from a future vantage point, tracing the evolution of her brother from hotheaded, intelligent boy to mythic villain. James is sent to historic Baskerville Academy, where his secretive father expects him to preserve the Moriarty legacywhatever that is. With ill grace, he endures bullying, homesickness, and his know-it-all roommate, a British beanpole named Sherlock. Then the Moriarty family Bible, on display at Baskerville for 130 years, is stolen. With Sherlock and Moria helping in secret, James uncovers a web of Baskerville staff and alumni connected to a clandestine society. The mystery is suspenseful but convoluted, obscured by hints and threats from enigmatic adults. Though James is the subject, he remains a disappointing cipher who is frequently pushed aside. Moria's role in the story, as a Sherlock-in-training, is the most intriguing development. This novel spin on a familiar tale will pull in lots of fans. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Coauthor of the wildly popular Peter and the Starcatchers series, Pearson will be promoting his new book with an author tour.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)