Rebel Fire

March 1, 2012
The opening of this second adventure/mystery starring the teenage Sherlock Holmes finds two men searching for a giant red leech for their terrifying boss, Duke Balthassaar, ably and ickily introducing the sleuth's antagonist. One afternoon, Sherlock returns to his uncle's home to a surprise visit from brother Mycroft Holmes. Eavesdropping, he learns that John Wilkes Booth escaped death after assassinating Lincoln and is somewhere in England. Mycroft and Amyus Crowe, Sherlock's tutor, have to prevent Booth's return to the United States--a perfect adventure in the making for Sherlock and his friends Virginia Crowe and Matty Arnatt. In this story, good characters have some depth, while the evil are there to provide narrative oomph. Lane has a talent for gross and grotesque villains, and Balthassar is no exception (check out what he does with those leeches). Abductions, frantic train rides, near-death experiences and efforts of the three friends to save one another increase suspense with each chapter. A slam-bang climax and satisfying conclusion will please readers while leaving loose threads for further volumes. This intriguing look at the times and development of a much-loved character fascinates across gender lines. (author note) (Mystery/adventure. 13-17)

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April 1, 2012

Gr 6-9-Leeches, exotic animals, a sinister villain, and John Wilkes Booth all figure in the plot of this fast-paced, unusual page-turner starring the young Sherlock Holmes. A mysterious, cryptic prologue set in Borneo hooks readers' immediately. The future master detective is a teen living in England with his older brother, Mycroft, while their father is in the army in India. He is being tutored by an American, Amyus Crowe, a member of the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Croft was sent to England to find John Wilkes Booth, who is believed to have escaped captivity and to be hiding abroad. A group led by the evil and cunning Duke Balthasar is clandestinely trying to use Booth as a catalyst and rallying point to resurrect the Southern cause. The British title for the book is Red Leech, which hints at sinister and grotesque twists in the story. With mature, unwavering resolve, Sherlock; Crowe's teenage daughter, Virginia; and Sherlock's friend Matty conquer spectacular, mind-boggling, and seemingly impossible obstacles. Established history and imaginative invention intertwine throughout. At times, factual material needed to move the plot along is too jarringly introduced in dialogue to give credence to the bizarre events, but the fast pace and astonishing adventures overshadow any stilted prose, rendering this a satisfying and engrossing read.-Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2012
Grades 7-10 The second installment in the Sherlock Holmes: The Legend Begins series (the first teen series to be granted official endorsement from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's literary estate) brings young Sherlock Holmes to the U.S. But first he discovers that assassin John Wilkes Booth is alive, if not particularly well, in England, protected by a cabal of men who had a part in Lincoln's death. When the conspirators head home, Sherlock; his mysterious tutor, Mr. Crow; and Crow's daughter, Virginia, are persuaded by Mycroft Holmes to follow them across the ocean. The sea journey is deadly, the events in the U.S. are hair-raising (leeches!), and though readers know Sherlock will survive, sometimes it doesn't seem likely. Having an American adventure so early in the series seems a bit odd, but the bit of Civil War history thrown in mixes well with the blood and gore. An adventure, to be sure. Bonus: find out how Sherlock learns to play the violin. See Read-alikes: Young Sherlockians for more Holmes spins.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)