Artie Conan Doyle and the Gravediggers' Club

August 1, 2017

Gr 3-5-Most readers recognize the name Arthur Conan Doyle as the creator of the beloved character Sherlock Holmes. Most readers may not know that Conan Doyle once thought himself a detective as well. In this fictional story, 12-year-old Arthur (Artie) and his best friend, Ham, are in search of adventure. One night they find themselves in a local graveyard looking for criminals, but they end up getting much more than they bargained for. Over the course of a short time, Artie and Ham learn their town is being plagued with body snatchers, who later dump the victims with no obvious motive. Artie is determined to find the answer, meanwhile getting mixed up with robberies, crying ghosts, wolflike monsters, and a sleazy "colonel." The likable duo's sarcastic banter will keep readers smirking. The plot is filled with twists and turns, keeping even the most reluctant reader engaged. VERDICT An enticing mystery for fans of detective fiction who may not be ready to tackle the real Conan Doyle's works.-Jennifer Bludau, La Grange Independent School District, TX

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.