The Future Door (No Place Like Holmes, #2)

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The Future Door (No Place Like Holmes #2)

by Jason Lethcoe (Goodreads Author)

3.5 of 5 stars 3.50 · rating details · 26 ratings · 16 reviews

"Think "Treasure Island"'s Jim Hawkins and Encyclopedia Brown rolled into one adventurous, ingenious, God-fearing lad, and you get the idea. Fun, suspenseful, and unpredictable, the No Place Like Holmes books are fantastic reads, and author Jason Lethcoe is a fine craftsman of words to boot. I highly recommend this series." --Robert Liparulo, bestselling author of Dreamhou...more

Paperback, 209 pages

Published December 6th 2011 by Thomas Nelson Publishers

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Feb 13, 2012 Teela rated it 4 of 5 stars

THE FUTURE DOOR by Jason Lethcoe is the 2nd story revolving around Sherlock Holmes neighbor, the mechanical genius (detective wanna be) Rupert Snodgrass and his 12 year old nephew Griffin Sharpe. Griffin, although just 12, has the unique (Sherlock Holmes style) ability to observe even the minutest details surrounding him, while Snodgrass is always trying to invent something that will enable him to become a famous detective. In this story Rubert Snodgrass invents a time machine.

Sherlock Holmes h...more

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Jan 01, 2012 Beverly rated it 5 of 5 stars

FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review.

The Future Door (No Place Like Holmes Volume 2) by Jason Lethcoe

From the back of the book:

Griffin Sharpe and his uncle Rupert Snodgrass are fast on their way to becoming the most secret and skilled detectives in London since Sherlock Holmes' retirement. Griffin's unique ability to notice everything combined with his uncle's fabulous inventions make them an unbeatable team -- until Rupert...more FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review.

The Future Door (No Place Like Holmes Volume 2) by Jason Lethcoe

From the back of the book:

Griffin Sharpe and his uncle Rupert Snodgrass are fast on their way to becoming the most secret and skilled detectives in London since Sherlock Holmes' retirement. Griffin's unique ability to notice everything combined with his uncle's fabulous inventions make them an unbeatable team -- until Rupert's time travel device is stolen by the Moriartys and they way their future begin to unravel.

Now Griffin and Rupert must race to find the time machine and attempt to undo the damage their enemies have done. As the future, past, and present come together, it will take Griffin's faith and inventive thinking and his uncle's mechanical genius to save London and their future selves.

I love the original Sherlock Holmes stories and most books that are related to Holmes. That's why I signed up for a copy of this book. I'm glad I did.

What I liked about the book: It's a mystery. It's a fantasy. It has a spiritual aspect that compliments the story without being overwhelming. it's a quick read. There are just so many things to like about this book. The story is well written and the characters are well developed. I liked Griffin right away. He certainly reminds me of a young Sherlock Holmes. I even liked crochety old Uncle Rupert. This is the second book in the series. I have not yet read the first one, but I was able to follow the story easily. I enjoyed this one so much I've already requested a copy of the first book from the library. Young readers that enjoy mystery and fantasy (time travel, futuristic inventions) will enjoy this book. I highly recommend this story for not only young readers who like mysteries, but adults as well.

What I didn't like about the book: I liked it all.

Recommended for 3rd grade and up.

AR Level: (Not an AR Book as of 1/1/12)

Mrs. Archer's rating: 5 of 5(less)

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Jun 27, 2012 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-own

The Future Door is actually the second book in a series. Normally I would go and read the first book first, but I had this sent to me by Amazon Vine for review so I decided I'd jump right in rather than seeking out the first book. I hadn't read the first book but recognizing that it is aimed at a younger "middle grade" audience I hoped it would either work as a stand alone or give me enough details to catch me up if I needed material from book 1.

The concept sounded fun. The overall series is ab...more The Future Door is actually the second book in a series. Normally I would go and read the first book first, but I had this sent to me by Amazon Vine for review so I decided I'd jump right in rather than seeking out the first book. I hadn't read the first book but recognizing that it is aimed at a younger "middle grade" audience I hoped it would either work as a stand alone or give me enough details to catch me up if I needed material from book 1.

The concept sounded fun. The overall series is about a young boy, Griffin Sharpe, who is living with his Uncle Rupert in London…but not just anywhere in London. Rupert lives in apartment 221 A on Baker Street, right next door to Sherlock Holmes. Rupert is a much less successful detective than Holmes but he is very passionate and competitive and hopes to be as famous as Holmes. He has a knack for inventions and he's created a wide assortment of inventions to help him in his sleuthing. The inventions are pretty amazing and frankly should make him more famous than his detective abilities…but that's not what he's after.

Fortunately young Griffin is a much better detective than his uncle. Griffin has the innate hyper-observant abilities we've seen and loved in Sherlock Holmes stories over the years. He is critically aware of his surroundings. He's able to quickly identify nuances and discrepancies that escape the notice of casual observers. In other words, he's Sherlock Holmes in young-boy form.

Apparently in the first book Griffin and Rupert work to solve a mystery involving the Moriarty family. To keep the dynamic balanced, the famous Professor Moriarty also has a young counterpart about Griffin's age. Since I haven't read the first book, I'm not entirely sure of what happened, but what quickly becomes clear is that the Moriartys recognize the skill and persistence of Griffin and his uncle and intend to keep them "out of the way." Furthermore, they've recognized the inventive skills of Rupert and have their eye on one of his inventions in particular. As the title might suggest, "Time" (with a capital "T") plays a factor in this book. Rupert has invented (but not perfected) a Time Machine…and the Moriartys want it.

Because this is a mystery novel, I don't want to give away anything more about the plot. It is aimed at kids but I still found it fun and engaging as an adult. There were still twists and turns to be had that left me wondering what might happen as the story progressed. The author did a good job of handling the paradoxes and intricacies of time travel (which can certainly be problematic) without being either too confusing or too simplistic…either of which was possible. I thought the way the "Future" was presented was interesting and humorous, albeit a little cheesy and tongue in cheek at times.

One thing I found interesting when I received the book is that it was (according to an insert) subcategorized not only into mystery and children's fiction, but also into "religious" fiction. This was definitely not off-putting to me, but it made me curious and so as I read, I kept an eye out for religious elements. As it turned out, I didn't need Holmes-like scrutiny to find them, but I also acknowledge that the religious nature was not terribly overt.

Griffin is the son of a Methodist preacher and as such he speaks and acts like the good son of a preacher might…there are moments when Griffin is in a jam for one reason or another and in a single sentence or two he whispers a brief (but not formal) prayer to God for help. He also has a couple of very short comments on the morality and mortality of characters in the book. Each of these instances were casual and simple and could be glossed over without thinking much of anything about religion. There was only one small scene where religion was explicitly and specifically on display…when in the Future, Griffin finds a Bible and opens to one of his favorite verses of scripture which states that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Griffin comments that any future that still has God can't be all bad. The scene was short and was handled very well. It didn't attempt to preach or rebuke in any way, but it did acknowledge the nature of God and the nature of the world. I felt like it was well done…but any anti-religionists may want to be warned. ;-)

Semi-related to the small religious aspects of the book, I can also say that this book is very well suited for a young audience. Even though it is a mystery (with theft, violence and murder) I dare say the book is "wholesome" and very child friendly. Any actual violence happens "off-page" and is tactfully presented in a way to propel the story and the tension without being problematic for younger readers. The language is also very child appropriate which I appreciated.

Overall I found this book to be a lot of fun. It vaguely reminded me of Encyclopedia Brown or the Three Investigators mysteries that I read back in grade school. The world of Baker Street and London was familiar, yet unique. The mystery and adventure were well paced and entertaining. Now I need to go back and read the first book in the series and keep my eye out for a possible third book. I also need to get my kids to read this one. I'm sure they'll enjoy it.

****
4 out of 5 stars(less)

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Dec 19, 2011 Starr Griggs added it

For me this was just an okay read. I have tried to put the story in the context of the characters, but again I didn’t think it was all that believable. But, I am not so sure that the believability matters. After all, how believable is Sherlock Holmes (I say that as a huge Holmes fan.) Again, this was a fun and light read. If you don’t think about it too much then you’ll definitely enjoy it.
I like the dynamics between Griffin and Snodgrass a lot more in this book than in the first. I was not at...more

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Jan 17, 2012 Cleffairy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Reviewed at: Over A Cuppa Tea
Review date: 18 Jan 2012
Review link: http://cleffairy.com/?p=6619

This is the second time I read Jason Lethcoe’s book. The first one was ‘No Place Like Holmes’ and I must say that this book does not disappoint. I absolutely love this book and I enjoyed it as much as the precedessor.

There’s so much to be discovered in this book and I couldn’t get the mystery out of my head when I read this book. Absolutely page-turning and I wouldn’t mind reading this book again and ag...more

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Dec 14, 2011 Lesa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The second book in Lethcoe’s juvenile mystery series, following No Place Like Holmes, brings back Griffin Sharpe, the “World’s Most Secret Detective.” He’s a twelve-year-old boy who travels through time using his uncle’s invention. Rupert Snodgrass, Griffin’s uncle, was an inventor and a would-be detective who lived at 221A Baker Street in the apartment next to Sherlock Holmes. Rupert was a bitter man, angry that he was overshadowed by Holmes, and equally angry that his inventions didn’t make hi...more The second book in Lethcoe’s juvenile mystery series, following No Place Like Holmes, brings back Griffin Sharpe, the “World’s Most Secret Detective.” He’s a twelve-year-old boy who travels through time using his uncle’s invention. Rupert Snodgrass, Griffin’s uncle, was an inventor and a would-be detective who lived at 221A Baker Street in the apartment next to Sherlock Holmes. Rupert was a bitter man, angry that he was overshadowed by Holmes, and equally angry that his inventions didn’t make him famous. But, that time travel machine would be just what he and Griffin needed to save the world from Professor Moriarty and his cousin Nigel, the man who once tried to kill Griffin.

At the opening of The Future Door, Griffin and Rupert have to travel to Boston since Griffin’s parents disappeared, apparently kidnapped by Moriarty. But, on arrival, they are attacked by a woman who shoots their cab two hundred times, leaving them for dead. They are fortunate to survive, and Griffin discovers his father, a Methodist minister, had never disappeared. They realize Moriarty lured them away to try to kill them. Their return to London leads to disaster, the theft of Rupert’s time machine, which is used to change history, giving power to Moriarty. And, the crucial event that changes history is the murder of Sherlock Holmes. Somehow, Griffin and Rupert must find a way to go back in time, and save Sherlock Holmes.

Lethcoe’s book is aimed at readers between the ages of nine and twelve. It’s a fast-paced story that should capture the attention of readers who enjoy adventure with non-stop action. Rupert’s inventions, such as the time machine in the form of a teapot and his all-seeing spectacles, should be popular, particularly with boys. And, the targeted readers will appreciate the protagonist, a twelve-year-old boy who triumphs with a remarkable mind, and doesn’t let his permanent leg injury slow him down.

There is one caveat. This is a faith based mystery that stresses values, a belief in God, prayer and faith. Some readers will appreciate the religious elements, while others might find that prayers and Bible readings are out of place in an action-packed mystery.(less)

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Aug 17, 2012 Jaime rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-the-kids, great-series

I rather enjoyed this book, as well as the first one, No Place Like Holmes. Even though it is considered a children's book, I think any age of Sherlock Holmes fans will enjoy it. Because the time-traveling idea is rather complex, and some of the diction is large, and the more darker scenes, I would say this book is more appropriate for ages around eight and up.

Griffin is a remarkable young boy, who trusts God and tries to see the best in every situation. I think that aspect of him is really enco...more

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Jan 16, 2012 Mike rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-read-in-2012

"The Future Door", by Jason Lethcoe, is the second in a series written and directed towards the younger teenage reading group. As I did not read the first in the series, I had to learn the characters from the start, which was not a problem in the least. Lethcoe has a knack for reaching the younger mind and I'm sure that this selection will be a hit with the reader group.
The main character, Griffen Sharpe, is a young man around the age of 10 to 12 years who has a gift of being able to remember...more

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Nov 23, 2011 Alanna Love rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Sherlock Holmes is a crime solving legend to those who have read the Arthur Conan Doyle stories and watched the old tv shows and films. But with his exploits slowly fading into the literary past, what about the younger generation? Will they never get to experience the brilliance of the world’s greatest detective? Thankfully, Jason Lethcoe has brought Sherlock Holmes to the realms of juvenile literature with the series, No Place Like Holmes. A charming combination of history, adventure, and subtl...more Sherlock Holmes is a crime solving legend to those who have read the Arthur Conan Doyle stories and watched the old tv shows and films. But with his exploits slowly fading into the literary past, what about the younger generation? Will they never get to experience the brilliance of the world’s greatest detective? Thankfully, Jason Lethcoe has brought Sherlock Holmes to the realms of juvenile literature with the series, No Place Like Holmes. A charming combination of history, adventure, and subtly presented Biblical principles, makes it a worthwhile read.
Volume number two of the series is titled The Future Door, and for you to jump part way into the series, let me bring you up to speed on the world you are about to enter. Sherlock Holmes (resident of 221B Baker Street) has for a neighbor Rupert Snodgrass (resident of 221A Baker Street), an amateur detective and inventor who has always resented Sherlock’s fame and his own lack of it. The main character of these stories is the twelve year old Griffin Sharpe, the nephew of Rupert Snodgrass. Griffin Sharpe is a detective with a Sherlock-like skill to notice details and put together the stories of what really happened.
Book two picks up with Griffin returning home to Boson after visiting his Uncle Rupert Snodgrass and saving the world in book one. But they are not done with adventures yet because one of the most recent inventions his uncle has created is a time machine in a tea pot of all things. Moriarty (Sherlock’s arch nemesis) and his equally evil nephew Nigel are out to get the time traveling tea pot and bring down the now retired Sherlock, and let evil reign the earth. They steal the tea pot and use information gathered from the future to kill Sherlock Holmes in the present. Can Griffin Sharpe and Rupert Snodgrass save time as we know it, and reverse Sherlock Holmes dreadful murder?
A great adventure that will appeal to both boys and girls, The Future Door is a read which your kids will not want to miss not just for the high speed excitement of saving the world, but also for the love of Sherlock Holmes begin transferred to the next generation.

The Future Door (No Place Like Holmes vol. 2) by Jason Lethcoe is a complementary book I received via BookSneeze. For links, cover images, and more, check out booksneeze dot com. (less)

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Nov 17, 2011 Kimberly rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Anyone!

Shelves: books-i-own, review-requested, booksneeze, books-read-in-2011, book-challenge-11-12

I received my copy of The Future Door for free from www.Booksneeze.com which is a great resource offering bloggers the chance to read books free in exchange for their honest reviews. Check it out everyone!
So I was browsing the selection of available print books on the website and since I am trying to read some YA/Children’s books in order to recommend them to my niece and nephew I decided that this is the one I wanted to try.
I was skeptical at first because I have read other YA books that were...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Kevin rated it 3 of 5 stars

This second book in this series is much like the first, earnest but engaging, pious but not overly so. It was a quick and enjoyable read for the most part but it felt a little thin to be honest. As if some of the creativity had leaked out of the hook the second time around.

Then again, the young folks reading this series might not expect the depth and complexity I do.

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Feb 20, 2012 Mark Baker rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012

The second in a kid's mystery series that combines steampunk and Sherlock Holmes. Griffin and his uncle have raced home to see what has happened to his parents only to almost be killed as soon as they've arrived. Why? The answer lies back in London and may lead to the end of the world as we know it. I was enjoy this book despite some over writing until I hit the climax which was a cheap way to end things. Not a bad book, but a disappointing finish.

My full review at Epinions.

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Oct 15, 2012 Timothy Tobolski rated it 4 of 5 stars

While not focused directly on Sherlock, this remains one of the best Holmes pastiches I have read.

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Mar 16, 2012 Randy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed reading this book and hope you will too.

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Feb 09, 2013 Cathrine Bonham rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: sherlockia

Great story lots of action and excitement. I loved the steam punk elements. The time travel parts got a little confusing but then it's been handled worse.

My favorite part though was the message at the end of the book. (view spoiler) It's not something that shows up in children's book very often.

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Nov 21, 2011 Jessica rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I didn't care for the book, I couldn't get into it and I only read like 3 chapter..

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Shelves: juvenile

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Books by Jason Lethcoe

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No Place Like Holmes (No Place Like Holmes, #1)

Wishing Well (The Misadventures of Benjamin Bartholomew Piff, #3)

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The Future Door (No Place Like Holmes #2)

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