Vanishing Girl

The Boy Sherlock Holmes #3

by Shane Peacock

The third case in the compelling Boy Sherlock Holmes series is full of as many twists and turns as the backstreets of Victorian London.

When a wealthy young girl vanishes as if by magic in Hyde Park, Sherlock is once again driven to prove himself. In a heart-stopping race against time, an innocent boy’s survival depends on Sherlock’s ability to solve the mysterious puzzle of the Vanishing Girl. As complex as the maze that protects the missing girl’s hiding place, this case takes Sherlock racing to the countryside, the coast, and into the lair of a menagerie of exotic, dangerous creatures.

Haunted by memories of his shattered family, goaded by his enemies, driven to heal the fragile relationship between him and the beautiful Irene Doyle, Sherlock makes an almost fatal mistake. In the end, his brilliant powers of deduction and the steadfast eccentric Sigerson Bell save the day. Soon, very soon, the world will come to know him as the master detective of all time.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Young Adult, Fiction, Detective, Adventure

307 pages, Hardcover

First published October 13, 2009

About the author

Shane Peacock was born in 1957 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, one of four brothers. He attended school in the northern town of Kapuskasing, Ontario, before attending university, where he studied History and English literature. A biographer, journalist, and screenwriter, he is also the author of eighteen novels, a picture book and three plays, and has been won and/or been nominated for numerous awards including two Arthur Ellis Awards for crime fiction, the Geoffrey Bilson Award for historical fiction, the Violet Downey Award, the Libris Award, seven times honored with Junior Library Guild of America selections, and has been on three shortlists for the Canadian Children's Literature Award, and one for the Governor-General's Award. His books have been published in 20 languages in 18 countries. He and his wife, journalist Sophie Kneisel live in Cobourg, Ontario and have two daughters and a son.

Series:
* The Dylan Maples Adventures
* The Boy Sherlock Holmes
The Dark Missions of Edgar Brim
The Seven Series

Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Juvenile (2008): Eye of the Crow
The Arthur Ellis (2013)
The Violet Downey Award
The Libris Award
The Geoffrey Bilson Award
The Ruth & Sylvia Schwartz Award
Anne Izard Storyteller Choice Award
Junior Library Guild of America Selection (7 times)
Governor-General's Award (shortlist)
TD Canadian Children's Literature Award (shortlist)

Reviews

[Steven Medina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro muy interesante.

No debe ser fácil tomar un personaje como Sherlock Holmes, y hacer una historia tan bien hecha como la que acabo de leer. Si bien, al mostrar a Sherlock más jóven cambia un poco la personalidad y la forma de actuar de nuestro personaje, eso está muy bien porque se siente completamente natural, porque para ser ese sujeto tan "perfecto" y "sin errores" en su adultez, debió tener mucha inmadurez e incluso actuar como un delincuente. También es muy bueno que podamos entender de como consiguió sus habilidades. El estilo de narración me encantó y en mi cabeza sonaba esa vocecita con un ritmo tan peculiar cuando leía la historia, como si la contará un detective de verdad.

Se nota que Shane Peacock realmente es un gran admirador de Arthur Conan Doyle y que lo estudió muchísimo. Ha sido un gran libro.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in an historical setting that begins in the backstreets of Victorian London, “Vanishing Girl” heats up when fourteen -year-old Victoria Rathbone is kidnapped twice; a robbery at the Rathbone mansion; and with the reliance on young Sherlock Holmes to solve the mysteries before an enigmatic five-year-old boy at a workhouse goes blind. Urged by Sigerson Bell his alchemist friend who owns the apothecary where he lives, to solve the crimes for the right reason instead of rectifying his lack of recognition and appeasing his ambition, Holmes sets out on an investigation that takes him from a haunted mansion in St. Neots to the coast while reconnecting with familiar faces like Irene Doyle, Inspector Lestrade (and his son Gregory) as well as Malefactor and his gang.

Skillfully written and intriguing with a maze and menagerie of dangerous animals that surrounds an eerie mansion, intensity and suspense escalate as Holmes discovers clues to Victoria Rathbone’s vanishing act including her mother’s secret dalliance and a watermarked love letter only to uncover a link to the robbery while the clock ticks down for young Paul who only has days before going blind.

With a credible plot in a well-developed historical setting, and twists that keep you on the edge of your seat the story flows quickly and smoothly to an exciting ending and Holmes recognition that one day the world will know him as the brilliant detective he’s destined to be.

Friendless, moody, plagued by remembrances of his loss, and provoked by his enemies, Sherlock Holmes is a compelling character who has a big brain and an even bigger ambition. With a razor-sharp mind, observant, bold but often rash he struggles to uncover the truth behind the “vanishing girl” even jumping off a moving train while following a clue. Shane Peacock develops characters that grow with every story as Holmes is challenged by the thrill of exposing a mystery that seems unsolvable.

I thoroughly enjoyed “Vanishing Girl” the third book in Shane Peacock’s series and can’t wait to see what he has in-store for young Holmes next.

[Karine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series but they are not quick reads. I do like the conclusion that Sherlock takes at the end and I guessed Correct from the beginning. 3.5⭐️ like this series and wonder what will happen in book 4???

[Avanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review based on ARC.

It is quickly apparent why Peacock's works have won him several awards. Vanishing Girl is the third in a young adult series establishing Sherlock Holmes' detective career and prowess. I had not read the first two when I received this book. Although it would have added a little bit of clarity to the past referenced throughout, it is certainly not necessary to have read the other books before enjoying the third.

In Vanishing Girl, Holmes attempts to beat Scotland Yard to the solution of the kidnapping and burglary crimes. In the process of discovering the answers and solving the riddles, Holmes learns more about himself as a young man, as a friend, and as a detective. He employs many of the technical skills he has begun to learn to solve the crimes, but the real reward arrives when he learns what kind of person he will choose to be.

Peacock weaves a believable and solvable mystery around a great story of a young man with a troubled past and a complicated future. I was drawn into the mystery and its facets, but I was even more taken by Holmes, his guardian Bell, his friend Irene, and all of the minor characters that plotted the story. I look forward to reading more of the books in this series.

Highly recommended for all young adult readers, mystery readers, and Holmes fans.

[Dai Branada · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚🔎
“Sherlock sonríe y asiente con la cabeza.
- Y seguiremos leyendo, leyendo, leyendo, leyendo y leyendo. -El anciano señala con un gesto las pilas tambaleantes de libros que los rodean. [...] Así no solo se alejará tu mente de este pequeño traspiés, sino que aumentarán tus capacidades. Siempre debes hacerlas crecer..., buscando oro y haciéndolo por una buena razón. Esta actitud te ayudará a llegar a donde quieras ir. La vida es crecimiento. Recordemos una vez más que hemos de ser pacientes, hijo mío, y no hay que precipitarse nunca: fórmate con todo tu empeño en lo que quieras llegar a ser”. Por #ShanePeacock en #ElJovenSherlockHolmes #LaJovenDesaparecida
📚🎄
Libro genial que me regaló esposito @joseph.221b la Navidad pasada 😍 La tercera historia muy bien narrada y entretenida de una trilogía, con un Sherlock adolescente. Disfruté mucho los guiños a las aventuras originales escritas por Arthur Conan Doyle.

[Heather Xiong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the book Vanishing Girl by Shane Peacock. I liked how the characters had lots of expressions and you could understand what they were feeling and why. Another thing I liked was that I could feel the suspense in the book and there were lots of plot twists. Some things that I disliked was that the story got boring from time to time and it wasn’t always consistent. To summarize the book in my point of view, the characters and the main parts of the book were good and well developed, but there were some parts in between that dragged. This book is also the 3rd book in the series, so I would read the other two books before this to understand the story better. If I were to rate this book out of 5 stars, I would give this book a 4 star rating.

[LibraryCin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vanishing Girl / Shane Peacock
3 stars

A young Sherlock Holmes wants to prove himself worthy of one day working for Scotland Yard, so he sets out to solve the kidnapping of a young rich girl. In doing so, he is also in a race to beat his rival for Irene Doyle’s affections, the young criminal, Malefactor, who Irene has also tasked with solving the crime.

This was ok. It’s another series where I think I will not continue with, though. There were interesting parts, but overall not enough to keep my interest throughout, nor enough to make me want to pick up the next book.

[Nitacia Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish that the ending was different. I mean I understand why it was written the way it was. But as a selfish reader I wished that he had taken the credit. But I suppose that is exactly what Shane Peacock was proving, that things aren't always about the fame and riches and the rise in status. I loved this book nevertheless of the outcome. This book was a page turner and I have recommended it to several people even before finishing it. I love the authors writing style as well. Thank you Shane Peacock for writing such a brilliant series (even though I'm only on book four currently).

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever crime that would be unlikely to be successful in this day and age provides the case that inspires young Sherlock this time around.

The boy overcomes many false starts and red herrings before arriving at a solution that outwits the Scotland Yard detective yet again.

Sherlock's landlord and educator Sigurson Bell is a wonderful character that adds much to the atmosphere of historic London.

I'm going to have to go back and find the first novel in this captivating series.

[Luis Reséndiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

mi saga favorita de el joven sherlock holmes (hay dos, no relacionadas entre sí; encuentro la otra muy flashy y naive, aunque curiosamente, es aquella otra la que está autorizada por el conan doyle state). esta es la menos buena de la serie de shane peacock, pero aún así está bastante bien: rápida, divertida, emocionante. lástima que ya no tradujeron más libros de esta saga.

[Asuto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Motif khá giống một tác phẩm của Agatha Christie
Cốt truyện đơn giản, có thể đoán trước được vô số tình tiết từ nửa đầu truyện 🙄
Giọng văn không hợp gu + (dịch thuật) bị thô

Cái kết và hành động của S.H như đấm vào mặt, theo kiểu 'đột nhiên lương tâm thức tỉnh' rồi từ bỏ để theo 'lẽ phải', vì 'lí tưởng tốt đẹp' blah.blah...

[Nisa Kamila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seriously, do u really had to explained the details to the reader? Like, something weird about 'victoria rothbone'..
I didn't get the shock ending..But i pretty much like the ending because sherlock finally knew what his right motive..

[Bymac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Está bastante mejor que cualquiera de los libros que se venden actualmente.

Lo único malo es que el final era un poco predecible, pero aún así ha sabido llevarse bien.
Dan ganas de más porque deja un final abierto.

[aem · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyable. but character development could use more work...

[Nilyiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book that has very intuitive angles to it so you can enjoy the plot line.

[Kelland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes this was young me reading any sherlock holmes reimagining ever. I enjoyed this one

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.8 stars)

[Amy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Duchess of Snark · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kopfschmerzen.

[Víctor Rosell · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐️

"El Jove Sherlock Holmes: La noia desapareguda" mereix definitivament les seves 4 estrelles. Tot i que va ser una mica previsible en alguns aspectes, la trama encara aconsegueix mantenir l'interès gràcies al seu estil narratiu únic i la perspicàcia del jove Sherlock Holmes. Destaco especialment l'habilitat de l'autor per capturar l'essència del personatge original de Arthur Conan Doyle i presentar-lo en una nova i emocionant aventura. Els giravolts en la investigació mantenen el lector compromès, i la resolució del misteri, tot i ser una mica esperada, segueix sent satisfactòria. En resum, una lectura intrigant que farà les delícies dels aficionats al gènere detectivesc.

[Nathaniel Ubana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vanishing Girl
By Shane Peacock

Victorian London. Sherlock Holmes was delving deeper into boredom when another case caught his attention. Victoria Rathbone, the child of a rich family, vanished in front of a crowd of people. All that was left was a ransom for her life. To gain Irene Doyle’s favor and secure his future as a detective, Sherlock took the case and traveled to a supposedly haunted mansion where it was suggested Victoria was taken. With multiple odd turns throughout the story, he discovers a plot that involves a Navy captain, an eye-infected child, a group of Irregulars, and a rival mastermind.
As Sherlock Holmes attempts advance his career, Inspector Lestrade tries to halt it using embarrassment and the police force to make himself look good. Sherlock’s friend, Irene Doyle expresses anger when she is told that she can’t solve crimes with him. The protagonist also shows frustration and impatience at the fact that the life of a detective will take time to achieve. These characters act like people in the real world: selfish, determined, aggravated, serious, caring, clever, secretive, and excited. This makes me feel like the characters are not only part of the story, but characters who shape the plot in a way that enhances and brings the book to life.
In this story, it was noted that many months had passed since Sherlock solved his last case. Last time, he was a young 13 year old who had dreamed of becoming a detective. Now, the book describes him as a tad older but otherwise unchanged teenager, with a neat frock coat and a drive to serve justice.
Towards the middle of the book, Sherlock arrived at Sigerson Bell’s shop, after he failed his attempt to find Victoria Rathbone. Since he had been gone for a long while, the apothecary initially reacts with anger: “YOU!... You are two days late for your work! Where have you been?” He eventually calms down, and upon learning of the boy’s predicament, he says, “Well, first of all, one must pursue things for the right reasons… And secondly… I believe one can turn life into gold… I embrace, I veritably hug and cuddle, the concept of optimism.” In an example, the alchemist orders Sherlock to strike him, resulting in Mr. Bell immediately collapsing. Many hours passed, but the elderly man recovered, saying “One can rise from any blow.” This gives the detective in training renowned strength and drive.
Sherlock had very little clues to find the captured child. However, he recklessly did anything he could to get ahead of his opponents: Inspector Lestrade and Malefactor. The detective stowed himself aboard a train, jumped off said train, arrived at a location far from London, and gathered very little data. But, Sherlock believed he had enough to show the police force that he, a teenager, was two steps ahead of finding young Rathbone. Young Holmes’s actions showed that he would do anything to achieve his goals, even as desperate ones such as this.
I rate this book as 4 out of 5 stars. At first, I didn’t like where the story was going: Sherlock gets insulted by Inspector Lestrade, he acts in desperation to solve this case, and he is informed of superstition of a manor. However, this is also Sherlock’s third attempt at fame, and seeing on how the last two books ended, I understand why he would go to such lengths as to jump out of a moving train, drug a person using opium, and impersonate a footman. My favorite scene involved Sherlock secretly stealing opium while his master was sleeping, another example on how determined he is to investigate.
At the beginning of the book, Sherlock saw the Rathbone case as a way to receive fame. Using his skills of observation and reasoning, he could prove himself to be possibly better than the police. However, he begins to realize that he might be acting in a selfish manner. Sherlock had the police force coming towards him at the perfect time to show off on how he solved the case and whatnot. But before he could deliver his speech, he was shocked in how immature and childish he sounded. Understanding that he is acting on his impulse to impress and not to help, he decides to return Victoria Rathbone without his presence. I believe that Sigerson Bell says the moral best: “One must pursue things for the right reasons.”

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reason for Reading: Next in the series.

This third entry into the series is not as dark or scary as the previous two and there are no dead bodies this time either but this mystery involving kidnapping and robbery is very clever and full of twists. Irene is back on the scene after an absence in the last book and is a welcome return. All the regular characters, including the new Mr. Bell, are also assembled and while of course there are some new characters involved in the plot the character development is all saved for the regulars.

A spoilt rich girl just home from three years in India, daughter of a Lord in politics, in kidnapped. A few months go by without a single word or trace of her then suddenly an anonymous tip tells of her location and she is rescued but the culprits have escaped. The family retires to the country to relax and immediately their home in the city is robbed, not just robbed but almost totally emptied of its contents and days later the daughter is caught again. Sherlock has been on the case from the beginning and has clues that have sent him the wrong direction. But not only does he have to solve this crime for his own pride before the police, there is also a little boy's life at stake that Irene is desperate to save and finding the missing girl is crucial.

Another page-turning, exciting mystery that I've come to expect from Shane Peacock. Peacock gives a nod to Holmesian fans by naming the missing girl's family the Rathbone's. Holmes character as a boy is really developing in this book towards the man we eventually will come to know. Up to and including this point he has been searching for cases to solve to show up Inspector Lestrade and prove himself to the police and the world that he is a genius detective. I haven't liked this aspect of the young Holmes as it runs contrary to the adult Holmes' confident arrogance. In this book young Sherlock comes to a realization about this aspect of his behaviour and changes. His relationship with the young Lestrade is also explored in this novel much further than it has been so far and we see the inklings of their future relationship. Malefactor has been a wild card up to this point and his true character is finally revealed in this book as well.

Vanishing Girl is a satisfying read for followers of the series as we get another clever, exciting mystery, set in an accurate historical portrayal this time concentrating on the contrast between life of a child in a poor orphanage and life as a neglected but spoilt rich girl. We also come to a major point in all the major characters' development that will affect their behaviour now in future volumes. I have book 4 in my line-up and am looking forward to it.

back-to-books.blogspot.com

[Hani Mahdiyanti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dibandingkan dengan kedua seri sebelumnya, pada buku ini dijabarkan karakter Sherlock Holmes muda secara lebih mendalam, bagaimana pemikirannya, perasaannya, dan pertimbangan-pertimbangannya dalam mengambil keputusan. Di sini juga diceritakan bahwa Sherlock Holmes muda sudah lebih dewasa dan berkembang cara berpikirnya. Ia mulai memikirkan kembali kepentingannya memecahkan kasus. Pada buku sebelumnya, Holmes muda hanya memikirkan kepentingan dan kepuasannya sendiri ketika memecahkan kasus, yaitu membalas dendam atas kematian ibunya, membalas kesombongan polisi, dan mendapatkan ketenaran. Namun, dalam buku ini, Holmes mulai memikirkan baik-baik alasannya menyelidiki kasus, seperti yang selalu ditekankan oleh mentornya, Sigerson Bell: "Seseorang harus mengejar sesuatu karena alasan-alasan yang tepat."

Misteri yang diceritakan dalam buku ini sebetulnya sederhana, tapi ketika membaca rasanya gemes karena Holmes agak lamban menyelesaikannya. Maklum, Holmes yang diceritakan memang masih anak 13 tahun. Namun demikian, pengetahunan umum Holmes semakin berkembang, terutama tentang alkaloid, obat, dan racun berkat bimbingan mentornya, Sigerson Bell. Kontaknya pertama kali dengan opium mungkin merupakan sebab awal kenapa Holmes di masa dewasanya kecanduan opium dan Dr. Watson berusaha untuk menyembuhkannya. Bagian yang menonjol dalam kisah ini adalah petualangan Holmes dalam memecahkan misteri karena ia harus mengelilingi Inggris untuk memperoleh petunjuk. Petualangan ini kadang penuh bahaya dan karena Holmes adalah bocah miskin, sering penyelidikannya terhambat karena masalah uang.

Malefactor jelas akan menjadi musuhnya apabila selanjutnya ia menghalangi Holmes memecahkan misteri. Irene Doyle masih merupakan teka-teki, dan Holmes berpikir untuk lebih baik menghindarinya untuk menjamin keselamatannya. Di kisah ini juga Holmes mendapatkan dukungan yang tidak disangka-sangka, bukan dari pihak yang diharapkannya untuk membantu, tetapi sangat bermanfaat dalam usahanya untuk memecahkan misteri.

Dari segi cover untuk edisi bahasa Indonesia, warnanya bernuansa ungu! Ungu termasuk warna yang eye-catching dan kalem menggambarkan isi cerita yang lebih kelam dan karakter Holmes yang mulai lebih kalem dari seri yang sebelumnya. Tulisan warna emasnya juga eye-catching. Overall, cover untuk edisi terjemahan bahasa Indonesia lebih bagus. Really like it! Tapi personally lebih suka cover seri ke-2 sih (The Boy Sherlock Holmes: Death In The Air)... hehehee...

Seperti apa sepak terjang Holmes yang mulai beranjak dewasa dalam memecahkan misteri selanjutnya? Masih menunggu seri The Boy Sherlock Holmes selanjutnya untuk diterjemahkan... \(^_^)/

[Lady Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like I've said before, I love this series. It is wonderfully written and easily enjoyable for all ages. Although, most children are not going to be intrigued by Sherlock, which is a real pity since he is so fascinating and Shane Peacock has done a wonderful job of bringing Doyle's character to life.

Sherlock is still disgruntled about Irene and his mother, and seeks fame and glory as a wasy to ease his pain. He is still sore about Lestrade's 'stealing' the glory for the previous two cases he's solved and is desperate for the public to know that he is the real genius behind solving the crimes. So when Victoria Rathbone is abducted in broad daylight he jumps at the chance to investigate. Through the course of the investigation he will end up alienating those he loves best.

This Sherlock is much less lovable than he was in the previous two cases, but his arrogance is understandable, as is his rage. His emotions though, make he rash and hasty and makes all sorts of stupid mistakes. But pride is before a fall, and Sherlock might just get whats coming to him...

While Sherlock is not exactly role model worthy in this one, he does get an ego-check and very realistically understands who and what he should be by the end. The mystery is complex, but for an adult reader the who, whats, and hows are fairly obvious. The real beauty comes from Sherlock's inner thought process and the way Peacock writes. Beautifully done!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as a review copy from LibraryThing, so I need to write my main review over there. I have not done that yet. I'm treating this as a warm-up.

Essentially this is the third in a series starring young Sherlock Holmes. I've lost track already of what his age is... 12, give or take 2 years?

A high society girl has been kidnapped, and he sets out to solve the case. In resourceful ways, being as how he lacks a lot of resources and the autonomy that being an adult (especially one with the blessing of the police) would give him.

I could believe this was Sherlock, although I do have some quibbles. I could believe in it being old London, though I have some other factual quibbles tangentially related to that.

Where this really fails is as a mystery. Way too much is given away if I'm spending 95% of the book just waiting for Sherlock to figure out what I've already figured out. I'm not a sophisticated mystery reader, but I'm not an idiot either.

The whole thing was also told in present tense, which was driving me up a wall until I finally got used to it. Not that I ever accepted it, but it stopped bugging me so much.

And yet somehow I still enjoyed it enough that I think it does merit those 3 stars I just gave it. Somehow. I may even seek out the first two in the series. Maybe.

A more detailed review to come over on LibraryThing. If I manage to get my butt over there to do it.

[Dani Shuping · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
There are a couple of different ways to look at this book. The first is imagine that the main character, Sherlock Holmes, is actually named something else entirely. In which case the book is a decent detective story with mildly interesting characters. There are a couple of plot holes and rather lengthy passages that seemingly have nothing to do with the plot of the story, but overall is fairly easy to follow. The major drawback is that its a book in a series and you're introduced to characters and have mentions of other plots thrown at you, but no clue as to the real relationship they have with the characters.

Reading the book as a Sherlock Holmes story, is a bit different. All of the above remain true, but there are other exasperating questions thrown in, the details of which seem to have been pulled from no where in the Sherlock chronology. For example, at a few different points in the story the insult of "Jew boy" is thrown out and "half breed". There's no explanation given in this novel as to why those are the insults of choice, but even more exasperating to a fan of the Holmes mythology is...why is he referred to as Jewish? Basically all this character has in common with Sherlock Holmes is the name and heightened powers of deduction.

In short, if you're a fan of Sherlock Holmes avoid the book. If you're looking for just a mystery to read and don't really care about Sherlock Holmes then the book isn't terrible.

[Christina Getrost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent third book in the series of 6. This time Sherlock is intrigued by the kidnapping of a wealthy Lord's daughter, for whom no ransom is demanded for months--then suddenly, the kidnappers make a demand. Sherlock sets out to discover her whereabouts, and finds more than he expects, as the case soon involves a conspiracy of thieves, a spooky haunted mansion guarded by a mysterious beast, and an orphan boy. Once again Sherlock is drawn to his attractive and fiesty friend Irene, yet feels compelled to keep her at arm's length, trying to steel his heart against an attachment that he fears will only result in harm to her.

I just love the psychological depths of this character, and how the author manages to give us glimpses of the adult Sherlock in the teen version. By now he is starting to grow up and see that he can solve cases just for the right of it, not for the public credit. The book's gritty London setting is fascinating, and so real, and the mystery is a good one (though sharp readers may guess the solution long before Sherlock does). And there is some cute humor in the interactions between Sherlock and his elderly mentor Bell, the eccentric apothecary with a flair for self-defense, oddball outfits, and telling too much gory details of his patients' ailments. Love him!

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Teenage orphan Sherlock Holmes wants nothing more than to be recognized for his genius in solving two major crimes, but Lestrade and the teenage criminal Malefactor made sure that he not only got no credit, he's also more alone than ever before. When a major kidnapping occurs, Holmes is determined that this time he'll solve it, get all the credit, and make Lestrade look like the idiot he is. But then, it turns out that the fate of a very young, forgotten boy rests on the solution of the case, and Sherlock starts to wonder about his own motives.

I really liked the first one in this series, but this one was, frankly, bleak and depressing. Sherlock is always cold, wet, late, in trouble, disappointing his mentor, losing his last friend, etc. He also just wasn't a particularly pleasant character to spend time with. I could see that Peacock was trying to show his gradual improvement in character, but I just didn't buy it. It's also insufficiently explained why he pushes Irene away from him--I vaguely recall some of the circumstances of the first book, but not enough for that to make sense, so someone reading this volume first will probably really be confused. I have to say I preferred Andrew Lane's take on young Sherlock--'Death Cloud.'

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third case in the compelling Boy Sherlock Holmes series is full of as many twists and turns as the backstreets of Victorian London.

When a wealthy young girl vanishes as if by magic in Hyde Park, Sherlock is once again driven to prove himself. In a heart-stopping race against time, an innocent boy’s survival depends on Sherlock’s ability to solve the mysterious puzzle of the Vanishing Girl. As complex as the maze that protects the missing girl’s hiding place, this case takes Sherlock racing to the countryside, the coast, and into the lair of a menagerie of exotic, dangerous creatures.

Haunted by memories of his shattered family, goaded by his enemies, driven to heal the fragile relationship between him and the beautiful Irene Doyle, Sherlock makes an almost fatal mistake. In the end, his brilliant powers of deduction and the steadfast eccentric Sigerson Bell save the day. Soon, very soon, the world will come to know him as the master detective of all time.

From the Hardcover edition.

[Gmr · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started off slow, drawing my interest along like a new puppy on a leash. The author knew where he was leading me, the reader, but I couldn't see the sense of it all just yet. By books end I was thoroughly engrossed and waiting to see if the final reveal was anything along the lines of what I imagined. (Psst....it was and then some!)

Though this was the third book in a series of which I have not read the prior installments, I was still able to enjoy the story on the whole...but it does make one curious to know how exactly things arrived at the stage they are presented. A great way to get acquainted with Sherlock Holmes before diving into the classic novels of litereture past. Recommended read for all ages...and a work out for the mind to discover just who what when and where things occured! Happy reading...