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The Case of the Baker Street Irregular
(Andrew Tillet, Sara Wiggins & Inspector Wyatt #1)
by
Andrew found London terrifying, especially after his guardian, sour old Mr. Dennison, was mysteriously abducted. Suddenly, Andrew was plunged into a series of bizarre, bombings, blackmail and murder. Then, when he met the incomparable detective Sherlock Holmes, Andrew's plight took a thoroughly remarkable turn...
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Mass Market Paperback, 228 pages
Published
October 1st 1984
by Aladdin Paperbacks
(first published 1978)
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Sherlock Holmes is basically a literary superhero to me. Sure his weaknesses are a little more interesting than most but he holds the same appeal to me as comic books do to fanboys. (or girls!) I am just one huge grin at all of the quick conversations, random factoids and asides, and during the eventual wrap-up when the billions of threads get sewn up tightly in a way that only Sherlock Holmes would ever be able to figure. A Goodreads friend sent me a copy of this book because she knows how much
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A fantastic series that I loved as a kid and still holds up for adults. Well-written, engrossing mysteries with engaging characters and just enough of Sherlock himself to whet the appetite for investigation and adventure.

1.5
I first read this a looooooooong time ago. I expected what it was advertised as in the synopsis:
Haha. *slow clap* In my opinion, this is an accurate summary of this book:
Is that a quote you want in a book su ...more
I first read this a looooooooong time ago. I expected what it was advertised as in the synopsis:
Suddenly, Andrew was plunged into a series of bizarre, bombings, blackmail and murder.
Haha. *slow clap* In my opinion, this is an accurate summary of this book:
"There you are. When you're ready for bed just turn this."
"Yes, Mrs. Gurney. Thank you. And thank you for supper."
"Your welcome. I'll see you in the morning. Good night."
"Good night, Mrs. Gurney."
Is that a quote you want in a book su ...more

This was a book that I had read when I was much younger and was glad to find that I enjoyed it just as much as an adult. I know I understood it a lot better having recently read the Origanal Holmes stories by Doyle.
I think that the adventures of a young man named Andrew Craigie ties in really well with the case that Holmes is working on and those of you who read it solely for the Holmes element won't be disappointed. References to Doyle occur frequently in the conversations between Holmes and W ...more
I think that the adventures of a young man named Andrew Craigie ties in really well with the case that Holmes is working on and those of you who read it solely for the Holmes element won't be disappointed. References to Doyle occur frequently in the conversations between Holmes and W ...more

First in a series, which I hope to read in its entirety, this is an orphan's experience in London where he meets the famed Sherlock Holmes and helps solve a mystery while finding his own truth.
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*Special Content only on my blog, Strange and Random Happenstance, during Sherlocked. (October - December 2015)
Andrew arrives in London from Cornwall with his guardian Mr. Dennison. Andrew is overwhelmed by the great metropolis bustling around him. He and his guardian have a small room near Baker Street where they are staying. After they settle in they walk around the neighborhood and Andrew gets a glimpse of the great detective himself, Sherlock Holmes! The next few days Mr. Dennison is busy an ...more
Andrew arrives in London from Cornwall with his guardian Mr. Dennison. Andrew is overwhelmed by the great metropolis bustling around him. He and his guardian have a small room near Baker Street where they are staying. After they settle in they walk around the neighborhood and Andrew gets a glimpse of the great detective himself, Sherlock Holmes! The next few days Mr. Dennison is busy an ...more

Truthfully, if Goodreads would let me, I'd give this one 3.5 stars, mostly because the very ending exchange fell flat enough that it kept it from a solid 4 stars. It'll never be among my favorites because it's not my preferred genre and while the writing is clear and concise it's in no way lyrical (personal preference). But I would highly recommend this to any kid who loves mysteries or adventure stories or historical fiction or would love Sherlock Holmes' particular brand of sniffing out a solu
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NOT my first time reading it- found it first in 4th grade and it MAY be part of why I was so willing to go into the Holmes rabbit hole.
I recall loving the rest of the series as well (though no more Holmes and a new family situation that was set up in the first book) and I took the chance to reread.
One of my faves-
Enjoy!
I recall loving the rest of the series as well (though no more Holmes and a new family situation that was set up in the first book) and I took the chance to reread.
One of my faves-
Enjoy!

I honestly can't remember much about this one, except that I did enjoy it. (I was a Sherlock Holmes fan from a very early age.) I'll have to dig it up sometime again, if I can find it and give it a reread.
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A past favorite that I haven't read in years. Fun middle grade with Sherlock Holmes and a boy named Andrew. I was surprised reading it this time to find a depth of emotional range for the adventures the boy was thrown into including anxiety, abandonment, and forgiveness."
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B. fiction, children's fiction, upper elementary, middle school, Sherlock Holmes, from stash, keep
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Really enjoyed reading this one to Matthew! Several twists and turns and a great ending.

The Case of the Baker Street Irregular (1978) by Robert Newman is the first in a series of books featuring Andrew Craigie (later Tillet...as explained by the events in this novel), the Baker Street Irregulars, and, in various amounts, Sherlock Holmes himself. Andrew Craigie's life has been a mysterious one. He has grown up under the care of his Aunt Agnes. He had always been told that his father was dead and his mother was far away--and even though she couldn't be with him that she loved him ver
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This book was so slow that I was tempted to put it down. I only kept at it because it was pretty short. I know this is supposed to focus more on the boy, Andrew, but the early on parts where we got glimpses of Sherlock and actual scenes with him were very boring and dull. He lacked the spark that makes him unique.
But, about half way through when we were introduced to Ben the blind man, the book picked way up. It's obvious who it is, and I was on alert for any sort of clue as to what he was up to ...more
But, about half way through when we were introduced to Ben the blind man, the book picked way up. It's obvious who it is, and I was on alert for any sort of clue as to what he was up to ...more

I don't know where we picked this book up, but it's a gem. The story follows a boy, Andrew, as he arrives in London with his guardian. They land in a boarding house near Baker Street, soon running into Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Little does Andrew realize that he will soon be embroiled in a mystery of his own when his guardian disappears...
The writing is clear and believable, the characters are interesting, and the plot is fun. If the ending is perhaps a bit too pat, I think the author can ...more
The writing is clear and believable, the characters are interesting, and the plot is fun. If the ending is perhaps a bit too pat, I think the author can ...more

Reading the originals I didn't expect this version (from a different author) to be as good as the originals but this story/version was exactly the way I wanted it to be. It tells the story of Andrew, a boy who doesn't know who his parents are and is living with a guardian. They travel to London where his guardian is kidnapped. Andrew finds Sherlock Holmes, who helps him to find not only his guardian but also to find out about his past. The beginning kind of dragged but once you were into the sto
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This was a really interesting book. It's a different author telling a Sherlock Holmes story. I thought he did a really good job of capturing the feel of the original, while telling a new story. I read this aloud to my kids... now I hope they'll go off and read more Sherlock Holmes stories themselves. (We did have to discuss some of the words they were unfamiliar with, but a lot of the vocabulary was easily understood from context.)
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This story was exactly what I wanted it to be: a fun mystery for YA. It tells the story of Andrew, a boy who doesn't know who his parents are and is living with a guardian. They travel to London where his guardian is kidnapped. Andrew finds Sherlock Holmes, who helps him to find not only his guardian but also to find out about his past.
It was a fun and quick read. ...more
It was a fun and quick read. ...more

I read this one to my children. It reminded me of the books that I read as a child. There was enough of a story to keep the younger ones interested, and enough of a mystery to keep the older ones engaged. I think it was best for my 9 year old. Plus, several of my kids are interested in reading Sherlock Holmes now.

I remember reading this book when I was about 10 or 11 and was just getting into Sherlock Holmes (by A.C. Doyle). I had read some other authors who had written some Holmes stories and was unimpressed, but this one I really liked. I thought the Holmes in this one was true to form and it was neat to see a story from the point of view of a character other than Watson.
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Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Mr. Newman, who was born in Manhattan, began his career as a writer for radio shows. In 1944, he was in charge of the radio portion of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's re-election campaign. He also wrote ''Search for Tomorrow'' and ''Peyton Place'' episodes for television.
From 1973 to 1988, he wrote books for y ...more
Mr. Newman, who was born in Manhattan, began his career as a writer for radio shows. In 1944, he was in charge of the radio portion of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's re-election campaign. He also wrote ''Search for Tomorrow'' and ''Peyton Place'' episodes for television.
From 1973 to 1988, he wrote books for y ...more
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“You know, Mr. Holmes, you could make a fortune on the stage reading minds. Would you like to go a step further and tell me what I’ve come to see you about?” “I suspect it’s yesterday’s bombing in the Baker Street Underground station.” Gregory continued to stare at him for a moment, then slapped his thigh. “Mr. Holmes, no matter how high my regard for you is, it’s clear I don’t regard you highly enough.” “That goes without saying,” said Holmes with only the slightest touch of irony.”
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“Except to Mrs. Harker. And just a few minutes ago you were urging me to help her.” “But that was before you were asked to help put a stop to the bombings. I confess that your reasoning baffles me.” “Not for the first time, Watson. And probably not for the last.”
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