Young Sherlock Holmes: Death Cloud review

Young Sherlock Holmes: Death Cloud by Andrew Lane

      Sherlock Holmes is a rather prominent fictional character who has had quite the remodelling in recent years, beginning with the Sherlock Holmes movies directed by Guy Ritchie, the modern version airing from BBC One, and now with Andrew Lane's series of books.

Some trivia about the first book of the series

• It was initially going to be named The Colossal Schemes of Baron Maupertuis, as this was a case mentioned by Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes in The Adventure of the Reigate Squire.
• It was released in the UK on June 4th 2010.

Personal response

      I found the book incredibly intriguing, as it delved into the younger version of the famous consulting detective in the time when his deductive skills were very poor, allowing plenty of time for character development. Lane introduces some extraordinary characters in the shape of 'Matty', Virginia Crowe, and, of course, Amyus Crowe, the Holmes tutor.

      The way the book was structured was not a copy of Conan Doyle's original works, as Lane set out to avoid such a thing, using third person to follow Sherlock through his first adventure.

      The idea of Baron Maupertuis and his plot was finely presented, with complex thought as to how to map it out across the book, and to intertwine with various sub-plots, particularly involving the two Crowe members. The character development of all the main characters was spun in intricate threads of web as the storyline progressed, creating Matty as having a bold, survival personality, Sherlock with a mentally-strong personality, and Virginia as a mysterious girl who holds Sherlock's interest. Amyus could very well become a fictional tutor for the reader as he details various facts which could in fact assist with the reader's own life.

      There are very few faults I could find with this book, even with reading it several times to pick out details I had missed the first time. It certainly gives the reader an almost need to read the second book; Young Sherlock Holmes: Red Leech.

      I highly recommend that fans of Conan Doyle or any of the many videos or other books should buy this book, though it is rather intended for a teenage audience, though I know a fair amount of adults who also enjoyed reading this book. Amazon currently has a frankly fitting price, though the book is also available in local libraries or bookshops, as well as other shopping websites.

Tempus Imaginor