Death Cloud

By Andrew Lane

Deal Ends: Mon 8th June

First in the series that inspired Amazon Prime's Young Sherlock: "Lane's command of what will one day become Holmes's signature methods is remarkable."—The New York Times Book ReviewThe first teen series endorsed by the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle EstateIt is the summer of 1868, and Sherlock Holmes is fourteen. On break from boarding school, he is staying with eccentric strangers—his uncle and aunt—in their vast house in Hampshire. When two local people die from symptoms that resemble the plague, Holmes begins to investigate what really killed them, helped by his new tutor, an American named Amyus Crowe. So begins Sherlock's true education in detection, as he discovers the dastardly crimes of a brilliantly sinister villain of exquisitely malign intent."Lane's writing style is action-packed and detail-oriented." —The Los Angeles Times"For a reader who has outgrown the Hardy Boys' adventures but still seeks mystery-solving plots, Andrew Lane's invention of a teenage Sherlock Holmes will seem timely . . . Lane also knows how to do villains quite well." —Chicago Tribune"Andrew Lane begins a new series exploring the pre-history of the famous fictional detective . . . purists will applaud the way he salts the story with clues to the sleuth's adult propensities." —The Wall Street Journal From School Library Journal Gr 6-9-Sherlock Holmes, 14, is expecting a quiet summer, relaxing with his family after a difficult term at school. However, political upheaval in India, his mother's illness, and brother Mycroft's position in the Foreign Office result in Sherlock being sent to distant relatives instead. Adapting to life at Holmes Manor in Farnham, he makes friends with a village ruffian and is soon given an American tutor to keep him out of mischief. When Sherlock and Amyus Crowe, the tutor, discover a body covered with mysterious swellings, they are thrown into a conspiracy of chemicals, knives, and money. Over the course of his investigation, Sherlock is kidnapped twice by pale and crippled Baron Maupertuis, once after a brutal boxing match, and the second time while with beautiful Virginia Crowe, daughter of Amyus. In their final confrontation, Sherlock and Virginia discover the Baron's plot to bring down the whole of the British Empire. Lane successfully blends the traditional Holmesian confidence with the teen's awkward self-consciousness. The vulnerability of the character is well illustrated through his relationship with Mycroft, as well as his friendship with Matty, the young orphaned longboat operator. While the crush on Virginia seems a bit shoehorned in, her character does provide some needed humor. Occasionally the action overwhelms the investigative components, but the narrative still flows smoothly. A menacing villain and an unexpected twist make for a thoroughly engaging read that will keep readers turning pages. Now, it's just a matter of waiting for the next tale.-Joel Shoemaker, formerly at South East Junior High School, Iowa City, IA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. From Booklist Before he was the detective whose steel-trap mind made him the curse of criminals, Sherlock Holmes was a teenager, brushing up on his powers of deduction—and becoming the curse of one very nasty criminal indeed. This series introduces a 14-year-old Sherlock who’s been left at his uncle’s estate during the holidays. A new friend, a clever tutor, and the tutor’s pretty daughter aren’t enough to keep Sherlock out of trouble (well, actually, they’re part of the trouble) when a mysterious cloud and several unfortunate deaths draw him into a malevolent plotter’s web. This British import (the first teen series to be granted official endorsement from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s literary estate) has punch—some literal—and purpose. The story sags a bit in the middle, but the rousing, almost fantastical conclusion will set readers up for the next installment. Clever packaging gets optimum appeal for a book that can’t count on all kids knowing the esteemed detective. The young Sherlock on the cover looks like a waistcoat-clad Justin Bieber. Grades 6-9. --Ilene Cooper Review “Andrew Lane begins a new series exploring the pre-history of the famous fictional detective. Mr. Lane has the approval of the descendants of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who wrote the original Holmes stories, and purists will applaud the way he salts the story with clues to the sleuth's adult propensities. . . . The dramatic, violent ending leaves enough narrative strings dangling that readers over the age of 12 who enjoy detective fiction will grab for the sequel next fall.” —The Wall Street Journal“Lane’s writing style is action-packed and detail-oriented.” —The Los Angeles Times“Lane’s command of what will one day become Holmes’s signature methods is remarkable. . . The novel strives to rescue Holmes from the prejudices of his creator, and thereby expand the pool of Holmes devotees. For that we can all be grateful.” —The New York Times Book Review“For a reader who has outgrown the Hardy Boys’ adventures but still seeks mystery-solving plots, Andrew Lane's invention of a teenage Sherlock Holmes will seem timely. . . . Lane also knows how to do villains quite well.” —Chicago Tribune“Death Cloud quickly becomes a true page-turner.” —Scripps Howard news service“Two recent series for young readers present Arthur Conan Doyle's great detective, Sherlock Holmes, as a teenager. Death Cloud by Andrew Lane and the sequels to come in "Sherlock Holmes: The Legend Begins" are pitched to the crowd that likes action movies but can see that the television series ‘Psych’ is in the Sherlock Holmes family.” —Newsday“Just when you thought all teen reading had to have vampires, a new series for ages 12 and up goes to the heart and soul of ... About the Author Andrew Lane is the author of the popular series of young adult novels about teenage Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes: The Legend Begins. He has also written numerous spin-off novels based on the BBC sci-fi television series Doctor Who, as well as definitive guides to Babylon 5 and the Wallace and Grommit films, and is the author of The Bond Files: An Unofficial Guide to the World's Greatest Secret Agent. He lives in Dorset, England.