Sherlock Chick and the Next Generation
935381
This story was one of my children's favorite books over 20 years ago. Somehow our copy got lost. When our two granddaughters were born, I started looking for the book again. I do not know who was more happy when we received our replacement copy; our children, grandchildren, or me! This is a very great little story.
4733526
I LOVE SHERLOCK HOLMES STORIES AND THE TV SHOW ELEMENTARY! Read the daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mystery #1 but the Mystery #2 could be read as a stand alone. If you like the narrative of Holmes thought patterns then you will enjoy this book. Joanna has the mind to unravel clues just like her father. It is not surprising that Joanna has radiated attraction to Dr. John Watson Jr. who she has married. The elder John Watson still remembers his old friend Sherlock and contributes his expertise in the mystery solving endeavors. Joanna and the two Watsons are on the hunt for the secret treaty that has been stolen and if it falls into enemy hands could lead to war. Believe I enjoyed the first in this series more because it has more family connections being revealed. "A copy of this book was provided by St Martin's Press via Netgalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion."
4372290
I really enjoyed this program and am looking forward to more.  Sherlock is just wierd enough to be believe able.
1106234
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

A Conspiracy in Belgravia, the second book in the brilliant Lady Sherlock Mystery series, is even better than its predecessor, A Study in Scarlet Women.  Sherry Thomas masterfully brings a fresh Sherlock Holmes incarnate for the twenty-first century.

Sometimes my favorite books are those I have the hardest time reviewing.  As is the case here, I want to excitedly tell you everything, but then that would spoil the experience of each unfolding element of the story.  And that is the best part of books that stay with you, discovering the beauty in each page.  Thomas pens a tightly constructed, complex mystery and doles out clues one at a time so that you think you know what is going on only to have the next clue tear your theories to shreds.  The plot is so well conceived and executed that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would himself be proud.

After Charlotte Holmess self-orchestrated fall from respectable society, she finds herself living with former actress and war widow Mrs. John Watson.  Together they have set up the elaborate ruse of an extremely ill and bedridden Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective.  Since Sherlock cannot leave his sickbed, his sister Charlotte meets as a go-between with clients and, occasionally, the police.  Only a handful of people know Sherlocks true identity, including her oldest (only) friend and benefactor Lord Ingram, Ingrams brother Lord Bancroft, her sister Livia, and Inspector Treadle.  Charlotte finds herself in a bit of a pickle when her new client is none other than Lord Ingrams wife who wants Sherlock to find out what happened to the man she loved before she married since he did not appear at their planned annual rendezvous.  Charlotte is torn by her loyalty to Lord Ingram but decides to carry out the investigation.  To make matters worse, Lady Ingrams love is Myron Finch  Charlottes illegitimate half brother.  And with that, the game is afoot.  Throw in a another client who is confident her fathers housekeeper is trying to poison her, a marriage proposal that has no basis in love, an almost uncrackable cipher that leads to a murdered man, and criminal mastermind Moriarty, and Charlotte has plenty to keep her brilliant mind occupied.

The characters are all meticulously drawn and fascinating.  There is enough reminiscent to Doyles iconic personas for Thomass characters to be familiar, yet she gives them quirks of their own.  Charlotte is indeed exceedingly clever, logical, and eccentric, but the addition of her sisters, one of whom has taken the mantle of writing about Sherlocks adventures, and her conflicted feelings for Lord Ingram make her more than an intellect.  Lord Ingram is an honorable gentleman with feelings of his own for Charlotte, but he trapped in a farce of a marriage.  He and his brother Lord Bancroft do the Crowns business, all very cloak and dagger.  Mrs. Watson makes a formidable sidekick for Charlotte, and  Inspector Treadles inability to come to terms with Sherlock being a woman and his wifes own aspirations represents the strongly held beliefs that women were far inferior to men in the Victorian era.

A Conspiracy in Belgravia is among my top reads of 2017, and I impatiently await the next installment in the series.  Highly recommended!
984481
An interesting take on Sherlock Holmes and crew. Watson is smarter and a more likely companion to Sherlock than he is in the books. Modern and yet traditional. I love this show!
2528001
Nice to have a detective with a raging to solve cases no matter what class of people. She has a nice, funny, soft humor about her, and is not trying to prove to be superior to her team. She has a keen sense of intuitation.  Good for a change of character she is in the line of nowaday swift solving other programs. She truly loves her job, admits her mistakes, and has outstanding dedication. The work ethics missing in these times is something that has not been around for a long time.
3728852
The first paragraph already made me an Amanda Lester fan. I have a soft spot for Sherlock Holmes (always have had), and the idea that one of Detective Lestrade's (a police detective who had close ties with Mr. Holmes) descendants would be a girl, who wants nothing to do with her ancestry had me smiling right away. Especially when she calls Sherlock Holmes 'Mr. La-di-da boring detective, whoop-de-doo.'

Another huge bonus is the added information at the front of the book. There are maps, floor plans, a glossary and other goodies which allow a reader to visually get everything laid out before the mystery begins--and also as a great aide once the story gets underway. And at the end of the book, there is a list with descriptions of other great detectives, questions to help with class discussions and a nice author interview.

Amanda is a girl with lots of spunk, tenacity, and won't take no for an answer. . .unless it's her parents. Even when she's forbidden to follow her hobby (film-making) and shipped off to some detective school in the UK, she manages to make it all shift in her direction. She's easily distracted and, at times, a little bit scattered brained, but it makes her that much more lovable.

I really enjoyed the fact that the mystery takes place in a 'detective' school. In some ways, it reminded me of the famous Hogwarts (4 different houses, unexpected things around every corner), which made the story that much more endearing. There's lots of fun little details here and there, but there's never an overload on descriptions either. It's just enough at the right times.

As to the story itself, it's a wonderful mystery which is perfect for kids around ten to fourteen years old. Amanda and her friends aren't out to find trouble, but rather notice that something is up bit by bit. This allows the tension to build, while the layers of secrets slowly come to light. It's unpredictable, full of surprises and seasoned with just the right amount of humor.

Summed up, this is a great story which is sure to catch young mystery lovers' attention, and I can only recommend it.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
3966902
New take on a classic - Sherlock Holmes Investigations is started when Marty is left an old victorian home when her long lost aunt dies. There is a great eclectic cast of characters in this story. Cannot wait to read more installments in this new series.
1854189
I really enjoyed watching the young Detective Constable Morse as we see the foundations of the man who is to become Inspector Morse.  In this series we see some of the beginnings of the traits we see in the later years.  He's a very intelligent introvert, who thinks differently from most of the people around him and so finds himself definitely the "odd man out".  But his talent as a detective is recognized by his immediate superior who supports and encourages his lateral thinking.  Those who like the Inspector Morse series should like this one.
2452118
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is the first book in Alan Bradleys Flavia de Luce series of mystery novels. I actually listened to this book awhile ago, but I fell behind with my reviews and did not have the opportunity to write a review until now.

Flavia de Luce is a precocious young girl who lives in a crumbling mansion with her father and sisters. Her two passions are chemistry and tormenting her sisters. One day, Flavia finds a dead bird with a rare stamp pinned on its beak. Not too long after that, she finds a dying man in the garden. Flavia knows that she can solve the case faster than the police, and she sets off on her trusty bike to delve into long-buried schoolboy secrets and the intense world of stamp collecting.

Flavia serves as both protagonist and narrator. She is preternaturally bright, and she is prone to peppering her narrative with witty asides. There is something in her charming nature that makes people trust her, and this proves to be very useful in gathering information. The case itself is a fascinating one, and although I had my suspicions, I found myself surprised by the big reveal.

I would absolutely recommend The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. If possible, I would recommend seeking out the Audible/audiobook versions of this book. Narrator Jayne Entwistle brings Flavia to life with a barely-contained mischievous glee. This series is not intended for children per se, but I think that it might appeal to advanced middle grade readers as well as young adult readers who are interested in discovering new mystery series. I have listened to the first three books in this series, and I am looking forward to more Flavia in the near future.
3607056
It is always fun to find a new female detective novel.  I enjoyed the heroine Melissa McGinty's humor and references to classic movies and Irish music throughout the book. Her unusual cadre of all woman support staff ,from hacker to clairvoyant, added a unique touch to the story.  The variety of characters from far right fanatics to Supreme Court Justices was a refreshing change in my mystery reading.  Learning about fairly current U.S. Supreme Court rulings and procedures was a welcomed benefit. I did not foresee the surprise ending.
Will there be more adventures for our fledgling detective to solve?
1509427
Catherine Bell, as Mac, with her multi-facetted character, brings the spice to this second series that the first series was missing.  The relationship between Mac and Harm, played by David James Elliot, is of equals and so much more interesting than when his partner was played by Tracy Needham, who was more like his kid sister. In this series you can see the groundwork for the future series which became so great. With the introduction of the Bud, Harriet and Admiral Chegwidden characters, all of whom are just right, it is like having all the right ingredients in a recipe.  The introduction of the court room scenes as well as more time spent at the Jag offices, serves as a balance to the tension in the adventure scenes and really allows us to get to know the characters.
324762
MY THOUGHTS - LOVED IT

Cassie is whisked away to be part of a special school that trains teens to be detectives and solve crimes that are normally unsolvable.  She has special skills that allow her to read people and put little details together to form a bigger picture that can pinpoint the criminal.  There are other teens in this small group of "Naturals" that have skills ranging from those who can visualize a crime to those who can "see" what the criminals are thinking.  There seems to be a paranormal element to these teens, but it is only regarded as a gift.  These kids are extremely intelligent and are somewhat ostracized or in trouble because of their gift.

Cassie also is a special case since she now lives with her grandparents after her mother is brutally murdered.  You can quickly see where this is going since she will soon be researching the crime surrounding her mother's death that has been a cold case for years.  When she is recruited by Tanner, an agent who turns out to be around her age, she finds herself finally able to use her ability to find out exactly what happened to her mother.  I tried to guess who the killer would be, but I was wrong at every turn.

The minor characters are really memorable and I can see spin offs to follow them.  Lia, a clothes horse and human lie detector, was one that really stood out.  Michael, a stats expert, has a really sweet side, but all of these characters are damaged and that makes them even more interesting.  Any one who enjoys a good psychological thriller and mystery will love the start of this new series.  Parents:  There is some language, violence and kissing.
572599
Great new take on one of my favorite characters.  I grew up reading Sherlock and this was a refreshing re-imagining of the characters.
1899446
As a lifetime Sherlock fan I was pleased that the author maintained the same patterns as established by the original author.  I enjoyed that the story brought in real people and a pleasing level of anticipation.
4541541
Cool show with strong female lead characters - science and cop working together to solve the crime with personal character stories too
2351752
Murder is Bad Manners is very much in my wheelhouse.  However, I am a 55 year old woman.  My only criticism of this book is that it may not appeal to the kids of today.  I hope I am wrong about this.  I would have loved this when I was a tween.

The book is set in 1930s England at a girls boarding school called Deepdean.  Daisy Wells is wealthy, pretty, outgoing, and popular.  Hazel Wong is from China and her father wants her to have a proper English education.  She feels very out of place.  To her surprise, she is befriended by Daisy.  Daisy wants Hazel to be Watson to her Sherlock Holmes, so they form a secret detective agency.  Sadly, there are no mysteries to solve at Deepdean.  That is until Hazel discovers their science teacher dead on the gym floor!  Daisy and Hazel put themselves at risk to solve the mystery, which is nicely multi-layered.  The book is Hazels journal of their investigation.

I thought this book was just delightful.  It reminded me of one of my childhood favorites:  Harriet the Spy (the book, not the movie!)  The characters were enjoyable and the mystery was fun.  Though I identified the suspect early on, there were enough twists and turns to keep it interesting.  While the who was not surprising, the why certainly was.  So much middle grade and teen literature is about dystopian societies, war, magic, and the future.  I think this is a refreshing change and I hope that it will appeal to modern kids.