No Place Like Holmes
4.5
5
15
15
Kids will undoubtedly love this book!
I would highly recommend reading No Place Like Holmes. It is about an observant boy named Griffin Sharpe (yes, THE Griffin Sharpe, the WorldâÂÂs Most Secret Detective) who goes to visit his uncle who he thinks is the great Sherlock Holmes. After all, his uncle lives at 221 Baker Street. But when Griffin arrives, he finds his uncle lives in 221a Baker Street, and Holmes lives in 221b. His uncle, Rupert Snodgrass, is a great inventor who uses his inventions to fight crime. RupertâÂÂs inventions are very similar to what we use today, and some are more futuristic. Like, for instance, a modern invention is his Snodgrass Falsehood Detector, much like our lie detectors. And a futuristic invention is his Snodgrass Chrono-Teleporter, which is a time-traveling machine that proves very useful in The Future Door, the sequel.
This is a mystery with a lot of action. The plot was very fast-paced, with a lot of twists and turns. The characters were very easy to get to know, and they learned a lot, like the virtue of forgiveness. GriffinâÂÂs character really comes out during his summer with his Uncle Rupert. At first Rupert is an old grouch, but then he eventually (and not always willingly!), he grows to like Griffin and they become good friends. As a closing statement, No Place Like Holmes is a very good book with a wholesome cast of characters and a very imaginative setting. After all, if there is a 221b Baker Street, there has to be a 221a Baker Street. I can't wait for the next in this series!
August 14, 2012
Great for young adults
In No Place Like Holmes Jason Lethcode has produced an enjoyable work of fiction for young adults. In the story young Griffin Sharpe has traveled to England for the summer to spend time with his mysterious uncle. The story carries the reader through the summer as Griffin gains confidence, survives an adventure, foils the plot of a mastermind criminal, and softens the heart of his uncle. The story is well written and enjoyable. It is a crime story however, and therefore might not be for the young preteen set. There is a crime afoot and some violence results, so parents should be sure that their readers are ready for that sort of thing. I decided not to share this book with my ten year old who has a tender spirit and I felt would be too upset by the actions of the villain in this story, especially those at the end of the novel. That said, the character of Griffin models good morals, maturity, and a strong faith. He provides a good example to readers of how to deal with a relationship with an adult who is not a believer. These qualities make this book a good read for young readers. Lethcode does a good job of weaving in Holmes traditional setting, character, and feel to the story. This will provide a good introduction to later reading of the Holmes books by Doyle. Normally I shy away from modern works for my kids, but this will likely be one I will happily let them enjoy in their late preteen years. I am confident No Place Like Holmes will entertain and be an enjoyable experience for them.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneezeî.com <http://BookSneezeî.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade CommissionâÂÂs 16 CFR, Part 255
July 4, 2011
Sherlock Holmes meets faith in God...
No Place Like Holmes by Jason Ethcoe is a brilliantly written young teen novel in the classic styling of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes mysteries. The story line of this book is very intriguing and I found it a delightful read. I truly enjoyed the weaving in of the Christian faith that is presented throughout this story.
I am a huge fan of the old Sherlock Holmes stories by Doyle and I have a feeling that Jason Ethcoe is as well. He has written this story in a similar style and fashion that the classics present. With a gripping plot, clues that leave you hungry for more (not to mention trying to figure the story out for yourself), and twists that leave you astonished; Ethcoe's mystery is one definitely worth reading.
The story follows a young boy, Griffin Sharpe, that is brilliant - a genius, in the early 1900's. He is sent to be with his uncle who is a private detective in London, England. The crazy thing? He lives at 221 Baker Street - the address of the famous Sherlock Holmes. The boy finds out about Holmes on his way to London and is immediately fascinated by the similarities that they share. Much like Holmes, Griffin is able to deduce information based upon deductive reasoning. He can not wait to meet the famous detective!
Nearly as soon as he arrives at 221 Baker Street a case presents itself. He and his uncle race against the clock to save the lives of many people in London. Will they succeed? Tune in and find out for yourselves...
This book was given to me in an Ebook format for an unbiased review by Thomas Nelson, through their BookSneeze program.
June 6, 2011
Sherlock Holmes for Preteens
"No Place Like Holmes" is the first book in a series for preteens based on the concept of Sherlock Holmes. American 12-year-old, Griffin Sharpe is sent to live with his uncle in England for the summer in order to experience the culture his mother grew up in. This uncle, an aspiring inventor and private investigator himself, just happens to live in the same building as Sherlock Holmes. The uncle believes investigations should be conducted scientifically and scoffs at the deductive reasoning of Sherlock Holmes. Griffin, however, notices everything, and shares the talents of the famous detective. Though the uncle is unhappy at first about GriffinâÂÂs arrival, he learns to appreciate GriffinâÂÂs observations as the two team up on a case in which LondonâÂÂs fate itself is at stake.
IâÂÂm a big Sherlock Holmes fan, so I really enjoyed this book and am happy to recommend it. However, I did wonder how much of the Sherlock Holmes comparison preteens would understand. How many 12-year-olds have heard of Moriarty and Watson and Baker Street and such? Not knowing of these things wonâÂÂt keep them from enjoying GriffinâÂÂs story, but, without that background knowledge, kids will miss some fun elements of the story. Maybe they know more than I think they do. Or maybe, Griffin will inspire them to read Sherlock Holmes, too!
Also woven into the story are GriffinâÂÂs personal challenges. He is lonely because he is differentâÂÂso intelligent that he scares friends away. He longs to befriend this uncle heâÂÂs met for the first time, but struggles not only with his uncleâÂÂs rejection of him, but also of God. "No Place Like Holmes" is the story of a 12-year-old learning to get along in the world, but not of it, independently, almost, for the first time.
Thank you, Thomas Nelson Publishers, for sending this fun book free to me for my honest review.
June 1, 2011
Welcome to Christianbook.com! Sign in or create an account
Cart
0 items
Checkout
We now accept PayPalfor ALL orders
