Death Cloud: A Thuthful and Exciting Young Sherlock

Death Cloud: Young Sherlock Holmes by Andrew Lane

Why did I read it?

Because Sherlock Holmes is awesome!! Whether its Robert Downey Jr., Benedict Cumberbatch, Arthur Conan Doyle's classics or Andrew Lane's clever prequels, the character is too awesome to pass up :)

What happened?

Fourteen year old Sherlock wasn't looking for trouble. He wasn't looking to put himself in danger's way. In fact, he was expecting a loathsome summer vacation living with his estranged relatives. But, that wasn't what he found. Near the Holmes Manor, two men die of mysterious symptoms reminiscent of the plague.

Assisted by a local street urchin named Matty, Sherlock begins investigating their strange deaths and realizes that they were not natural demises. But each time he gets closer to finding the truth, a strange man, referred to as the Baron, tries to stop him at any cost.

In order to survive, Sherlock will have to depend on the advice of his older brother, Mycroft, his resourceful American tutor Amyus Crowe, and his growing powers of deduction and logic.

What did I like or not like?

Because it felt like a feasible beginning to the Sherlock Holmes mythos. As Lane mentions in some interviews, Doyle didn't flesh out the childhood of his protagonist, but he did leave some clues. Lane uses these to write a compelling story of a Sherlock Holmes that is still discovering who he is and what he can do.

Apart from the clever and truthful adaptation, the story itself is solid, interesting, well-written, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys Sherlock Holmes, or just a good action-filled mystery.

Hacking, Running, Treasure Seeking

Hacking Timbuktu by Stephen Davies

Why did I read it?

I quickly read the synopsis, and found out that the lead character does parkour. I was pretty excited about reading it after that point.

What happened?

Akonio Dolo is a student in Timbuktu in the 14^th century. Turns out that studying isn’t near as exciting as robbing the gold below the temple, which is exactly what Akonio does until he is caught in the act. Before committing suicide, Akonio leaves a clue to where he hid his gold stockpile. Fast forward to the modern day where Danny and Omar are also going to school (not in Timbuktu). Danny and Omar deeply enjoy a freedom of movement called parkour, and Danny equates this kind of thinking to his computer hacking skills as well. Unbeknownst to Danny, a map that explains Akonio’s clue has been discovered, and it will take a hacker to get at it. Enter some interested guys who are forcibly enlisting the help of known hackers, and Danny and Omar get swept up into finding the gold. But, what exactly have they gotten themselves into?

What did I like or not like?


The book is really easy to read, and imaging Danny and Omar racing through the streets is really cool. But, the storyline is pretty predictable, and there isn’t very much character development. But, if you are looking for an enjoyable and fast read, this one is for you.