| Title | : | No Place Like Holmes (No Place Like Holmes, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1400317215 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781400317219 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 224 |
| Publication | : | First published May 5, 2011 |
The new resident in 221A Baker Street is about to give Sherlock Holmes a run for his magnifying glass!
When Griffin is sent to stay with his detective uncle at 221A Baker Street for the summer, he is certain that his uncle must be the great Sherlock Holmes! But Griffin is disappointed to discover that Holmes lives at 221B Baker Street and his uncle lives unit 221A. His uncle is a detective, just not a very good one. But when Griffin meets a woman with a case that Holmes has turned away for being too ridiculous, he and his uncle team up to help her. Along the way, Griffin shows his uncle just what it means to have true faith in God, even when the case challenges that. The woman claims that her husband was eaten by the Loch Ness Monster, but monsters aren’t real—or are they?
“The No Place Like Holmes books will capture you on first page and not let you go until the final fascinating twist and turn. Jason Lethcoe is an excellent writer with the ability to craft a story that entertains all readers (adults are welcome to take a peek!).” —Robert Whitlow, bestselling author of the Tides of Truth series
Meets national education standards.
No Place Like Holmes (No Place Like Holmes, #1) Reviews
-
A Quickie Review
Mystery lovers, rejoice! Jason Lethcoe has written a masterful whodunit that is undoubtedly inspired by Sir Doyle's classic sleuth. With a story that feels like one from a Hollywood movie, an insanely conniving villain, and even some bonus mini-mysteries included, this is definitely a great read! Sure, it may be intended for younger readers, but those well above the "target age" could definitely read and appreciate it as well!
Score: 4.75/5 -
This is a mini ‘Books For Christian Girls’ review. It is not a full content review and will not receive one. These mini-reviews are years old and just for clarity on the rating the book received on Goodreads.
12/3/2014-
“2.5 stars.
This was a light mystery and pretty good. I wasn't expecting it to be a historical (set in 1903) due to the cover giving me the impression that it was a modern young boy who wanted to be like Sherlock. The dog scene did break my heart though, so this book is lucky to get 2.5 stars from me.”
*Main Content-
Mentions of a dog getting hurt (up to semi-detailed). -
This is definitely a book that kids will enjoy. It was written by an author with a whimsical imagination! Griffin Sharpe is a young boy with acute deducting skills. He notices the finest details without trying. His mind is always thinking about the situations at hand, and his story will keep curious readers busy trying to catch all the details too.
Griffin is sent to London to visit his uncle, Rupert Snodgrass, who lives at 221A Baker Street (that is 221A, not 221B, mind you). His uncle is a detective/inventor, who lives next door to the famed Sherlock Holmes. And with the story set as is, a mysterious disappearance takes place, Moriarty enters the scene, and young Master Sharpe has landed himself into his first true crime that will test his clever brain.
I found that the author did well in duplicating an inquisitively sharp mind like Holmes' and creating it in the form of a young boy who is eager to discover more. There were parts of the story which I felt were a little corny, or out of place, especially concerning some of the parts pertaining to Holmes and Watson, but it still turned out fine. It was rather funny to compare all of Snodgrass's "inventions" (which he has crafted through steam-power) to the authentic technology we have now. It did add an extra flair of fun to the story, that's for sure. The fact that Rupert Snodgrass had built a robot (and actually named it dangerously close to a certain assistant/sidekick) was a bit over the top for me, but, oh well.
In closing, I must mention that I was most impressed by the way that Lethcoe brought across Christianity and prayer into an adventure story for kids. Well done!! -
Reminiscent of Encyclopedia Brown, No Place Like Holmes is a fun mystery story set in the time of Sherlock Holmes and actually has a cameo from the good detective himself.
Griffin Sharpe has the same powers of deduction that Sherlock Holmes has, and at the same time his uncle uses a lot of science and inventions to solve crime. The two of them team up in this book to work together to solve a case of a missing man.
I thought that No Place Like Holmes was really fun. It’s got a bit of mystery and a bit of action that it satisfies those of a younger audience, say 10-14.
Not only was I impressed with the writing style and the whole story itself, I was impressed at the mini mysteries in the back of the book. I absolutely adore mini mysteries. I would go through books of two-minute mysteries for a really long time when I was younger, so the Griffin Sharper mini-mysteries were a great addition to the books.
If you like mystery stories and are familiar with Encyclopedia Brown and like those, then I think that you’d be in for a really fun treat with Jason Lethcoe’s No Place Like Holmes. -
First impressions: Griffin is super cute and likable, probably because of his (intended) resemblance to Sherlock Holmes. I loved his quick mind, and the story starts off by displaying his deductive reasoning powers while interacting with the train staff on his way into London. It's so nice to spend time with a brilliant kid!
Lasting impressions: A fun middle grade detective book for the young Christian reader. It had humor, heart, and even a little steampunk thrown in for good measure. I particularly loved the extras at the end - a quiz and mini cases for readers to solve themselves!
Conflicting impressions: At times, the Christianity emphasis was heavy-handed, which ultimately made me like the book less. I don't mind God references if they are true to character, which here they were, but I do mind when they don't flow well with the rest of the narrative. It seemed like they were shoved in just to make a point, and I think most readers, even (perhaps especially) the young ones, are smart enough to pick up on that.
Overall impressions: This was a quickly paced story about a young American boy sent to London for the summer to visit an uncle he'd never met. He is a miniature genius with exceptional deductive reasoning skills and idolizes Sherlock Holmes. He soon discovers his uncle, Rupert Snodgrass, is Holmes' neighbor and also a detective, though not a very successful one. Rupert is crass, obsessed with beating Holmes at the detective trade, and at times even bitter and mean.
When a woman in need of help crosses paths with our young hero, Griffin, he takes her to his uncle and they set out trying to solve the mystery of her husband's disappearance. Though Griffin's relationship with his uncle starts out rather strained, by showing off his skills Griffin ultimately wins him over. It's a nice little subplot of family redemption and acceptance.
The Christian elements pop up a lot during Griffin's interactions with his uncle, as Griffin tries to force love and faith upon Rupert. I believed that Griffin was genuinely concerned for his uncle's well being, and that Griffin's faith was a huge part of his life. I just wasn't sure Griffin would push Rupert's buttons about it repeatedly if he was still trying to get Rupert to warm up to him. Something about it didn't gel with me.
Rupert is a sad, miserable man who ultimately transforms and gains some self-love by the end of the book. He has lots of fun inventions that carry them through the story, providing Griffin with the opportunity to look up to something in his poor uncle. It was cool to watch them bond over the case and start to work together. Though the case was fairly straightforward, it had plenty of exciting sequences to keep my interest.
If you like Holmes' style of detective work, you'll like this one, as long as you don't mind a little Christian love thrown in for good measure. -
Very good, I loved his uncle's inventions that he would build, make and maybe use to solve the crime.
-
Just an ok book. Fun steampunk but a little heavy on the Christian religion for my taste.
-
As many other reviewers have said, this is very reminiscent of the Encyclopedia Brown series. I thought some of the observations were kind of pointless, like how many frayed threads varied from one sleeve to the other. I did enjoy the adventure itself, though I wish the (no spoiler) mechanism of the disappearance in the beginning had been explained more or at least come up again. I especially enjoyed the Steampunk aspects and the reference to artistic accomplishments. The fact that Griffin wrongly interpreted one observation (a costly oversight) was a great touch! The Christian aspects seemed both a bit forced and also superficial. I objected strongly to the life-threatening incident near the end. A moderate amount of violence is expected in an adventure. One reviewer mentioned Treasure Island, and that is an excellent example of how to handle violence in a young reader-targeted story. This one went into gratuitous territory, and I couldn’t recommend it to as young an audience as it might otherwise be intended for.
-
A decent read if you like Sherlock Holmes, though it can be a tad bit confusing and wasn't the best read imo.
-
Griffin Sharpe's visit to his uncle takes an unexpected and exciting turn when the two find themselves investigating a mysterious disappearance. His skills of observation honed and ready, Griffin is reminiscent of a young Sherlock Holmes, who happens to live in the apartment above Griffin's uncle.
This book is adorable. And I mean that in an entirely non-condescending way. Griffin is a perfect young detective, displaying a keen mind and a kind heart. While his powers of observation and deduction are well beyond the pale for one his age, Griffin is still portrayed as a sweet, amiable kid - a feat I believe deserving of some applause for Lethcoe's writing ability. Creating that combination of intelligence and innocence takes great skill in my opinion. Griffin reads as a precocious but delightful thirteen year old.
The plot is fast-paced and exciting without relying too heavily on spectacle or melodrama. The clues Griffin finds and his conclusions deducted from them are explained, but briefly and simply in a way perfect for a middle grade fiction novel (or for an adult brain that's looking for light and easy).
I really only have two complaints. One involves a plot spoiler, so skip the rest of this paragraph if that bothers you. The novel maintains a middle grade level of violence until the end when suddenly death is a very real option. I wasn't a fan of this sudden turn to knives and stabbings and would have preferred the work stay consistently in the non-violent realm.
My second complaint regards religion. The son of a Methodist minister, Griffin's religious nature permeates the text, not necessarily dominating the tale, but still maintaining a consistent presence. Griffin calls upon God in his hour of need and despairs of his Uncle's lack of belief. There were a few moments that felt trite, unnecessary and cliched. Then again, I have to admit a bit of a prejudice when it comes to religion in novels; if it's not central to the story, I find the inclusion annoying.
I first requested the book because of its connection to Sherlock Holmes. I had just read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Holmes and taught the modern film Sherlock Holmes, so I was on a Holmesian (Sherlockian?) bender. While Sherlock doesn't have a large role in the book, he is still a constant character. Snodgrass suffers from severe bouts of jealousy against his competitor, in part fueled by a callousness on Holmes' part when Snodgrass was a child. And of course, Holmes flits around in the background throughout the story. And yet again, a Sherlockian (Holmesian?) book has me slapping my forehead over my neglect of the original canon. I really must rectify the situation soon and read some Holmes. -
Griffin Sharpe is not your average American boy. He's observant--very observant. He can tell you the number of stairs he just climbed, the number of breaths you took during a recent conversation, and whether or not the man across the street brushed his teeth this morning. His matter-of-fact attitude and curious nature, however, only add gas to the fire of ridicule he receives from his peers.
When his mother sends him off to spend the summer with his uncle, Snoops, in London, Griffin is elated yet nervous. After all, he has never met his uncle and knows very little about him. On the train ride, our young hero is thrilled to discover that the address he is heading to is the address of England's finest detective, Sherlock Holmes. The thrill dies away when Griffin learns that his uncle is not Sherlock Holmes, but a inept detective wannabe with a harsh demeanor and an ungrateful attitude.
When a woman comes to him for help in finding her husband, Griffin's uncle jumps at the chance to prove his detective skills and outwit his accomplished neighbor, Holmes. But when the kidnapping turns out to be merely the beginning of an elaborate plot, Snoops enlists Griffin's aid in solving the crime. Will they solve the mystery in time, or will Snoops, once again, find himself a step behind Sherlock Holmes?
There's No Place Like Holmes is a fantastic read for children and adults alike. The plot is thorough, yet simple enough for even a young child to understand. The characters are well-written and evoke a lot of emotion from the reader. The overall flow of the story is smooth, leaving adequate time for thought but advancing the story at a quick enough pace as to prevent boredom. Though the book has a Christian theme woven throughout, the author never seems "preachy" or "in your face." On the contrary, I feel he does an excellent job in portraying a proper Christian attitude and lifestyle.
This book is clean and suitable for readers of all ages. It was a joy to read, and I have to admit that I didn't want to put it down. I especially enjoyed the extra tidbits included in the book such as the mini-mysteries in the back. This book definitely has something for everyone.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.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 Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." -
This entertaining whodunit involves an uncle with a talent for inventions and a nephew with a gift of observation. Young Griffin is sent from America to stay with his uncle in England. His irritable uncle is an aspiring detective who has the unfortunate luck of living next door to the great detective Sherlock Holmes and is surprised and not at all pleased to see his annoying nephew on his doorstep. Griffin's talent and curse is that he notices everything, much like the famously talented Sherlock Holmes, but he just wishes he could keep his mouth shut and not annoy and embarrass people with his keen sense of observation. His uncle is so irritated he sets the ground rules within moments of their first meeting, which include keeping out of his way and staying out of the house from 8am to 6pm. Soon, though, the two are thrown together in their own mystery. They make a powerful team when they combine the talents of Griffin's quick, keen eye and his uncle's odd-ball, but surprisingly useful, investigative inventions. When the two combine their talents, they make a somewhat superpower of a detective team. What makes this story is how it is interspersed throughout with the spirited observations of Griffin and the dry, quirky uncle. The uncle’s irritability is mildly formulaic, but this is a minor issue. Griffin is misunderstood by most. Young readers will relate to his feelings of loneliness and being misunderstood by his peers, but what cannot be overlooked is that he is sad and sweet with a kind heart and keen mind. This book can make a reader want to laugh, cry, and become an inventor or investigator. This is a surprising light and fast read for any young problem-solver, but also a great recommendation for the older, struggling reader. The author has a companion blog of text, video, cartoons, and more at which will enrich the reading experience of the visual, interactive generation of young people. (This story is not related to the Facebook/YouTube 'No Place Like Holmes' series.)
-
I received the sequel to this book, The Future Door (No Place Like Holmes) from the Amazon Vine (reviewers) program, and so read it before reading this one (two years ago! Can't believe it's been so long!). I have to say that I enjoyed this first one much more than the second. The characters are much more fun and quirky, with better character development, and it focuses primarily on Griffin's point of view (with a few exceptions).
It's a fun premise: twelve-year-old Griffin Sharpe is incredibly observant, so much so that he is often picked on by his schoolmates. He is sent to London to visit Rupert Snodgrass, his curmudgeonly uncle, for the summer. Rupert lives right next door to Sherlock Holmes, the world's greatest detective, Rupert's hated competitor. Uncle Rupert wants nothing more than to become even more famous than Holmes, but although he's extremely intelligent and able to create amazing inventions, he has basically no social skills.
He manages to get a case, and with Griffin's help, solves it and saves the Queen and the people of London. Along the way, he changes into a nicer person, and Griffin is able to use his powers of observation for a good cause, which makes him extremely happy. Unfortunately, the bad guy gets away, which leads nicely to book two!
This is a Christian book (tho I had to laugh that the ISBN on the back labels it as "non-fiction"), so there are many references to God, but they fit the story and are not overwhelming. It appears that further books in this series will not be released, or at least not anytime soon, which is a shame, as it's very fun. However, with a little sleuthing, I discovered that the author has created an animated series of Griffin and Rupert's adventures, which you can find at noplacelikeholmes {dot} blogspot {dot} com. There is also a Facebook page with more cartoons (No Place Like Holmes by Jason Lethcoe).
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 -
Storyline - Griffin Sharpe is sent to England in 1903 to spend the summer with the uncle he has never known (not even his first name) or met. The only knowlegde he has is his uncle is a detective, is called Snoops, and lives at 221 Baker Street, the address of the famious Sherlock Holmes. But, he is met with an unfortunate reality when he learns his uncle lives at 221A Baker Street and Holmes lives at B. In reality, his uncle is testy and doesn't really want him around but, when they land a strange case involving a missing man believed to be eaten by the Loch Ness Monster, it will take both of them, Griffin using is geniues brain, and his uncle, using his strange devises, to uncover the truth. But the truth is bigger than either of them realized.
Personal Opinion - Okay, it was the picture of the Loch Ness Monster on the front that first drew my interest. I know, kinda pathetic. But, as I was reading it, I found it was a good book with a good mystery. The only thing that got me was the robot that worked on steam. I don't know if that existed back in 1903 (or any of the other inventions of the uncle) but it just seemed strange. Other than that, it was a good story that moved well and contained many good lessons which the characters picked up. The mini-mysteries at the end were fun, even got one before reading the answer but the second one, no such luck. I don't know how many other people will get this but I was excited that Father Brown made an appearance (okay, I never read a Father Brown Mystery but I do think I know who the author is and am so excited that he was in the book). A mystery that is good for Christians and anyone else who wants to read it. It also leaves you with the knowledge that there will be more books to come...
Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher through Booksneeze.com. -
As a young adult I remember rummaging through the hall closet which contained my mother’s treasured hard back novels. Every time I opened that closet the smell of book pages and bindings would hit me like a great flood coming in from the sea. To this day, it is a smell I treasure. I spent my younger years reading horror by Stephen King and mysteries by Agatha Christie.
Obviously I am no longer a young adult, now into my mid-thirties, but I can still cherish and appreciate a young adult novel. So, when I saw No Place like Holmes was up for review, I snatched it up. Who doesn’t love a good mystery or Sherlock Holmes related novel?
We are introduced to Griffin, a young boy traveling from the United States to London to visit his uncle, Rupert Snodgrass. The only problem is, Uncle Rupert has no idea his nephew is about to knock on his door. When Griffin learns that his uncle and Sherlock Holmes share the same apartment building 221 Baker Street, he thinks to himself that it won’t be such a bad summer after all.
When Uncle Rupert finally calms down after the boy gets settled in, he lays down a few rules. Rules that leave the 12 year old boy out on the streets, daily, to fend for himself. Rupert feels Griffin is disturbing his work, which is slime thanks the Holmes, so the money his sister sent will be of use.
The relationship gets off to a rocky start but when Griffin proves himself useful by paying attention to detail and doing a little detective work of his own, the Uncle and Griffin are able to join together to find a missing person. When my mystery unfolds, this missing person has built an explosive device to be placed in Big Ben, leaving London in shambles.
What follows are the twists and turns of a classic mystery. Despite being meant for the younger generation, I think any mystery lover can appreciate this creative story. -
Move over Sherlock Holmes, Griffin Sharpe is in the house! "How did Griffin Sharpe get his limp? Did he really meet Sherlock Holmes? Is it true that he carried a walking stick that belonged to the greatest villain in history?" These are questions which start the book No Place Like Holmes. We meet Griffin Sharpe in the year 1903, on his way to meet his uncle who resides at 221 Baker Street, London. Could Griffin be the nephew of the great detective Sherlock Holmes? Griffin has long been wishing for someone with a mind like his own: a mind which notices everything and stores it for later use. Maybe Sherlock Holmes will be the answer to his prayers. Or maybe not...
I am a Sherlockian - someone who loves Sherlock Holmes stories with a passion. I like to believe he was a real person - out there somewhere solving crimes, maybe in an alternate reality or something. I read everything Sherlockian, and have even watched the cartoon Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century. So I was very happy to find another book in which Sherlock Holmes plays a role, even if it is not the major role. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Griffin, a younger character who rivals Sherlock in wit and intelligence. But with Griffin we get someone who has a softer heart which makes him even more love-able.
Along with a sympathetic character, Lethcoe gives us a fast paced plot which grabbed and kept my attention throughout the entire story. The action is carried along with just enough inner dialog to reveal Griffin's thought processes, but not so much a reader will lose interest. I am hoping Griffin will lead younger readers to the great genre of mystery, and eventually to the master himself.
I am looking forward to a sequel in which we meet the estimable Griffin Sharpe again. -
when i was a boy, i read a lot and i loved mysteries… some of my favorite book friends were Encyclopedia Brown, The Great Brain, and the Bobbsey Twins… as i got older, i moved on to Agatha Christie and, of course, Sherlock Holmes… so, i’ve been trying to get the littles into those types of books, but they’re a little slow on the uptake… i guess it’s just a little too much for them to pay attention to just yet… but, i took this chance, figuring it would be a reasonably safe story for them to digest and began reading it to them…
together, we’re still in the middle, but thus far they’re enjoying it… i’m excited to be reading through this suspensful tale with them and pleased knowing how it turns out… the gist is this: Griffin Sharpe is about 13 years old and he’s never quite fit in because he’s different… he’s got a photographic memory and a keenly observant disposition that lands him in trouble now and then… this summer, instead of staying home and facing the same kids who pick on him all the time, he’s headed to London to meet his uncle who may be Sherlock Holmes…
not quite, but they share an address and an occupation… Sharpe gets to know his Uncle Snodgrass, an eccentric inventor and private investigator with a pretty bad attitude… they don’t initially hit it off, but they’re united while investigating a mysterious monster spotted devouring a clockmaker at the edge of the river Thames…
some intriguing themes include the rivalry of Holmes vs. Snodgrass, machines vs. the human mind, and good vs. evil… it’s a tale of intrigue, suspense, redemption, and forgiveness… and after all that, we’re queued up for the second installment which is forthcoming… definitely a fun read and hopefully a good whetting of the appetite for some more mystery…
-from
trudatmusic.com/raw -
>>Original post:
http://thereadersbookblog.blogspot.co...
What do you get when you introduce Encyclopedia Brown to Sherlock Holmes? You get Griffin Sharpe--a genius with a knack for observation.
Griffin Sharpe is a very observant boy. His keen eye and mathematical mind have caused him a bit of trouble in his short life, but Griffin knows that his skills will serve a purpose. In 1903 he is sent to his uncle's for the summer. On his journey to London, England, Griffin learns about the great detective, Sherlock Holmes. Inaccurately believing that the uncle he has never met is Mr. Holmes, Griffin is surprised to find that his uncle is actually Rupert Snodgrass: a lesser-known detective who happens to live in the same building as Sherlock Holmes--literally in his shadow. Griffin proves to be an invaluable asset to his grumpy uncle as they set out to unravel the mystery of a man believed to have been eaten by the Lochness Monster.
Jason Lethcoe has brought a classical fiction character to new light, as seen through the eyes of an intelligent young detective. What a wonderful way for a new generation to fall in love with Sherlock Holmes! All the old fellas are there, including Watson and Moriarty. The adventure and excitement of this novel may seem predictable to adult readers, but to the young audience, it is a maze of intrigue that every young sleuth will enjoy unraveling.
No Place Like Holmes wraps up in such a way that leads me to believe--to hope!--that we haven't seen the last of Griffin Sharpe and his eccentric uncle.
Rating: $$
ARC received courtesy of Tommy Nelson. -
When Griffin Sharpe is sent to stay with his uncle at 221 Baker Street, he is convinced he is going to stay with the famous Sherlock Holmes, which is perfect since he plans to use his ability to notice every tiny detail to become a detective one day. When he arrives at the home, he is saddened to learn that his uncle is really a cooky man with a strange knack for inventing astounding devices who lives in 221A while Sherlock Holmes lives in 221B. When Holmes is not available to take a case, Griffin and his uncle must step in and take the case, which takes them on an exciting journey for truth: both about the crime and their family. Will the two unlikely heroes save the day?
This book is a great read for younger readers. The story is fast-paced and full of adventure and excitement. Griffin is an eccentric but likeable hero. His uncle has a rough exterior but the reader finds out why and sees his true heart beneath. The added element of Sherlock Holmes is catchy. Biblical truths are throughout the book as Griffin is put in awkward or difficult situations and must rely on God for help. This is a good series for young readers who love adventure.
The added mini-mysteries in the back are a bonus for any young budding detective.
I received this book free from Booksneeze for the purpose of reviewing it. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
www.laurathebookworm.blogspot.com -
I have to say that the first couple paragraphs in the prologue didn't draw me in like a lot of other books do, made me wonder for a bit if i was going to be bored reading this book in entirety, but the next few drew me in pretty well.
Griffin is a genius but is humble, not something you usually hear about in the same sentence. He has a photographic memory. In the beginning of book he is alone in a tiny train compartment as he is headed to London, to stay with his uncle for the summer. He is doing so because he wasn't invited to go to camp with his schoolmates. He doesn’t know who Sherlock Holmes is, so the ticket guy on train gives him a paper to read about Sherlock (whom he now thinks may be his uncle as he lives in the same place he is going to).
He finds out who his uncle is and he isn't Sherlock and is disappointed. His mother had sent him and the uncle didn't even know (he hadn't opened the first letter as he thought it was a bill collector). I personally would be very mad at that mother, since she didn't receive a reply from the uncle.
He finds a lady while in a cab on the way to church who wants to see Sherlock, so he asks the cabbie to take them back. Sherlock wasn't home so he got his uncle. The woman let his uncle Rupert take the case on the condition that Griffin was involved with the investigation.
I enjoyed reading this book as much as I enjoyed reading Nancy Drew books when i was younger. -
Even though this book is written with younger readers in mind, I myself am an avid mystery reader and was anxious to read No Place Like Holmes by Jason Lethcoe.
The story opens with a brilliant young Griffin Sharpe counting everything from frayed threads to feathers while traveling from America to London to visit his uncle. As you see, Griffin is a genius with a photographic mind and since he has not been invited to summer camp with his classmates (because they hate him for being so incredibly smart and always knowing the answer to every question) his parents decide to send him to visit his uncle who happens to be the neighbor of Sherlock Holmes.
Rupert Snodgrass, is a grumpy self absorbed person and has not read the letter from his half sister and therefore does not know that Griffin is coming to stay with him for the summer. It takes a bit for Snodgrass to accept Griffin, but it does not take Griffin long to be caught up in a mystery. Snodgrass, who is a mediocre detective, and inventor joins Griffin in this tale of discovery.
Snodgrass is jealous of the great detective Sherlock Holmes, and is an unbeliever. But Griffin's faith in God affects the way he looks at people and tries to help them. Griffin is a good influence on his uncle.
Mystery, suspense, fear, faith and family are presented in this story and I would recommend this book to readers young and old. -
Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com
When Griffin gets sent by his mother to live with his uncle at 221 Baker Street, he gets excited at the thought that his uncle may be the great Sherlock Holmes. When he gets there, however, he discovers that his uncle lives in 221B and is named Rupert Snodgrass, the neighbor of Sherlock Holmes, resident of 221A.
His uncle, though, is also a detective like Holmes, but he uses instruments and science instead of intuition to solve mysteries. When the wife of Frederick Dent runs into Griffin and starts begging to see Sherlock Holmes, Griffin takes her home. They soon discover that Sherlock isn't there, and Rupert takes on the case himself.
Mr. Dent, the clockmaker, was supposed to meet someone at the pier in order to fix one of the greatest clocks ever created. Witnesses who saw him disappear claim he was swallowed up by a great creature that looked like the Loch Ness Monster.
What really happened to Frederick Dent? Can Rupert and Griffin solve the case?
A quick, fun read for anyone who likes mysteries. The characters are lovable and well-developed, even the cranky uncle and the villains. The plot is well-crafted and the mystery is intriguing and does a good job of holding the reader's interest. Those who like mysteries, adventure, mythology, and science will all enjoy reading NO PLACE LIKE HOLMES. -
*I recieved an ARC of this book from Net-galley.*
If I was a kid I think I would have enjoyed this much more than I did. It’s a cute book, but the description of everything Griffin sees with his all-knowing detectives’ eyes gets a little bit irritating. His uncle’s an ass, as it the obsession with beating Sherlock Holmes, but luckily towards the end of the book that gets dropped. I was not a fan of the whole twee “I’ve got a robot butler named Watts and a Moriarty of my own” bit, but I doubt a younger child would pick up on the similarity. I thought the steampunk elements seemed pretty forced, but its big business these days so it’s understandable.
This book was very well written, the mystery was engaging, and it was fun to ‘solve’ it along with Griffin. He’s a good kid and a great role model. I especially liked the mini-mystery at the end of the books as I was a huge fan of Encyclopedia Brown and the CLUE series as a kid so it was nice to see that the tradition lives on. I would definitely give this book to a kid, as I think they would really enjoy it. Overall it was a great children’s book read!
*This is a Christian book. Griffin’s father is an Especial minister, so there is some talk of praying and God. It’s not shown in a huge way, nor is it a really big plot point, but it is there. -
My Thoughts:
This is a great mystery for YA readers! This is a wonderful story for the "new to mystery" readers to 'cut their teeth' on. It is well written, planned out from beginning to end, entertaining, and much more emotional than I had expected.
The characters are fantastic! I fell in love with Griffin - what a sweet, sad little boy. I found myself close to tears many times. I was thrilled to see that his demeanor influences that of his Uncle Snodgrass in a positive way.
The villains are sooooo evil, Nigel - - - what a HORRID man - a larger version of the contemptible young man he had been as a child.
All the characters stand out in some way.
The plot is not so complicated that the adult reader doesn't see the next move coming, but all the while it is complex enough to keep you turning the pages and wondering about the end.
I have to admit that I wasn't ready for the end!
I love that there is an element of steampunk thrown in! The inventions are wonderful. I would love to have read this aloud to middle schoolers, just so I could have seen their faces when Griffin gets to use Snodgrass's information finding machine. Watts is amazing!
Overall a very worthwhile read! Intriguing and entertaining from start to finish.
I plan to impatiently await the next book in the series! -
I stumbled on this book on the Kindle for $1.99 and so grabbed it. Looking for something light the other day I started reading. It turned out to be a well done young adult mystery. The creative plot line and interesting characters made the story a quick and enjoyable read.
One interesting aspect of story is the way the author makes the lead character's faith a normal part of his life and adventure. Griffin talks about God as a natural part of conversation, seeks out a church to visit on Sunday, prays for help and worries about his uncle's lack of faith. He also decides to show his uncle love in hopes that they can become friends. This is presented as an outgrowth of his faith.
For the most part this is handled well and is largely unobtrusive but it will certainly stand out for those used to "secular" fiction. Lethcoe avoids preaching and simply portrays what it might be like for a young man of faith to encounter these adventures. Griffin's mature spirituality - deciding to "show someone love and pray for them when they have treated you poorly is certainly mature" - is not much different than his photographic memory and highly tuned observational abilities.
This look like an interesting young adult series with a fun hook and interesting characters. -
I am a huge Sherlock Holmes fan. So to read a story from the perspective of what would be his rivalry was interesting, but a little awkward. No Place Like Holmes kind of makes you think of what Sherlock Holmes would be like as a kid – sort of. Griffin is also a Christian, and I am not sure if Holmes ever had a faith. Anyway, I really don’t want to compare and contrast Holmes and Griffin, it wouldn’t be fair. (Yes, I have to agree that I think Holmes is still the world’s greatest detective-sorry.) But I like Griffin a lot as well. I think he is such a great kid, and the gift he bears can be a heavy load at times but he carries it well. There are some minor issues I had with the story, only because they would be so farfetched. On the one hand I understand that it has to be for a kid to play a vital role in saving the world from evil in the first place.
If you forget about the bits that are not believable and just enjoy the story, it was a fun and light reading. It was nice to see very very little of Holmes’ presence in this book and I liked the commentary in Griffin’s head. Though I didn’t think I would I even started sort of liking Uncle Snodgrass. I think this is perfect reading for middle graders. -
Griffin is an intelligent twelve year old who loves to solve things. So the opportunity to meet his uncle who lives at 221 Baker Street in London brings him great excitement! Could Sherlock Holmes be his uncle? After discovering that his unhappy, unfriendly uncle lives next door to Mr. Holmes, Griffin sets out to be a blessing to his uncle, rather than a burden. Together they set out to uncover the reason a clockmaker has gone missing. Along the way they have to uncover what a metal "Nessie," scraps of red paper, and missing explosives have to do with each other. All the while, unknown to them, they are followed by another sleuth. Who will unravel the mystery first? What will be Griffin's uncle's next invention?
This is a fun mystery aimed at the nine to fourteen age group (although I think people of all ages will enjoy it). The story keeps moving along with characters that seem alive. Mr. Lethcoe has set a great foundation for a series, and I for one, would love to read more. It is fun to step back in time and read about the mystique of Sherlock Holmes and those who sought to emulate his work. Thank you to the Book Sneeze program for my copy of the book!
