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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
I knew that Adelaide would wish to visit the detective and present her case to him as soon as possible. And I would be there by her side, of course, to support her as she told her story. But I had my own reason for visiting Mr. Holmes and my own story to tell him, and so I had to reach him before she did -- and I had to speak to him alone.
Synopsis:
Since losing both parents to typhoid fever four years ago, Dora Joyce has lived with her Aunt Ina, a very proper Victorian matron determined to mold the inquisitive, headstrong girl in her own image. During the day, Dora has been laced into corsets and taught to waltz, but in the evenings, she's been studying the adventures of the Great Detective chronicled in the Strand magazine. Following his methods, she has sharpened her observational skills. She has good reason to believe she might be able to emulate Mr Holmes: a deathbed confession from her mother that the detective is Dora's father. Now, with her cousin facing a blackmailer threatening to destroy her marriage, Dora finally has a reason to seek out the detective in London. The day she arrives at his Baker Street address, however, she is stunned by the headline screaming from the newspapers: Sherlock Holmes Killed in Switzerland
The detective she and her cousin consult leaves Dora distinctly unimpressed, but his young assistant sparks her interest. She learns that he knew Sherlock Holmes, his name is Peter Cartwright, and he seems to find her at least a little interesting, as well. Dora decides that she - with Peter's help - will go undercover to solve the mystery herself, as any child of the Great Detective would.
Review:
Scheier's debut novel is a Sherlockian pastiche with a twist of romance in with the mystery. Several mysteries, actually, since the title might refer to a number of letters and a number of secrets, all of which tangle around each other, catching the spirited teenage heroine in the middle. Dora chafes at the restrictions society - by way of her Aunt - places on her, and she longs to be accepted for the person she really is. She finds a true peer in Peter, who looks beyond surfaces just as she does. Class distinctions of the period are explored through Dora's disguise as a house servant at Hartfield Hall, a role she manages to fill surprisingly (if perhaps a tad unbelievably) well while ferreting out clues.
The first few chapters have to introduce a lot of material about the characters and the setting, but the action picks up pace after that. Plots and sub-plots intertwine as ulterior motives abound above and below stairs at Hartfield. Sly nods to the original stories pop up here and there - little Easter eggs for those familiar with the Canon. This is a satisfying blend of mystery, adventure, and romance, with just enough comedic moments (usually resulting from Dora being a bit too clever for her own good) to balance the more serious elements.
Recommend to:
Historical fiction and mystery fans, ages 12 and up.
Review for Twitter: Historical mystery with a touch of romance, perfect for the budding Holmesian.
Source: Checked out from my public library.
Synopsis:
Since losing both parents to typhoid fever four years ago, Dora Joyce has lived with her Aunt Ina, a very proper Victorian matron determined to mold the inquisitive, headstrong girl in her own image. During the day, Dora has been laced into corsets and taught to waltz, but in the evenings, she's been studying the adventures of the Great Detective chronicled in the Strand magazine. Following his methods, she has sharpened her observational skills. She has good reason to believe she might be able to emulate Mr Holmes: a deathbed confession from her mother that the detective is Dora's father. Now, with her cousin facing a blackmailer threatening to destroy her marriage, Dora finally has a reason to seek out the detective in London. The day she arrives at his Baker Street address, however, she is stunned by the headline screaming from the newspapers: Sherlock Holmes Killed in Switzerland
The detective she and her cousin consult leaves Dora distinctly unimpressed, but his young assistant sparks her interest. She learns that he knew Sherlock Holmes, his name is Peter Cartwright, and he seems to find her at least a little interesting, as well. Dora decides that she - with Peter's help - will go undercover to solve the mystery herself, as any child of the Great Detective would.
Review:
Scheier's debut novel is a Sherlockian pastiche with a twist of romance in with the mystery. Several mysteries, actually, since the title might refer to a number of letters and a number of secrets, all of which tangle around each other, catching the spirited teenage heroine in the middle. Dora chafes at the restrictions society - by way of her Aunt - places on her, and she longs to be accepted for the person she really is. She finds a true peer in Peter, who looks beyond surfaces just as she does. Class distinctions of the period are explored through Dora's disguise as a house servant at Hartfield Hall, a role she manages to fill surprisingly (if perhaps a tad unbelievably) well while ferreting out clues.
The first few chapters have to introduce a lot of material about the characters and the setting, but the action picks up pace after that. Plots and sub-plots intertwine as ulterior motives abound above and below stairs at Hartfield. Sly nods to the original stories pop up here and there - little Easter eggs for those familiar with the Canon. This is a satisfying blend of mystery, adventure, and romance, with just enough comedic moments (usually resulting from Dora being a bit too clever for her own good) to balance the more serious elements.
Recommend to:
Historical fiction and mystery fans, ages 12 and up.
Review for Twitter: Historical mystery with a touch of romance, perfect for the budding Holmesian.
Source: Checked out from my public library.
Original Review: http://alexandrampatterson.com/2012/12/07/christmas-2012-teen-reads-i-recommend/
Victorian setting + strong female character + Sherlock Holmes-ian mystery? Count me in! This is the book that I thought The Name of the Star would be — and this time I wasn’t disappointed. Scheier is a genius with words: the story is fast-paced and enticing. My biggest disappointment with this book was realizing the sequel won’t be out for far too long. As a side-note, this is a YA version of Dust and Shadow by Lyndsey Faye that I reviewed earlier this year and mentioned in my books I recommend post.
Victorian setting + strong female character + Sherlock Holmes-ian mystery? Count me in! This is the book that I thought The Name of the Star would be — and this time I wasn’t disappointed. Scheier is a genius with words: the story is fast-paced and enticing. My biggest disappointment with this book was realizing the sequel won’t be out for far too long. As a side-note, this is a YA version of Dust and Shadow by Lyndsey Faye that I reviewed earlier this year and mentioned in my books I recommend post.
Fun read, fast-paced mystery, not-too-obnoxious love interest, and well written.
Secret Letters is essentially Sherlock Holmes for a younger, modern demographic. It’s a classic-style mystery, but the protagonist defies the gender roles of the time to successfully catch a crook. The style of the Holmes novels is kept throughout the story, so read Secret Letters with a grain of salt. It isn’t the type of book that instantly hooks you (which is what we’re used to reading in YA these days). Secret Letters keeps a slower pace, but its carefulness is what ultimately makes the mystery a successful one. Readers will have trouble predicting the culprit, which will please many, I’m sure.
Dora, the protagonist, is bound behind the lines that women are unable to cross in her time period, but she manages to make do with what little she can get away with. For modern readers, this is a bit of a disappointment, since we’re used to girls being able to do whatever they want (especially in YA). I, however, loved this attention to historical accuracy; I felt Dora’s limitations made her more believable. Plus, the way she subtly skirts around the social norms is hilarious. I think readers will enjoy Dora, but they’ll enjoy her companion, Mr. Cartwright, even more. He’s quite the tease, and he steals every scene he is in.
If you like mystery—and especially if you like Sherlock Holmes--you should pick up a copy of Secret Letters. I feel as if this book will be one that flies under the radar, and I sincerely hope that doesn’t happen. So here’s me telling you that it’s worth reading. It really is.
Dora, the protagonist, is bound behind the lines that women are unable to cross in her time period, but she manages to make do with what little she can get away with. For modern readers, this is a bit of a disappointment, since we’re used to girls being able to do whatever they want (especially in YA). I, however, loved this attention to historical accuracy; I felt Dora’s limitations made her more believable. Plus, the way she subtly skirts around the social norms is hilarious. I think readers will enjoy Dora, but they’ll enjoy her companion, Mr. Cartwright, even more. He’s quite the tease, and he steals every scene he is in.
If you like mystery—and especially if you like Sherlock Holmes--you should pick up a copy of Secret Letters. I feel as if this book will be one that flies under the radar, and I sincerely hope that doesn’t happen. So here’s me telling you that it’s worth reading. It really is.
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Originally reviewed here.
What a fun read this was! It's chock full of things that I like, such as a spunky heroine, romance, literary references and a mystery. I went into this one without any expectations and was definitely pleasantly surprised to find what a joy it was. If you enjoy period piece dramas and mysteries, you will not want to miss Secret Letters.
My favorite part of the book was definitely the two main characters Dora Joyce and Peter Cartwright. Dora is a regular firebrand. Despite being a lady of quality, she constantly ignores what a woman in her station is supposed to do, which may not be super believable (at least her getting away with it) but is definitely fun. Definitely not faint of heart, Dora is a powerful heroine, willing to get her hands dirty, clever and sassy.
Dora came to London to help her cousin enlist the aid of Sherlock Holmes in catching a blackmailer, but Dora also has a plan of her own: to tell Sherlock that he is her biological father. Unfortunately, he has been killed elsewhere and she will not get to do that. Actually, the Sherlock Holmes connection was the one part of the book I wasn't really cool with. I love literary references and books about books, but I thought that this fell into the unclear border where it doesn't quite make sense. In this world, Sherlock Holmes is a real detective, BUT the novels about him also still exist. Did he write them? Did Watson? If it was Watson, where is he? Anyway, since this was really only the inspiring idea and not a huge part of the story, I just got over it.
Anyway, her cousin enlists the aid of young Peter Cartwright and his boss in her case, and Dora, unable to stop researching, becomes inextricably bound up in the case. Peter and Dora have totally awesome chemistry. I love the way that they interact, flirting by making fun of one another and trying to one up each other with their sleuthing skills. They definitely felt like they had a real connection, and it was super charming.
Another aspect that I really loved was when Dora went undercover as a maid in a giant estate in an effort to solve the mystery. This part definitely had a Downton Abbey feel to it, so I was ALL OVER IT. There's even an unscrupulous butler, who I totally pictured as Thomas even though he's blonde and straight. The drama and scandal of life above and below stairs was great, and definitely satisfying.
The mystery parts weren't bad, although the guilty party was all kinds of not surprising. For me, this was definitely more about the setting and characters than the plot points. Watching the two detectives try to ferret out clues, though, was definitely entertaining, especially when things would go a little bit awry.
If you're looking for a fun read with an inquisitive heroine, look no further! The ending definitely seems like Scheier could write more books in this world at some point if she wanted to. I'm up for that or whatever Scheier does next!
What a fun read this was! It's chock full of things that I like, such as a spunky heroine, romance, literary references and a mystery. I went into this one without any expectations and was definitely pleasantly surprised to find what a joy it was. If you enjoy period piece dramas and mysteries, you will not want to miss Secret Letters.
My favorite part of the book was definitely the two main characters Dora Joyce and Peter Cartwright. Dora is a regular firebrand. Despite being a lady of quality, she constantly ignores what a woman in her station is supposed to do, which may not be super believable (at least her getting away with it) but is definitely fun. Definitely not faint of heart, Dora is a powerful heroine, willing to get her hands dirty, clever and sassy.
Dora came to London to help her cousin enlist the aid of Sherlock Holmes in catching a blackmailer, but Dora also has a plan of her own: to tell Sherlock that he is her biological father. Unfortunately, he has been killed elsewhere and she will not get to do that. Actually, the Sherlock Holmes connection was the one part of the book I wasn't really cool with. I love literary references and books about books, but I thought that this fell into the unclear border where it doesn't quite make sense. In this world, Sherlock Holmes is a real detective, BUT the novels about him also still exist. Did he write them? Did Watson? If it was Watson, where is he? Anyway, since this was really only the inspiring idea and not a huge part of the story, I just got over it.
Anyway, her cousin enlists the aid of young Peter Cartwright and his boss in her case, and Dora, unable to stop researching, becomes inextricably bound up in the case. Peter and Dora have totally awesome chemistry. I love the way that they interact, flirting by making fun of one another and trying to one up each other with their sleuthing skills. They definitely felt like they had a real connection, and it was super charming.
Another aspect that I really loved was when Dora went undercover as a maid in a giant estate in an effort to solve the mystery. This part definitely had a Downton Abbey feel to it, so I was ALL OVER IT. There's even an unscrupulous butler, who I totally pictured as Thomas even though he's blonde and straight. The drama and scandal of life above and below stairs was great, and definitely satisfying.
The mystery parts weren't bad, although the guilty party was all kinds of not surprising. For me, this was definitely more about the setting and characters than the plot points. Watching the two detectives try to ferret out clues, though, was definitely entertaining, especially when things would go a little bit awry.
If you're looking for a fun read with an inquisitive heroine, look no further! The ending definitely seems like Scheier could write more books in this world at some point if she wanted to. I'm up for that or whatever Scheier does next!
OK, at first, I admit, I couldn't picture how "daughter of Sherlock Holmes" could be anything other than a bad OC fanfic. Never mind my personal pet peeve of Holmes as part of any romance, ever, even if it's just mentioned in passing. But this is her vision of Holmes, not mine, and I soon got past it enough to enjoy the story.
But I was very pleasantly surprised. I liked all the characters, especially Dora...I felt she was a believable YA heroine for the time, and there was enough mention of the customs holding women back at that time to give it a more realistic flavor.
Plus, it fit so well into the Holmes Canon; the main story was so much a copycat of The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton that it had to be a homage rather than anything else, plus it had a lot to do with Holmes's reputation during his own time, with enough references to people reading the stories and how the police/other detectives/the public might have viewed him to keep me happy. It's something that's always interested me.
In short, I actually am hoping there will be a sequel to this. The true test still remains...this took place during Holmes's great hiatus, but if it goes on long enough, he's bound to make an appearance, and if the author can truly write an accurate Holmes, then this will be a series to watch.
But I was very pleasantly surprised. I liked all the characters, especially Dora...I felt she was a believable YA heroine for the time, and there was enough mention of the customs holding women back at that time to give it a more realistic flavor.
Plus, it fit so well into the Holmes Canon; the main story was so much a copycat of The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton that it had to be a homage rather than anything else, plus it had a lot to do with Holmes's reputation during his own time, with enough references to people reading the stories and how the police/other detectives/the public might have viewed him to keep me happy. It's something that's always interested me.
In short, I actually am hoping there will be a sequel to this. The true test still remains...this took place during Holmes's great hiatus, but if it goes on long enough, he's bound to make an appearance, and if the author can truly write an accurate Holmes, then this will be a series to watch.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While I agree with many of the reviewers and don't know that the "real" Sherlock Holmes would have ever fathered anyone, I was glad this book was less about him and more about his influence on Dora. I think that influence resonates with a lot of people today, as we see a good number of Sherlock Holmes adaptations popping up in film and television. It was an entertaining mystery, though I found it a little hard to follow at the end. I will definitely read the sequel!
An engrossing read inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle. As you get deeper into Dora's world, it get harder to pull yourself way.
The plot was intriguing, it was one of those books that sucks you in, however I didn't really like Dora's relationship with Peter.