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constancemn's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this series, but especially as it progresses, I simply don't find the stories and storytelling particularly Holmesian, and that's what I was looking for. I guess maybe if I were more the target age group I might find them more appealing, in their defense. If you are a Conan Doyle fan and/or an adult, I'd say don't bother.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
5.0
I hate to see this series end, now that I have become so immersed in the world of the teenage Sherlock Holmes. This final volume is just as well written as the first five, giving us a fun mystery, a very realistic London 1870 setting, some emotional moments, and a Sherlock who has matured considerably since we first encountered him in [b:Eye of the Crow|1119508|Eye of the Crow (The Boy Sherlock Holmes, #1)|Shane Peacock|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320484282s/1119508.jpg|1106577]. He still has insecurities and flaws, however, especially when it comes to one young woman in particular. As he tries to unravel the master plan of his nemesis Malefactor--whom we have also watched grow and mature throughout the series, but unfortunately into the ultimate bad guy (Moriarty!) rather than a force for justice--Sherlock Holmes is also dealing with the death of his father and the impending death of his mentor, Sigurson Bell (a fun character whom I'll really miss!). The case here revolves around a politician's well-kept secret, and the mysterious job promotion and then death of a thug, but what really matters in the end is that Sherlock Holmes has arrived for good.
plutoangstva's review against another edition
3.0
i really loved this series. sadly, this didn't meet my expectations and was overall unremarkable.
paschott's review against another edition
4.0
Becoming Holmes by Shane Peacock is the concluding book in “The Boy Sherlock Holmes” series. Mr. Peacock writes this series with the intent of exploring how Sherlock Holmes became Sherlock Holmes. This book picks up several months after the prior book in the series with announcements of the death of Charles Dickens. Sherlock is in a funk, foreshadowing the man he will become. He desperately needs something exciting to get him moving. His mentor, Sigerson Bell, is getting older and his health is waning as he tries to help Sherlock throughout the book. Sherlock’s father has passed away, leaving only a distant brother as his family.
We learn that Malefactor (Dr. Moriarty) is on the rise and has infiltrated London’s governmental structures with his men being planted in key positions, ready to be promoted into positions of influence. Holmes learns of this after going to meet his brother on his way to work at the Treasury. He runs into one of Malefactor’s henchman and learns that he is next in line for a prominent position in the department. Holmes quickly realizes that Malefactor plans to take over parts of the government and is moved out of his doldrums into action.
Along the way we meet familiar characters in the Holmes stories – Lestrade, Irene, Moriarty, and even a hint of Watson. Mr. Peacock also wraps up many of the storylines of characters we’ve become familiar with in this series. Holmes implores them to treat the man he will become as if they’ve never met before. He decides to forgo relationships with those who mean much to him in order to be the crime fighter he must be. Some of these breaking of ties feel a little forced, but do match what we know of Holmes the man.
This is the final case before Holmes moves on to young adulthood. He knows that Malefactor must be stopped. Holmes partners with the police in an attempt to bring him to justice while solving the murder of one of Malefactor’s henchmen. I was a little disappointed with the way this was handled in the story as it just didn’t seem to match my picture of Sherlock Holmes. I will not go into details here as that would give away some major parts of the story and the book is still a good read even if I don’t like that particular part of the story. Despite that part, I think that Mr. Peacock does a great job in showing the growth of a young man into the future detective he will be. There are still a lot of questions we can ask, but those can be left for another story and another day.
Disclaimer: I was given a preview copy of Becoming Holmes with nothing expected in return. An unbiased review was requested, but not mandatory. I was not influenced in any way by the publishers or author to change my opinion of this product.
We learn that Malefactor (Dr. Moriarty) is on the rise and has infiltrated London’s governmental structures with his men being planted in key positions, ready to be promoted into positions of influence. Holmes learns of this after going to meet his brother on his way to work at the Treasury. He runs into one of Malefactor’s henchman and learns that he is next in line for a prominent position in the department. Holmes quickly realizes that Malefactor plans to take over parts of the government and is moved out of his doldrums into action.
Along the way we meet familiar characters in the Holmes stories – Lestrade, Irene, Moriarty, and even a hint of Watson. Mr. Peacock also wraps up many of the storylines of characters we’ve become familiar with in this series. Holmes implores them to treat the man he will become as if they’ve never met before. He decides to forgo relationships with those who mean much to him in order to be the crime fighter he must be. Some of these breaking of ties feel a little forced, but do match what we know of Holmes the man.
This is the final case before Holmes moves on to young adulthood. He knows that Malefactor must be stopped. Holmes partners with the police in an attempt to bring him to justice while solving the murder of one of Malefactor’s henchmen. I was a little disappointed with the way this was handled in the story as it just didn’t seem to match my picture of Sherlock Holmes. I will not go into details here as that would give away some major parts of the story and the book is still a good read even if I don’t like that particular part of the story. Despite that part, I think that Mr. Peacock does a great job in showing the growth of a young man into the future detective he will be. There are still a lot of questions we can ask, but those can be left for another story and another day.
Disclaimer: I was given a preview copy of Becoming Holmes with nothing expected in return. An unbiased review was requested, but not mandatory. I was not influenced in any way by the publishers or author to change my opinion of this product.
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