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earlgreybooks's review against another edition
5.0
Originally posted at http://abooksofathomless.blogspot.com.au
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’m an absolutely massive fan of anything related to Sherlock Holmes even in the slightest, so when I saw this on NetGalley, I really had no choice but to request it. I’m so glad that I did.
Techanically, this book was already been released back in 2011 but it has just been translated into English by Chris Turner. Due to this, sometimes the word choices can be a little strange or not quite fit- personally, I didn’t find this to be too much of an issue- I think it added to that sort of Victorian feel.
As for the actual book, I loved the premise of it. A little child version of Sherlock, with Irene Adler too? It just sounds so unbelievably cute, and it was! I absolutely adored how Sherlock was written- he was this cute little child, a bit mischievous but as intelligent as in the original books. Irene was just wonderful too- she’s one of my favourite characters from the original, and I just love how she was written here. Lupin (though, admittedly I kept picturing him as a young Remus Lupin) was amazing too. I thought he was very charming and mischievous, but in a different way to Sherlock. I loved how the three characters interacted- I honestly cannot choose a favourite character now, I just love them all!
The plot was really interesting too. I liked seeing everything from Irene’s point of view because it gave off that slightly more girly feeling that you don’t find in the original. It wasn’t overpowering though, the story was still about the mystery and the murder rather than dresses or something. I felt like I could just connect with Irene better. The actual mystery didn’t work out how I expect at all- I had my suspicions on what might have happened/who did it, but I was completely wrong. I love it when that happens because I think it shows how good the writing is.
I don’t usually read Middle Grade, though I have been diving into it more and more lately. I like how this one doesn’t dumb it down for you- it doesn’t make you feel like a kid who might not understand the story. I think that if I’d read this as a child that I would enjoy it as much as I did now.
I hope that the rest of the series gets translated into English and released because I love to see the rest of the story. I’m also looking forward to buy myself a hardcopy once it’s released so that it can look all pretty on my shelves, because it’s a very cute book. I would definitely recommend this book to any Sherlock Holmes lovers out there!
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’m an absolutely massive fan of anything related to Sherlock Holmes even in the slightest, so when I saw this on NetGalley, I really had no choice but to request it. I’m so glad that I did.
Techanically, this book was already been released back in 2011 but it has just been translated into English by Chris Turner. Due to this, sometimes the word choices can be a little strange or not quite fit- personally, I didn’t find this to be too much of an issue- I think it added to that sort of Victorian feel.
As for the actual book, I loved the premise of it. A little child version of Sherlock, with Irene Adler too? It just sounds so unbelievably cute, and it was! I absolutely adored how Sherlock was written- he was this cute little child, a bit mischievous but as intelligent as in the original books. Irene was just wonderful too- she’s one of my favourite characters from the original, and I just love how she was written here. Lupin (though, admittedly I kept picturing him as a young Remus Lupin) was amazing too. I thought he was very charming and mischievous, but in a different way to Sherlock. I loved how the three characters interacted- I honestly cannot choose a favourite character now, I just love them all!
The plot was really interesting too. I liked seeing everything from Irene’s point of view because it gave off that slightly more girly feeling that you don’t find in the original. It wasn’t overpowering though, the story was still about the mystery and the murder rather than dresses or something. I felt like I could just connect with Irene better. The actual mystery didn’t work out how I expect at all- I had my suspicions on what might have happened/who did it, but I was completely wrong. I love it when that happens because I think it shows how good the writing is.
I don’t usually read Middle Grade, though I have been diving into it more and more lately. I like how this one doesn’t dumb it down for you- it doesn’t make you feel like a kid who might not understand the story. I think that if I’d read this as a child that I would enjoy it as much as I did now.
I hope that the rest of the series gets translated into English and released because I love to see the rest of the story. I’m also looking forward to buy myself a hardcopy once it’s released so that it can look all pretty on my shelves, because it’s a very cute book. I would definitely recommend this book to any Sherlock Holmes lovers out there!
opercxle's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
calendulea's review against another edition
1.0
Che delusione. Mi aspettavo una grande avventura, e dei personaggi per cui mi sarei affezionata ma non è stato così.
I personaggi non sono curati e Irene, la narratrice, non ha quasi personalità ed è lì solo per narrare. Non sono riuscita a finirlo e non ho intenzione di provare un altro di questa serie.
I personaggi non sono curati e Irene, la narratrice, non ha quasi personalità ed è lì solo per narrare. Non sono riuscita a finirlo e non ho intenzione di provare un altro di questa serie.
pussreboots's review against another edition
5.0
The Dark Lady (or Il Trio della Dama Nera) by Irene Adler is the first in the Sherlock, Lupin, & Io mystery series. Irene and her family are vacationing in southern France where there is rumor of a cat burglar. Then on the beach, a body washes up, hinting at something even more sinister than a night time thief.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2018/comments_01/dark_lady.html
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2018/comments_01/dark_lady.html
jada223's review against another edition
3.0
I received an e-galley of this from NetGalley and I really enjoyed it! This book was so cute! It's always nice to have a different take on such a classic character. Plus, it was super quick to get through. I read this after I finished James Dashner's The Death Cure as a "make me feel better about the world again", and let me tell you, this book totally helped.
So, long story short, read this. :)
So, long story short, read this. :)
kadyjak's review against another edition
1.0
Abandoned at page 100. I wanted to like this. It sounded interesting and I love the overall look of the book, but it just wasn't good. A big part of that might be due to translation. I'm not sure why someone thought it was believable for anyone in the mid 1800s to say something like, "It's a really cool place." I'm sure kids wouldn't catch it (or the many other inconsistencies in dialogue), but it just sounded ridiculous for the time period.
Irene is obnoxious, arrogant, and silly (not in a funny way). I'm not sure why we're supposed to like her. The mystery should have been interesting, but the author - I don't think we can pin this one on translation - managed to make it boring. A lot of the kids' motivation and actions seemed irrational and transitions were choppy.
Maybe there was a decent plot in there somewhere, but I'm not interested in reading long enough to find out.
Irene is obnoxious, arrogant, and silly (not in a funny way). I'm not sure why we're supposed to like her. The mystery should have been interesting, but the author - I don't think we can pin this one on translation - managed to make it boring. A lot of the kids' motivation and actions seemed irrational and transitions were choppy.
Maybe there was a decent plot in there somewhere, but I'm not interested in reading long enough to find out.
ocean_cactus's review against another edition
3.0
I'm new to the world of YA reading (as an adult, that is), so I may not be the best person to review this book. Based on the library where I found it, I'm guessing the target age is around grade 4.
The book begins with the narrator introducing herself as Shelock's girlfriend. Really? REALLY? I'm all for a fun, young female take on Sherlock, but does she have to be his girlfriend? How about just a friend, his long-lost cousin, another sister, a local girl, etc.? The girlfriend thing really sat poorly with me. We learn that at the time the story takes place, the narrator is twelve and Sherlock is "a few years older" (I'm guessing about 14, based on the age difference between Sherlock and Mycroft). Now, to be fair, there's only a slight whiff of romantic action in the story itself (blushing, hands brushing, long looks, etc.) - it's all very tame and appropriate. I guess we are to surmise that the girlfriend bit comes later. Rather, I dislike the framing device as it sets up the text with this idea that access to the story happens because of romance. Meh.
The story itself is decent - a good mystery, not too scary, but just suspenseful enough for young readers. The pacing seemed a bit off - I always feel this way with mysteries - there's so much story development and then such a quick unspooling of events.
The characters were likeable and sympathetic on the whole. I do think the narrator is a compelling character, chafing against her family's rules, at loose end over the summer, discovering her own backstory. Sherlock is well-written as a younger version of the acerbic Sherlock we know from other sources. Lupin is the least well-developed character. While he brings local knowledge, disguises, and acrobatics to the story, his real role seems to serve both as chaperone and foil for the intimated nascent relationship between Sherlock and the narrator.
Would I let my kid read this? Probably. I dislike the farming device, but in terms of how women are portrayed in the larger world, it's hardly the worst. It's a decent take on bigger read, perhaps building interest for those books later.
The book begins with the narrator introducing herself as Shelock's girlfriend. Really? REALLY? I'm all for a fun, young female take on Sherlock, but does she have to be his girlfriend? How about just a friend, his long-lost cousin, another sister, a local girl, etc.? The girlfriend thing really sat poorly with me. We learn that at the time the story takes place, the narrator is twelve and Sherlock is "a few years older" (I'm guessing about 14, based on the age difference between Sherlock and Mycroft). Now, to be fair, there's only a slight whiff of romantic action in the story itself (blushing, hands brushing, long looks, etc.) - it's all very tame and appropriate. I guess we are to surmise that the girlfriend bit comes later. Rather, I dislike the framing device as it sets up the text with this idea that access to the story happens because of romance. Meh.
The story itself is decent - a good mystery, not too scary, but just suspenseful enough for young readers. The pacing seemed a bit off - I always feel this way with mysteries - there's so much story development and then such a quick unspooling of events.
The characters were likeable and sympathetic on the whole. I do think the narrator is a compelling character, chafing against her family's rules, at loose end over the summer, discovering her own backstory. Sherlock is well-written as a younger version of the acerbic Sherlock we know from other sources. Lupin is the least well-developed character. While he brings local knowledge, disguises, and acrobatics to the story, his real role seems to serve both as chaperone and foil for the intimated nascent relationship between Sherlock and the narrator.
Would I let my kid read this? Probably. I dislike the farming device, but in terms of how women are portrayed in the larger world, it's hardly the worst. It's a decent take on bigger read, perhaps building interest for those books later.
plexippa's review against another edition
3.0
What if Sherlock Holmes, Irene Adler, and Arsene Lupin all met as children?
That's the question this series sets out to answer. Irene is 12 years old in the summer of 1870, when she arrives with her mother and their butler (her father having stayed behind to conduct the business that keeps them in their lovely Paris home) in the seaside resort town of Saint-Malo. Her very first day there, she encounters a strange, skinny boy tucked up on top of the wall with a book. Irene, of course, isn't supposed to be wandering about town all by herself, but when the butler tries to fetch her home, she follows Sherlock to the harbor, where he and his friend Lupin take her in a "borrowed" boat to their regular spot, an abandoned manor house falling into ruins.
Their afternoon jaunt comes to a strange end, though, when they discover a dead body washed up on the beach. Since the official police seem to make no headway with the case, the three new friends take it upon themselves to investigate.
There are secret identities, clandestine criminal societies, fights, chases, and plenty of adventure packed into the story. Irene is a spirited character, smart and self-reliant, a girl just on the cusp of becoming a young lady and chafing at the constraints that role will place on her. It's easy to see her becoming The Woman of the "Scandal in Bohemia" one day. Holmes is also recognizably himself, only younger, though the clues given about his family situation are sometimes puzzling.
All in all, this is a fun mystery for young readers. I'm looking forward to seeing how some of the threads left dangling are picked up in future installments of the series.
That's the question this series sets out to answer. Irene is 12 years old in the summer of 1870, when she arrives with her mother and their butler (her father having stayed behind to conduct the business that keeps them in their lovely Paris home) in the seaside resort town of Saint-Malo. Her very first day there, she encounters a strange, skinny boy tucked up on top of the wall with a book. Irene, of course, isn't supposed to be wandering about town all by herself, but when the butler tries to fetch her home, she follows Sherlock to the harbor, where he and his friend Lupin take her in a "borrowed" boat to their regular spot, an abandoned manor house falling into ruins.
Their afternoon jaunt comes to a strange end, though, when they discover a dead body washed up on the beach. Since the official police seem to make no headway with the case, the three new friends take it upon themselves to investigate.
There are secret identities, clandestine criminal societies, fights, chases, and plenty of adventure packed into the story. Irene is a spirited character, smart and self-reliant, a girl just on the cusp of becoming a young lady and chafing at the constraints that role will place on her. It's easy to see her becoming The Woman of the "Scandal in Bohemia" one day. Holmes is also recognizably himself, only younger, though the clues given about his family situation are sometimes puzzling.
All in all, this is a fun mystery for young readers. I'm looking forward to seeing how some of the threads left dangling are picked up in future installments of the series.
carolyndiamond's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book as an eARC from NetGalley, and it was published February 1st, 2014.
While on summer vacation, little Irene Adler meets a young William Sherlock Holmes. The two share stories of pirates and have battles of wit while running wild on the sunny streets and rooftops. When Sherlock’s friend, Lupin, joins in on the fun, they all become fast friends. But the good times end abruptly when a dead body floats ashore on the nearby beach. The young detective trio will have to put all three of their heads together to solve this mystery.
This book was very interesting, and fun to read. It grabbed my attention from the cover to the synopsis to the words on the page. I loved the idea of seeing a young Sherlock Homes and Irene Adler (I had to look up Arsène Lupin, I admit it). Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, though Irene felt too perfect sometimes. This book takes place in a small town called Saint-Malo, and gossip travels at lightning speed in Saint-Malo.
The story line was very enjoyable, with lots of action and tons of mystery. Sherlock, Lupin, and Irene are always getting into dangerous situations, and everything in the story had a little bit of mysterious flare to it. At the beginning of each chapter there is a drawing that ties into the chapter. This was fun because it was a sneak peak of sorts into the chapter before you read it, and it made me try to guess how the picture ties in.
I enjoyed the story, although I would've liked to see a few things tied up for us (How did Julien get Mrs. Holmes card? If I'm just being unobservant about that part please let me know in the comments). This book is a middle-grade book, but it wasn't oversimplified making it a good read for people of any age. Not having read any Sherlock Holmes stories before, I might've missed any allusions to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories. Without much background knowledge of Sherlock Holmes (Everything I learned, I learned from the BBC's Sherlock) I still found this book highly enjoyable, giving it 4 out of 5 stars, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a good mystery novel.
"Well, I think they're wrong. William is very boring. Sherlock suits you better. I've decided from now on I'm going to call you Sherlock!"
"'Everything's all right!' 'Let's hope so,' Lupin whispered, giving the worried butler a long look. 'He's very big and very angry'"
"My head was spinning with thoughts of nothing but shady deals and criminals. I'd never dreamed that there were secret organizations at work behind the scene in a pretty little tourist town like Saint-Malo."
"Sitting beside me, Sherlock was wearing a sneer that I eventually came to loathe. He wore it every time he'd discovered something before anyone else had."
While on summer vacation, little Irene Adler meets a young William Sherlock Holmes. The two share stories of pirates and have battles of wit while running wild on the sunny streets and rooftops. When Sherlock’s friend, Lupin, joins in on the fun, they all become fast friends. But the good times end abruptly when a dead body floats ashore on the nearby beach. The young detective trio will have to put all three of their heads together to solve this mystery.
This book was very interesting, and fun to read. It grabbed my attention from the cover to the synopsis to the words on the page. I loved the idea of seeing a young Sherlock Homes and Irene Adler (I had to look up Arsène Lupin, I admit it). Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, though Irene felt too perfect sometimes. This book takes place in a small town called Saint-Malo, and gossip travels at lightning speed in Saint-Malo.
The story line was very enjoyable, with lots of action and tons of mystery. Sherlock, Lupin, and Irene are always getting into dangerous situations, and everything in the story had a little bit of mysterious flare to it. At the beginning of each chapter there is a drawing that ties into the chapter. This was fun because it was a sneak peak of sorts into the chapter before you read it, and it made me try to guess how the picture ties in.
I enjoyed the story, although I would've liked to see a few things tied up for us (How did Julien get Mrs. Holmes card? If I'm just being unobservant about that part please let me know in the comments). This book is a middle-grade book, but it wasn't oversimplified making it a good read for people of any age. Not having read any Sherlock Holmes stories before, I might've missed any allusions to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories. Without much background knowledge of Sherlock Holmes (Everything I learned, I learned from the BBC's Sherlock) I still found this book highly enjoyable, giving it 4 out of 5 stars, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a good mystery novel.
"Well, I think they're wrong. William is very boring. Sherlock suits you better. I've decided from now on I'm going to call you Sherlock!"
"'Everything's all right!' 'Let's hope so,' Lupin whispered, giving the worried butler a long look. 'He's very big and very angry'"
"My head was spinning with thoughts of nothing but shady deals and criminals. I'd never dreamed that there were secret organizations at work behind the scene in a pretty little tourist town like Saint-Malo."
"Sitting beside me, Sherlock was wearing a sneer that I eventually came to loathe. He wore it every time he'd discovered something before anyone else had."
quetzalquill's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0