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tdumatrait's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good book. I prefer Doyle's style better, but this was a great pick for Young Adult's breaking into Sherlock. The vocabulary used was awesome to say the least. I loved all the words that were used. Peacock showed a different side of Sherlock that is not seen in Doyle's writing.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent third book in the series of 6. This time Sherlock is intrigued by the kidnapping of a wealthy Lord's daughter, for whom no ransom is demanded for months--then suddenly, the kidnappers make a demand. Sherlock sets out to discover her whereabouts, and finds more than he expects, as the case soon involves a conspiracy of thieves, a spooky haunted mansion guarded by a mysterious beast, and an orphan boy. Once again Sherlock is drawn to his attractive and fiesty friend Irene, yet feels compelled to keep her at arm's length, trying to steel his heart against an attachment that he fears will only result in harm to her.
I just love the psychological depths of this character, and how the author manages to give us glimpses of the adult Sherlock in the teen version. By now he is starting to grow up and see that he can solve cases just for the right of it, not for the public credit. The book's gritty London setting is fascinating, and so real, and the mystery is a good one (though sharp readers may guess the solution long before Sherlock does). And there is some cute humor in the interactions between Sherlock and his elderly mentor Bell, the eccentric apothecary with a flair for self-defense, oddball outfits, and telling too much gory details of his patients' ailments. Love him!
I just love the psychological depths of this character, and how the author manages to give us glimpses of the adult Sherlock in the teen version. By now he is starting to grow up and see that he can solve cases just for the right of it, not for the public credit. The book's gritty London setting is fascinating, and so real, and the mystery is a good one (though sharp readers may guess the solution long before Sherlock does). And there is some cute humor in the interactions between Sherlock and his elderly mentor Bell, the eccentric apothecary with a flair for self-defense, oddball outfits, and telling too much gory details of his patients' ailments. Love him!
avanders's review against another edition
4.0
Review based on ARC.
It is quickly apparent why Peacock's works have won him several awards. Vanishing Girl is the third in a young adult series establishing Sherlock Holmes' detective career and prowess. I had not read the first two when I received this book. Although it would have added a little bit of clarity to the past referenced throughout, it is certainly not necessary to have read the other books before enjoying the third.
In Vanishing Girl, Holmes attempts to beat Scotland Yard to the solution of the kidnapping and burglary crimes. In the process of discovering the answers and solving the riddles, Holmes learns more about himself as a young man, as a friend, and as a detective. He employs many of the technical skills he has begun to learn to solve the crimes, but the real reward arrives when he learns what kind of person he will choose to be.
Peacock weaves a believable and solvable mystery around a great story of a young man with a troubled past and a complicated future. I was drawn into the mystery and its facets, but I was even more taken by Holmes, his guardian Bell, his friend Irene, and all of the minor characters that plotted the story. I look forward to reading more of the books in this series.
Highly recommended for all young adult readers, mystery readers, and Holmes fans.
It is quickly apparent why Peacock's works have won him several awards. Vanishing Girl is the third in a young adult series establishing Sherlock Holmes' detective career and prowess. I had not read the first two when I received this book. Although it would have added a little bit of clarity to the past referenced throughout, it is certainly not necessary to have read the other books before enjoying the third.
In Vanishing Girl, Holmes attempts to beat Scotland Yard to the solution of the kidnapping and burglary crimes. In the process of discovering the answers and solving the riddles, Holmes learns more about himself as a young man, as a friend, and as a detective. He employs many of the technical skills he has begun to learn to solve the crimes, but the real reward arrives when he learns what kind of person he will choose to be.
Peacock weaves a believable and solvable mystery around a great story of a young man with a troubled past and a complicated future. I was drawn into the mystery and its facets, but I was even more taken by Holmes, his guardian Bell, his friend Irene, and all of the minor characters that plotted the story. I look forward to reading more of the books in this series.
Highly recommended for all young adult readers, mystery readers, and Holmes fans.
juliemawesome's review against another edition
3.0
I received this as a review copy from LibraryThing, so I need to write my main review over there. I have not done that yet. I'm treating this as a warm-up.
Essentially this is the third in a series starring young Sherlock Holmes. I've lost track already of what his age is... 12, give or take 2 years?
A high society girl has been kidnapped, and he sets out to solve the case. In resourceful ways, being as how he lacks a lot of resources and the autonomy that being an adult (especially one with the blessing of the police) would give him.
I could believe this was Sherlock, although I do have some quibbles. I could believe in it being old London, though I have some other factual quibbles tangentially related to that.
Where this really fails is as a mystery. Way too much is given away if I'm spending 95% of the book just waiting for Sherlock to figure out what I've already figured out. I'm not a sophisticated mystery reader, but I'm not an idiot either.
The whole thing was also told in present tense, which was driving me up a wall until I finally got used to it. Not that I ever accepted it, but it stopped bugging me so much.
And yet somehow I still enjoyed it enough that I think it does merit those 3 stars I just gave it. Somehow. I may even seek out the first two in the series. Maybe.
A more detailed review to come over on LibraryThing. If I manage to get my butt over there to do it.
Essentially this is the third in a series starring young Sherlock Holmes. I've lost track already of what his age is... 12, give or take 2 years?
A high society girl has been kidnapped, and he sets out to solve the case. In resourceful ways, being as how he lacks a lot of resources and the autonomy that being an adult (especially one with the blessing of the police) would give him.
I could believe this was Sherlock, although I do have some quibbles. I could believe in it being old London, though I have some other factual quibbles tangentially related to that.
Where this really fails is as a mystery. Way too much is given away if I'm spending 95% of the book just waiting for Sherlock to figure out what I've already figured out. I'm not a sophisticated mystery reader, but I'm not an idiot either.
The whole thing was also told in present tense, which was driving me up a wall until I finally got used to it. Not that I ever accepted it, but it stopped bugging me so much.
And yet somehow I still enjoyed it enough that I think it does merit those 3 stars I just gave it. Somehow. I may even seek out the first two in the series. Maybe.
A more detailed review to come over on LibraryThing. If I manage to get my butt over there to do it.
strikingthirteen's review
3.0
Better than the other one but oh so bleak. Not that that's a bad thing, we see Sherlock developing into the person who doesn't want the fame so much as justice. But this stupid nonsense with Irene - I'm really banking on her being Irene Adler - is getting tiresome. I get it when he's an adult but ... I guess I'm calling young Sherlock Holmes childish. Still interested to see how it all plays out. Also his poor lamentations about not having a friend who gets him and I'm like WHERE ARE YOU WATSON? lol
astereads's review
4.0
I don't remember why I bought this because it's been around 3 years ago, but one thing for sure; I don't regret buying this❤️
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