Death in the Air

The Boy Sherlock Holmes #2

by Shane Peacock

After the harrowing experience of losing his mother while solving a brutal murder in London’s East End, young Sherlock Holmes commits himself to fighting crime … and is soon involved in another case. While visiting his father at the magnificent Crystal Palace, Sherlock stops to watch a remarkable and dangerous trapeze performance high above, framed by the stunning glass ceiling of the legendary building. Suddenly, the troupe’s star is dropping, screaming and flailing, toward the floor. He lands with a sickening thud just a few feet away, and rolls up almost onto the boy’s boots. Unconscious and bleeding profusely, his body is grotesquely twisted. In the mayhem that follows, Sherlock notices something that no one else sees — something is amiss with the trapeze bar! He knows that foul play is afoot. What he doesn’t know is that his discovery will put him on a frightening, twisted trail that leads to an entire gang of notorious criminals. Wrapped in the fascinating world of Victorian entertainment, its dangerous performances, and London’s dark underworld, Death in the Air raises The Boy Sherlock Holmes to a whole new level.

Be sure not to miss Eye of the Crow , The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His First Case.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Detective, Canada

264 pages, Hardcover

First published April 8, 2008

About the author

Shane Peacock was born in 1957 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, one of four brothers. He attended school in the northern town of Kapuskasing, Ontario, before attending university, where he studied History and English literature. A biographer, journalist, and screenwriter, he is also the author of eighteen novels, a picture book and three plays, and has been won and/or been nominated for numerous awards including two Arthur Ellis Awards for crime fiction, the Geoffrey Bilson Award for historical fiction, the Violet Downey Award, the Libris Award, seven times honored with Junior Library Guild of America selections, and has been on three shortlists for the Canadian Children's Literature Award, and one for the Governor-General's Award. His books have been published in 20 languages in 18 countries. He and his wife, journalist Sophie Kneisel live in Cobourg, Ontario and have two daughters and a son.

Series:
* The Dylan Maples Adventures
* The Boy Sherlock Holmes
The Dark Missions of Edgar Brim
The Seven Series

Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Juvenile (2008): Eye of the Crow
The Arthur Ellis (2013)
The Violet Downey Award
The Libris Award
The Geoffrey Bilson Award
The Ruth & Sylvia Schwartz Award
Anne Izard Storyteller Choice Award
Junior Library Guild of America Selection (7 times)
Governor-General's Award (shortlist)
TD Canadian Children's Literature Award (shortlist)

Reviews

[Carissa (Regency Woman) · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Death in the Air isn't as strong a story as Eye of the Crow, it's still a good read in its own right. I do feel that Sherlock's character was a bit weaker in this 2nd book, which is unfortunate. I chortled a bit at the character of Sigerson Bell and the obvious homage to Dr. Joseph Bell, the inspiration for Sherlock Holmes as any Sherlockian worth their salt is aware. In the end, I just regret that Sherlock and his father weren't able to reunite during their time of adversity. I know grief affects us in many different ways, but Sherlock is barely 13-years-old, and I can't condone Wilberforce Holmes' willingness to just let Sherlock slip away from him. Sherlock is still a child and still needs someone to look out for him, and it shouldn't be left up to strangers like Sigerson Bell, no matter how kindly an old man he might be. Oh well, no series is perfect, and I remember that Death in the Air was the main reason why I never read any further. It felt about 100 pages longer than its actual length, sort of like watching The New World and realizing that, in fact, no, it's not 4 1/2 hours long!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the second exciting and compelling novel in Shane Peacock’s young Sherlock Holmes series “Death in the Air” thirteen-year-old Sherlock haunted by the death of his mother while investigating a brutal murder in London’s East End, abandoned by his depressed father and taken under the wing of elderly Sigerson Bell an alchemist and medical man, is quickly swept up in another mystery.

On an outing to the legendary Crystal Palace, Sherlock observes trapeze artist Monsieur Mercure (Le Coq) performing high above the audience plunge to the floor, his body twisted and broken. In the chaos that follows he overhears his cryptic words “silence…me”, and notices peculiar marks on the wooden trapeze bar. Tension and danger build as Sherlock who suspects foul play begins an investigation that has him confronting members of Mercure’s troupe who harbour their own private secrets, and even makes a connection to a theft and the dangerous Brixton gang.

Skillfully the author brings to life not only the Victorian world of entertainment but the dark world of London’s underworld with Sherlock’s connection to Malefactor, a boy crime lord who respects but detests the young sleuth. Fast-paced the action heats up when Sherlock’s sleuthing has him fearfully climbing a tower and flying through the air on a trapeze; hiding in a sack from two guard dogs; and facing Sigerson’s irate rental owner Lord Redhorns. Raising the intensity and suspense of the story is a strong subplot as Sherlock discovers his investigation could alleviate the financial turmoil Bell has found himself in; one that could have serious repercussions on Sherlock’s living accommodations and future education.

Among a host of familiar faces is Malefactor the sinister young crime lord whose devious, cunning, and smitten with independent and stubborn Irene Doyle. Elderly Sigerson Bell is the scientist and alchemist who’s eccentric, optimistic and good-humored while Inspector Lestrade is hard-working, “tenacious like a bulldog” but not very trustworthy. Yet it’s the clever, dogged, inventive and daring young Holmes whose escapades keep you riveted to the story.

Well-developed, and captivating, with a gripping plot and colourful characters that will attract teens, I thoroughly enjoyed “Death in the Air” and rate it highly.

[Duchess of Snark · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have been lobotomized by a novel

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kako se je lahko tko koncal ce je blo deset strani nazaj se vse vredu 🥲

[Nathaniel Ubana · Rating 3 out of 5]

[The gang members don’t care about what they have left behind, what destruction they have wrought… nor will they fret about destroying anything that lies in front of them. People like this are barely human.]

Recently affected by the events of the previous murder case, Sherlock Holmes was by chance present during a supposed accident, which led him to believe that it was time to use his detective skills once again.
The opening chapter started out with the ‘accident’, immediately setting the exciting scene first and then providing information of what went on beforehand. This style grabbed my attention immediately so that I didn’t get put off by the buildup. However, the cause of Holmes’s involvement was mainly just to solve financial issues and increase his fame, rather than to save the life of an innocent man as in the first book, which just doesn’t create the same level of tension.
By financial issues, I mean paying off the debt of a friend: a new character known as Sigerson Bell, who was described as being an eccentric apothecary, acting as a mentor/teacher for Sherlock. Previous characters such as the young crime lord Malefactor and the friendly Irene Doyle return, while Inspector Lestrade and his son are given a much larger role.
Since this case involved acrobats, my interest in the mystery waned, and only due to the involvement of a gang of thieves did I stay until the end. What really put me off was that Sherlock’s mission in the book constantly changed: find out the person responsible for the accident, find who’s responsible for the robbery, locate a gang of thieves and capture them, etc. But, the scenes of Sherlock disguising himself and using his deduction skills were enjoyable and the part when he was distraught and angry with failure was something I understood quite well.
I believe that this sequel provided a decent, yet slightly uninteresting case (mostly because of the acrobatic portion), but did a good job introducing a new character and setting up for the next novel. I intend to read the rest of the series and see how the rest of the books turn out.
Note: Since this novel involves murder/crime and the detective Sherlock Holmes, this book is suitable for an audience interested in adventure/mystery.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Now that I know who this version of Holmes we can go off into the mystery. I know that Holmes is young here so I shouldn't be expecting him to act like the Holmes I know but it's there. I'm also finding myself waiting for Watson to walk on screen, I mean we already have young!Lestrade so why not Watson? ;) Anywho the mystery was alright and the ending seems almost precisely the same as the last book which is really what bugs me. I know it's going to take time for Holmes to rise but I'm really hoping in the third book something happens to get something going. I love Sigerson Bell too, just have to put that out there. He amuses me. Especially when Holmes came in and thought he was dead when really he'd chloroformed himself.

I'm not abandoning ship yet but I hope the next book is better.

[Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ha estat molt interessatn, sobretot el final, inesperat i amb ganes de més.

[Rolando Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Honest Truth
An absolutely honest book review

Include the following identification information on your own Google document.
Title: Death in the Air
Pages 254
Author Shane Peacock
Copyright date 2008
Publisher In Canada by Tundra books
Genre mystery
ISBN 978-0-88776-851-4
Price $21.99

Give a summary of the book- without giving away the ending. It started in London in 1924 the victim fell from a building he was falling fast. Sherlock Holmes came to the scene and this is Sherlock Holmes's second case solving a person's falls from the sky. He was old like in his 40s but Sherlock was investigating the crime he couldn’t figure it out until he saw something in an alley and then he walked closer when he walked closer he smelled something strong like death so Sherlock investigated closer and then Sherlock homes go to the same place where the crime took place and he saw more clues. So he used gloves to pick up the clue and he gave it to the police and the police had it and took it to the police department. Then Sherlock Homes saw a person looking at him so the person ran away from Sherlock's home then Sherlock homes followed him.


Identify if you love the book, enjoyed the book, did not enjoy the book, strongly disliked the book.
I enjoyed the book because it was interesting. I liked the main characters because young Sherlock Holmes was grumpy but also smart. He solves his second case about a person who died in the air, and Sherlock Holmes kind of solves the crimes because he smells death in the Alley of London. And he found evidence of crime in London. But I would recommend kids reading this book.

Explain why you selected the description you did. Because this book is interesting and mystery because this book is about Sherlock Homes and his second case in London. And I also selected this description because this book was enjoyable and interesting.

✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ At the top of the Goodreads review, you will be asked to give a star rating. Explain your rating. I give a 4-star rating because the book was good and kind of interesting. The crime started in London streets, and Sherlock Holmes was struggling to solve the crime. Sherlock Holmes can smell death in the air near London streets, so I put 4 stars in this book.

Who would you recommend this book to and why? I would recommend this book to anyone because it shows where the crime took place and how Sherlock Homes found evidence to solve the crime that happen in london. And this book was interesting, but I also recommend kids to read this book.


Give three book recommendations that may or may not be similar to this book. The recommendations should state why these are good books to read. This book is good to read because it is a mystery and interesting book. After all, Sherlock Homes was a famous detective. This book is interesting because it is kind of mysterious but also interesting that he solved a crime at a young age. But also Sherlock Homes was also too young to solve crime but he was a smart and grumping kid.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Sherlock Holmes sees that someone fell from the trapeze and there are cuts in the bar he alone knows this wasn’t an accident. Sherlock Holmes has already solved the Whitechapel Murder and is now destined to become a detective. Now he decides to pursue the trapeze murder.

The mystery sucked me in it like a whirlpool and the characters where detailed. My favorite character is Malefactor, the evil crime lord, and Sherlock's rival. He is the head of the Irregulars, a gang stealing from the streets. I like Malefactor because he is very secretive and ambitious about stealing. Although the characters were detailed, they were not realistic. Sherlock Holmes and Malefactor are too lucky.

Shane Peacock Describes Old London in an interesting way and in great detail. It’s like having an extra character in the book. For example “They have just been kindled by the lamplighters and a moist, foggy glow sits over the square.” In some parts, it is described as sad, dark, foggy and gloomy and in others, it is safe and happy.

You can solve this mystery alongside the young Sherlock Holmes. This book builds on characters in previous books in the series. I would recommend this to any detective book fans.

[ava ng · Rating 4 out of 5]

this series was exactly what got me into reading. i read this series back in grade 4 in my native language (vietnamese) and i enjoyed it sooo much even more than the original works from conan doyle. in fact i even planned on stealing the books on multiple occasions as they were from my school's library (many thanks to vinschool for its glorious library that i still am dreaming of). i rmb i would savor the books, eat up every word like i was famished. i was in absolute awe of this so exquisite so magical world called reading. i would parade everywhere with this series, telling everyone how good it was (i was bragging about reading - something kids my age back then would never do - which made me feel superior but cmon it was actually good). now, years later, i'm not sure if i still love this series like i once did, but it'll forever have a special place in my heart.
in the conclusion i want to thank shane peacock for this wonderful series. without it i wouldn't even read, let only being on goodreads and writing this. hell without it would never have started writing.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Sherlock Holmes stories.

I read the entire Conan Doyle collection fairly recently and could read it again. I love Laurie R. King's stories imagining Sherlock in his later years with a young wife who matches many of his talents.

I came across this young adult series by a local author and decided to give it a try.

I like it.

Shane Peacock imagines a young Sherlock. The very first scene at the Crystal Palace with the high-trapeze performance pulled me in and other than a little eye-rolling at the teenage boy's confusion over the lovely Irene, I found the adventure rewarding.

I particularly liked that young Sherlock doesn't get it right every time. He is not yet the seasoned detective he will become, but he does learn from his mistakes.

A good addition to the Sherlock chronicles.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished off "The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His 2nd Case", yesterday. Nice writing by Shane Peacock to keep the suspense flowing. For those who haven't seen any of my previous reviews, this series explores the Master Detective before he became reknown. Aged 13, he is struggling to survive in a poverty stricken era of London's history. "Death in the Air" is not quite as successful as "Eye of the Crow", but still a worthy read. We get to meet Inspector Lestrade's son, a few years older than Sherlock. Malefactor (Moriarty, in the future) is a presence, as is Irene Doyle (nee Adler). I've already ordered book 3 in the series. The books are considered in the Young Adult section. Well, I'm adult and I consider myself to be young at heart, reading about my favorite sleuth.

[Yalonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here is a young Sherlock who is as dark and unemotional as the Doyle version! I am enjoying Peacock's writing style. I can immerse myself in the setting and feel like I am in that time. This feels like Sherlock should! I am getting concerned about this Sherlock though. He is turning into a whiner who says he wants to stop crime but only seems interested in proving he is just as good as his 'betters'. I get the impression his goal is prove he is not limited to his station in life first and to stop crime second. This is not the Sherlock I know! However, several other characters (e.g. Bell, young Lestrade, Malefactor) continue to be factors on the development of young Sherlock. I am willing to give the next book a chance to further engage my interest.

[immortal.library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't as into this one as I was the first one... but it was still so so good. For a children's book, it is so incredibly well done and I still can never figure out the plot twists and mysteries before they are revealed. As soon as I can get my hands on the rest of this series, best believe I'm going to. Shane Peacock

[Maximiliano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was interesting, there were multiple confusing parts which i had to re-read out of confusion like when the Swallow rescues Sherlock from his death on page 215. I was also a bit surprised when the Swallow admitted that he was once part of the Brixton gang.

[C.J. Milbrandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A teenage Sherlock Holmes must choose his friends with care and will make enemies along the way. His second case, which further shapes him into the Great Detective who is both feared and admired by the criminals of London.

[Maryellen Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story!

I was on the edge of my seat! Compelling, gripping and even believable as the early Sherlock experiences - even tho we know otherwise from the Canon. Highly recommended!

[Nisa Kamila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sebel ih sama endingnya..

[aem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like thes stories about young Sherlock holmes...

[Nilyiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good mystery story

[Greg Engle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughly enjoy the writer’s story telling and the way that he subtly weaves characters that have been in other Holmes lore into his stories.

[Amy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have problems with this second book in the series . I feel Sherlock and Irene relationship is to broken at this point .

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reason for Reading: Next in the series.

This second book in the series really works on 13-year-old Sherlock Holmes character. Peacock is laying the groundwork for how the boy became the man with all his idiosyncrasies. The first book started him off on detective work and showed us where he came from. This book continues by showing how Holmes developed his deductive reasoning as he moves in to apprentice with a very intelligent but down on his luck medical man, who is far ahead of the times with his medical ideas. We see Holmes' character continue to harden as he still refuses to get close to the girl he loves as his connections with the criminal world promise a threat to anyone he should care for. In this book, it is also suggested to Holmes that having a second brain to bounce his ideas off of could only improve his ability to put the pieces of a crime together and he enlists his first partner, by divulging the details of the case he is working on to his employer.

This is a tremendously fun story. Set in the Crystal Palace a famous trapeze artist falls to his death right at Holmes' feet. Holmes notices that the bar has been partially cut at both ends and the man speaks a cryptic message to him before falling into a coma. Determined to solve the case and claim the glory before Inspector Lestrade becomes aware this is more than an accident and can claim the glory as his own Sherlock finds himself in the dubious world of circus performers and theatrical types. Through his investigation it turns out that another crime, one that the police do know about, was committed at the exact same time. Sherlock may be in over his head this time as his chase takes him to the meanest, most dangerous part of London.

An exciting mystery, with many familiar elements of an authentic Sherlock Holmes story, Peacock does a very good job with his imagining of where Holmes came from and how he turned into the great detective, yet flawed man. The story gets quite dark and I wouldn't recommend for young or sensitive readers. There are some slightly bloody bits and the tension can get quite intense. Everything I love to find in a good mystery! The historical elements are also fascinating: the Crystal Palace, inside the somewhat shady world of early aerialists, Sherlock's first experience on a train and the description of Victorian London, mostly the poorer and seedy sides. A great book. I'm looking forward to his 3rd case.

[Thania Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the previous book this book also starts with a short preface meant to catch the readers attention, yet again it worked on me, I just had to know what happened. Although the preface for this book didn't start with something seemingly impossible I still had high expectations to be followed through in the second book. Which Peacock did not fail to give, through out the story I was looking through Sherlock Holmes eyes or standing next to him watching what he was doing. The switching between one view an the other was perfect, told in third person but being able to follow what Holmes was rationalizing made it difficult for me to put down the book.
This story is realistic fiction even if the time was set in London during the 19 hundreds, this case could have happened and the acrobat surviving the fall causing Holmes to lose the entire award which he needed to help pay for his schooling and the dept that Sigerson Bell owed on the shop. While Peacock described Sherlock giving the Detective Lestrade everything he knew and how he had figured it out while a news reporter writes everything Sherlock is saying. Then Peacock follows along with that Lestrade receives a massage and kicks Sherlock out. Why, because Detective Lestrade does not want to admit to anyone that a 13 year old boy solved not only one but two impossible cases while he did not have the slightest idea. That made me very angry at the detective and at the same time feel sorry for Sherlock. Just like before Detective Lestrade manages to keep all the credit for himself and avoid using Sherlocks name or how Sherlock a child not he managed to solve two cases at once.
Wouldn't that make anyone bitter.

[Canadian Children's Book Centre]

In this sequel to the award-winning Eye of the Crow, Shane Peacock continues the development of his 13-year-old main character into the dispassionate, analytical adult detective. Irene Doyle and Malefactor both reappear and play key roles. Peacock flings the reader straight into the mystery with the dramatic fall of Monsieur Mercure, a trapeze artist performing at the Crystal Palace. This tale picks up mere weeks after the end of the first case. Sherlock is at the Crystal Palace to see his father, but the mystery of Mercure lands almost literally at his feet, with a clue that only he sees before it is destroyed by the mob of onlookers. The young Sherlock races against time and danger to find the motive for, and perpetrators of, Mercure’s fall. Personal struggles, financial and relational, both spur and hamper him. The ending of this story makes it very clear that there will be more about Sherlock’s apprenticeship as a detective. This story is rich in Sherlockiana and foreshadowings of the career to come. It is also rich in details of the people and city of Victorian London. One of the best surprises is the period map of London inside the book jacket. Those who enjoyed Eye of the Crow will find this tale even better.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Creith in Canadian Children's Book News
Summer 2008 VOL.31 NO.3

[lily🎀 · Rating 1 out of 5]

no

[Lady Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must say that this installment of the Young Sherlock Holmes Series by Shane Peacock was a vast improvement on the previous one. It was good, but this one was much, much better! We realy get inside Sherlock's head, see and understand his shame more, and see how and why he develops his calloused exterior. Still not exactly a young child's book, but very good!

Sherlock is still bitter about his mother's death and swears that he will rise in the world so as to fulfill her dream. But to do that he needs to go to school, and to do that he needs cash. His father can barely look at his son and there is definitely no speaking. So Sherlock moves out and takes up living with an apothecary who brings Sherlock along and improves his knowledge of almost every branch of science. But, Sherlock's genteel master is about to get thrown out of his shop since he can't pay the rent.

When Le Coq falls off his trapeze and the broken bar lands at Sherlock's feet it seems almost too good to be true as the reward for solving the attempted murder is 500 pounds...

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The boy Holmes is back again. Now living with a down-on-his-luck apothecary, Holmes is trying to figure out what to do with his life now that his mother is gone and his father is unresponsive. He'd like to finish school, but that requires money; something he doesn't have any of.

One night, while visiting his father at the Palace, he observes a trapeze artists act. Suddenly the trapeze breaks and the man hit the floor and spends the rest of the book in a coma. The police think it's purely an accident, but Sherlock isn't so sure. He's on the hunt!

While he's investigating the possible murder of the trapeze artist, a large sum of money stores at the Palace is stolen. Sherlock immediately gets the feeling the two incidents are related. But trying to convince the trapeze stars' young assistant to help him is difficult. A powerful gang is involved and no one wants to rat on these people. People who do end up dead. Sherlock is determined to bring these people to justice. And there's a reward!

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't really like this book except for the last line and maybe Sigerson Bell. Ok, here are the facts: (The the first book is The Eye of the Crow, which I have not read and that fact might add to my un-appriciation of the whole thing). In this book, the young Sherlock Holmes sets off again to solve his second mystery while steeling himself to emotion, and I'll say, documents, his childhood and influences, sort of trying to explain why he becomes what he does in the future. That is, you know, methods, reluctance to speak of his past, and so on.
However, the whole thing makes the person so extraordinary, and I like normal. I guess part of why I don't like it is because it conflicts with my own imagination and with what I know about the real thing. And because it was someone else's character...
And it doesn't help that it's written in present tense. The story is exceedingly dramatic, too much for my tastes. It just didn't catch me.