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Lock and Key #0.5
The Gadwall Incident
The New York Times bestselling author of the Peter and the Starcatcher and Kingdom Keepers series, Ridley Pearson, brings us the stirring digital prequel to the Lock and Key series, which reimagines the origins of the rivalry between Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty.
In The Gadwall Incident, readers get a glimpse into James’s life a mere twenty-four hours before the tipping point—before life as he knows it changes irrevocably and his childhood slips into the shadows. Readers will come to know the dangers that surround the Moriartys before James and Moria are sent off to the hallowed halls of Baskerville Academy, where they first meet the insufferable, inexhaustible Sherlock Holmes. It’s a tale full of intrigue and false starts and daring getaways, one that will leave readers desperate to know what's next.
In The Gadwall Incident, readers get a glimpse into James’s life a mere twenty-four hours before the tipping point—before life as he knows it changes irrevocably and his childhood slips into the shadows. Readers will come to know the dangers that surround the Moriartys before James and Moria are sent off to the hallowed halls of Baskerville Academy, where they first meet the insufferable, inexhaustible Sherlock Holmes. It’s a tale full of intrigue and false starts and daring getaways, one that will leave readers desperate to know what's next.
64 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2016
202 people are currently reading
463 people want to read
About the author
Ridley Pearson
186 books2,107 followersRidley Pearson is the author of more than fifty novels, including the New York Times bestseller Killer Weekend; the Lou Boldt crime series; and many books for young readers, including the award-winning children's novels Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves, and Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, which he cowrote with Dave Barry. Pearson lives with his wife and two daughters, dividing their time between Missouri and Idaho.
Also writes Chris Klick mysteries as Wendell McCall.
Also writes Chris Klick mysteries as Wendell McCall.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 71 reviews
November 14, 2021
This was the Google Play Audio book version.
Narrator: Nicola Barber
I loved this short story introduction to the Lock & Key series. I was thrown off by the accent as I was expecting an English one, but this is a re-imagining of the Sherlock and Moriarty rivalry centred in the U.S.
Narrator: Nicola Barber
I loved this short story introduction to the Lock & Key series. I was thrown off by the accent as I was expecting an English one, but this is a re-imagining of the Sherlock and Moriarty rivalry centred in the U.S.
December 22, 2016
Very fun, quick, and action packed!
I will definitely be checking out the Lock & Key series now. I hope that Ridely releases more novellas in Moria's POV, I really like her character. :)
I will definitely be checking out the Lock & Key series now. I hope that Ridely releases more novellas in Moria's POV, I really like her character. :)
July 31, 2024
Such a cute, fun, and thrilling short read!! This book kept me engaged and I absolutely loved the sibling dynamics. 🥰 Seriously, this book was an absolute blast!
June 14, 2018
I haven’t read Lock and Key, and I found this quite interesting. I really liked Moria, and I’d be interested to read more from her perspective. I do feel tempted to start the rest of the series.
October 19, 2021
I picked this up free on audible as a teaser. I like sherlock holmes stories, but I'm a bit skeptical about a middle-grade story about moriarty. Unfortunately I didn't like the YA twist on moriarty since it turns the great character into a cringey kid. I do like the narrator though.
Someone else also commented that the POV shift was strange, going from first person to third person. If the main books follow the same structure, I would not pick them up. (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
Someone else also commented that the POV shift was strange, going from first person to third person. If the main books follow the same structure, I would not pick them up. (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
April 9, 2023
A very readable but short introduction to the Moriarty/Holmes saga. It was disappointing it had so few pages but I guess the author preferred to extend the whole story over three books.
May 17, 2023
Mystery
I was a fan of the Netflix series and was intrigued by the concept of more. This was an excellent stand alone story with room for more. You get a good introduction to some of the primary characters and a story filled with mystery and intrigue. The scene is set and in the end you are left with more questions than answers. I'm curious to read more, plus the comic books.
I was a fan of the Netflix series and was intrigued by the concept of more. This was an excellent stand alone story with room for more. You get a good introduction to some of the primary characters and a story filled with mystery and intrigue. The scene is set and in the end you are left with more questions than answers. I'm curious to read more, plus the comic books.
May 24, 2018
This was a quick and easy read. It's short free introduction & teaser for the series, but I don't think I'll be reading the rest.
September 4, 2019
The Gadwall incident by Ridley Pearson was a short read that left me wanting. More
January 24, 2018
This is a modern YA “Sherlock Holmes” type mystery. I didn’t realize it was a prequel, although “book teaser” is more accurate. If you think you’d like to spend time with an adolescent girl Sherlock Holmes, check out this series. This quick ‘prequel’ will help you decide if it’s for you or not.
Admittedly I don’t know a lot about the literary Sherlock Holmes. I’ve seen adaptive TV shows and films, and from that I knew that “Moriarty” is a nemesis of SH and sometimes also a love interest, so I can’t say if this “fan fiction” is accurate or believable.
Since I like cozy mysteries, suspense thrillers and YA, I thought this would be a great, relaxed/fun/casual ‘vacation’ read and it is, but I’m not sure I’ll continue.
I loved Moira, our teen girl sleuth 🕵️♀️ but anytime we brought in adult characters (her father, the man trailing her father) and they talked or offered an explanation I became disinterested and annoyed at being talked down to or lied to, though maybe that’s intentional since that is how Moira would feel...
Summary: Moira and her brother think their single father is going on a romantic date, so they follow him, but they say on realize he’s not on a date, he’s trying to be ‘undercover’ and gasp! Another man is following him too! The teens start to follow and spy... eventually getting caught by the man, who says he’s a government agent and their dad is an important guy, not just a history teacher... and later their Dad finds out they knew where he went and he offers s strange explanation... the book ends there.
I have a massive backlog of books so I’m not sure I’ll continue, but this one was free and I’m glad I tried it out.
Admittedly I don’t know a lot about the literary Sherlock Holmes. I’ve seen adaptive TV shows and films, and from that I knew that “Moriarty” is a nemesis of SH and sometimes also a love interest, so I can’t say if this “fan fiction” is accurate or believable.
Since I like cozy mysteries, suspense thrillers and YA, I thought this would be a great, relaxed/fun/casual ‘vacation’ read and it is, but I’m not sure I’ll continue.
I loved Moira, our teen girl sleuth 🕵️♀️ but anytime we brought in adult characters (her father, the man trailing her father) and they talked or offered an explanation I became disinterested and annoyed at being talked down to or lied to, though maybe that’s intentional since that is how Moira would feel...
Summary: Moira and her brother think their single father is going on a romantic date, so they follow him, but they say on realize he’s not on a date, he’s trying to be ‘undercover’ and gasp! Another man is following him too! The teens start to follow and spy... eventually getting caught by the man, who says he’s a government agent and their dad is an important guy, not just a history teacher... and later their Dad finds out they knew where he went and he offers s strange explanation... the book ends there.
I have a massive backlog of books so I’m not sure I’ll continue, but this one was free and I’m glad I tried it out.
June 20, 2017
This was a freebie on Audible. It's worth a freebie, but that's about it.
The narrator is decent and allows one to listen to completion. It offers some background to James and Moria's mysteriously missing parents but doesn't necessarily entice one to continue with the series.
The flipping first person Moria POV and third person James POV is trifling and a type I generally avoid.
Mr Ridley's structure is flawless, as we know from his StarCatcher series (which I adored!) In comparison, this was an embarrassing disgrace and let down.
The narrator is decent and allows one to listen to completion. It offers some background to James and Moria's mysteriously missing parents but doesn't necessarily entice one to continue with the series.
The flipping first person Moria POV and third person James POV is trifling and a type I generally avoid.
Mr Ridley's structure is flawless, as we know from his StarCatcher series (which I adored!) In comparison, this was an embarrassing disgrace and let down.
January 24, 2019
Listened through audible
Entertaining. I haven't read the series. The story stands on its own, but ends with a cliffhanger. I am wondering if I liked it enough to listen to more stories in the series. I think I am.
Entertaining. I haven't read the series. The story stands on its own, but ends with a cliffhanger. I am wondering if I liked it enough to listen to more stories in the series. I think I am.
September 20, 2018
I listened to this audiobook using the Audible for Fire TV to see if this was a good way to listen to books. I have to say, I would have no problem listening to other books this way.
The book itself leaves a bit to be desired. Perhaps because I am reading a book, on my Kindle, that deals with the very real feminist issues of how women (and girls) are expected to behave with regard to men (and boys), I found the way that Moria interacts with her brother James is a glaring example of how NOT to raise a daughter. She had to play the meek, and weaker, sibling to mitigate his ire. Apparently, we are what we read, and the appreciation of one work heavily depends on the one that came before.
Throughout the book, I thought that the narrator was mispronouncing the name Moira. After listening, I went to my audible library and found that the girl's name, in the book, is Moria. My apologies to the narrator.
I am a huge fan of the Sherlock Holmes legend. I've read the canon, I go to the movies, and I watch the TV shows. I also read the tales written by authors other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Seeing and reading the variations on the original keeps Holmes a contemporary, as well as historic, character. I'm okay with Holmes using a computer and cellphone in 21st century London, as well as Moriarty being a woman. I think that when I availed myself of this free prequel, I expected a bit more than simply seeing the family surname, Moriarty, as the only hint this was to be a precursor to the Holmes and Moriarty rivalry. In fact, I found Moria to be far more cunning than her brother James. Is this to be a case of 'behind every successful man, there is a woman?'
Overall, the story is interesting, however, the narrator sounded too much like she was reading a bedtime story. It was difficult to determine the age group for which these books are intended. My best guess is that they are aimed at the Lemony Snicket crowd (or from my childhood, readers of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys).
The book itself leaves a bit to be desired. Perhaps because I am reading a book, on my Kindle, that deals with the very real feminist issues of how women (and girls) are expected to behave with regard to men (and boys), I found the way that Moria interacts with her brother James is a glaring example of how NOT to raise a daughter. She had to play the meek, and weaker, sibling to mitigate his ire. Apparently, we are what we read, and the appreciation of one work heavily depends on the one that came before.
Throughout the book, I thought that the narrator was mispronouncing the name Moira. After listening, I went to my audible library and found that the girl's name, in the book, is Moria. My apologies to the narrator.
I am a huge fan of the Sherlock Holmes legend. I've read the canon, I go to the movies, and I watch the TV shows. I also read the tales written by authors other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Seeing and reading the variations on the original keeps Holmes a contemporary, as well as historic, character. I'm okay with Holmes using a computer and cellphone in 21st century London, as well as Moriarty being a woman. I think that when I availed myself of this free prequel, I expected a bit more than simply seeing the family surname, Moriarty, as the only hint this was to be a precursor to the Holmes and Moriarty rivalry. In fact, I found Moria to be far more cunning than her brother James. Is this to be a case of 'behind every successful man, there is a woman?'
Overall, the story is interesting, however, the narrator sounded too much like she was reading a bedtime story. It was difficult to determine the age group for which these books are intended. My best guess is that they are aimed at the Lemony Snicket crowd (or from my childhood, readers of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys).
November 9, 2020
Title: The Gadwall Incident (Lock and Key #0.5)
Author: Ridley Pearson (Narrator: Nicola Barber)
Format: Audible (Free)
[ Enjoyed ] Not much.
[ Last Listened ] Today.
[ Relisten ] No thanks.
[ Cover Lust ] Nope.
[ Intriguing Title ] Not really.
[ Interesting Premise/Plot ] Not really.
[ Preview Impressions ] Did not preview.
[ Kept My Attention ] On and off.
[ Got Bored / Mind Wandering ] Towards the end, yes.
[ Skimmed/Skipped Scenes/Chapters ] No.
[ Relistened Past Scenes For Fun ] No.
[ Relistened Past ScenesCause My Memory Sucks To Clear Confusion ] Didn't bother.
[ Stayed Up Late ] Nooo.
[ Took a Long Break Midway ] No.
[ Ending Left Me Feeling ] Indifferent. (I don't even remember the ending cause I zoned out.)
[ Easy Light Listening ] Yes?
[ Turn Brain Off ] *shrugs*
[ Guilty Pleasure ] Nah.
Other thoughts I'm throwing in: (Might contain spoilers; I fail at identifying them.)
I only listened to the end because I was curious about the mysteries/questions Moria and James kept trying to find answers to. Multiple times I felt irritated and wanted them to just GET THINGS GOING. (Er, I guess I was expecting more action?) In the last several chapters I got too bored (and completely zoned out in the last minute or so).
Author: Ridley Pearson (Narrator: Nicola Barber)
Format: Audible (Free)
[ Enjoyed ] Not much.
[ Last Listened ] Today.
[ Relisten ] No thanks.
[ Cover Lust ] Nope.
[ Intriguing Title ] Not really.
[ Interesting Premise/Plot ] Not really.
[ Preview Impressions ] Did not preview.
[ Kept My Attention ] On and off.
[ Got Bored / Mind Wandering ] Towards the end, yes.
[ Skimmed/Skipped Scenes/Chapters ] No.
[ Relistened Past Scenes For Fun ] No.
[ Relistened Past Scenes
[ Stayed Up Late ] Nooo.
[ Took a Long Break Midway ] No.
[ Ending Left Me Feeling ] Indifferent. (I don't even remember the ending cause I zoned out.)
[ Easy Light Listening ] Yes?
[ Turn Brain Off ] *shrugs*
[ Guilty Pleasure ] Nah.
Other thoughts I'm throwing in: (Might contain spoilers; I fail at identifying them.)
I only listened to the end because I was curious about the mysteries/questions Moria and James kept trying to find answers to. Multiple times I felt irritated and wanted them to just GET THINGS GOING. (Er, I guess I was expecting more action?) In the last several chapters I got too bored (and completely zoned out in the last minute or so).
April 11, 2019
I have the box set of the Kingdom Keeper's but didn't know what to expect with this series. I have not read any books in this series but working in a book store, I am familiar with it. When I saw this freebie, I decided to give it a whirl.
A brother and sister, James and Moria Moriarty live alone with their father and his butler(?). Their father is a hands-off standoffish father. When he speaks to them it is rare and of few words. Their mother had left them when they were young. One day James notices that dad's routine is a little different and mysterious. He and Moria follow him to see what is going on. Oh! did I mention their last name is Moriarty? Yep, THAT James Moriarty. This is a short story and goes quickly. There is a cliff hanger at the end but this is a prequel to the series.
I plan on grabbing the first book in the Lock and Key series to see what happens.
This book is for kids 9 and up. I would recommend this for middle schoolers that enjoys a mystery.
A brother and sister, James and Moria Moriarty live alone with their father and his butler(?). Their father is a hands-off standoffish father. When he speaks to them it is rare and of few words. Their mother had left them when they were young. One day James notices that dad's routine is a little different and mysterious. He and Moria follow him to see what is going on. Oh! did I mention their last name is Moriarty? Yep, THAT James Moriarty. This is a short story and goes quickly. There is a cliff hanger at the end but this is a prequel to the series.
I plan on grabbing the first book in the Lock and Key series to see what happens.
This book is for kids 9 and up. I would recommend this for middle schoolers that enjoys a mystery.
May 13, 2019
I liked the idea of the series, a retelling of the origins between Holmes and Moriarty in a modern context, but I just don't think it works for me. As a little prequel it was okay, but not very good.
You know that speech Reese Witherspoon did where she was saying that you'll hear 'what do we do now' from every female character in books and films? YEP. THIS HAD THAT. There were moments when Moira did take the lead, and took control of the situation, but for the majority of the time she was simply following her brother, or comparing herself to him.
I found the writing a bit over the top- yes, I know it's meant to be written from the perspective of a teen girl but still. If you had to take a shot for every time the Moriarty family was described as 'unique' or 'dysfunctional' then I think you'd be completely moral by about chapter 3 and it just got incredibly irritating.
And I know it's not a vital point, but I HATE the name Moria Moriarty.
You know that speech Reese Witherspoon did where she was saying that you'll hear 'what do we do now' from every female character in books and films? YEP. THIS HAD THAT. There were moments when Moira did take the lead, and took control of the situation, but for the majority of the time she was simply following her brother, or comparing herself to him.
I found the writing a bit over the top- yes, I know it's meant to be written from the perspective of a teen girl but still. If you had to take a shot for every time the Moriarty family was described as 'unique' or 'dysfunctional' then I think you'd be completely moral by about chapter 3 and it just got incredibly irritating.
And I know it's not a vital point, but I HATE the name Moria Moriarty.
August 3, 2019
So I Came across this on the Google downloads free audio book list.
It wasn't very long and was a young adult /teen fiction book which I wasn't aware of.
That said, the narrator was really good. Having only listened to one audio book previously and hated that I had little comparison to make with the format.
This book has definitely made me try again with the audio books. Now I know how they can be read I'm definitely going to listen to many many more of them.
I tend to listen to a book every day while I'm at work, so finding a good book/series to get into or a good narrator to follow is essential.
The book itself was OK. Nothing spectacular and a few plot errors but definitely an author I will look out for when my daughter is of the age to enjoy their work in a couple of years time.
It wasn't very long and was a young adult /teen fiction book which I wasn't aware of.
That said, the narrator was really good. Having only listened to one audio book previously and hated that I had little comparison to make with the format.
This book has definitely made me try again with the audio books. Now I know how they can be read I'm definitely going to listen to many many more of them.
I tend to listen to a book every day while I'm at work, so finding a good book/series to get into or a good narrator to follow is essential.
The book itself was OK. Nothing spectacular and a few plot errors but definitely an author I will look out for when my daughter is of the age to enjoy their work in a couple of years time.
September 16, 2021
What the &$@! was that?!
Oh, wait, the Audible description answers this question: "It’s a tale full of intrigue and false starts and daring getaways, one that will leave readers desperate to know what's next."
Ah - so unbeknownst to me when I chose it for something shortish to listen to last night, this is a plot-less, formless, conclusion-less vignette. I wouldn't say I'm "desperate to know what's next" - I'm more "mildly outraged that this thing ended like that and slightly regretting the two hours spent listening to it, which is a shame, because it was fun while it lasted".
Am I going to rush right out and get the other books (in some other form than Audible, apparently, since they don't seem to all be available as audiobooks)?
No thanks. Moving on.
Oh, wait, the Audible description answers this question: "It’s a tale full of intrigue and false starts and daring getaways, one that will leave readers desperate to know what's next."
Ah - so unbeknownst to me when I chose it for something shortish to listen to last night, this is a plot-less, formless, conclusion-less vignette. I wouldn't say I'm "desperate to know what's next" - I'm more "mildly outraged that this thing ended like that and slightly regretting the two hours spent listening to it, which is a shame, because it was fun while it lasted".
Am I going to rush right out and get the other books (in some other form than Audible, apparently, since they don't seem to all be available as audiobooks)?
No thanks. Moving on.
January 3, 2018
Apparently, this is a prequel to a series, which I didn't know before I began listening to the audiobook. The audiobook was free, so no love lost, but I won't be reading the rest of the series. The writing is typical with nothing special about it, and the POV is a young girl who is rather annoying and unlikeable. I almost didn't finish it, but since it was short, I managed it, but I found the climax and ending rather confusing and poorly written. It also doesn't wrap up; it's meant to be read in conjunction with the next volume, so it cliffhangs.
August 13, 2017
I had no idea that this was a prequel to a 'reimagined Holmes and Moriarty' tale until I read it 30 seconds ago on this site. And I listened to it!
I'll read the next one. I like Holmes, I like supervillains, I liked the kids. I have to say, though, "Moira Moriarty"?? Seriously? The narrator's pronunciation of Moira was "more uh," which made her name a little too alliterative with the more-ah and more-ee beginnings. Took me out of the story every time her name came up.
I'll read the next one. I like Holmes, I like supervillains, I liked the kids. I have to say, though, "Moira Moriarty"?? Seriously? The narrator's pronunciation of Moira was "more uh," which made her name a little too alliterative with the more-ah and more-ee beginnings. Took me out of the story every time her name came up.
April 22, 2018
This was a short little novel since it's kind of a prequel. I loved the idea behind it. It's a new take on the Moriarty family. I couldn't tell if it's in a time when Sherlock would exist or not, but this was simply about the kids. The boy's name is James however, so that does make one curious. It was a fun story.
December 31, 2018
I liked listening to this story as an audiobook. It was short. I have only read Book 1 (The Initiation). Perhaps after reading the remaining books in the series the importance of this story will become clearer. It does set up certain events which occur in Book 1 but didn't seem to add any more to the characters.
February 12, 2019
I listened to the audiobook version from Google play books. It was free, so I thought why not try my hands on audiobooks, because I was always wary of them. But I liked it. The narrator was good, I don't have anyone to compare to though.
About the story, I'd like to read further on the series. It ended in a cliffhanger, so I'll read the next book in the series.
About the story, I'd like to read further on the series. It ended in a cliffhanger, so I'll read the next book in the series.
May 14, 2019
Looking for a short audiobook, found this gem. James and Moira lose their mother and are overanxious one day when they suspect their father may not be returning after work. They follow him and have a fine adventure which ends in a transformation of James. Guess I'm going to be looking for the Lock and Key series now.
May 24, 2017
Kept trying to draw me in just to leave another question mark. Just as it was starting to become engaging it let me go. I honestly don't even understand what happened at the end. Didn't make me want to read the other books in the series.
August 31, 2017
World Building: B+
Mythology: N/A
Plot-Twists: A-
Villains: A-
Girl Power: A
Guy-Hero: A
Love-Interests: N/A
Suspense: A+
Feels: A-
For you clean-readers: this book does NOT have mature content.
Mythology: N/A
Plot-Twists: A-
Villains: A-
Girl Power: A
Guy-Hero: A
Love-Interests: N/A
Suspense: A+
Feels: A-
For you clean-readers: this book does NOT have mature content.
December 18, 2017
This is a prequel i get it, it was also free so i dont feel too mistreated but it didn't finish. it was a cute little story and then were at the dinner table and he knows. bit meh. considering its still classed as a book in itself.
May 1, 2019
No ending
The book was a nice easy read, but there was no ending. Usually the author gives some sort of conclusion, while leaving the reader wanting more. Not so here. Not sure I'll continue the series.
The book was a nice easy read, but there was no ending. Usually the author gives some sort of conclusion, while leaving the reader wanting more. Not so here. Not sure I'll continue the series.
November 2, 2019
Fun Prequel
A fun short story introduction to the Lock and Key series. Meet the Moriarty kids and if you enjoy them move on to the full series. If you have already read the series, this will give you a a bit more back story and a fine small dose of the young sleuths.
A fun short story introduction to the Lock and Key series. Meet the Moriarty kids and if you enjoy them move on to the full series. If you have already read the series, this will give you a a bit more back story and a fine small dose of the young sleuths.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 71 reviews