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Artie Conan Doyle Mysteries #3
Artie Conan Doyle and the Scarlet Phantom
One day Arthur Conan Doyle will create the greatest detective of all -- Sherlock Holmes. But right now, Artie Conan Doyle is a twelve-year-old Edinburgh schoolboy with a mystery of his own to solve.
Artie and his best friend Ham are investigating the strange case of the Scarlet Phantom, an invisible jewel thief who seems to walk through walls and disappear at will. But there's a rival detective on the case, a paranormal investigator who claims that only he can capture this 'ghost'.
Artie and his best friend Ham are investigating the strange case of the Scarlet Phantom, an invisible jewel thief who seems to walk through walls and disappear at will. But there's a rival detective on the case, a paranormal investigator who claims that only he can capture this 'ghost'.
With the help of their new friend, girl scientist Peril Abernethy, Artie and Ham follow a trail of baffling clues and impossible dangers, but can they catch the Phantom before the invisible fiend pulls off the greatest robbery in history?
Robert J. Harris, author of The World's Gone Loki series and Will Shakespeare and the Pirate's Fire, brings the young Conan Doyle to life in the third instalment of this ingenious detective series full of twists, turns and clever reveals.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2019
2 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Robert J. Harris
41 books37 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Robert J. Harris (Bob) is a Scottish academic and author of children's fantasies and historical novels, best known for his collaborations with Jane Yolen. He also designed the fantasy board game Talisman. Recently Bob released his sequel to Talisman, Mythgardia. He lives in Scotland and is married to American author Deborah Turner Harris.
Robert J. Harris (Bob) is a Scottish academic and author of children's fantasies and historical novels, best known for his collaborations with Jane Yolen. He also designed the fantasy board game Talisman. Recently Bob released his sequel to Talisman, Mythgardia. He lives in Scotland and is married to American author Deborah Turner Harris.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 10, 2025
Ah! This series always alights a fun curiousity in me. I'm thrilled to join Artie and Ham on their third mysterious adventure... as they try to track down a seemingly "invisible man"! Working alongside this detective duo is an unexpected new comrade, Peril -- Girl Scientist. And Rowena, who we have met before in a previous adventure.
This book is a joy to read! Such a CLEVER mystery! It had my heart thumping in the height of action, simply terrified for these characters. There is no adult-level mystery novel that could hold my attention any MORE than this book. It's the best of the best.
The design and layout of the book is done so well too. Special tidbits are in unique fonts, all of which completes the Victorian time period style, right alongside the illustrations that add so much detail.
Content: Contains several chapters discussings the presence of ghosts, goblins, and ectoplasmic interference.
This book is a joy to read! Such a CLEVER mystery! It had my heart thumping in the height of action, simply terrified for these characters. There is no adult-level mystery novel that could hold my attention any MORE than this book. It's the best of the best.
The design and layout of the book is done so well too. Special tidbits are in unique fonts, all of which completes the Victorian time period style, right alongside the illustrations that add so much detail.
Content: Contains several chapters discussings the presence of ghosts, goblins, and ectoplasmic interference.
November 7, 2020
Twelve year-old Arthur Conan Doyle solving mysteries? Sign me up please!
***Thank you Publisher Spotlight, author Robert J. Harris and NetGalley for this gifted review copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is available now!***
The Story: Edinburgh 1837 - A diamond merchant and a prominent textile importer are attacked and robbed, leaving no witnesses. The thief seems to just vanish into the thin air. Working together with Inspector George McCorkle, Artie and his best friend, Ham must solve the mystery of the Scarlet Phantom before this invisible thief strikes again.
My thoughts: This was my first book by Robert J Harris and it was surprisingly a really good middle grade mystery! I have no idea that this is the third book of the series. I wished I've read the first two books first as I'd really like to know the backstories of Artie and Ham and most importantly how did they cross paths with Inspector McCorkle.
The story has a good flow and it was easy to follow. I enjoyed the mystery with all the twists and turns. The banter between Artie and Ham is hilarious! Peril Abernathy, a young scientist joins them in solving this mystery and I liked how she tries to explain away the paranormal with science.
I highly recommend this series to middle schoolers! It is a fun, entertaining and interesting mystery!
***Thank you Publisher Spotlight, author Robert J. Harris and NetGalley for this gifted review copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is available now!***
The Story: Edinburgh 1837 - A diamond merchant and a prominent textile importer are attacked and robbed, leaving no witnesses. The thief seems to just vanish into the thin air. Working together with Inspector George McCorkle, Artie and his best friend, Ham must solve the mystery of the Scarlet Phantom before this invisible thief strikes again.
My thoughts: This was my first book by Robert J Harris and it was surprisingly a really good middle grade mystery! I have no idea that this is the third book of the series. I wished I've read the first two books first as I'd really like to know the backstories of Artie and Ham and most importantly how did they cross paths with Inspector McCorkle.
The story has a good flow and it was easy to follow. I enjoyed the mystery with all the twists and turns. The banter between Artie and Ham is hilarious! Peril Abernathy, a young scientist joins them in solving this mystery and I liked how she tries to explain away the paranormal with science.
I highly recommend this series to middle schoolers! It is a fun, entertaining and interesting mystery!
October 30, 2020
I just finished Artie Conan Doyle and the Scarlet Phantom. This is the third book in the series (I’ve not read the others). I requested this book from netgalley.com as an ARC, because I like anything that has anything to do with Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock related. This book didn’t disappoint.
Having not read the previous books, I didn’t know what to expect. There is no Sherlock in this book, it’s written from Artie’s point of view. I didn’t realize Artie and his friend Ham are supposed to be 12 years old. From the writing, I was assumed they were maybe 15 or 16. The two of them are very articulate and the banter between them can be quite witty.
These 2 friends are trying to solve the crimes of the Scarlet Phantom, who appears to be an invisible man. They meet new friend and scientist, Peril Abernethy, or as Artie says she’s “Named after a dangerous biscuit”! With Artie’s brains, Ham’s humor and Peril’s scientific know how, the 3 friends attempt to thwart the Phantom and solve the cases.
I really liked this book. I know it’s meant for young readers (probably 8-13), but even an adult like myself can enjoy it without feeling like the story’s been “dumbed” down for kids. I found the crimes were perfect for the era this book is supposed to be written for (mid 1800’s). Back then, people were getting very interested in the paranormal, seances, ghostly happenings, and this ties right into that. The Phantom is someone who supposedly is able to alter their body at will so they can walk through walls, etc. It’s kind of fascinating the way people in that era took this kind of thing so seriously. I really could imagine myself right there with these 3 kids as they help summon spirits to help with the case!
I figured out right away "Whodunit" when he was first mentioned, but it didn’t detract from the rest of the book. Just going along for the ride with these kids was worth staying until the end.
If you like a book that’s a historical novel, written from a kids point of view, funny, charming AND you like Sherlock Holmes, you will probably like this book. I suggest picking it up to read yourself, have your kids read it or read it to them. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by it.
Having not read the previous books, I didn’t know what to expect. There is no Sherlock in this book, it’s written from Artie’s point of view. I didn’t realize Artie and his friend Ham are supposed to be 12 years old. From the writing, I was assumed they were maybe 15 or 16. The two of them are very articulate and the banter between them can be quite witty.
These 2 friends are trying to solve the crimes of the Scarlet Phantom, who appears to be an invisible man. They meet new friend and scientist, Peril Abernethy, or as Artie says she’s “Named after a dangerous biscuit”! With Artie’s brains, Ham’s humor and Peril’s scientific know how, the 3 friends attempt to thwart the Phantom and solve the cases.
I really liked this book. I know it’s meant for young readers (probably 8-13), but even an adult like myself can enjoy it without feeling like the story’s been “dumbed” down for kids. I found the crimes were perfect for the era this book is supposed to be written for (mid 1800’s). Back then, people were getting very interested in the paranormal, seances, ghostly happenings, and this ties right into that. The Phantom is someone who supposedly is able to alter their body at will so they can walk through walls, etc. It’s kind of fascinating the way people in that era took this kind of thing so seriously. I really could imagine myself right there with these 3 kids as they help summon spirits to help with the case!
I figured out right away "Whodunit" when he was first mentioned, but it didn’t detract from the rest of the book. Just going along for the ride with these kids was worth staying until the end.
If you like a book that’s a historical novel, written from a kids point of view, funny, charming AND you like Sherlock Holmes, you will probably like this book. I suggest picking it up to read yourself, have your kids read it or read it to them. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by it.
April 14, 2020
This is a book in the Artie Conan Doyle series. Artie is an amatuer detective, who works (undercover) for the local police force to solve mysteries. At his side is his best-friend and fellow detective, Ham. Together they solve crimes that the police force can not seem to wrap their heads around. Sadly, the police get all of the credit, while Artie and Ham get none. In this story, the two are put to the task of solving the case of the Scarlet Phantom. An apparently invisible fiend, who is stealing jewels from local people in their town. While they are in fact a little mystified by the idea of an invisible assailant, Artie and Ham do not let that stop them from digging up the clues needed to solve the case. During their investigation, the two end up with a new friend and partner, Peril, who insists that the boys must stick to the scientific facts rather than rushing after some wild, fanciful idea that simply could not exist. (Insert exasperated sigh here.) Will the three daring kids crack the case or will the Scarlet Phantom disappear without a trace?????
This book was so fun to read as an adult. I am positive that kids would love it as well. There is a lot of great banter in this friend group. There are also lots of great personality quirks that really give the reader a well rounded set of characters. While there are some hard-hitting issues discussed in the book, such as the death of a parent, the abandonment of a family by a parent, and issues relating to God and religious beliefs, I believe that these are issues that most children ages 8-13 are prepared to hear about and discuss. There are also lots of great teachable moments that arise within the text, such as certain terms, ideas, and artifacts that could be researched. For that reason, I think this would be a great read aloud for classes from 3rd-6th grades. You could also use it in an independent or group novel study if you had students on the upper-end of this grade band, say grades 5th-6th. Overall, this was a fun read and I will be looking for the previous books in the series to add to my classroom book collection.
This book was so fun to read as an adult. I am positive that kids would love it as well. There is a lot of great banter in this friend group. There are also lots of great personality quirks that really give the reader a well rounded set of characters. While there are some hard-hitting issues discussed in the book, such as the death of a parent, the abandonment of a family by a parent, and issues relating to God and religious beliefs, I believe that these are issues that most children ages 8-13 are prepared to hear about and discuss. There are also lots of great teachable moments that arise within the text, such as certain terms, ideas, and artifacts that could be researched. For that reason, I think this would be a great read aloud for classes from 3rd-6th grades. You could also use it in an independent or group novel study if you had students on the upper-end of this grade band, say grades 5th-6th. Overall, this was a fun read and I will be looking for the previous books in the series to add to my classroom book collection.
August 4, 2020
I absolutely love books that reimagine characters from history. And to read a work about a younger version of a famous author? Even better.
What makes this work in particular extra special is that Harris doesn't lean too heavily on Sherlock-tropes. In fact, that's the beauty of this work: we can start to see the beginnings and inspirations of the character that is to be the great Sherlock Holmes, but just as Artie himself is developing into Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, so too is his literary craft and detective skills. It's a refreshing take while still enjoying a real character from history.
I also really appreciate how readers do not have to start at book 1 to enjoy this series. This novel can be enjoyed even if it's the first book you begin with in the Artie Conan Doyle mysteries. I certainly did.
All in all, this is a fabulous work and one to recommend to young readers who love mysteries!
What makes this work in particular extra special is that Harris doesn't lean too heavily on Sherlock-tropes. In fact, that's the beauty of this work: we can start to see the beginnings and inspirations of the character that is to be the great Sherlock Holmes, but just as Artie himself is developing into Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, so too is his literary craft and detective skills. It's a refreshing take while still enjoying a real character from history.
I also really appreciate how readers do not have to start at book 1 to enjoy this series. This novel can be enjoyed even if it's the first book you begin with in the Artie Conan Doyle mysteries. I certainly did.
All in all, this is a fabulous work and one to recommend to young readers who love mysteries!
April 18, 2021
I really enjoyed the first few pages of this novel. It was quirky and had a witty main character. Unfortunately I was unable to finish it. The way it downloaded on my kindle somehow made huge chunks of scenes seem to dissapear. All of a sudden the characters would be talking about something that had happened, but it hadn't been shown to the reader Or a scene would seem to switch to a different scene in the middle of a conversation. I'm very sad that the formatting got messed up, because it seemed like a very entertaining mystery.
October 27, 2019
The book review will be published on www.mrripleysenchantedbooks.com
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews