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The Early Case Files of Sherlock Holmes #1
The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife
Gemma Halliday, NYT Bestselling Author describes
The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife
as "a vivid picture and transports you back in time, in what I'm sure will become a bestseller....A classic in the making!"
Arthur Conan Doyle provided few details on Holmes' boyhood. His ancestors were country squires, his grandmother was the sister of the French artist Vernet, and he had a brother named Mycroft - seven years his senior. Recently, a cache of documents has been discovered detailing, in Sherlock's own hand, his early forays into criminal investigation.
The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife is the first of these early cases.
Only weeks into his first year at Eton, Sherlock's father calls him and his brother back to Underbyrne, the ancestral estate. The village midwife has been found with a pitchfork in her back in the estate's garden, and Mrs. Holmes has been accused of the murder. Can Sherlock find the true killer in time to save her from the gallows?
Arthur Conan Doyle provided few details on Holmes' boyhood. His ancestors were country squires, his grandmother was the sister of the French artist Vernet, and he had a brother named Mycroft - seven years his senior. Recently, a cache of documents has been discovered detailing, in Sherlock's own hand, his early forays into criminal investigation.
The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife is the first of these early cases.
Only weeks into his first year at Eton, Sherlock's father calls him and his brother back to Underbyrne, the ancestral estate. The village midwife has been found with a pitchfork in her back in the estate's garden, and Mrs. Holmes has been accused of the murder. Can Sherlock find the true killer in time to save her from the gallows?
344 pages, Paperback
Published March 17, 2020
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May 8, 2020
Aged 13 Sherlock is taken out of Eaton because his mother is accused of murdering the town midwife. Sherlock’s mother has complete trust he will find the evidence to exonerate her. Towns-women seem to end up dead and Sherlock has to find out what’s going on.
The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife (The Early Case Files of Sherlock Homes #1) by Liese Sherwood-Fabre is the first installment in The Early Case Files of Sherlock Holmes and is the story about Sherlock Holmes as a young boy trying to find out why the town midwife was found dead in the Holmes’ back garden and why Sherlock’s mother is imprisoned for it.
The story seems to be based on Sherlock’s childhood memories of what happened. As the original Sherlock Holmes stories were written from 1887 onwards, it might set this story roughly in the beginning of the 1870s at the family estate Underbyrne. Sherlock is brought up as the son of a country squire with a lot of focus on manners and maintaining his family’s status. This seems to influence his decisions a lot.
Elements of Sherlock’s home life seem to explain his skills as an adult. His brother, parents and uncle are all well educated and impressively skilled people interested in research and investigation. In this story Sherlock’s mother, Mrs. Holmes, is in the center of the plot as she is suspected of using her knowledge of herbs for criminal activity.
Main character Sherlock Holmes is 13 in this story. It’s amusing how he gets into the habit of using a spy glass to investigate and starts to wear his special cap, which is actually part of his hunting outfit. He is brought up to “not be seen or heard” when adults talk. I worried throughout the story that this might hold him back when investigating, but he found a way to make it work.
Secondary character Constance Straton is a very poor, but gutsy, pickpocket with serious survival skills. I find it both sad and impressive what she has to do to provide food for her young siblings. She is a nice girl at heart and, in my opinion, a well crafted character and my favorite of this story.
The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife by Liese Sherwood-Fabre included description of an interesting way to prove Mrs. Holmes’ innocence without the forensics we rely on today. Some seriously gory details was included, but my favorite part of the story nonetheless
I enjoyed The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife by Liese Sherwood-Fabre. I found the plot interesting and exciting. The clues were carefully placed throughout the story and from today’s perspective I found the motive for murder absolutely mind boggling. Exiting to see what other adventures Sherlock Holmes might get up in Liese Sherwood-Fabre’s next story.
Readers of crime fiction would enjoy The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife by Liese Sherwood-Fabre. Other authors to explore might be Leonard Goldberg or Charles Veley.
Thank you to the publisher Little Elm Press and NetGally for the opportunity to share my honest review of The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife by Liese Sherwood-Fabre. All opinions are completely my own.
My rating: 4 stars / 5
Main reasons: interesting plot, good writing, very surprising ending
The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife (The Early Case Files of Sherlock Homes #1) by Liese Sherwood-Fabre is the first installment in The Early Case Files of Sherlock Holmes and is the story about Sherlock Holmes as a young boy trying to find out why the town midwife was found dead in the Holmes’ back garden and why Sherlock’s mother is imprisoned for it.
The story seems to be based on Sherlock’s childhood memories of what happened. As the original Sherlock Holmes stories were written from 1887 onwards, it might set this story roughly in the beginning of the 1870s at the family estate Underbyrne. Sherlock is brought up as the son of a country squire with a lot of focus on manners and maintaining his family’s status. This seems to influence his decisions a lot.
Elements of Sherlock’s home life seem to explain his skills as an adult. His brother, parents and uncle are all well educated and impressively skilled people interested in research and investigation. In this story Sherlock’s mother, Mrs. Holmes, is in the center of the plot as she is suspected of using her knowledge of herbs for criminal activity.
Main character Sherlock Holmes is 13 in this story. It’s amusing how he gets into the habit of using a spy glass to investigate and starts to wear his special cap, which is actually part of his hunting outfit. He is brought up to “not be seen or heard” when adults talk. I worried throughout the story that this might hold him back when investigating, but he found a way to make it work.
Secondary character Constance Straton is a very poor, but gutsy, pickpocket with serious survival skills. I find it both sad and impressive what she has to do to provide food for her young siblings. She is a nice girl at heart and, in my opinion, a well crafted character and my favorite of this story.
The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife by Liese Sherwood-Fabre included description of an interesting way to prove Mrs. Holmes’ innocence without the forensics we rely on today. Some seriously gory details was included, but my favorite part of the story nonetheless
I enjoyed The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife by Liese Sherwood-Fabre. I found the plot interesting and exciting. The clues were carefully placed throughout the story and from today’s perspective I found the motive for murder absolutely mind boggling. Exiting to see what other adventures Sherlock Holmes might get up in Liese Sherwood-Fabre’s next story.
Readers of crime fiction would enjoy The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife by Liese Sherwood-Fabre. Other authors to explore might be Leonard Goldberg or Charles Veley.
Thank you to the publisher Little Elm Press and NetGally for the opportunity to share my honest review of The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife by Liese Sherwood-Fabre. All opinions are completely my own.
My rating: 4 stars / 5
Main reasons: interesting plot, good writing, very surprising ending
July 1, 2020
The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife is the first installment of the early case files of Sherlock Holmes. Here we are introduced to a teenage Sherlock (around 13-14 years old) who has just started out at Eton College and is finding it difficult to adjust there. A few weeks haven't gone by when both he and his brother Mycroft (who is a student at Oxford) are called back to Underbyrne, their ancestral home by their father who is a justice of the peace of the village where they reside. Reason: Mrs. Holmes has been accused of murdering one of the village's midwife, Mrs. Brown whose body was found in the garden of the estate and has been arrested and placed in gaol. The Holmes family are certain of her innocence but it is another matter altogether proving it, since the village constable is hell bent on making sure she gets punished for the crime.
These early case files could help us towards understanding Sherlock Holmes and to the person and famous detective he eventually becomes. In this book itself, we are introduced to some elements and traits that make up a big part of the adult Sherlock in the future like his talent for boxing, violin playing and deducing his surroundings for clues that are easily overlooked by others. The entire family is a well educated and intelligent lot but it is interesting to see that Sherlock shares a much closer bond with his mother, in both physical resemblance and intellectual interests while Mycroft somewhat takes after the father. Another character worth mentioning is Constance Straton, a young, poor girl, the same age as Sherlock, who takes to stealing and pickpocketing to help feed her younger siblings. Sherlock is impressed with her skills and even though they belong to the different strata of society, it doesn't stop them from becoming friends and helping each other out.
My only complaint would be that the chapters were too long. There were only 14 chapters but the length of each chapter made me sometimes feel that I wasn't really moving ahead. I wouldn't mind the chapters being more in number but of shorter length but then that's my preference.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publishers BooksGoSocial and the author for the e-Arc of the book.
Rating: 3.5*
These early case files could help us towards understanding Sherlock Holmes and to the person and famous detective he eventually becomes. In this book itself, we are introduced to some elements and traits that make up a big part of the adult Sherlock in the future like his talent for boxing, violin playing and deducing his surroundings for clues that are easily overlooked by others. The entire family is a well educated and intelligent lot but it is interesting to see that Sherlock shares a much closer bond with his mother, in both physical resemblance and intellectual interests while Mycroft somewhat takes after the father. Another character worth mentioning is Constance Straton, a young, poor girl, the same age as Sherlock, who takes to stealing and pickpocketing to help feed her younger siblings. Sherlock is impressed with her skills and even though they belong to the different strata of society, it doesn't stop them from becoming friends and helping each other out.
My only complaint would be that the chapters were too long. There were only 14 chapters but the length of each chapter made me sometimes feel that I wasn't really moving ahead. I wouldn't mind the chapters being more in number but of shorter length but then that's my preference.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publishers BooksGoSocial and the author for the e-Arc of the book.
Rating: 3.5*
April 29, 2020
The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife is narrated in the first person by a young teenager we know as Sherlock Holmes. If an author takes another author's beloved character to make a spin-off, is that considered a ding in creativity? The jury is still out, in my opinion. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it just doesn't.
In the case of this book, the story starts with Sherlock, a young teenager, studying at the prestigious Eton College when he learns that his mother has been accused of murdering the village midwife. Holmes and his brother Mycroft return home, and it's now up to young Holmes, to help prove his mother's innocence.
Some things worked well in this book. Sherwood-Fabre captured the beautiful, witty essence of Sherlock Holmes and his complicated relationship with his brother Mycroft. Fans of Conan Doyle's books will quickly recognize Holmes's sharp, logical mind even at a young age. The mystery, however, left much to be desired. The story starts strong, and somehow the mystery becomes too predictable, and the ending fails to yield the sort of excitement you get with Doyle's books.
I still recommend this book for both fans of Sherlock Holmes and fans of this genre. This book is volume one in a series, so there is hope that the stories will develop more with future books
The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife is scheduled to be published on June 30th, 2020. I want to thank BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
In the case of this book, the story starts with Sherlock, a young teenager, studying at the prestigious Eton College when he learns that his mother has been accused of murdering the village midwife. Holmes and his brother Mycroft return home, and it's now up to young Holmes, to help prove his mother's innocence.
Some things worked well in this book. Sherwood-Fabre captured the beautiful, witty essence of Sherlock Holmes and his complicated relationship with his brother Mycroft. Fans of Conan Doyle's books will quickly recognize Holmes's sharp, logical mind even at a young age. The mystery, however, left much to be desired. The story starts strong, and somehow the mystery becomes too predictable, and the ending fails to yield the sort of excitement you get with Doyle's books.
I still recommend this book for both fans of Sherlock Holmes and fans of this genre. This book is volume one in a series, so there is hope that the stories will develop more with future books
The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife is scheduled to be published on June 30th, 2020. I want to thank BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 21, 2020
This is a book once I started, I couldn't put down even though I had other obligations. The relationship between Mycroft and Sherlock was perfect. Their similarities and differences, the competition and the developing respect and affection were shown through their interactions.. Sherlock is thirteen years old and at Eton while Mycroft is at Oxford. Not only were their ages conveyed clearly, but the time period was recreated convincingly. These people lived in a specific time and culture and were affected by it so that one could see how their individuality and their place in their social and historical time interacted. The character of Constance I was marvelous. She was of a different class but as smart as the Holmes boys in her way. She was poor and a thief but also an individual of integrity and caring. I imagined her growing up and giving Irene Adler a run for the money. Constance has the makings of The Woman. Sherlock's parents were also perfectly delineated. The complexity of their relationship in terms of the period and their individual personalities worked well on its own and also how it influenced Sherlock. I wondered about one particular character because I suspected him almost immediately, but then I thought the story wasn't really a whodunit as much as it was showing us how Holmes became who he became. I was in the time, the place and the people every minute. The author writes so well and so convincingly. I think all the research she has done for her non-fiction articles has made that period a place where she lives comfortably and made it possible for others to join her there. Having read various accounts of the young Holmes for younger and older readers, this is the best of them all in the richness of the characters, not only giving Sherlock greater depth, but also bringing to life the others around him.
March 29, 2020
Usually, I’m not a big fan of writers that use other author’s characters for their own stories but Sherlock Holmes is such an archetype in the English literature that many writers have had a go at putting their own stamp on the brand (with various degrees of success) let alone the multitude of movies and TV-series. I must say that this is one of the better attempts. The novelty here is that we meet an adolescent Sherlock who doesn’t have all his adult quirks but whose intellect should certainly not be underestimated. Some of his later characteristics shine through already as his dislike for social chitchat that he calls tedious and unproductive. And of course, his dear deerstalker cap makes his appearance as well, or is it the first of many caps?
This story takes place not long after 1865, as the end of the American civil war is mentioned as a recent event.
Sherlock Holmes has been only a few weeks at school in Eton when he’s called back home. On the train home, he meets his older brother Mycroft who’s also travelling home from Oxford. He tells him that their mother is in jail and accused of murdering their local midwife. She did find the body and had an argument with the woman a day earlier but maintains her innocence. It’s the victim’s husband who accuses her of this crime and the constable had no other choice but lock her up. His father, being a justice of the peace is temporarily suspended but can’t be involved with her defence as the slightest contact may be seen as interference.
Now the police have a suspect in custody, the family fears that they won’t put much effort in looking for the real killer. There’s no obvious motive as to why the mother would kill the midwife other than a dispute about herbal cures and remedies. Lady Holmes was locally known as a herb-wise woman who could provide teas and mixtures for various ailments or even to prevent pregnancies (a grave sin and crime in the eyes of moralists and religious zealots, almost as evil as providing abortions).
Her brother, uncle Ernest will act as his mother’s solicitor. She asks Sherlock to help her prove her innocence as she thinks that Mycroft her older son doesn’t have the character to go out of his way to collect all the necessary evidence or carry out a proper investigation. Nevertheless, he still is an asset by processing the information. Sherlock is about 13 at this moment so the situation is a bit unlikely but hell, this is fiction about fictious characters.
Ernest proves in a spectacular way that Mrs Brown was not stabbed to death with a pitchfork as was the accusation. The reluctant constable has to release Mrs Holmes but is fuming about being humiliated in court and vouches to have her back in gaol. The family name is still blemished and the smudge will remain in place until the real killer is apprehended. Every member of the family is helping to solve the case.
This is a very enjoyable light-hearted read about a familiar character in a slightly different role But it is very suspenseful with several deaths that can be natural but just as easily be murder. They must first establish who was killed, then how and why. The tension is kept up throughout the book. Every time you think aha, there’s another complication. The story is also quite funny at times when you encounter things that do reappear in the original stories.
At certain moments it is very clear that Sherlock is still a teenager i.e. when he gets hot and bothered from the illustrations of human reproductive organs in a medical study book. It makes him more human and cuter than in the original adult stories. I absolutely love the interaction between him and Constance. His first crush on a girl is simply delightful
Also beautiful is the obvious love for his mother, still more that of a younger boy than of an adult. He also becomes aware of the different levels and interactions in an adult relationship by observing his parents.
Uncle Ernest is another favourite of mine, he’s a bit of a mad scientist/inventor and a most adorable character.
Apart from the pleasant writing style, an engaging, sympathetic cast, suspense with a touch of first romance this is also a solid, well-constructed murder mystery. If there are more volumes in this series, I surely will read them.
I thank Netgalley for the free copy of this book and this is my honest, unbiased review
This story takes place not long after 1865, as the end of the American civil war is mentioned as a recent event.
Sherlock Holmes has been only a few weeks at school in Eton when he’s called back home. On the train home, he meets his older brother Mycroft who’s also travelling home from Oxford. He tells him that their mother is in jail and accused of murdering their local midwife. She did find the body and had an argument with the woman a day earlier but maintains her innocence. It’s the victim’s husband who accuses her of this crime and the constable had no other choice but lock her up. His father, being a justice of the peace is temporarily suspended but can’t be involved with her defence as the slightest contact may be seen as interference.
Now the police have a suspect in custody, the family fears that they won’t put much effort in looking for the real killer. There’s no obvious motive as to why the mother would kill the midwife other than a dispute about herbal cures and remedies. Lady Holmes was locally known as a herb-wise woman who could provide teas and mixtures for various ailments or even to prevent pregnancies (a grave sin and crime in the eyes of moralists and religious zealots, almost as evil as providing abortions).
Her brother, uncle Ernest will act as his mother’s solicitor. She asks Sherlock to help her prove her innocence as she thinks that Mycroft her older son doesn’t have the character to go out of his way to collect all the necessary evidence or carry out a proper investigation. Nevertheless, he still is an asset by processing the information. Sherlock is about 13 at this moment so the situation is a bit unlikely but hell, this is fiction about fictious characters.
Ernest proves in a spectacular way that Mrs Brown was not stabbed to death with a pitchfork as was the accusation. The reluctant constable has to release Mrs Holmes but is fuming about being humiliated in court and vouches to have her back in gaol. The family name is still blemished and the smudge will remain in place until the real killer is apprehended. Every member of the family is helping to solve the case.
This is a very enjoyable light-hearted read about a familiar character in a slightly different role But it is very suspenseful with several deaths that can be natural but just as easily be murder. They must first establish who was killed, then how and why. The tension is kept up throughout the book. Every time you think aha, there’s another complication. The story is also quite funny at times when you encounter things that do reappear in the original stories.
At certain moments it is very clear that Sherlock is still a teenager i.e. when he gets hot and bothered from the illustrations of human reproductive organs in a medical study book. It makes him more human and cuter than in the original adult stories. I absolutely love the interaction between him and Constance. His first crush on a girl is simply delightful
Also beautiful is the obvious love for his mother, still more that of a younger boy than of an adult. He also becomes aware of the different levels and interactions in an adult relationship by observing his parents.
Uncle Ernest is another favourite of mine, he’s a bit of a mad scientist/inventor and a most adorable character.
Apart from the pleasant writing style, an engaging, sympathetic cast, suspense with a touch of first romance this is also a solid, well-constructed murder mystery. If there are more volumes in this series, I surely will read them.
I thank Netgalley for the free copy of this book and this is my honest, unbiased review
May 13, 2020
An interesting story of Sherlock Holmes as a young man sent home from school as his mother has been arrested for killing the local midwife in the Holmes garden. Sherlock is already learning his ability to make deductions from what he finds during his investigation. I enjoyed getting to know the family as well as being able to picture Sherlock with his help in getting his mother released and finding the true murderer. A story I think will be enjoyed by any who like a good Sherlock Holmes mystery.
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August 14, 2020Publishers Weekly's review:
"[Dr.] Sherwood-Fabre makes her conceit of a teen sleuth work."
Book Life Prize said:
"[Dr.] Sherwood-Fabre’s attention to detail and vivid prose are on full display in this delightful look at the evolution of a young Sherlock Holmes."
"[Dr.] Sherwood-Fabre makes her conceit of a teen sleuth work."
Book Life Prize said:
"[Dr.] Sherwood-Fabre’s attention to detail and vivid prose are on full display in this delightful look at the evolution of a young Sherlock Holmes."
December 14, 2025
I’m not the biggest Sherlock Holmes fan in the world, so I can’t precisely judge how Adventure of the Murdered Midwife fits with other works. Even so, I know that any author who dares to use Conan-Doyles’ famed detective must tread lightly. It’s too easy to go astray. Make him too modern and lose authenticity. Keep him too faithful to the original and be, well, completely unoriginal oneself.
But Liese Sherwood-Fabre knows how to walk that tightrope. (I keep wanting to spell her last name SherLOCK-Fabre!) Here, she imagines Sherlock as a young adolescent, not yet fully aware of his own potential. As she does so, she creates a winning, fascinating character who won my respect and sympathy.
Even at 13, Sherlock possesses an analytic mind and a keen eye for details that most people overlook. He’s a detective, even at that young age, and his mother recognizes that he has the ability to snoop around without raising suspicions.
Yet he’s also 13, that awkward age when one is part child and part hormonal teen. When he arrives home from Eton, he often seems lonely when he’s with his seemingly-distant father and intelligent brother. Throw in his first crush on a girl and a prank from Mycroft about human reproduction, and Sherlock begins an awkward sexual awakening that feels innocent and realistic. Throughout the novel, he begins to see the differences in societal gender roles, and his own privilege as a male.
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the dynamics of the Holmes family. Sherlock’s relationship with his mother feels genuine; Violette Holmes won my sympathy almost immediately. Mycroft is Mycroft: cunning, intelligent, and ambitious. Sherlock’s eccentric uncle Ernest, who suffers from PTSD, lives on the Holmes property. He’s his nephew’s ally . . . when he isn’t busy refining a new weapon he swears the army can use.
Sherwood-Fabre does an excellent job developing the relationships between these complicated and oh-so-real characters. There is love here, but that love is threatened, not only by the accusations of murder and real possibility of execution, but by each person’s secrets.
The central mystery of the book doesn’t feel as compelling as it could. I’m not sure why. Perhaps it’s because Sherlock doesn’t really know the murdered midwife. His real desire is to clear the Holmes name by finding the real murderer. It is a legitimate motive, but I never felt any urgency about it. Also, the killer’s motive fell flat for me, despite the author’s best efforts to make it compelling. That was a bit disappointing.
The climatic showdown between the killer and the future detective were exciting, though. It was fun to see how young Sherlock outwits the killer.
However, the writing quality is outstanding. Sherwood-Fabre knows how to create vivid scenes. They feel pitch-perfect in the historical details but simultaneously feeling modern.
Overall, this is a solid work to add to the canon of Sherlock Holmes fiction. I recommend it to any Sherlock fans, as well as historical mystery readers.
4 1/2 stars, rounded up to 5.
Thanks to Little Elm Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Note: This will appear on my blog on June 29, 2020
But Liese Sherwood-Fabre knows how to walk that tightrope. (I keep wanting to spell her last name SherLOCK-Fabre!) Here, she imagines Sherlock as a young adolescent, not yet fully aware of his own potential. As she does so, she creates a winning, fascinating character who won my respect and sympathy.
Even at 13, Sherlock possesses an analytic mind and a keen eye for details that most people overlook. He’s a detective, even at that young age, and his mother recognizes that he has the ability to snoop around without raising suspicions.
Yet he’s also 13, that awkward age when one is part child and part hormonal teen. When he arrives home from Eton, he often seems lonely when he’s with his seemingly-distant father and intelligent brother. Throw in his first crush on a girl and a prank from Mycroft about human reproduction, and Sherlock begins an awkward sexual awakening that feels innocent and realistic. Throughout the novel, he begins to see the differences in societal gender roles, and his own privilege as a male.
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the dynamics of the Holmes family. Sherlock’s relationship with his mother feels genuine; Violette Holmes won my sympathy almost immediately. Mycroft is Mycroft: cunning, intelligent, and ambitious. Sherlock’s eccentric uncle Ernest, who suffers from PTSD, lives on the Holmes property. He’s his nephew’s ally . . . when he isn’t busy refining a new weapon he swears the army can use.
Sherwood-Fabre does an excellent job developing the relationships between these complicated and oh-so-real characters. There is love here, but that love is threatened, not only by the accusations of murder and real possibility of execution, but by each person’s secrets.
The central mystery of the book doesn’t feel as compelling as it could. I’m not sure why. Perhaps it’s because Sherlock doesn’t really know the murdered midwife. His real desire is to clear the Holmes name by finding the real murderer. It is a legitimate motive, but I never felt any urgency about it. Also, the killer’s motive fell flat for me, despite the author’s best efforts to make it compelling. That was a bit disappointing.
The climatic showdown between the killer and the future detective were exciting, though. It was fun to see how young Sherlock outwits the killer.
However, the writing quality is outstanding. Sherwood-Fabre knows how to create vivid scenes. They feel pitch-perfect in the historical details but simultaneously feeling modern.
Overall, this is a solid work to add to the canon of Sherlock Holmes fiction. I recommend it to any Sherlock fans, as well as historical mystery readers.
4 1/2 stars, rounded up to 5.
Thanks to Little Elm Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Note: This will appear on my blog on June 29, 2020
April 8, 2025
I am probably not the only one who has was watched the recent movie Enola Holmes and not liked the depiction of Mycroft Holmes. I have not read the books that the film is based on, but I strongly recollect the few cases of Mycroft's arrival in the original series, and this was not how he was pictured at all. It may seem strange to begin a book's review by talking about some other book, but I will explain in greater detail.
I am not a big fan of retellings and have limited imagination in that capacity, but for some reason, I picked this up. I am glad I did because I could very well accept the people to be part of the original. Mycroft had spurts of hyper-intelligence but spent the rest of the time lounging hoping Sherlock did the running around (exactly how I would have imagined their relationship if I ever had spent any time at all to imagine such a situation!). This tale is about Sherlock and his first-ever 'case'. He is a child, newly sent to school ad not playing well with others as his family would want him to. There is a sudden summons home, and he has to clear his mother's name. The plot itself is not overly complicated although there are enough red-herrings thrown around to muddy the waters. I could, and many used to this genre would be able to spot the culprit. Despite that fact, it is a fun book to read. All the characters introduced are unique, of their time- but not exactly.
The Sherlock of this book is an average child in the emotional sense, not as aloof as his elder-self was. Given the infrequent glimpses we are given to his emotional side in the original, this is yet another acceptable fact. He is learning to learn about the world around him, and I look forward to the next in the series.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely due to my own reading experience.
I am not a big fan of retellings and have limited imagination in that capacity, but for some reason, I picked this up. I am glad I did because I could very well accept the people to be part of the original. Mycroft had spurts of hyper-intelligence but spent the rest of the time lounging hoping Sherlock did the running around (exactly how I would have imagined their relationship if I ever had spent any time at all to imagine such a situation!). This tale is about Sherlock and his first-ever 'case'. He is a child, newly sent to school ad not playing well with others as his family would want him to. There is a sudden summons home, and he has to clear his mother's name. The plot itself is not overly complicated although there are enough red-herrings thrown around to muddy the waters. I could, and many used to this genre would be able to spot the culprit. Despite that fact, it is a fun book to read. All the characters introduced are unique, of their time- but not exactly.
The Sherlock of this book is an average child in the emotional sense, not as aloof as his elder-self was. Given the infrequent glimpses we are given to his emotional side in the original, this is yet another acceptable fact. He is learning to learn about the world around him, and I look forward to the next in the series.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely due to my own reading experience.
May 13, 2020
Well done! This novel is narrated in the first-person by a 13 year old that we have all come to know and love, Sherlock Holmes. He is home from Eton, because his mother has been found guilty of a crime that she has not committed. I love that it begins with a young teenage Sherlock Holmes and his surly older brother Mycroft, Mycroft is always surly, and it's up to a young Sherlock, whose mother lovingly calls him Sherry, to help provide his mother's innocence.
There are many things that work extremely well in this book. I find that the author did a wonderful job holding true to the complicated essence of the relationship between brothers Mycroft and Sherlock, even rabid fans of Conan Doyle's books will quickly see that Sherlock's sharp logical mind appears even at a very very young age. The mystery wasn't as strong as it could have been, then again the author is not Conan Doyle. It was however very enjoyable. I recommend this book for fans of Sherlock Holmes and of the genre. It looks to be volume one in a series, so I'm sure as the series progresses, the storylines will increase as the author gains confidence and falls into the world of her making.
I would like to thank Liese Sherwood-Fabre, BooksGoSocial & Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
There are many things that work extremely well in this book. I find that the author did a wonderful job holding true to the complicated essence of the relationship between brothers Mycroft and Sherlock, even rabid fans of Conan Doyle's books will quickly see that Sherlock's sharp logical mind appears even at a very very young age. The mystery wasn't as strong as it could have been, then again the author is not Conan Doyle. It was however very enjoyable. I recommend this book for fans of Sherlock Holmes and of the genre. It looks to be volume one in a series, so I'm sure as the series progresses, the storylines will increase as the author gains confidence and falls into the world of her making.
I would like to thank Liese Sherwood-Fabre, BooksGoSocial & Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
June 27, 2020
The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife by Leise Sherwood-Fabre is the first in the Early Case Files of Sherlock Holmes. Let it be said that I love Sherlock Holmes' spinoffs. The Murder Midwife is about a much younger Sherlock, 12-14 years of age, without a fully developed personality. His mother, according to this author, was instrumental in developing his skills of observation and deduction. We see the inception of his future avocation very clearly in this book, albeit, in part his aversion to boarding school. His mother has been arrested for murder and both he and Mycroft have been called home for their schools. Of course, Mother was not a killer and he, Sherlock, would prove it.
The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife was a mystery but more importantly it was a puzzle and was
treated as such by the author. Simply using Sherlock's name does not make it a Holmes' story. It was enjoyable to see the familial relationships that caused Holmes to develop into the man he became. His parents were lovers and well as parents and apparently, Sherlock had been too young to notice before, or the circumstances were not right. Mycroft was well on his way to becoming the adult that would influence much of Holmes' adult life. Interestingly, one does not think of Sherlock Holmes as a youth. This was a terrific book. Filled to the brim with murders, cleverly solved by Sherlock and his mother, always using observation and deduction. Kudos to Sherwood-Fabre for a book well written. I recommend it.
I was invited to preview an ARC of The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife by Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #theadventureofthemurderedmidwife
The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife was a mystery but more importantly it was a puzzle and was
treated as such by the author. Simply using Sherlock's name does not make it a Holmes' story. It was enjoyable to see the familial relationships that caused Holmes to develop into the man he became. His parents were lovers and well as parents and apparently, Sherlock had been too young to notice before, or the circumstances were not right. Mycroft was well on his way to becoming the adult that would influence much of Holmes' adult life. Interestingly, one does not think of Sherlock Holmes as a youth. This was a terrific book. Filled to the brim with murders, cleverly solved by Sherlock and his mother, always using observation and deduction. Kudos to Sherwood-Fabre for a book well written. I recommend it.
I was invited to preview an ARC of The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife by Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #theadventureofthemurderedmidwife
March 25, 2020
I loved this book!
Liese Sherwood-Fabre has given us an origin story for Sherlock Holmes – or “Sherry,” as his mother calls him. And what a great story she tells. Sherlock is summoned home from his miserable first year at Eton because his mother has been accused of murdering the village midwife. His mother turns to teenage Sherlock for help in freeing her from gaol. She knows that Mycroft, though brilliant, is too theoretical.
As Sherlock collects evidence and interviews witnesses, we see him develop his deductive reasoning. The motifs of the soon-to-be-great detective come into focus. There’s the explanation for the magnifying glass. There’s the deerstalker cap. There’s the poignant backstory for the violin. There’s the grisly and dramatic inquest, in which someone else – of course – takes the credit for Sherlock’s ingenuity. In very exciting scenes, there are the bees.
Making this even richer are the relationships within the Holmes family, the delicately described social and physical environment, and Sherlock’s first love interest, Constance, a resourceful and admirable village girl and pickpocket. Young Sherlock seems like a real teenager – intelligent, awkward, worried, unsure, sensitive, and brave.
I am looking forward to the next book!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Liese Sherwood-Fabre has given us an origin story for Sherlock Holmes – or “Sherry,” as his mother calls him. And what a great story she tells. Sherlock is summoned home from his miserable first year at Eton because his mother has been accused of murdering the village midwife. His mother turns to teenage Sherlock for help in freeing her from gaol. She knows that Mycroft, though brilliant, is too theoretical.
As Sherlock collects evidence and interviews witnesses, we see him develop his deductive reasoning. The motifs of the soon-to-be-great detective come into focus. There’s the explanation for the magnifying glass. There’s the deerstalker cap. There’s the poignant backstory for the violin. There’s the grisly and dramatic inquest, in which someone else – of course – takes the credit for Sherlock’s ingenuity. In very exciting scenes, there are the bees.
Making this even richer are the relationships within the Holmes family, the delicately described social and physical environment, and Sherlock’s first love interest, Constance, a resourceful and admirable village girl and pickpocket. Young Sherlock seems like a real teenager – intelligent, awkward, worried, unsure, sensitive, and brave.
I am looking forward to the next book!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 21, 2020
"Mother had always taught me a detached mind produced better results"
The Holmes family was in the public eye, even more so now that Sherlock had begun at Eton, a place he loathed. His brother Mycroft was having a great time at Oxford but when told he must come home and bring Sherlock, he reluctantly complied. On the way home by train, both of them found out their Mother had been taken to jail, accused of killing the local midwife.
Mother couldn't have done it, and young Sherlock sets out to prove it as only he, with reluctant help from Mycroft could. In a turnaround type of story brick walls are hit, dead ends are found and tempers are ignited. No one is left unscathed. But Dr. Liese Sherwood-Fabre sets out to give what I have found is a backstory set at a very young time in the Conan-Doyle character. We see a young Sherlock and his loving mother, his gruff attitudinal father, and his brainiac brother all coming together to solve not just one murder that could be tied to his mother, but others. It's a fast read by someone highly steeped in Holmes' history, which fascinates me because, Holmes isn't a real person, but may be one of the best known characters in history. Recommended 4/5
[disclaimer: I was gifted this book by the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
The Holmes family was in the public eye, even more so now that Sherlock had begun at Eton, a place he loathed. His brother Mycroft was having a great time at Oxford but when told he must come home and bring Sherlock, he reluctantly complied. On the way home by train, both of them found out their Mother had been taken to jail, accused of killing the local midwife.
Mother couldn't have done it, and young Sherlock sets out to prove it as only he, with reluctant help from Mycroft could. In a turnaround type of story brick walls are hit, dead ends are found and tempers are ignited. No one is left unscathed. But Dr. Liese Sherwood-Fabre sets out to give what I have found is a backstory set at a very young time in the Conan-Doyle character. We see a young Sherlock and his loving mother, his gruff attitudinal father, and his brainiac brother all coming together to solve not just one murder that could be tied to his mother, but others. It's a fast read by someone highly steeped in Holmes' history, which fascinates me because, Holmes isn't a real person, but may be one of the best known characters in history. Recommended 4/5
[disclaimer: I was gifted this book by the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
December 1, 2025
After a few false starts with other authors taking on Holmes, I actually found myself enjoying this take on the young Sherlock. What begins as simply a case of proving his mother innocent of a crime,young Sherlock, and indeed the Holmes clan, embark on solving the actual crime as the body count rises.
The author provides an insight into the young Holmes, fresh from being dragged away from his first year at Eton, to join older brother Mycroft (dragged away from Oxford Uni much to his chagrin) and uncle Ernest in collectively solving these local crimes.
For me, however, it is Mrs Holmes who is the stand out - she is obviously the one whom young Sherlock will emulate - and you can feel the author's guiding hand in his development as a detective. As Sherlock himself says "... mother always taught me a detached mind produced better results ...". We also are treated to the first glimpses of the skills Holmes will develop and use in his latter years - disguises, consorting with all class of people, powers of observation and evidence collection, a little criminal activity, and his one-up-manship against the local constabulary.
All in all, this is a fine start to a new series and one I am looking forward to investing in.
The author provides an insight into the young Holmes, fresh from being dragged away from his first year at Eton, to join older brother Mycroft (dragged away from Oxford Uni much to his chagrin) and uncle Ernest in collectively solving these local crimes.
For me, however, it is Mrs Holmes who is the stand out - she is obviously the one whom young Sherlock will emulate - and you can feel the author's guiding hand in his development as a detective. As Sherlock himself says "... mother always taught me a detached mind produced better results ...". We also are treated to the first glimpses of the skills Holmes will develop and use in his latter years - disguises, consorting with all class of people, powers of observation and evidence collection, a little criminal activity, and his one-up-manship against the local constabulary.
All in all, this is a fine start to a new series and one I am looking forward to investing in.
Read
March 8, 2021This short novel reads very much like the original Sherlock Holmes. It is about his life, when he was called back home before he finished his first year away at school. He is a bit unsure of himself and feels like his older brother is very much ahead of him academically. Within a short time the family is dealing with three deaths. His mother is in jail on suspicion of murder, because she carefully gives botanical cures, primarily to women. His mother is released but the family needs to find the real killer Sherlock works with his uncle in another building on the property. He is an inventor or at least an improver on previous designs. Currently he is working on an invention to throw the weapon known as a Japanese throwing star. He feels it would work more efficiently if thrown by a cross bow. He is tireless in his pursuit of this project. While Sherlock woks with him, he becomes aware that while his brother may seem smarter, he has other talents that serve him well and may point to a career using his superior ability to make deductions with scattered facts. He also becomes closer to his parents as they share more with him about adult life. His mother lovingly call him Sherry which is a warm touch in this novel. While searching for clues he becomes friends with a young pick-pocket who has to care for her younger siblings. The first feelings of admiration and young love enter his life. She is trying to teach him lessons of stealth she has learned on the street. He realizes that she has talents, he never thought of having. She also shares a love of music and the hope of learning to play a piano. The story becomes more tense as they all realize the recent deaths of three women are connected. The adventure story of young Sherlock is well written. It is probably Ok for this the upper grade readers and even adults. There is common talk with his family in discussing womens problems and cures especially in their difficulties in limiting the number of children they have. Was the midwife involved in any of this, and why was she also murdered?
June 27, 2020
Sherlock has only been at Eton one term when he is recalled home to Underbyrne. Mycroft as well returns reluctantly from his third year studies at Oxford. Why? because their mother has been charged with the murder of a Mrs Emma Brown, the village midwife. Although Mrs Homes found the body in their garden it was not until Mr Brown insisted that Sergeant Gibbon arrest her was she taken to jail.
With the help of his Uncle Ernest Parker, and girl, Constance Straton, a poor neighbour, can Sherlock solve the crime, aided by his reliance on scientific proof as instructed by Mrs Holmes.
A well-written historical murder mystery with its very likeable characters. A very good solid start to the series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
With the help of his Uncle Ernest Parker, and girl, Constance Straton, a poor neighbour, can Sherlock solve the crime, aided by his reliance on scientific proof as instructed by Mrs Holmes.
A well-written historical murder mystery with its very likeable characters. A very good solid start to the series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 28, 2020
A great take on the famous Sherlock Holmes stories. This story takes place while Sherlock is a boy. It begins with him having to come home from boarding school to help figure out a way to get his mother out of jail. She was accused of murder. An interesting tale unfolds to prove her innocence and capture the true criminal.
April 21, 2020
There are certain fictional characters who capture readers’ imaginations and hearts to such an extent that they long outlive their creator and original format. This is certainly true of Sherlock Holmes who has inspired countless adaptations and revamps. It seems that we just can’t get enough of The World’s Greatest Detective and are happy for new authors to bring fresh twists to the tales.
In this new series Liese Sherwood-Fabre takes us back to Sherlock’s formative years. Sherry (as he is affectionately called by his family) has recently started attending Eton where he has failed to fit in or settle down successfully. As much as he doesn’t really want to be there he is distressed to receive a sudden summons to return home; something sinister has happened but no one will explain. He fears that his mother is gravely ill and is sick with worry until he can pry the real story out of his older brother Mycroft. Their mother is healthy - but sitting in jail accused of a terrible crime. This is how Sherlock is drawn into his very first murder case; with help from the whole formidable Holmes clan and a light-fingered accomplice.
This book is really well-written and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s light and engaging, the perfect read during lockdown. The mystery was clever and I really liked the interaction between the different members of the family, Holmes’ fans have met Mycroft before but it was nice to be properly introduced to his parents and uncle Ernest. Constance is an appealing character too, I hope that she will return for future adventures.
Thank you to NetGalley and to the publishers for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
In this new series Liese Sherwood-Fabre takes us back to Sherlock’s formative years. Sherry (as he is affectionately called by his family) has recently started attending Eton where he has failed to fit in or settle down successfully. As much as he doesn’t really want to be there he is distressed to receive a sudden summons to return home; something sinister has happened but no one will explain. He fears that his mother is gravely ill and is sick with worry until he can pry the real story out of his older brother Mycroft. Their mother is healthy - but sitting in jail accused of a terrible crime. This is how Sherlock is drawn into his very first murder case; with help from the whole formidable Holmes clan and a light-fingered accomplice.
This book is really well-written and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s light and engaging, the perfect read during lockdown. The mystery was clever and I really liked the interaction between the different members of the family, Holmes’ fans have met Mycroft before but it was nice to be properly introduced to his parents and uncle Ernest. Constance is an appealing character too, I hope that she will return for future adventures.
Thank you to NetGalley and to the publishers for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
August 24, 2020
I absolutely loved this book. It was a quick read with an engaging well-plotted murder mystery.
I feel like I am well acquainted with Sherlock Holmes as a character in general and so I was impressed with how the family dynamics were represented and the relationships between Sherlock and his family members. It felt like such a loving family. It was also interesting to read about his parents and I loved how they worked as a family unit although they often left the father out of the loop. I enjoyed the fact that Sherlock and Mycroft obviously got their outstanding brains from their mother. She was a great character and I hope to see her involved in Sherlock's adventures going forward.
I feel like I am well acquainted with Sherlock Holmes as a character in general and so I was impressed with how the family dynamics were represented and the relationships between Sherlock and his family members. It felt like such a loving family. It was also interesting to read about his parents and I loved how they worked as a family unit although they often left the father out of the loop. I enjoyed the fact that Sherlock and Mycroft obviously got their outstanding brains from their mother. She was a great character and I hope to see her involved in Sherlock's adventures going forward.
August 28, 2024
Outstanding entry to the Holmes saga.
Really enjoyed this story about the childhood of Sherlock and Mycroft. It was fun to get to know them as youths, as well as his family. I could tell much research was done into life in those times and how things worked. Both medically as well as judicially. I had to chuckle when a concussion was referred to as brain commotion. I didn’t realize doctors were still performing “bleeding” as a treatment at that time. I guess I thought that had been outmoded by then. Heartily recommend checking this out and I’m looking forward to jumping into the next book of the series.
Really enjoyed this story about the childhood of Sherlock and Mycroft. It was fun to get to know them as youths, as well as his family. I could tell much research was done into life in those times and how things worked. Both medically as well as judicially. I had to chuckle when a concussion was referred to as brain commotion. I didn’t realize doctors were still performing “bleeding” as a treatment at that time. I guess I thought that had been outmoded by then. Heartily recommend checking this out and I’m looking forward to jumping into the next book of the series.
October 6, 2021
I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.
What a pleasant surprise this was!
I've won over a dozen Goodreads giveaways the past two months and of the books I've finished this is definitely one of the best.
I've always had trouble reading pastiches and the like; they never manage to come close to the real thing. While The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife is not really in the style of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's work (Watson, an essential part of the formula, is not here), it manages to get enough right that I'm more than willing to overlook that.
I've read some absolute trash lately so it was a real pleasure to read something so well-crafted. The writing flows from page to page; no boring, pointless little detours to nowhere. In other words, no padding of any kind. Every word serves to keep the plot moving or to develop the characters.
One of my pet peeves with historical fiction is when authors try to cram in every little detail and factoid they can. These details are often distracting and sometimes inaccurate. But I never had that problem with this book. While the author has clearly researched the time period, she never bashes the readers over the head with it.
Judging by some of the books I've read lately, it's very difficult to write believable characters and dialogue.
Fortunately, the author manages to pull this off; the characters feel like real people having real conversations.
I liked the depiction of the Holmes family; it was nice to get a peek at the complex relationships between Sherlock, Mycroft, and their parents. Even if things are sometimes tense, they still care about each other. Thankfully, it never becomes saccharine.
I think my two favorite characters were Sherlock's uncle Ernest and a local girl named Constance.
Ernest is a fascinating character; I hope that we get some backstory on him later in the series.
Constance is endearing and could quite easily be the star of her own series. I hope she sticks around; I'd like to see more of her.
The only real flaw with The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife is that the mystery is not very mysterious.
Some light spoilers:
In a poorly written work that would be a problem, but I found the writing in this book so enjoyable that I often kept reading way past my bedtime.
I highly recommend The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife.
It's a pleasant, easy read that I think would appeal to readers whether or not they are fans of Sir Arthur's work.
What a pleasant surprise this was!
I've won over a dozen Goodreads giveaways the past two months and of the books I've finished this is definitely one of the best.
I've always had trouble reading pastiches and the like; they never manage to come close to the real thing. While The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife is not really in the style of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's work (Watson, an essential part of the formula, is not here), it manages to get enough right that I'm more than willing to overlook that.
I've read some absolute trash lately so it was a real pleasure to read something so well-crafted. The writing flows from page to page; no boring, pointless little detours to nowhere. In other words, no padding of any kind. Every word serves to keep the plot moving or to develop the characters.
One of my pet peeves with historical fiction is when authors try to cram in every little detail and factoid they can. These details are often distracting and sometimes inaccurate. But I never had that problem with this book. While the author has clearly researched the time period, she never bashes the readers over the head with it.
Judging by some of the books I've read lately, it's very difficult to write believable characters and dialogue.
Fortunately, the author manages to pull this off; the characters feel like real people having real conversations.
I liked the depiction of the Holmes family; it was nice to get a peek at the complex relationships between Sherlock, Mycroft, and their parents. Even if things are sometimes tense, they still care about each other. Thankfully, it never becomes saccharine.
I think my two favorite characters were Sherlock's uncle Ernest and a local girl named Constance.
Ernest is a fascinating character; I hope that we get some backstory on him later in the series.
Constance is endearing and could quite easily be the star of her own series. I hope she sticks around; I'd like to see more of her.
The only real flaw with The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife is that the mystery is not very mysterious.
Some light spoilers:
In a poorly written work that would be a problem, but I found the writing in this book so enjoyable that I often kept reading way past my bedtime.
I highly recommend The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife.
It's a pleasant, easy read that I think would appeal to readers whether or not they are fans of Sir Arthur's work.
July 7, 2020
A very enjoyable read. I have read some books before by Ms. Sherwood-Fabre about life in the time of Sherlock Holmes, but this is the first novel I've read. She did a wonderful job of bringing to life the young boy, Sherlock, and his family. The family includes his parents, his older (by 7 years) brother, Mycroft, and their uncle, Ernest. The mystery is well-written, the times well-described. I look forward to more of these novels.
April 5, 2020
Disclosure: I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
This book was brilliant. So well written. In short, Sherlock Holmes is 13, and is summoned home from Eaton (where he wasn't having much fun anyway). Mycroft has likewise been summoned home from Oxford. Mother has been accused of murder, and is in gaol. She knows that her sons can help save her.
We see the beginnings of the steel-trap mind that becomes the hallmark of Sherlock Holmes stories (both Conan Doyle and more recent authors). At 13, Sherlock's orderly and logical mind is still forming, but unlike the Flavia de Luce stories, he is less likely to fall into entirely adolescent behaviors. It's like seeing a tableau in miniature....it's all there, just smaller.
This book kept my attention from the first pages. I enjoyed the way the author took us into the society of the time while spinning the story; the relationships between husband and wife, the place of women in society...and of course, the lack of good scientific detective skills among the constabulary.
Even though Sherlock is 13, this is not a children's story. Rather, it's a grown-up well written mystery with a known character and a great cast of characters that is stimulating and riveting. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely be seeking out more in the series.
I rarely give 5 star reviews, so you can be sure that if you pick this book up, you may not put it down until you have finished in one go. It's that good.
This book was brilliant. So well written. In short, Sherlock Holmes is 13, and is summoned home from Eaton (where he wasn't having much fun anyway). Mycroft has likewise been summoned home from Oxford. Mother has been accused of murder, and is in gaol. She knows that her sons can help save her.
We see the beginnings of the steel-trap mind that becomes the hallmark of Sherlock Holmes stories (both Conan Doyle and more recent authors). At 13, Sherlock's orderly and logical mind is still forming, but unlike the Flavia de Luce stories, he is less likely to fall into entirely adolescent behaviors. It's like seeing a tableau in miniature....it's all there, just smaller.
This book kept my attention from the first pages. I enjoyed the way the author took us into the society of the time while spinning the story; the relationships between husband and wife, the place of women in society...and of course, the lack of good scientific detective skills among the constabulary.
Even though Sherlock is 13, this is not a children's story. Rather, it's a grown-up well written mystery with a known character and a great cast of characters that is stimulating and riveting. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely be seeking out more in the series.
I rarely give 5 star reviews, so you can be sure that if you pick this book up, you may not put it down until you have finished in one go. It's that good.
June 25, 2020
Having read most Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes stories I was interested to see how Liese Sherwood-Fabre was going to deal with Sherlock Holmes. Having watched on TV some of the more modern version of which I’m not too fond of, I was hoping she would stick to the original time period. Liese did a great job in bringing to us the feel of the time period for England. We get to know Sherlock as a young teenager. He is no longer a child but not yet a man. Looking for the approval from parents and older brother but you can see the beginnings of Sherlock and the man he will become. His mother is a delightful person and his father is very much on keeping up appearances that are part of his social standing. Mycroft the older brother and a university student wants to become more part of the changes that are about to happen. Through it all you can feel the love between the family members. And of course in order to keep the mother out of prison there are a couple of murders that need to be solved. I'm looking forward to seeing another book in this series.
April 18, 2020
How the author is linking anything we know about Sherlock Holmes ( even if we're not experts on the matter) to a pure logical detective story in his childhood is truly amazing. The more you read the book, the more you get involved in the chase.
Young Sherlock gets older in the process of fighting for the truth. the descriptions of action and locations are vivid and never boring. the dialogues are just the perfect length and so natural that you wonder if in fact they are not recorded. This story is an original, precise and wonderfully crafted piece of literature.
I can't wait to read the other books and will encourage anyone to read the adventures of young Sherlock.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. all opinions are mine.
Young Sherlock gets older in the process of fighting for the truth. the descriptions of action and locations are vivid and never boring. the dialogues are just the perfect length and so natural that you wonder if in fact they are not recorded. This story is an original, precise and wonderfully crafted piece of literature.
I can't wait to read the other books and will encourage anyone to read the adventures of young Sherlock.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. all opinions are mine.
June 21, 2020
Young Sherlock Holmes had the inquisitiveness, the curiosity and the same hormones coming to life like any boy his age, his brother on the other is the one with the stuffy attitude. Now his mom she had the scientific mind and the sleuthing genes and I love how she went about solving the murder on their property, with the help of her brother and young Sherlock of course. Her husband on the other hand proved to be a big pain in the you know what, hurting her the way he did but good sense prevailed when death came knocking on their doors once again. Sherlock was determined to find the answers to all that was puzzling about the case. An amusing entertaining and darn right engaging read.
April 30, 2022
The first adventure
First book in series that shows a young Sherlock, naive in the ways of the world, become receptive to the wild thrill of curiosity and detecting. I enjoyed the book as many of Sherlock us traits silently become apparent. His mother, a liberated women with scientific background, focused on improving herself and those among here. As a herbalist, she knows the plants that have medicinal values, and a woman's limited role in society. A midwife, killed and left in the Holmes garden, casts guilt upon her when the constable arrives and finds with a bloody pitchfork in her hands.
First book in series that shows a young Sherlock, naive in the ways of the world, become receptive to the wild thrill of curiosity and detecting. I enjoyed the book as many of Sherlock us traits silently become apparent. His mother, a liberated women with scientific background, focused on improving herself and those among here. As a herbalist, she knows the plants that have medicinal values, and a woman's limited role in society. A midwife, killed and left in the Holmes garden, casts guilt upon her when the constable arrives and finds with a bloody pitchfork in her hands.
April 19, 2020
Young Sherlock Holmes known to his family as Sherry, gets his start as a detective. Readers that have any read any of the Sherlock Holmes series of books, will get insight into his family and into Sherlock, right down to the deerstalker hat. This was a wonderful and charming book. The author knows how to handle a beloved and well well known character and leave the readers wanting more of young Sherlock. I am looking forward to the next book and learning more of Sherry's early life.
August 20, 2021
The author introduces the reader to a very young Sherlock Holmes. When his mother is arrested for the murder of a midwife who is found in the Holmes' garden with a pitch fork in her back; Sherlock and his brother Mycroft are called home from their schools.
The constable is convinced of their mother's quilt; but the boys are determined to help prove that their mother is not guilty.
Very well written, exciting at times, endearing at others, a true Sherlock Holmes story!
The constable is convinced of their mother's quilt; but the boys are determined to help prove that their mother is not guilty.
Very well written, exciting at times, endearing at others, a true Sherlock Holmes story!
March 25, 2020
Enjoyed this book, was very creative how the young Sherlock's early life was depicted to fit some of the trait his later personality. The mystery, whilst very entertaining was a little predictable, but the adventures getting to the end were rather exciting. Good depiction of the era also
All in all the good book which I could not put down.
All in all the good book which I could not put down.
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