There's No Place Like Holmes by Jason Lethcoe
Griffin Sharpe is not your average American boy. He's observant--very observant. He can tell you the number of stairs he just climbed, the number of breaths you took during a recent conversation, and whether or not the man across the street brushed his teeth this morning. His matter-of-fact attitude and curious nature, however, only add gas to the fire of ridicule he receives from his peers.
When his mother sends him off to spend the summer with his uncle, Snoops, in London, Griffin is elated yet nervous. After all, he has never met his uncle and knows very little about him. On the train ride, our young hero is thrilled to discover that the address he is heading to is the address of England's finest detective, Sherlock Holmes. The thrill dies away when Griffin learns that his uncle is not Sherlock Holmes, but a inept detective wannabe with a harsh demeanor and an ungrateful attitude.
When a woman comes to him for help in finding her husband, Griffin's uncle jumps at the chance to prove his detective skills and outwit his accomplished neighbor, Holmes. But when the kidnapping turns out to be merely the beginning of an elaborate plot, Snoops enlists Griffin's aid in solving the crime. Will they solve the mystery in time, or will Snoops, once again, find himself a step behind Sherlock Holmes?
There's No Place Like Holmes is a fantastic read for children and adults alike. The plot is thorough, yet simple enough for even a young child to understand. The characters are well-written and evoke a lot of emotion from the reader. The overall flow of the story is smooth, leaving adequate time for thought but advancing the story at a quick enough pace as to prevent boredom. Though the book has a Christian theme woven throughout, the author never seems "preachy" or "in your face." On the contrary, I feel he does an excellent job in portraying a proper Christian attitude and lifestyle.
This book is clean and suitable for readers of all ages. It was a joy to read, and I have to admit that I didn't want to put it down. I especially enjoyed the extra tidbits included in the book such as the mini-mysteries in the back. This book definitely has something for everyone.
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