Death Cloud by Andrew Lane

Reviewed by Lori
Death Cloud
Title: Death Cloud

Series: Sherlock Holmes - The Legend Begins Volume 1

Author: Andrew Lane

Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 49369

Description: In 1868, with his army officer father suddenly posted to India and his mother mysteriously "unwell," fourteen-year-old Sherlock Holmes stays with his eccentric relatives where he uncovers his first murder and a diabolical villain.

Rubric Rating: Level 2 - Like It

Why I Read it: I like Sherlock Holmes mysteries and this one sounded interesting.

Lori's Notes: This is a story about a young Sherlock Holmes and how he gets his start in sleuthing. With his father off to war, his brother Mycroft living in London and his mother unwell, Sherlock is sent to live with his stodgy Aunt and Uncle during the school holidays.  While there, his brother acquires a tutor for Sherlock, Amyus Crowe.  Sherlock, along with Amyus' daughter Virginia and a homeless youth named Matty Arnatt become friends and with a fair amount of intrigue and adventure help solve the strange deaths of two villagers.  I found this an OK read.  Some moments were far-fetched, with Sherlock managing to outwit much larger characters without much training.  However, in the traditional Sherlock style he uses his brains to get out of predicaments.

Recommended Readers: Grade 6 and Up.  A good book for boys and those who like mystery/detective stories.

Themes: Detective, Adventure, Friendship, Learning, Deduction, Family, Mysteries, Murder, Well-Known Characters.

Cross-Genre Links: 
TV Series: Sherlock
Movie: Any Sherlock Holmes Movie
WebSearch: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
WebSearch: The Science of Deduction

Post Reading Discussion Questions and Activities: 

  • What is the Death Cloud?
  • How does Sherlock Holmes use deduction?
  • Hand out a variety of pictures.  What can you deduce about what is happening based on what you see in the picture.  Switch photos with a partner.  Do they come to the same conclusions as you?  Create your own mysterious photograph.
  • Who are Matty Arnatt and Virginia?  How do they help Sherlock?
  • How does Sherlock solve the crime? 


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