Death Cloud Review

Death Cloud by Anderw Lane

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux

Pages: 306

Genre: Mystery

From: Library

Synopsis: It is the summer of 1868, and Sherlock Holmes is fourteen. On break from boarding school, he is staying with eccentric strangers—his uncle and aunt—in their vast house in Hampshire. When two local people die from symptoms that resemble the plague, Holmes begins to investigate what really killed them, helped by his new tutor, an American named Amyus Crowe. So begins Sherlock’s true education in detection, as he discovers the dastardly crimes of a brilliantly sinister villain of exquisitely malign intent.  From Goodreads.com

  Everyone knows about Sherlock Holmes, but what was he like as a teenager?  How did he become a detective? Andrew Lane has decided to find out.
       This book is written in third person following Sherlock to the home of his uncle's for the summer where he meets the mysterious, suspicous Mrs. Eglantine, and the street smart Matty.  Then the action starts picking up.  Before the story was slow and the characters, especially Sherlock's brother Mycroft, like to talk in long speeches that really slow the pace.  The book itself is a pretty moderatley paced novel, and there wasn't really anything to keep reading except the awesome teenage Sherlock Holmes.
       The characters were good.  I really loved Matty!  He was funny and a good change of pace from the richer folk.  Sherlock did act like a teenager, this is good because I was afraid he wouldn't be protrayed like a kid.  I haven't read any of the Doyle novels but I see how Sherlock was growing into the famous detective.
       The plot was exciting and action-packed.  The story was very realisticly protrayed and offered random facts and England geography/ history.

Characters- 8
Plot- 7
Suspense- 6.75
Theme- Knowledge of any kind is power- 8
POV- 6
Pace- 6.5
Cover- 8
Overall-  7.2

P.S.- Good writing style.  I'm excited for the sequel.