Lock and Key: the Initiation

Reviewed by: Jan Hamilton - Long Creek Detention Center, South Portland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: December 13, 2016

Review

Pearson offers up the first of three tales about young Sherlock Holmes and his adversary James Moriarty. Lock and Key: The Initiation is a mystery inside a mystery with legendary characters transported to modern times. Sherlock and James find themselves mismatched roommates in a boarding school attended also by James' sister Moria. The stage is set immediately and the action lags only slightly, this is a read that is hard to put down. Told in little sister Moria's voice the readers view her perspective which is less imposing than either of the young men. Although a mystery there is a budding if not unlikely romance that is certain to be continued in the next two books of the intended trilogy. Pearson knows his readers and has once again offered up a story that will grip their attention and maintain their support of his writing. The graphics are minimal but they contribute to the pleasing appearance of the title. Specifically the illustration of the secret society tree symbol helps to impose a mental picture of generations of members. Intermediate and middle school media centers will want to make this purchase and public libraries are encouraged to add the new series to their collections.

Overall Book Score: very good