Black Ice

"Black Ice" by Andrew Lane is the third book in the "Young Sherlock Holmes" series, which explores the early life of the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes. Here is a comprehensive overview of the book:

Plot Summary

The story begins with teenage Sherlock Holmes and his American tutor, Amyus Crowe, traveling to London to visit Sherlock's brother, Mycroft. Instead of a pleasant lunch, they find Mycroft in a locked room with a dead body and a knife in his hand. The police are convinced that Mycroft is a murderer, but Sherlock is adamant that his brother is innocent. This sets off a thrilling adventure as Sherlock and Amyus embark on a journey to clear Mycroft's name. Their investigation takes them from London to Moscow, where they uncover a web of secrets and danger involving the Paradol Chamber and a missing agent named Mr. Wormersley.

Key Themes

1. Innocence and Guilt: The central theme revolves around the question of Mycroft's innocence and the need for Sherlock to prove it.
2. Deductive Reasoning: The book highlights Sherlock's developing skills in deductive reasoning as he navigates through the mystery.
3. Friendship and Loyalty: The bond between Sherlock and Amyus Crowe is crucial in their investigation and survival.
4. Coming of Age: The story showcases Sherlock's growth from a young boy to a more mature and capable detective.

Critical Reception

Positive Reviews:

• Kayla's Review: Kayla from "Concerning Writing" appreciates the book for its well-researched and well-developed young Sherlock Holmes. She notes that the story becomes more engaging after the initial slow pace and praises the character development.
• Goodreads Review: A Goodreads reviewer enjoyed the action-packed middle and last chapters, recommending the book to fans of mysteries and Sherlockian fiction.

Negative Reviews:

• The Reading Hedgehog: This reviewer felt that the book was more plot-driven than character-driven, which sometimes detracted from the mystery-solving aspects. They also noted that the action sequences became repetitive and less exciting over time.
• Kirkus Reviews: While praising the broad cast of characters and varied settings, Kirkus Reviews noted that the book spent more time on action sequences than actual mystery-solving. However, they appreciated the eureka moment and the satisfying resolution of most of the book’s mysteries.

Publication Details

• Publication Date: January 22, 2013
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
• Pages: 288
• Series: Young Sherlock Holmes #3

Overall, "Black Ice" is a thrilling mystery that explores the early life of Sherlock Holmes, maintaining the essence of the original character while introducing new elements to the series. While it has received mixed reviews, it remains a popular choice for fans of Sherlockian fiction and young adult mysteries.