"Who needs Sherlock when you’ve got Shelby Holmes on the case? This smart, funny mystery brings all the charm of the classic Holmes and Watson stories to a fresh, contemporary setting. Watch out readers - the game is afoot!" - Varian Johnson, author of THE GREAT GREENE HEIST and TO CATCH A CHEAT
"Fun, fresh and unputdownable. I loved, loved, LOVED it!" - Sarah Mlynowski, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of the Whatever After series
"Young Shelby may be hunting for a lost spaniel rather than the Hound of the Baskervilles but she is no less dogged a detective than Sherlock himself. And even a legendary malcontent like S. Holmes or P. Bosch will be moved by the friendship at the heart of this riveting mystery. It’s only logical that you should read it at once." - Pseudonymous Bosch, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of The Secret Series and the Bad Books series
"A lively present-day update of Sherlock Holmes, one with plenty of winks to the source material. Readers will delight in Shelby's ability to read clues in this well-plotted mystery and sympathize with Watson who, along with the rest of the supporting cast, is generally two steps behind Shelby." - Publishers Weekly
"Brisk pacing, likable characters, a few silly Holmes jokes and a diverse neighborhood, carefully and realistically described by John, are ingredients for success. A smart, fresh take on an old favorite makes for a terrific series kickoff." - Kirkus Reviews
"Will delight readers as they attempt to solve the mystery of a missing dog. Eulberg's middle grade debut is a first purchase for mystery lovers." - School Library Journal
"Mystery fans may try to solve the case, but most, like John, will enjoy just hanging out with Shelby to see what happens next." - Booklist
"Young readers will admire the super sleuth and her equally likable sidekick. Perfect for mystery fans." - School Library Connection
06/13/2016
In this series opener, Eulberg (We Can Work It Out) creates a lively present-day update of Sherlock Holmes, one with plenty of winks to the source material. Eleven-year-old John Watson has grown up on multiple army bases, but now that his parents are splitting up, he and his mother move to 211 Baker Street—in Harlem—where he meets nine-year-old neighbor Shelby Holmes. Watson is intrigued by the brilliant and intense Shelby, who is known throughout the neighborhood for her crime-solving talent. Her prickly demeanor can be challenging, but Watson is amazed by Shelby’s powers of observation and deduction, and soon the two are helping a classmate locate her missing show dog. Watson’s struggles adjusting to New York City life, making friends, and missing his father are captured believably. Readers will delight in Shelby’s ability to read clues in this well-plotted mystery and sympathize with Watson who, along with the rest of the supporting cast, is generally two steps behind Shelby. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Erin Malone, William Morris Endeavor. Illustrator’s agency: Shannon Associates. (Sept.)
06/01/2016
Gr 3–6—Shelby Holmes is a plucky sixth-grade detective known for solving problems in her Harlem neighborhood. John Watson is a self-proclaimed army brat dealing with his parents' divorce and a move to what he hopes will be his forever home. When Watson moves into Shelby's building, Shelby discovers that friendship might be the greatest mystery of all. This middle grade retelling of the classic Sherlock Holmes/Watson relationship will delight readers as they attempt to solve the mystery of a missing dog. Told from Watson's perspective, this title introduces readers to Shelby's curt behavior in a manner that allows them to empathize with the girl as she learns how to be a friend. Ample time is also given to Watson's journey from detective's assistant to a full-fledged partner. Secondary plots about Watson coping with his parents' divorce and the difficulties of making new friends when he frequently moves will appeal to a large group of readers. The overall message of accepting others is made without seeming overly preachy. Readers will look forward to the conclusion of the mystery and will anxiously anticipate additional books in the series. VERDICT Eulberg's middle grade debut is a first purchase for mystery lovers.—Ashley Leffel, Griffin Middle School, Frisco, TX
2016-06-22
A modern Sherlock Holmes retelling brings an 11-year-old black John Watson into the sphere of know-it-all 9-year-old white detective Shelby Holmes.John's an Army brat who's lived in four states already. Now, with his parents' divorce still fresh, the boy who's lived only on military bases must explore the wilds of Harlem. His new life in 221A Baker St. begins inauspiciously, as before he's even finished moving in, his frizzy-haired neighbor blows something up: "BOOM!" But John's great at making friends, and Shelby certainly seems like an interesting kid to know. Oddly loquacious, brusque, and extremely observant, Shelby's locally famous for solving mysteries. John's swept up in her detecting when a wealthy, brown-skinned classmate enlists their help in the mysterious disappearance of her beloved show dog, Daisy. Whatever could have happened to the prizewinning Cavalier King Charles spaniel? Has she been swiped by a jealous competitor? Has Daisy's trainer—mysteriously come into enough money to take a secret weekend in Cozumel—been placing bets against his own dog? Brisk pacing, likable characters, a few silly Holmes jokes ("I'm Petunia Cumberbatch," says Shelby while undercover), and a diverse neighborhood, carefully and realistically described by John, are ingredients for success. A smart, fresh take on an old favorite makes for a terrific series kickoff. (Mystery. 9-11)
