Review: A Study in Charlotte

Title: A Study in Charlotte

Author: Brittany Cavalloro

Date completed: 4 May 2016

I always enjoy dipping into YA fiction for a fun quick read, and A Study in Charlotte didn't disappoint. I believe I heard about this book through a sponsor on one of the book-related podcasts I listen to regularly. The plug mentioned the great-great-great-grandchildren of Holmes and Watson ended up at the same boarding school in the United States where they get framed for murders based off their ancestor's adventures, and they set off to solve the mystery.

Confession time: I've never read a single Sherlock Holmes book. Gasp! I know, a travesty for those that admire Arthur Conan Doyle, but crime fiction is not something I enjoy typically. Everything I know about Sherlock Holmes is based on common knowledge pop culture and BBC's modern remake. All this to say, even if the author slaughtered or stole too much from the original tales, I'd have no clue.

Being a mystery novel, I can't say to much without giving away the murderer. But I'll mention that I appreciated that the Holmes in this book was a girl. Raised as ruthlessly as any Holmes, she's brilliant, clever, and volatile. But there lies some femininity underneath the rough edges, and you learn that she does indeed have a heart and care in the end. Like all good mysteries, it kept me eagerly turning the pages with no clue who-dun-it until the end. I foresee sequels.