The Baker Street Peculiars

An unlikely foursome has stumbled upon a devious plot in the heart of 1930s London. A clever young aspiring detective, a homeless pickpocket, a prim and proper wannabe adventurer, and his golden retriever/valet find themselves chasing down a lion statue come to life! And when they are deputized by Sherlock Holmes, this curious quartet discovers other statues have transformed the same way! But who would want living statues, and what is the endgame here?

The legacy of Holmes is alive and well in The Baker Street Peculiars, as Molly, Rajani, Humphrey, and Wellington the Dog become the Great Detective’s eyes and ears. It’s a very silly story, but one told well, with plenty of action and enjoyable banter for readers of all ages. Plus there are plenty of wry nods to the Holmes canon for sharp-eyed readers to catch.

Although there’s not as much emphasis on the detecting side of things–the kids are able investigators otherwise, but there are no moments of wow deduction–the clever updating of the classic Holmes elements is very effective.

The Baker Street Peculiars is great fun, a terrific way to introduce a new generation to the legend of Sherlock Holmes.