A Question of Holmes by Brittany Cavallaro

Challenge #5 ~ “A book by an author with two sets of double letters in their name.”

questionofholmes

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

My opinion in three sentences:

Everyone seemed to like this a lot more than I did, even though we all agree that the mystery element was a lot less significant and complex than in the previous books. Hearing solely from Charlotte was, however, an interesting twist and was fundamental in providing an engaging thread through this book. Unfortunately, what let the book down for me above everything else was the lack of research – I’m OK with authors using artistic licence, but there’s a line between bending things for the sake of the plot, and making mistakes due to a lack of knowledge (especially when it’s fairly easily accessible facts with a quick search of the internet.)

(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:

The characters have been stellar throughout this series, and the latest book is no exception. Using Charlotte’s perspective as our sole POV through the novel not only offered a fresh take from the other novels, but also allowed us to see just how much the character has developed since the very beginning. Sure, it could have been used to more effect in showcasing a complex mystery, but exposing the inner turmoil of such a closed-off character to the reader made her a lot more relatable.

A warning for the book:

It’s the fourth in a YA mystery series that’s a twist on Sherlock Holmes, but it’s not really a mystery book. There is a mystery, but it takes a back seat to pretty much everything else in the novel, has no complexity or any substantial twists, and wraps itself up with a neat little bow and very little work on behalf of our protagonists. The case element pales in significance to any of the three previous storylines (which, granted, gives more time to showcase the characters), but if the mystery part is what attracted and/or kept you with the series, don’t expect a dramatic and explosive finale from this book.

Recommended for fans of: