I’ve read a bit of Sherlock Holmes, and enjoyed it, so I was intrigued by this series that aims the tales at the younger audience by centering them around the Baker Street Irregulars.  These boys are mostly homeless ‘street urchins’ without families to care for them, who’ve formed a Peter Pan-like club or gang, and set up a residence for themselves in an abandoned building that they call the Castle.  They’re quick, clever, and ready to turn a half penny any way they can–and that makes them the perfect eyes and ears on the street for one famous detective.

The setup of the story was intriguing, and the book delivers on the promises it makes the reader.  While there is a bit of blood associated with the early deaths, it’s mostly clean of violence, and reads as a fairly straightforward deductive mystery.  It’s told in omniscient–by necessity–and while not the best example of that narrative style I’ve read lately, it’s not jarring and rarely drew attention to itself.  It also does a pretty good job, in my opinion, of balancing historic accuracy in things such as gender bias, with modern sensibilities.  The characters haven’t been modernized, but remain sympathetic.

While I found the novel generally enjoyable, for the most part it did not rise above a kind of generic ‘pulp’ adventure level that I would recommend rather than choose to read very much myself.  However, there was one area that elevated the story a bit.  And that was–

*small spoiler alert*

–we get a glimpse of Ozzie’s eyes trade through his eyes.  He’s a newcomer to the Baker Street Irregulars, and unlike the other boys has a position as an apprentice, at a scrivener’s shop.  Unfortunately for Ozzie–who is an orphan–his boss and master is supplementing his legitimate work with a bit of counterfeiting, and Ozzie has a gift for the work.  What I found fascinating was the description in the book of how Ozzie studied the handwriting on the documents he was supposed to copy, and tried to visualize himself as the author, getting inside the head of the person whose handwriting he was supposed to copy.  Really interesting stuff.  There’s also the background of a crime at the circus, and the general setting of Victorian London, of course, to add spice to the story.  A thoroughly fun read!

But, let’s see what Miss Apricot-kitty has to say about it:

“Not a bad little tale.  The boys were interesting, at least, and I liked the bits where the circus acrobats went up on the high wire.  But my favorite parts were the ones that included Shirley, the ferret.  She seemed rather clever, and those boys were smart to include her in their group.”

Here’s hoping you all have a great Thanksgiving!  Stop by Shannon’s blog for more MMGM offerings, for this week, and I hope you’ll be back next week, for the giveaway of The Goblin’s Puzzle and my interview with author Andrew Chilton.  Until then, share your thoughts and latest reads in the comments, and happy MMGM!

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