5 Series for Sherlock Holmes Fans

Sherlock Holmes is my all time favorite detective. He's fascinating and unique. I've read a lot of his stories (I haven't made it through all of them yet) and I've see the movies with Robert Downy Jr. and the TV show with Benedict Cumberbatch. Benedict was especially good in the role, as was Martin Freeman, who played Watson.

Over time I've read several book series based off these famous mysteries. I've even had an idea for one that I'd like to write. I decided to round up all my favorites in this post. I'll give an overview of each series, no spoilers, and then talk about why I like it. Sound good?

Young Sherlock Holmes by Andrew Lane

This series is one of my favorites. I only came across it recently and read through the first five, I think.

Young Sherlock Holmes books are about Sherlock when he was a teenager, learning to become the detective he is later. In each book there is a complex mystery that I never figure out, and Sherlock obviously solves it. He learns a lot from his brother Mycroft as well as a fictional character called Crowe.

There are multiple reasons I like this one. For one, it's nice to Sherlock actually act like a normal human being for once. It's also interesting to see him progress towards the detective we know.

The whole series was very well written. It's even endorsed by the Conan Doyle Estate. Andrew Lane put a lot of time and research into each book. In the back he gives you a list of resources and facts about the things he included. I give this series four, of four, magnifying glasses. Seems appropriate, right?

The Enola Holmes Mysteries by Nancy Springer

This is a series of five books about the fictional sister of Sherlock Holmes, named Enola. Although, Sherlock is a fictional character, so can he actually have a fictional sister?

When Mrs. Holmes disappears, Enola's brothers want to send her to boarding school where she would be taught to be a lady. Enola doesn't want that, since she is as smart as her brothers and knows that they aren't healthy places. She runs away and sets up her own secret identity as a detective. Over the course of the series she solves several cases while evading her brothers.

A sister of Sherlock Holmes, who's just as smart and capable. I love that idea. Enola is a great character, especially that she's able to evade Sherlock and even solve his cases. It also gives an excellent view of Victorian life, especially for girls. This was a great series for any fan of Sherlock Holmes who might want to see a female try her hand successfully at detective work. Another four magnifying glasses.

The Sherlock Files by Tracy Barrett

The Sherlock Files is a great series to introduce kids to Sherlock Holmes in modern setting with kids their own age.

Our protagonists are Xena and Xander Holmes. They discover that they are related to the famous detective, and also find a casebook, full of mysteries he never solved. As this series progress, the siblings solve the mysteries with the help of technology and resources that Sherlock didn't have.

This is a fun series meant for kids around ten, though older ones would enjoy it too. I liked it because it's aimed at kids as well as being placed in a time they can understand. Xena and Xander are fun children trained to play the Game, which is basically deducting. You learn a lot in this series. Three magnifying glasses.



Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars by Tracy Mack

The four books in the series are all about an often overlooked part of the Sherlock Holmes stories- the Baker Street Irregulars. For those of you who don't know or remember, the irregulars are a bunch of street kids that help Sherlock.

Throughout the series, the boys, and one girl, help Sherlock solve mysteries. Because they're from the streets, they're overlooked and can see and hear everything. Sherlock does his best to keep them out of danger and rarely succeeds.

I like this one because it was about the street kids. They're not often thought of when you think about the great detective, but they were important. These books would also be great for kids who like mysteries. Three magnifying glasses.




Lock and Mori by Heather W. Petty

This is the most unusual one of the bunch (book 2 isn't out yet.) It not only is set in the modern day, the main character is Moriarty. And she's a girl.

Mori meets Sherlock by accident and quickly becomes caught up in his love for mysteries. When a person is murdered in the park near her house, they decided to each try to solve the mystery. Only they must share every clue with each other. But as Mori discovers more about the crimes, she can't tell Lock what she's found without risking everything.

I like this book first off because Mori was a girl and every bit as smart as Lock. I also like it because it's an interesting story with emotional ties. The realization of the villain is epic. The one thing that brought it down in my opinion is that Mycroft is portrayed as gay. Insert throwing up in my mouth here. This is certainly a book only for teenagers who are mature enough to handle it. Two and a half magnifying glasses.

So, what do you think of these books? Have you read any of them? Are there others you like? Let me know in the comments.