This was a children's book that tells the story of a Young Arthur Conan Doyle's adventures in Edinburgh and the mystery he helps solve. Whilst admittedly it is a children's book I felt it was a bit light and shallow, and there are most definitely better children's books out there. Happy to have read it but won't actively go searching for the next one. There is a good link in this one to The Charge of the Light Brigade. ( )

Artie Conan Doyle and the Gravediggers' Club by Robert J. Harris
January 20, 2017


One day Arthur Conan Doyle will create the greatest detective of all -- Sherlock Holmes. But right now Artie Conan Doyle is a twelve-year-old Edinburgh schoolboy with a mystery of his own to solve.

While sneaking out to explore Greyfriars Kirkyard by night, Artie and his best friend Ham spot a ghostly lady in grey and discover the footprints of a gigantic hound. Could the two mysteries be connected?

These strange clues lead them to a series of robberies carried out by the sinister Gravediggers' Club and soon they find themselves pitted against the villainous Colonel Braxton Dash.

Will Artie survive his encounters with graveyards and ghosts in the foggy streets of nineteenth century Edinburgh -- or will his first case be his last?
I wanted to check this book out because I’m always looking for something new for my son and I figured since he enjoys watching Sherlock with me then he might get a kick out of this.

After reading it for myself I think he’d enjoy it. It’s a new imagination of Sherlock as if he was a kid just learning to test out his investigative skills. Like his adult counterpart he has a helpful sidekick who adds an additional level of humor.

Harris did a great job in describing and setting his scene so you could feel like you are there. His dialogue, particularly between the kids, is well thought out and realistic. It was easy to imagine Artie as the young version of the adult we’ve all come to know and love. Ham reminded me a bit of Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings.

Even as an adult I liked this story and hope more will be coming out. I’m particularly looking forward to getting my son to read this so we can talk about the story. It was just very refreshing to be able to find something for my son that he can read which is both fun and has an educational tone to it by teaching kids to be more observant.

Thank you to Netgalley and Floris Books for allowing me to review this book. ( )