The author presents a dramatic hook as readers meet the two
main characters adrift in the water off the coast of Florida. Siblings Alex and
Zoe Sherlock had just survived a boat explosion after sneaking on and hiding
from the owner and his crew. The setting then shifts back three weeks to
explain how the kids get themselves, and their grandfather, into this
predicament. This adventure reveals secrets they never expected, putting them
in potentially dangerous situations. The book’s title comes from Alex’s admiration
for Sherlock Holmes and his mysteries not from the fact they share the same
last name.
The story is told from Alex’s first-person point of view
although it doesn’t add significant information or insight. The book reads as a
mystery when Zoe joins Alex and his two friends, Lina and Yadi, to form a
summertime detective agency. Their mother nixes that plan but Grandpa suggests
they try to finish one of the unsolved stories from his reporter days. The
article they choose to pursue happens to be about Al Capone and a
million-dollar hidden treasure he may have buried around Miami. Grandpa says
being a reporter is like being a detective so that’s how they’ll spin it when
the mother finds out. They often fall back on the 5 Ws of newspeople (who,
what, why, when, where) to guide their investigation.
The plot includes news from the past as the Sherlock Society
researches Al Capone’s life and historical events during that time. Capone is
best known for living in Chicago but he moved to Miami after being released
from Alcatraz prison. Grandpa shares what he knows as a lifelong resident of
the area and they visit sites from Capone’s life and interview people who have
knowledge about him. As the plot shifts, readers learn additional information
regarding nature and science when a new antagonist arises. This new conflict allows
the characters to use their detective skills to resolve an important public
problem.
What didn’t work as well:
The whole plot is about solving mysteries and readers may want a
break at times. There are a couple of subplots concerning Lina and Zoe but it
might be nice to develop them more.
The final verdict:
The book begins as an interesting exploration of Al Capone’s past
then transitions to an important investigation about a local, public figure.
The characters don’t have super-sleuthing talents but they work well together
as a team. Overall, I recommend you give it a shot.
