REVIEW The Sherlock Society (The Sherlock Society #1) by James Ponti

The Sherlock Society (The Sherlock Society #1) by James Ponti

Rating: 5 Stars

Release Date: September 3, 2024

Format: Hardcover (Review Copy from Publisher) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)

Publisher: Aladdin

Being a huge fan of James Ponti’s City Spies books, it was very exciting for me when I received a copy of his newest release, The Sherlock Society. A mix of mystery, history, journalism, and bits of science, it was a fun read I would highly recommend to kids of all ages. 

Siblings Alex and Zoe Sherlock are looking for a way to learn a little spending cash and occupy their summer. Taking homage from their last name (and their grandfather’s journalism background), they decide to start their own kid detective agency The Sherlock Society with friends Lina and Yadi. Working on the cold cases their grandpa could never solve, it leads them straight into the heart of the Everglades and a very active mystery. 

I loved the storyline. The initial mystery the kids choose to tackle (the lost treasure/money stash of Al Capone) was super interesting. It was fun to see how the author blended solving the mystery with the journalism ‘bootcamp’ that the kids have to go through. I also really appreciated how the author used the story to educate people about the Everglades and the history surrounding the area. I don’t want to spoil the true mystery of the book, but it was extremely well written with how it unfolded (starting with a major climax, then going back in time to show how the characters got there). 

The characters were another definite highlight of the book for me. Zoe and Alex’s grandpa, Mr. Pete Lassiter, has to be one of the coolest adults I’ve ever seen in a middle-grade book. All of the kids in the Sherlock Society have their own talents and perspectives, and brought something unique to the team. Zoe and Alex’s parents were super cool too, and I thought they (along with the other side characters) rounded out the story well. 

Overall, another great read and release from the author. Mark Sanderlin did an excellent job bringing the story to life with his performance in the audiobook narration. I’m excited to read future installments in the series, and see what The Sherlock Society gets up to on their next adventure. 

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review The Sherlock Society immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way.