A few years back, British author Charlie Higson explored the back history of James Bond with the Young Bond series, which seemed to grab a lot of interest for those who like the Alex Rider series by Alexander Horowitz. Well, another of Britain's greatest crime finders is getting a chance to share his childhood with us. This time, it is Sherlock Holmes.

While on school break, Sherlock has been sent into the countryside to join his aunt and uncle on their estate. He finds himself quite bored. His uncle is primarily focused on his religious studies and the housekeeper seems totally out to get him. fortunately, his brother has hired him a tutor named Amyus Crowe. Crowe is actually an American who has been brought to Britain to assist the secret service, for which Sherlock's brother works.

Crowe actually seems to be the source of Sherlock's ability to examine every detail as one tries to draw together the knowledge needed to sort out a mystery, and it couldn't be better timing. A local village and one of Sherlock's uncle's workers turn up dead with a horrible boil-like rash. Everyone starts to think that it might be a plague. Well, everyone except Matty, a local runaway.

Matty is about as unrefined as Sherlock is classically educated and groomed. The two make a fine pair, though, as they try to sort out what is going on. Matty seems to hold an important clue because he saw a reddish cloud that seemed to be near the first victim just before his death. That leads them on an important chase after a criminal mastermind that will push Sherlock to the limit on is first big case.

I thought that this was a really good tale, and i can totally understand why the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was willing to endorse the work. It is really well done. There are allusions to a blossoming interest in beekeeping and future drug addiction. Lane has done a great job of blending the classical Sherlock Holmes with the innate qualities of so many teenagers.

There is a nice blend of adventure in a Victorian setting that seems to draw well on recent interest in steampunk and the popularity of that horrid movie that came out a couple of years ago. I am already looking forward to the next volume in the series, which will bring Matty and Sherlock to America. It is called Rebel Fire.