Review & Discussion Guide: The Sherlock Society

Summary: The Sherlock Society

With a last name like Sherlock, siblings Alex and Zoe decide that the best summer job for them is starting a detective agency. With the help of their best friends, Yadi and Lina, and their former investigative journalist grandfather, the kids are set to find Al Capone’s treasure and learn more about Miami, a sunny city with shady people. But things do not quite go to plan, and instead, they find themselves thrust into an unexpected mystery.

The Good

This book is a true mystery — with a worthy subject, high-risk moments, and a satisfying conclusion. Unlike the City Spies series, this book is narrated from Alex Sherlock’s POV, which makes for a different experience than the omnipresent narrator I’m used to with James Ponti. Still, I think it works to create a more intimate feeling for the series. The first book of any series lays the foundation for future stories, and this one does just that: we meet the four kids and learn a bit about them.

I loved the characters in this story. Lina’s new to Miami, so we can see the city through her eyes — and it is vibrant! Ponti definitely has created this series as an ode to Miami, its history, wildlife, and the popular Everglades. This is a great book to read before your first visit to Miami, as it stays pretty true to the real-life locations. Zoe is working through a tricky friendship situation, trying to figure out who her real friends are and how to be a real friend. Yadi is a great comic relief in this first book. I also loved the kids’ grandfather and their sharp attorney mother, whose interactions with each other are just hilarious to read.

Finally, the mystery in this book is a rollercoaster. I didn’t read the synopsis too closely, so I was fully on board for the Al Capone mystery, but a plot twist takes readers in a different direction, which made the book more compelling. There’s a surprising focus on the environment and environmental activism that reminded me a bit of Gerber’s The Liars Society. Ultimately, I had a great time following the gang, and I look forward to their future adventures.

Content Notes

Here are some specifics to know about the content.

Content Warnings

• Death: None
• Alcohol/substance abuse: None
• Sexual content: None
• Religious content: None
• Language: None

Diversity

• Ethnic: The main characters are white, Yadi is of Indian heritage, one Black side character
• Sexual orientation: None

Recommended for ages: 9+

Good for kids who like:

• Mystery books
• Stories set in Miami
• James Ponti’s books
• The City Spies series
• The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber
• Scooby Doo

Publisher Details

Buy This Book

---

More Book Reviews

• City Spies by James Ponti
• The Liars’ Society by Alyson Gerber
• What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski