In his new Lock and Key series, Pearson reimagines the story of Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty as set in a contemporary New England boarding school. James' sister Moria narrates from a future vantage point, tracing the evolution of her brother from hotheaded, intelligent boy to mythic villain. James is sent to historic Baskerville Academy, where his secretive father expects him to preserve the Moriarty legacy atever that is. With ill grace, he endures bullying, homesickness, and his know-it-all roommate, a British beanpole named Sherlock. Then the Moriarty family Bible, on display at Baskerville for 130 years, is stolen. With Sherlock and Moria helping in secret, James uncovers a web of Baskerville staff and alumni connected to a clandestine society. The mystery is suspenseful but convoluted, obscured by hints and threats from enigmatic adults. Though James is the subject, he remains a disappointing cipher who is frequently pushed aside. Moria's role in the story, as a Sherlock-in-training, is the most intriguing development. This novel spin on a familiar tale will pull in lots of fans. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Coauthor of the wildly popular Peter and the Starcatchers series, Pearson will be promoting his new book with an author tour.

This Boston-based Sherlock Holmes/James Moriarty origin story from the point-of-view of James's sister, Moria, places the boys as boarding school roommates. When the three join forces to recover the Moriartys' stolen heirloom Bible, they uncover a school-wide conspiracy. It's a suspenseful if over-elaborate mystery with characters who, while difficult to reconcile with their more intriguing adult versions, will still appeal to genre fans.

The famed rivalry between Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty gets an update in this modern-day origin story, first in the Lock and Key series, which sees the two future archenemies rooming together at the elite Baskerville Academy. James Moriarty and his younger sister, Moria (who narrates), struggle to fit in after being sent to Baskerville, several hours away from their Boston home, also dealing with the weight of their family-s lengthy association with the school. When their family Bible, a prized possession of the Academy, is stolen, the pressure is on for James to unravel the clues and retrieve it. With Holmes and Moria alternately helping and hindering his efforts, he additionally investigates a conspiracy that seems to be targeting him. While Pearson (the Kingdom Keepers series) tries to put a new spin on these classic characters, he fails to capture their true essence; it-s hard to take the future -Napoleon of Crime- seriously as a surly 14-year-old, and Holmes is more annoying than brilliant without a Watson to temper his excesses. Coupled with a convoluted central mystery, this reimagining misses its mark. Ages 8-12. Agent: Amy Berkower and Dan Conaway, Writers House. (Sept.)

Gr 5-7 Baskerville Academy is the locale where teenagers James Moriarty, his younger sister Moira, and Sherlock Holmes meet as new students. Immediately, something untoward happens. The irreplaceable Moriarty Bible, which belonged to the original Moriarty ancestor, goes missing. The entire student body is under suspicion, but only James receives curious red envelopes containing cryptic messages as to the Bible's whereabouts. His roommate Sherlock offers to assist him, as does Moira, but James refuses all help because he finds Sherlock arrogant, and now that he is in school, he distances himself from Moira as well. Instead, James prefers to align himself with some unsavory upperclassmen. When James and Moira's father dies, Moira asks Sherlock to do some sleuthing, because his death was not accidental. This new role for Sherlock pleases his restless spirit. On campus, there is a secret society that includes the headmaster and James's late father. The members of this clandestine organization, called The Fellowship of Scowerers, want James to join. The initiation involves tattooing James's underarm with the symbol of a tree and key as well as warning him that to reveal anything about this society could lead to his death. Pearson perfectly captures Holmes's deductive methods. He humanizes Holmes's prickly personality by creating an innocent, blossoming romance with Moira. Likewise, Moriarty's persona becomes darker and more devious as he transforms into a malevolent force. VERDICT The first installment in an exciting new series that's ideal for fans of Pearson and those looking for a more modern take on Sherlock Holmes's mysteries. Lillian Hecker, Town of Pelham Public Library, NY