Following the events of The Initiation (2016), James, his little sister, Moira, and Sherlock sink deep into hidden clues at Baskerville Academy and at home in Boston as they investigate James and Moira's father's accidental death. Over Christmas vacation, Sherlock has solved a clue left behind in a desk drawer, but that brings more questions than answers. Halting their progress is James' involvement with a secret society, the Scowerers, at school, whose assignments are, to say the least, concerning. As James grows more and more distant, Moira feels she can only trust Sherlock, a move she hopes she won't regret. There's adventure aplenty, and the ending is left open for sequels that will likely further young Moriarty's progress from schoolboy to famed villain. Modern Sherlock adaptations can be a hard sell to the middle-grade crowd, and most won't get the sly jokes and references to the original works. Still, Sherlock's characterization is spot-on, though, and that alone will keep readers coming back for more.

Twelve-year-old Moria Moriarty chronicles the continuing teenage adventures of the famous archenemies Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty. Still reeling from the mysterious death of their father, Moria and James scour their Boston home for clues. But it is a bit of cleverly worked geometry on the part of Sherlock that reveals a hidden room that offers more puzzles than it solves. Back at boarding school, James finds himself increasingly involved in a secret criminal organization and agrees to prey upon the romantic aspirations of a fellow classmate for leverage. Sherlock, ever the bloodhound, seeks to solve the various cases swirling around the secretive Moriarty family. But his discoveries make it increasingly difficult to know whom and what to trust. As James becomes more withdrawn, Moria partners with the intelligent and conceited Sherlock. This is an origin story that is rich in teen angst, romance, and intrigue. Unfortunately, mysteries range from the far too simple (references to Poe's writing) to the intriguing (using a pencil to escape from a locked room). The meandering story will keep the attention of stalwart Sherlock fans, but it is the budding relationship between Moria and Sherlock that steals the story. The central characters are all white. Mystery, romance, and teen angst—the game is definitely afoot. (Mystery. 9-12)

Gr 4-6This sequel begins where the first book, The Initiation, ended: with the death of the elder James Moriarty, father of Moira and James. Sherlock Holmes is James's roommate at Baskerville Academy. Sherlock, Moira, and James believe that Mr. Moriarty's death was no accident. Who is responsible, and why? In the first installment, young James was initiated into a secret society, the Scowerers, that his father had led. In this follow-up, he discovers a rival secret society. Both are determined to uncover the shady dealings of Mr. Moriarty and to take over his vast international holdings. The three young sleuths attempt to decipher the clues surrounding the network while trying to avoid the threats the gangs pose. Pearson provides a nonstop stream of undercover work, thievery, ciphers, and violence that is the stuff of nightmares. On a lighter note, there is a tender romance between the cold-tempered James and a fellow student, Alexis. Meanwhile, Moira is attracted to Sherlock, who reciprocates. Readers are left with questions concerning the mysterious disappearance of Mrs. Moriarty, and James is implicated in murders of his own. While Sherlock learns the identity of Mr. Moriarty's killer, he will need proof to make the case. It will take another volume to complete this tale. Holmes's powerful intellect is fully at work in this rousing story of greed and mayhem. VERDICT A fine option for kids who like action-packed mysteries. A must-have where the author is popular.Lillian Hecker, Town of Pelham Public Library, NY