A Study in Charlotte
Ratings107
Average rating3.6
Charlotte Holmes and Jamie Watson: four generations later, but the same crazy shenanigans. The two teen aged descendants of Sherlock and James Watson may attend the same Northeastern prep school, but they are by no means as close as their great-great-great grandparents. If it wasn't for the mysterious death of one of their classmates, the two probably wouldn't have had anything to do with each other.
I really appreciated this re-imagining of Sherlock Holmes. The story is original and I love that Charlotte is a strong, independent lead female. I can also appreciate the fact that she is not perfect; yes, she is extremely smart, much like her great-great-great grandfather, Sherlock Holmes, but she is not infallible. She has her emotional moments, has her addictions. She's a fully realized character who isn't wholly good or wholly bad. I also love the fact that romance is a thing that exists in this book but it is not the focus at all.
Not a bad read but unless one is well-versed in Sherlock stories all the references to Sir Conan Doyle's work make it annoying.
It is interesting extension to the Holmes and Watson world but I feel like it lacks some depth in terms of detail. The book was too short and the mystery did not realiy have much detail rather than odd deductions and logical jumps that is Holmes magic
I enjoyed certain parts of this book, however some parts were quite slow. I didn't hate the story, but it did seem a little juvenile at times. I will continue the series to see what happens next.
It was okay, but I didn't like it nearly as much as I thought I would. The new Holmes-Watson generation thing was interesting, but I feel like it will get old quickly. The case/mystery was just so wild and over the top that it made the book feel hokey? The copious amount of injectable drug references had me cringing the entire book
An updated Holmes/Watson mystery that's fun but would work better if the characters were older and with some edits. Can't recommend without reservations because it's pretty problematic: Has date rape as a plot device, there's oxy use without any real consequences, and uses “spirit animal” unchecked.
I debated hard about 3, 3.5 or 4 stars. I really did. IT MATTERS...at least to this book worm it does.
3.5 Stars.
As much as I love retelling, reimaginings, do overs, loosely based on, etc etc whatever whatever..I realized I had never read anything based on Sherlock save the originals. I don't know how this happened. So I was perhaps somewhat guarded as I read this. I don't know why.
With that being said I didn't hate it at all. I wasn't sure how Sherlock and Watson-y the author was going to get with great great great grandchildren of the OG sleuthing duo....so maybe that's why I didn't want to get attached. You know..in case i hated the shit out of this book. I appreciated the crimes in this first book. A nice nod to the originals.
The story was cute. It took me , what felt like, forever to read this. I just wasn't pulled into the story line, could be how busy I was or it could have been the story itself. I haven't decided if I am going to pick up the other novels or not. I just found out there is a 4th book in the series!
3 1/2 stars.
I liked this book! The complexity and realism of characters drew me in, and the mystery elements also really worked–I kept thinking, they must be getting close to a solultion...then plot twist! Nice one.
Generally, teens solving crimes at boarding school is as two-dimensional as could be, but this book managed to let me suspend my disbelief on that one.
This book is too gritty for me to recommend to the school library where I work, but violent, sexual, mental illness, family dysfunction, and drug-related content wasn't gratuitous. The things that should have messed people up and resulted in them being a bit broken did, in fact, result in brokenness, and no one, kids or adults, were 100% black or white (except our villain, who was pretty straight forwardly evil).
Spoiler: An image that will linger is Jamie crawling under the porch and choosing to hold Charlotte while she's mean and high, saying yes to their weird friendship, choosing loyalty and to be present.
I passed by this series in the book section by Target a bajillion times but besides liking the covers I didn't really think about picking them up since I've not had great luck with ya recently. I needed a break from a slow read so I grabbed this one and I found myself thoroughly entertained!
Unfortunately I didn't enjoy this one as much as I did the original one. I didn't hate it but I also didn't love it. It was just an ok read for me which is why I am giving it 3 stars. I might continue on with the series but I'm not going to be in any rush to get to them.
Maybe I shouldn't have read this right after reading and loving the original. I couldn't stand Charlottes characters. I get she is a lot like her great-great-great grandfather but I actually liked him while she got on my nerves. Ugh and don't get me started on the drugs. The drug use from not only Charlotte but other characters as well was such a major aspect in this book and it drove me crazy how nonchalantly it's talked about and done with no repercussions.
I did love Jamie's character though. He unlike the original Watson actually helped and participated in the case as more than just an observer.
I will say I had no clue who the murderer was until it was revealed which is a plus.
At the end Charlotte has a little chapter where she kind of corrects things that she thinks Jamie got wrong and I enjoyed that especially how she has kind things to say about Jamie. I would have liked for her to explain how she solved the murder like Sherlock did in the original because how she came to do/know things didn't make sense. Like how did she know to look there or whatever.
honestly, at first i wasn't very impressed with this book. i found myself forcing myself to read it when i wasn't actually too keen. the beginning of the book was quite slow and none of the characters were interesting. charlotte seemed to parallel the tv version of sherlock holmes and it made her character seem like an unoriginal take on a holmes character. i did like the attempts at making her seem more human than tv sherlock through her sexual assault and substance abuse, but for most of the book she was very unlikeable and had little character development. BUT as i got to the last 10% of the book i found myself unable to stop reading - charlotte had gone soft for jamie AND was finally solving the mystery. this last 10% of the book redeemed the plot for sure, i think the looooong intro of the characters put me off in the beginning. in the end, i thought it was a fun read and i'll likely read the next book in the series.
Before I start let me state the trigger warnings on this book: mentions of rape, murder, blood and substance abuse. So if you're triggered by any of these please go into this book with caution.
I gave this book 4/5 detectives I really enjoyed this book guys! I was lowkey surprised because I am picky with my mysteries. But I was really shooked at how dark it got at tiimes. It was really well done.
I loved the characters so much I just wanted to protect them. Charlotte and her sarcastic smartass sense of humour and her can fight for herself badass attitude. I loved her character, she was smart and kick butt at the same time. She don't need anyone to fight for her. And then Jamie, my cinnamon roll of a son. He is caring, sometimes a bit clueless, but will fight if you get on his bad side. I loved that their relationship in this book for the majority is their friendship and how disfuncional it could be. It had a but of lovey feels at the end but it was mainly how their friendship developed.
I liked how the author implemented the actual tales of Sherlock in the book. I personally never read or watched anything of Sherlock. But it was cool to see the stories being sprinkled in here and there in the book.
I will say I wish there was a bit more diversity. And also the ending was a bit predictable. I guessed who did it a chapter or two before. But the events that happens in the end were interesting enough that still had me surprised
Before I start let me state the trigger warnings on this book: mentions of rape, murder, blood and substance abuse. So if you're triggered by any of these please go into this book with caution.
I gave this book 4/5 detectives I really enjoyed this book guys! I was lowkey surprised because I am picky with my mysteries. But I was really shooked at how dark it got at tiimes. It was really well done.
I loved the characters so much I just wanted to protect them. Charlotte and her sarcastic smartass sense of humour and her can fight for herself badass attitude. I loved her character, she was smart and kick butt at the same time. She don't need anyone to fight for her. And then Jamie, my cinnamon roll of a son. He is caring, sometimes a bit clueless, but will fight if you get on his bad side. I loved that their relationship in this book for the majority is their friendship and how disfuncional it could be. It had a but of lovey feels at the end but it was mainly how their friendship developed.
I liked how the author implemented the actual tales of Sherlock in the book. I personally never read or watched anything of Sherlock. But it was cool to see the stories being sprinkled in here and there in the book.
I will say I wish there was a bit more diversity. And also the ending was a bit predictable. I guessed who did it a chapter or two before. But the events that happens in the end were interesting enough that still had me surprised
warning: rape, drug use/addiction
I really enjoyed this one!
I love mysteries and detective books. This one definitely had a mystery that I enjoyed. It had me wondering for a while on how things were being done. Although, I will say the fact that the real police didn't believe in their alibis and how Jaime was adamant on somethings could get... annoying and really made me suspend my belief. I don't want to get into much of it, but honestly Jaime could get... annoying.
Not to say Charlotte is perfect either. She has a few quirks that didn't play with me, but for the most part I really really liked her. When she and Jaime are actually working together is when I think the book is at its best. Although, the side characters aren't really flushed out, they do really feel like side characters.... NPCs almost.
There is also some romance to this book. I know, I was hoping for more of a platonic thing. Why can't they just be friends at first and grow into their feelings?? I don't know... but I think it will get more involved as the series progresses.
The pacing could also be a little funky, but honestly it made it feel more real. There were down times were no clues were found and teens weren't trusted to solve a mystery right off the bat. There is major time given to research. So, I didn't mind it :)
I really REALLY liked the mystery though and how the main characters interacted, which is why I'll be giving the sequel a shot, although I'm not in a rush to try it. Definitely one I'll be recommending to mystery fans.
DNF. Arthur Conan Doyle would not approve. Weak premise propped up with needless profanity.
I am so obsessed with this book! I finished it and immediately preordered book 2. It is incredibly smart, with well rounded characters. They aren't just takes on the original Holmes and Watson but fascinating nods to them while being there own thing. I am so here for a girl genius as clever as Holmes, and I like the dynamic with Watson here better even than the original Holmes Watson duo!
This is the first new book I've been able to complete in a while. My mom brain just hasn't been in the zone to accept new stories. I'm happily going on to the next one which just came out.
A creative and clever book which has a simple premise: What if Sherlock Holmes' and Dr. Watson's descendants became friends as they both attended a Connecticut boarding school? In between trying to solve the murder of a student (done in an homage to a famous Holmes case), a surprising complex relationship emerges between two complex characters. Darker than many YA books (Charlotte Holmes' drug use is a central theme), it is a good read for both casual and serious Holmes fans alike.
Holmes and Watson are back!
I love seeing Sherlock reinvented and his cases brought into a new era. This Holmes and Watson are flawed people full of problems and I love them. The conclusion makes sense and makes me want to read more. More of this series and more of Sherlock.