245. The Dragon Turn by Shane Peacock

The Dragon Turn by Shane Peacock (Canada) - (US)
The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His 5th Case

Pages: 220
Ages: 12+
Finished: Nov. 13, 2011
First Published: Oct. 11, 2011
Publisher: Tundra Books
Genre: YA, mystery, historical fiction, magicians
Rating: 5/5


First sentence:

The moment the dragon appears on the stage of The Egyptian Hall theater in London, Sherlock Holmes knows there is something truly wonderful, truly disturbed, about Alistair Hemsworth.

Acquired: Received a review copy from Tundra Books.

Reason for Reading: next in the series.

I always look forward to reading the next installment of The Boy Sherlock Holmes, knowing I'm in for a good mystery, period piece and adventure.  The fifth book in the series, The Dragon Turn was no disappointment!  Set in the world of Victorian prestidigitation, the reader is planted back stage at the antics of self-important magicians and the violent death of one leaving very few remains other than pieces of flesh, whilst a rival is collared for the offense.  But Sherlock is not convinced things are as they seem and with some coercion from Irene he takes on the case to prove the magician is innocent but after he has gained his freedom, Sherlock begins to have second thoughts of his innocence and takes the case on himself seriously when he realizes a woman's life may be in danger.

As usual for this series, the action is non-stop. The pace rushes forward from one reveal to another always keeping the reader on his toes.  Guessing "whodunit" may come sooner or later but guessing the full motive and execution of the crime is saved for the last twists.  An exciting mystery steeped in a well-researched Victorian time period.  Sherlock has grown-up in this volume, fifteen going on sixteen finds him a teen on the verge of manhood and much less impulsive and more discerning in his actions before he leaps.  His personal life moves forward in this volume as well, with all his previously established relationships taking on new directions.  This is a satisfying book all round for the reader who has been following the series.