Sherlock Bones and the Mischief in Manhattan – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Puzzles, mysteries, twists, turns, riddles.
Children’s book title: Sherlock Bones and the Mischief in Manhattan. A Puzzle Adventure.
Children’s author: Tim Collins.
Children’s illustrator: John Bigwood.
Genre: Children’s fiction, short illustrated chapter book.
Published by: Buster Books.
ISBN: 9781916763180.
Recommended for children aged: 7-9 year-olds.
First published: Paperback July 2024.
This children’s book is ideal for: Family reading.
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Our review:
A brilliant book, Sherlock Bones and the Mischief of Manhattan is a joy to read, and I couldn’t put it down. Told through Sherlock Bones’ sidekick, Dr. Jane Catson, we follow their exploits as they try to uncover the identity of the villainous ‘Puzzle’, who wants to take over Manhattan.
Together, they create a formidable team: Dr Catson’s assertive, proactive approach and Bones’s more theoretical resolutions. Readers are taken on a journey filled with puzzles and mysteries to solve. Dr. Jane Catson appears to be the true hero in this story, risking life and limb in their mission to solve the crimes. An understated character and my personal favourite, Sherlock Bones is a reserved central figure with an underlying cool intellect. When trying to figure out clues, you’ll find him gnawing on his chewing bone.
This book is ideal for aspiring investigators. My 9-year-old daughter was engrossed, excitedly trying to work out the clues. Within the story, there are mini-puzzles to solve, which are great for exercising and challenging the mind! Both of us were charmed by this incredibly captivating book’s exciting plot and entertaining puzzles.
What stands out and made me laugh out loud were the hilarious plays on words throughout the book:
We’d been everywhere from Central Bark to the Catue of Liberty
All I could see written on her notepad were the lyrics to the song “You’ll Never Bark Alone”
Great Houdogni
Niagrowl Falls
Mount Ruffmore
The Dog Mangled Banner
A marvellous detective tale, this book has many twists and turns, leaving you guessing the identity of the ‘Puzzle’ until the very end. Sherlock Bones and the Mischief of Manhattan is a very funny book with lots of good humour throughout. The illustrations were stunning.
Our verdict:
Sherlock Bones and the Mischief of Manhattan would be really fun to use in schools, encouraging students to solve the clues and building up a culture of collaboration as a class, working as a team to resolve the riddles. It is a great book to support the enjoyment of reading, building up fluency, and boosting reading for pleasure.
Sherlock Bones and the Mischief of Manhattan would be excellent for hesitant readers, as the novel is skillfully designed to draw the reader in and immerse them in the thrilling detective story as they assist Bones and Catson in cracking the case. I think this book is perfect for 7-9-year-olds and is a good one for the whole family to read together.
Many thanks to Buster Books for the review copy.
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If you like Sherlock Bones and the Mischief in Manhattan by Tim Collins you might also like: our reviews of Grimwood: Party Animals by Nadia Shireen, Watts and Whiskerton: Buried Bones and Troublesome Treasure by Meg McLaren, How to be a Genius Kid by Waldo Pancake, Max Magic: The Incredible Holiday Hideout by Stephen Mulhern with Tom Easton and Bad Panda: Mites, Camera, Action! by Swapna Haddow.
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