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turtle_puff95's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
One of my favorite Sherlock Holmes series. This wasn't my favorite in the series, but I still really enjoyed it. I felt like the first case was solved too quickly, and didn't add anything lasting to the overall story. <Spoiler> I also had mixed feelings about Jonathan's (Christopher) birth parents. Like maybe the Endicotts could have taken them on as servants at the house so they could see their son, without him knowing who they really were, and they would be provided for as servants. Better pay and housing etc. </Spoiler>
I also feel like this book went very quickly and the story wasn't as deep or mysterious as the previous books.
I otherwise still liked the book and read it in only a few days. Can't wait for what Bonnie MacBird writes next!
I also feel like this book went very quickly and the story wasn't as deep or mysterious as the previous books.
I otherwise still liked the book and read it in only a few days. Can't wait for what Bonnie MacBird writes next!
rani's review
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
brigwen's review
3.0
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy from HarperCollins Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The famous Sherlock Holmes is at it again and this time, just in time for Christmas. Christmas spirit won't get in the way of this Scrooge when it comes to solving mysteries. This Scrooge is the best known detective and for good reason. That's why, this Christmas season, Holmes takes on two new cases, both of loving parents concerned for their children. Can Sherlock "Scrooge" Holmes save Christmas for these two families before it is too late? Can his colleague and friend, Dr. Watson, help Holmes find that little spark of Christmas spirit buried in him somewhere?
"What Child is This?" is my first novel by Bonnie MacBird and my very first Sherlock Holmes novel as well. Don't get me wrong; everyone and their mother knows who Sherlock Holmes is. Am I the only one that pictures Robert Downey Jr. when I think of Sherlock Holmes? Just me? Okay...anyway!
The book is told from the perspective of Dr. Watson. I was not fully into the book at first. As both Watson and Holmes are extremely smart and have amazing vernacular, the language was at times a bit hard to wrap around. But after the first couple chapters and getting used to the verbiage, I really started getting into the book.
As Holmes and Watson are walking along Oxford Street, Holmes being his usual "ba-humbug" self, that happen across a man seemingly trying to rip a young boy out the arms of a woma and her maid. Of course, as good citizens, Watson and Holmes immediately jump in to try to help. The boy is reached away from the man and as the man takes off, Holmes attempts to run after him and capture him for questioning. Upon returning to 221B Baker Street, it seems as though Holmes' mind is already stirring around, trying to figure out the mystery. He even predicted Lady Endicott showing up to 221B looking for Holmes' help. To Watson's delight and a bit of confusion, Holmes agrees to take on the case.
As the duo is leaving, they are approached by another Lord, demanding their help with his "missing" son. His youngest son and his and his wife's favorite child, has seemingly gone missing after moving to the London area. The father has called on the son numerous times only to be met with the valet/bellman telling him that his son is out or some other excuse. The mother is absolutely distraught and extremely worried about her son. Again, much to Watson's surprise, Holmes agrees to take the case.
As mentioned, the verbiage of the book was very difficult to get into at first. But as the book progressed, it began easier and easier to understand. While I did enjoy this book, it flashed back too many times to other Holmes' stories and while it is stated that the books can be read in any order, it definitively did feel like at times I was missing out on something that had happened in a prior novel. I've never been a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes and it's not completely Sherlock's fault. I've just never been super big into detective stories. But as one of my first Holmes novel and one of my first full length detective novel, I did enjoy it.
The timeline seemed to jump so often and there was so many things that seemed to resolve themselves before you know it without any lead up or explanation. I felt lost at times and didn't like the way that the novel was written as if Watson, the narrator was breaking the 4th wall and at times felt like he was directly talking to the audience. I felt that it took away from the story and did not enhance the story.
Overall, it was a good read and I did enjoy it. Would I be willing to pick up another Holmes novel? Yes. But would I be willing to go out of my way to get any new Holmes novel? No, I don't think so. I was hoping this would create a Holmes fan out of me but it definitively did not do that.
The famous Sherlock Holmes is at it again and this time, just in time for Christmas. Christmas spirit won't get in the way of this Scrooge when it comes to solving mysteries. This Scrooge is the best known detective and for good reason. That's why, this Christmas season, Holmes takes on two new cases, both of loving parents concerned for their children. Can Sherlock "Scrooge" Holmes save Christmas for these two families before it is too late? Can his colleague and friend, Dr. Watson, help Holmes find that little spark of Christmas spirit buried in him somewhere?
"What Child is This?" is my first novel by Bonnie MacBird and my very first Sherlock Holmes novel as well. Don't get me wrong; everyone and their mother knows who Sherlock Holmes is. Am I the only one that pictures Robert Downey Jr. when I think of Sherlock Holmes? Just me? Okay...anyway!
The book is told from the perspective of Dr. Watson. I was not fully into the book at first. As both Watson and Holmes are extremely smart and have amazing vernacular, the language was at times a bit hard to wrap around. But after the first couple chapters and getting used to the verbiage, I really started getting into the book.
As Holmes and Watson are walking along Oxford Street, Holmes being his usual "ba-humbug" self, that happen across a man seemingly trying to rip a young boy out the arms of a woma and her maid. Of course, as good citizens, Watson and Holmes immediately jump in to try to help. The boy is reached away from the man and as the man takes off, Holmes attempts to run after him and capture him for questioning. Upon returning to 221B Baker Street, it seems as though Holmes' mind is already stirring around, trying to figure out the mystery. He even predicted Lady Endicott showing up to 221B looking for Holmes' help. To Watson's delight and a bit of confusion, Holmes agrees to take on the case.
As the duo is leaving, they are approached by another Lord, demanding their help with his "missing" son. His youngest son and his and his wife's favorite child, has seemingly gone missing after moving to the London area. The father has called on the son numerous times only to be met with the valet/bellman telling him that his son is out or some other excuse. The mother is absolutely distraught and extremely worried about her son. Again, much to Watson's surprise, Holmes agrees to take the case.
As mentioned, the verbiage of the book was very difficult to get into at first. But as the book progressed, it began easier and easier to understand. While I did enjoy this book, it flashed back too many times to other Holmes' stories and while it is stated that the books can be read in any order, it definitively did feel like at times I was missing out on something that had happened in a prior novel. I've never been a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes and it's not completely Sherlock's fault. I've just never been super big into detective stories. But as one of my first Holmes novel and one of my first full length detective novel, I did enjoy it.
The timeline seemed to jump so often and there was so many things that seemed to resolve themselves before you know it without any lead up or explanation. I felt lost at times and didn't like the way that the novel was written as if Watson, the narrator was breaking the 4th wall and at times felt like he was directly talking to the audience. I felt that it took away from the story and did not enhance the story.
Overall, it was a good read and I did enjoy it. Would I be willing to pick up another Holmes novel? Yes. But would I be willing to go out of my way to get any new Holmes novel? No, I don't think so. I was hoping this would create a Holmes fan out of me but it definitively did not do that.
swarmofbees's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rhiannonxgrace's review
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Some clever mysteries in this! Clearly I’m getting a little better as my theories were correct. I love MacBird’s Holmes stories and as always, she captured Holmes and Watson perfectly. This one didn’t have any clear insights into Holmes’ past as in the other novels in the series, but there were some gentler sides to him in this. I hope that there’s more to come in this series!
delicatedayreads's review
Unfortunately, I couldn’t get into this book. It started with what felt like no introduction and some of the word choices confused me. Maybe it was just too old timey for me? I hate not finishing books, but I would also rather read a book that I enjoy more.
*Thank you to Harper Collins for my ARC and allowing me to give my honest review of the book.*
*Thank you to Harper Collins for my ARC and allowing me to give my honest review of the book.*
queencarolrules's review
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
elzmri's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I love the Macbird-Holmes universe so much
I read this book so quick, I could not put it down. Macbird has a brilliant way of showing Holmes and Watson’s banter-filled friendship, and as I read more of her books I love that she is exploring Holmes’ character more and more, including little nuances and subtle references to his personality, such as him grimacing at loud noises. Although these small observations on Watson’s part are only small and would be overlooked by people unfamiliar with Sherlock, it makes the worldbuilding even more believable.
The case itself was interesting, and really emphasised the moral importance of the outcomes in these cases. The main case is heartbreaking, and the ending is sad for the ‘underdogs’, however the way the story played out was interesting to read. Also loved the little link to Vidocq in the other books, and Cho’s illustrations were brilliant.
I really hope Bonnie Macbird writes more of these as they’re one of my favourites!
I read this book so quick, I could not put it down. Macbird has a brilliant way of showing Holmes and Watson’s banter-filled friendship, and as I read more of her books I love that she is exploring Holmes’ character more and more, including little nuances and subtle references to his personality, such as him grimacing at loud noises. Although these small observations on Watson’s part are only small and would be overlooked by people unfamiliar with Sherlock, it makes the worldbuilding even more believable.
The case itself was interesting, and really emphasised the moral importance of the outcomes in these cases. The main case is heartbreaking, and the ending is sad for the ‘underdogs’, however the way the story played out was interesting to read. Also loved the little link to Vidocq in the other books, and Cho’s illustrations were brilliant.
I really hope Bonnie Macbird writes more of these as they’re one of my favourites!
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Transphobia, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
steph0611's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5