Book Review: The Future Door by Jason Lethcoe

"The Future Door" by Jason Lethcoe is volume two of the "No Place Like Holmes" series.  If you couldn't tell from the series title, these are stories that reference Sherlock Holmes.  I say "reference" because Holmes isn't a main character in this book.  The main characters are twelve year-old Griffin Sharpe and his uncle Rupert Snodgrass.  They live at 221 A Baker Street.  Sound familiar?  It just so happens that Sherlock Holmes lives at 221 B Baker Street. 

Griffin is a precocious child.  He has a unnatural attention to detail.  This enables him to be able to solve mysteries.  Rupert fancies himself  a sleuth on par with Mr. Holmes.  In actuality, he is a master inventor but not that great on the details.  When the two, Griffin & Rupert, pair up they become an unstoppable duo.

When Sherlock Homes retires to the countryside, the Moriarty family is ready to cause trouble.  They manage to steal Rupert's time travel device and begin to change the world around them.  Griffin and Rupert must find the time machine and stop the Moriartys.  It's only through Griffin's quick thinking and Rupert's wonderful array of inventions that trouble can thwarted.

This is a cute, quick, fun youth mystery.  I'd say it is best for the 9-12 year-old range.  Anyone older would find it to easy to predict.  The characters, although fun, are not deeply developed.  This is fine for the younger audience but a bit boring for an older child.

In summary, this series would be great for the young detective in your house.  I just wouldn't bother stealing it from your kids to read, not that I've ever done that.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”