A Beautiful and Terrible Murder

Gr 9 Up–From the moment readers open this book to the moment it is closed, the adventure never stops. Irene Adler must maneuver the Victorian world of gender roles, wealth, family heritage, and power, all while disguised as Isaac Holland to participate in the education she desires. It goes well enough until the body count rises. There is a serial murderer in the college, and it is up to Irene and her fellow student Sherlock Holmes to discover the truth. They are hampered by their nemesis, James Moriarity, who is envious of their status as high-achieving students and who feels entitled because of his wealth and their lack. Staying true to the Holmes canon while inventing a background for Irene Adler, Holmes, Watson, and Moriarity, Andrews pens a smart, witty, engaging, and fearless young woman who holds her own. While bouncing back and forth between being Isaac and herself requires logistics in the extreme, Irene navigates the two worlds determined to uncover the murderer against all the odds set against her. Readers of Sherlock Holmes, Enola Holmes, and similar homage books will enjoy these younger versions of the characters as they struggle to uncover the mysterious deaths that may come too close for comfort. This first book in a series sets the stage for more adventures. Irene cues white.