The Fall of the Amazing Zalindas - Rilegato

Mack, Tracy; Citrin, Michael

Rilegato

ISBN 10: 0439828368 ISBN 13: 9780439828369

Casa editrice: Orchard Books, 2006

Riassunto

As assistants to the great detective Sherlock Holmes, the Baker Street Irregulars find themselves involved in another dangerous case when a murder takes place at the circus and the culprit will stop at nothing to make sure he isn't caught, enhanced with puzzles, maps, a glossary of Cockney slang, and more.

Su questo libro

Recensione:

Kikus
In a fresh go at an angle taken by Robert Newman back in the '80s, Mack and Citrin present
a hitherto-undocumented case from the point of view of the squad of street children Holmes
occasionally employed. Here, the theft of a hidden treasure from Buckingham Palace and the
deaths of three high-wire acrobats in a seeming accident are linked and the culprits identified.
This is thanks to sharp detective work by lead urchin Wiggins; his new young associate Ozzy, an
asthmatic, newly orphaned apprentice forger; and (to the discomposure of the misogynistic
Holmes) Pilar, a Romany fortuneteller's daughter with the handy ability to read lips. The authors
fold in plenty of characters and references from the Holmes canon, as well as an embedded code
that hints at sequels. They close with various notes on period hats, transportation and other topics.
Comics artist Ruth provides a few atmospheric illustrations to this fast-paced, authentically
styled caper. (cast list, endpaper map) (Fiction. 11-13)
. . .
pw
This "first casebook" in the Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars series puts a new twist on the success behind Scotland Yard's star detective. Readers familiar with Sherlock Holmes know that he relied on Dr. Watson, but Mack (Drawing Lessons) and her husband here reveal the role of the lesser-known Baker Street Irregulars, an "extremely enthusiastic and loyal gang of homeless boys." (Since Watson is the "author" of the detective's stories, the boys believe he's played down their contributions out of jealousy, and, indeed, Watson says of them: "With troops like these, we would have lost India long ago.") Led by the street-smart Wiggins and Ozzie, a scrivener's apprentice, the Irregulars investigate the link between the murders of three circus tightrope walkers (the title Zalindas) and the theft of a valuable book from Buckingham Palace. The introduction of the large cast of characters slows the pace a bit, but the authors vividly evoke the realities of 19th-century London. The Irregulars are a heartbreaking bunch, including Stitch, son of an Irish tailor whose family perished in a fire, and Rohan, whose fisherman father was lost at sea. The plotting involves red herrings and narrow escapes, and though Holmes solves the case, the boys remain at the heart of the action. The concluding "Facts and practicals for the aspiring detective" and Ruth's half-tone illustrations of the famous fellow and this motley young crew add to the elegant feel of the volume. Ages 9-12. (Sept.)

Booklist
A gang of street urchin detectives shines in this lively series debut by a husband-wife team. When the tightrope artists the Amazing Zalindas fall to their deaths, Sherlock Holmes suspects foul play and enlists the youthful "street sleuths," who find ties between the deaths and a valuable stolen book. Colorful, well-defined characters--from gang leader Wiggins to lively Pilar, the circus fortune-teller's daughter--and plenty of historical detail, Cockney slang (a glossary would have been helpful), and Sherlockian references bring Victorian England to life. Vintage-style design elements and evocative black-and-white illustrations further the effect. A pleasing package and a good start to the Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars series, this is an entertaining, suspenseful read for youthful crime buffs. Shelle

L'autore:

Tracy Mack is the author of two celebrated novels: BIRDLAND, a Book Sense Top Ten Book, a Sydney Taylor Award Honor Book, and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults; and DRAWING LESSONS, a Booklist Top Ten First Novel and a Teen People NEXT Award Finalist.
Michael Citrin is an attorney and has been a Sherlock Holmes fan since he was a young boy.
Together they have written the Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars series published by Orchard Books. Tracy and Michael are married and live in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts with their three young children.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Orchard Books
• Data di pubblicazione: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0439828368
• ISBN 13: 9780439828369
• Rilegatura: Copertina rigida
• Numero di pagine: 272