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The Case That Time Forgot (The Sherlock Files)

by Tracy Barrett
158p. 978-0-80508-046-9.
COPY ISBN
Gr 4—6—Xena and Xander are crunched for time with only one week to solve their next case. After sending the duo a cryptic note to test their detective skills, Xander's friend Karim tells the siblings about an Egyptian water clock stolen years ago that contained a hidden amulet. Now missing, it may have the power to invoke the god Thoth, and possibly, to stop time. Sherlock Holmes's famous cold-case book goes missing and his youthful ancestors receive a threatening note warning them off the case. Meanwhile they follow enigmatic, century-old clues leading to the talisman. Red herrings abound, mixed with the real clues. The siblings use rock-climbing skills, a photographic memory, cell-phone cameras, and computers to solve the mystery. The action progresses pleasingly and the characters are a good mix of caution and risk. Even better, the story features some London locales and references to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories.—Terry Ann Lawler, Phoenix Public Library, AZ
In their third outing, Xena and Xander, the great-great-great-grandchildren of Sherlock Holmes, tackle another one of their ancestor's unsolved cases. This time they're in hot pursuit of a missing Egyptian amulet. A Da Vinci Code-esque search leads them to London landmarks including Cleopatra's Needle and Big Ben. The mystery itself isn't particularly suspenseful, but the scavenger hunt around London is mildly diverting.
A fun, fast-paced mystery. Plenty of twists and intriguing clues. Kids will enjoy imagining themselves in Xander and Xena’s shoes. Readers can appreciate this installment without knowing the other books in the series.

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