Rebel Fire A Review

Rebel Fire by Andrew Lane A Review

By no means am I a Sherlock Holmes expert - but I have enjoyed the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for nearly 50 years.  I found myself continuing to enjoy Holmes’ adventures in Rebel Fire.  

In Rebel Fire, originally published in England under the title Red Leech, we find adolescent Holmes living under the care of (though not with) his brother Mycroft. Holmes stumbles upon a group of men (including John Wilkes Booth)  in England who are bent on changing the outcome of the Civil War.  The story takes us from Holmes childhood home in rural England by Steamer to New York City to rural Virginia - where members of the confederacy are establishing a new army in hopes again establishing a country which would legalize slavery.  

Holmes, with the help of two friends, must find a way to stop, first the confederacy from re-establishing itself and then the American government from massacring the new Confederate army.

Though written for young readers, I found the book to be entertaining, to this 60 year old reader, in its own right.  It had the right level of excitement, intrigue, and color.  We are introduced to Holmes fascination with the Violin, his sympathies with the American republic, and the source of some of his detective skills so evident in the tales told by Dr. John H. Watson.  Though I can find no other source - the author also introduces us Sherlock Holmes middle name.

I will look forward to reading Andrew Lane’s earlier book which also featured the young Sherlock Holmes, Death Cloud.  The author also hints at a third, untitled, book coming in this series.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are entirely my own.