Customer Reviews

The Jewelled Peacock of Persia (The Baker Street Mysteries)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The Jewelled Peacock of Persia" is the third in a series entitled "The Baker Street Mysteries" (the others being "The Mystery of the Yellow Hands", "The Giant Rat of Sumatra", and "The Thundering Underground"). The intended audience is young adults, and the books concentrate on the adventures of the Baker Street Brigade (or Irregulars), working for Sherlock Holmes.

I'm not in the intended audience group, so I should say up front that the writing style of the book isn't exactly what I'm normally looking for, but I suspect that it would be good for the juvenile audience it is aimed at. The writing style is very clean and clear but, for me, lacking in character.

In this particular volume, the three members of the brigade (Danny, Peachy and Duff) are drawn into the events surrounding the arrival of a Persian crown in London, and the possibility that its legendary curse is real.

Unlike the first two, this book seems less concerned with solving the mystery than in concentrating on events particular to the characters which arise out of the investigation. While this is no bad thing, it is perhaps not what might have been expected. I was also surprised that Dr Watson did not even rate a mention, given the medical nature of one of the problems under examination.

For me, this book was a very quick read that provided a modest degree of satisfaction. For parents looking at buying books for their children, I would suggest that this series would encourage examination of problems and solutions rather than jumping to conclusions. They are also likely to be a good introduction to Sherlock Holmes and his world.