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Parents' Guide to

The Initiation: Lock and Key, Book 1

By Carrie R. Wheadon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Suspenseful intro to a modern-day young Sherlock Holmes.

Book Ridley Pearson Mystery 2016
The Initiation: Lock and Key, Book 1 Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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What's the Story?

In THE INITIATION, when you're a Moriarty you're just expected to go to Baskerville Academy. James' great-grandfather helped found the New England school and the idea that he'd want to attend public school in the fall appalls his father. Especially after the family's Boston home is broken into and James tied up. James' father won't explain, but says the gesture has something to do with his attendance there. What he does offer is to let James' sister, Moria, attend Baskerville Academy, too. Before they depart, Moria is called into her father's office. As with James, their father continues to be evasive. He says he will be traveling a lot, and if something were to happen to him -- don't ask what -- she would find the key to his desk in the fireplace ashes. Moria is alarmed but agrees, as she agrees to follow her brother to school and keep an eye on him. But it's no easy task when James not only starts hanging with the wrong crowd -- totally rejecting his nerdy roommate, Sherlock Holmes, in the process -- but also starts receiving clues to find a stolen Moriarty family Bible that he's blamed for stealing and even threatened over. Why is this Bible so important? And why won't James accept Sherlock's brilliant help in finding it?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1 ):

Even with far too much aggravating animosity between two of the main characters -- James Moriarty and a young Sherlock Holmes -- this mystery series start proves provocative and suspenseful. Sure, James and Sherlock are destined to be sworn enemies eventually according to their creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. But here they're just freshmen roomies. Every time young, well-meaning Sherlock tries to apply his brilliant mind to helping James with his what help he can be to them. Watching Sherlock's analytical mind in action and Moria and Sherlock's friendship deepen are two great joys in The Initiation.

Author Ridley Pearson chose his narrator well in Moria. She makes it easier for the reader to feel for her standoffish family members because she cares so much for them. And her steady presence makes it easier to accept how much the reader doesn't know: about the school history, the headmaster, the family Bible, the secret society, and even what adults do when they leave the school. There's a lot of mystery here on which to build a hefty series and usher in a new set of Sherlock Holmes fans.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about trust in The Initiation. Do you trust the headmaster? How about James' chosen friends? Or even Sherlock?

  • Why do you think author Ridley Pearson chose Moria as the narrator and not her brother James or Sherlock? What characteristics does she possess to make her a more reliable narrator? Would you like to see the story for James' or Sherlock's perspective?

  • Will you keep reading the Lock and Key series? Or try to find out more about Sherlock Holmes?

Book Details

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