A Study in Charlotte Paperback – Big Book, 3 January 2017

I was very uncertain about this series. I love anything Sherlock Holmes, and upon reading the synopsis I couldn't help but purchase the book. I really liked the idea of a female descendant of Sherlock Holmes - Charlotte Holmes - who is British, and another American descendent of John Watson - Jamie Watson. You also have an entire storyline dedicated to the Moriarty's and how the families still cannot stand each other although there was a brief truce at one time.When I started reading it, and we are first introduced to Charlotte, it all felt a bit off. I couldn't allow myself to accept a female version of the great detective. The same sarcasm, cynicism and darkness, all wrapped into a 16 year old girl was just...weird. But a few chapters into it and it suddenly starts to make sense. It doesn't matter anymore, you get used to the character and you remember why you love the interaction between Watson and Holmes so much when you see the interaction between Jamie and Charlotte.The mystery was also fantastic, and the hunt for the murderer was such a thrill. I loved their chemistry, their partnership, the journey to finding clues and breaking rules and going on their own manhunt, it felt very akin to reading a true Sherlock mystery. I loved how in true Watson nature, Jamie felt a responsibility towards Charlotte. Looking after her, caring for her, worried for her, made sure she was OK, and just generally tried to be protective of her. However, a few differences would be the level of maturity - given that they are teenagers - but also, a different kind of chemistry that is conveyed in the story. A romantic kind. Perhaps many readers and true Sherlock fans would balk at such an implication, but I loved it. I love a sprinkle of romance in stories, especially the YA kind, and this one, although not a main storyline was so natural that I really didn't question it too much.The darkness in the story though, the darkness in Holmes, was surprising and true and at first, hard to grasp, because Holmes in this case is a young female protagonist.Wonderfully written with a complex plot that is about to get a lot more complex in the next book!

Brittany is an amazing writer she really knew how to leave you in suspense and kept me thinking throughout the bookI really enjoyed this book being a big fan of the original Sherlock Holmes series I couldn't wait to delve into this story and it did not disappoint. I loved this book I always wanted to read something that was based on relatives of Holmes and Watson and it was made even better when it was modern day and wasn't just a son for daughter of either Sherlock or Watson. I loved that the descendent of sherlock was a girl and I also loved how much she was like him right down to the cocky know it all attitude. I loved the charactrisation of each character and how thought the book each character developed, the book didn't just concentrate on the storyline and the mystery. I also loved the romantic side of the story which did make it stand out the most. When the Moriartys where mentioned it was just the icing on the cake for me. I loved the references to the original sherlock series. can't wait to read the next installment of the series.

"He is lovely and warm and quite brave and a bit heedless of his own safety and by any measure the best man I've ever know."A Study In Charlotte definitely wasn't the cute fluffy romance I thought I was going to get, it's quite a dark YA novel featuring murder,drug abuse & rape. I was pretty sure I was going to rate this three stars then I read the last two pages and it earned a extra star!!Having never read or watched anything about Sherlock Holmes it was great to get this mini preview of the stories and characters. I'm looking forward to reading The Last Of August for more Jamie & Charlotte.

I was so looking forward to reading this modern retake on the Holmes and Watson relationship featuring teenage characters. In the end I struggled to finish it.Which is such a pity because the story proposition had such huge potential.For me, the problem lay with the characters.I didn't care about the leads and the others were very shallow. The token incompetent police offer, the disapproving parent etc. and the hidden secrets which were underwhelming.Sorry. Not for me.

Rate: 5/5⭐️I didn’t realise how much I really like mystery books until I read this book. I’ve never been a Sherlock Holmes fan but after reading this book, it’s got me really interested in the series. I was happy to see that this book was from Jamie/James’ point of view because it’s becoming really rare to read books from a boy’s point of view that interests me. The humour in this book was great, I loved the homecoming scene. It was great and definitely funny when Watson realised why he was dragged there by Holmes. This book was very promising and I can’t wait to read the second book of the series. Hopefully, I’ll enjoy it as much as this book and not read it too quickly like I did with this one.