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Death Cloud Audiobook
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(3.60) - 50 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
It is the summer of 1868, and Sherlock Holmes is fourteen. On break from boarding school, he is staying with eccentric strangers—his uncle and aunt—in their vast house in Hampshire. When two local people die from symptoms that resemble the plague, Holmes begins to investigate what really killed them, helped by his new tutor, an American named Amyus Crowe. So begins Sherlock's true education in detection, as he discovers the dastardly crimes of a brilliantly sinister villain of exquisitely malign intent.
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"I thought it was a pretty good book. It had a lot of action and I enjoyed it. I dislike how (spoiler alert) the author misleads us to believe that the housekeeper has something to do with the case. I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys books that are both exciting and make you think."
— Zachary (4 out of 5 stars)
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“This bold depiction of a 14-year-old Sherlock Holmes succeeds splendidly…Narrator Dan Weyman excels in introducing an intelligent, warm yet shy boy…Weyman captures emotion and action in a breathtaking matter that adds to the sheer pleasure…High praise is simply insufficient to do full justice to this outstanding work. Please, those of all ages, listen to it for yourself!
— AudioFile Magazine, winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award -
Dan Weyman does a fantastic job with the narration. There are plenty of characters to perform, but standouts are Amycus Crowe and the evil villain, Baron Maupertuis, who is performed with enthusiasm.
— SFFaudio.com -
Dan Weyman does an amazing job of giving life to all of the characters, from Sherlock's delectable British accent to his tutor, American-born Amycus Crowe, to Baron Maupertuis, the menacing villain from the European continent…A great introduction to the Victorian mystery genre for young people who will eagerly await the next tile in the series.
— School Library Journal -
Narrator Daniel Weyman does a wonderful job changing his voice for the different characters.
— Voya Voice of Youth Advocates -
Dan Wyman does a wonderful job of narrating the story…Weyman's narration adds depth to the story and definitely brings the characters to life. No matter your age DEATH CLOUD will keep you on the edge of your seat. This is a great story to introduce youngsters to the amazing world of Sherlock Holmes. Looking forward to young Sherlock's next adventure.
— Thoughts in Progress -
Weyman's clear and concise narration made for easy listening and added immensely to the tone of the story.
— SciFiChick.com -
Andrew Lane begins a new series exploring the pre-history of the famous fictional detective. Mr. Lane has the approval of the descendants of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who wrote the original Holmes stories, and purists will applaud the way he salts the story with clues to the sleuth's adult propensities. . . . The dramatic, violent ending leaves enough narrative strings dangling that readers over the age of 12 who enjoy detective fiction will grab for the sequel next fall.
— The Wall Street Journal -
Lane's writing style is action-packed and detail-oriented.
— The Los Angeles Times -
Lane's command of what will one day become Holmes's signature methods is remarkable. . . The novel strives to rescue Holmes from the prejudices of his creator, and thereby expand the pool of Holmes devotees. For that we can all be grateful.
— The New York Times Book Review -
For a reader who has outgrown the Hardy Boys' adventures but still seeks mystery-solving plots, Andrew Lane's invention of a teenage Sherlock Holmes will seem timely. . . . Lane also knows how to do villains quite well.
— Chicago Tribune -
Death Cloud quickly becomes a true page-turner.
— Scripps Howard news service -
Two recent series for young readers present Arthur Conan Doyle's great detective, Sherlock Holmes, as a teenager. Death Cloud by Andrew Lane and the sequels to come in "Sherlock Holmes: The Legend Begins" are pitched to the crowd that likes action movies but can see that the television series ‘Psych' is in the Sherlock Holmes family.
— Newsday -
Just when you thought all teen reading had to have vampires, a new series for ages 12 and up goes to the heart and soul of detective fiction. Death Cloud: Sherlock Holmes, the Legend Begins introduces young readers to a 14-year-old Holmes. The book has been endorsed by the Conan Doyle estate as consistent with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's vision of Holmes, important to parents who may be looking for books that send their young readers down a more traditional reading path.
— The Cape Cod Times -
Middle-schoolers in search of branded action/adventure will certainly be entertained.
— The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books -
Lane successfully blends the traditional Holmesian confidence with the teen's awkward self-consciousness. . . . A menacing villain and an unexpected twist make for a thoroughly engaging read that will keep readers turning pages. Now, it's just a matter of waiting for the next tale.
— School Library Journal, STARRED review -
This British import (the first teen series to be granted official endorsement from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's literary estate) has punch--some literal--and purpose. . . . The rousing, almost fantastical conclusion will set readers up for the next installment.
— Booklist -
A rollicking good read, this book will offer a solid introduction to the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for younger teens. It also offers enjoyable insight into how Sherlock Holmes became the future investigative wizard for established fans of the ultimate detective.
— Kirkus Reviews -
The book is engaging, and the mystery is creative and compelling. Fans of Sherlock Holmes at any age will enjoy this book, as will those who relish a good murder mystery.
— VOYA -
What a blast. Weird murders, creepy villains, fiendish puzzles, non-stop action. What more could you want from a book?
— Charlie Higson, author of the internationally bestselling Young Bond series -
Should impress the detective's fans of all ages . . . An elementary success story.
— The Independent (London) -
Death Cloud is the perfect way to introduce this character to a new generation of book readers.
— Book Zone (for Boys) -
Rich in period detail, it has tasters of Holmes's deductive genius and insights into how his character was made, plus a diabolical villain . . . A self-contained and rewarding adventure.
— The Sunday Times (London)
Death Cloud Listener Reviews
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" I enjoyed this at first and then went off it and didn't finish it. It really reminded me of the Young Bond Series which I mostly enjoyed. I really like the original Sherlock Holmes and although this is well written its not a patch on Conan Doyle. "
— Nicki, 2/18/2014 -
" I checked this out of the youth section and found it to be juvenile. I don't see why this book got so hyped. "
— Judy, 2/18/2014 -
" A fun read for mystery lovers, although the character of Sherlock Holmes doesn't match up very closely with his adult counterpart, in my mind. Still, I enjoyed it! "
— Deb, 2/10/2014 -
" A young Sherlock Holmes is introduced - this depiction has been approved by the Conan Doyle estate. Lane has taken the clues to Holmes' youth, and fit them together beautifully. The 'death cloud' rises from a couple of corpses, and Sherlock must find out what it really is. Great story. "
— Guna, 2/4/2014 -
" I listened on CD. Very interesting, it kept the action moving. Sherlock was into some pretty dire straights at times and just got out by using his brain. A great listen-to book with a great reader. "
— April, 1/26/2014 -
" Good adventure, well written, but Sherlock seems to lack his customary powers of observation (as he's olny 14 in this book), but surely that's the point of a Holmes story? "
— Dan, 1/8/2014 -
" Fun book. Lots of action. If you've read the original, it's fun to see seeds for themes and motifs in the grownup books. Too much violence for kids younger than middle school. Extras and thugs get killed in fights, etc. "
— Daftwullie, 1/4/2014 -
" Lots of action, great characters that will be even more developed as the series continues. True to the Sherlock style. "
— Kimberly, 1/1/2014 -
" Quite a good read. The author provides a plausible teen-age history for Sherlock Holmes. I'm looking forward to the next book by this author. "
— Douglas, 12/12/2013 -
" This was very much in keeping with traditional Sherlock Holmes, but with more action and a colorful cast of supporting characters helping young Holmes. I want to read some more of these, but they seem to be rather slow in getting the publishing rights transferred across the pond. "
— Ms., 11/22/2013 -
" A bit of a disappointment. I'm a big Sherlock Holmes fan; I didn't find this book to be very exciting; the bees angle was a bit far fetched. "
— Jane, 10/6/2013 -
" I loved this one. I thought it was really well written. To me it had most of the assets of a Conan Doyle books just with a writing style that I like just a bit better. Don't get my wrong I like the originals but this one was a wonderful read as well. "
— Haylee, 9/23/2013 -
" being a fan a sherlock holmes' stories, not entirely satisfied with this but a good fast read nonetheless. "
— Bonu, 9/20/2013 -
" Seemed more Middle-Grade than YA, but overall I liked it. I sure hope that there is going to be a sequel; otherwise, it was very open-ended. "
— Mallory, 9/6/2013 -
" We always know Sherlock Holmes as a grown-up man, but this book is basically how Sherlock Holmes became Sherlock Holmes. The main character is a 14 year-old boy who becomes tutored by Aymos Crowe. "
— Shaundell, 6/14/2012 -
" Interesting story of a young Sherlock Holmes. "
— Jennifer, 5/16/2012 -
" Young Sherlock Holmes begins his work as a sleuth in this well written Y.A. novel. "
— Laura, 3/18/2012 -
" The book is not bad but I reckon that it could be better. It gets boring in some parts. "
— naddie, 10/19/2011 -
" Good, solid, entertaining start to a young Sherlock Holmes series. Lots of action, good strong characters, tidbits of interesting information and history, a little bit of violence and clean language. Highly recommendable. "
— Laura, 6/21/2011 -
" A very enjoyable look at young Sherlock, before his genius status. We travel with him on an adventure that leads to death, danger and pain. "
— Yodamom, 6/21/2011 -
" This is about Sherlock Holmes when he is young. He goes to the country for the summer and finds himself in the middle of a deadly adventure. "
— Maddie, 6/14/2011 -
" I thought this was a good, adventurous romp...and was well enough researched to possibly be convincing as a window to a young Sherlock...I wasn't totally convinced, but it's still a GREAT story. "
— Susan, 5/26/2011 -
" It was alright. It certainly didn't grab my attention from the beginning, but it wasn't bad either. I will probably read the next one just to give the author a chance to improve a bit. "
— Jeffrey, 5/24/2011 -
" Lisa and Kate booth said it was very good. <br/>Looking forward to it. <br/> <br/>very well done "
— Ginny, 5/18/2011
About Andrew Lane
Andrew Lane is an author, journalist, and lifelong Sherlock Holmes fan. Andrew’s passion for the original novels of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his determination to create an authentic teenage Sherlock Holmes made him the perfect choice to work with the Conan Doyle Estate to reinvent the world’s most famous detective in the Young Sherlock Holmes series. He is also the author of novels in the Doctor Who and Torchwood series. He lives in Hampshire with his wife and son.
About Daniel Weyman
Daniel Weyman is an actor and an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator. He has appeared on stage in Sam West’s Sheffield Crucible production of As You Like It and the Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of David Edgar’s The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. His portrayal of the title character earned him a nomination for Best Performance in a Play at the 2006 TMA Awards. His television appearances include Colditz and the BAFTA-winning BBC drama Dunkirk. In 2010 he played Tom Jackson in his first lead movie role in the film Just Inès.