Lock and Key: The Gadwall Incident

By: Ridley Pearson

Narrated by: Nicola Barber

The New York Times bestselling author of the Peter and the Starcatcher and Kingdom Keepers series, Ridley Pearson, brings us the stirring digital prequel to the Lock and Key series, which reimagines the origins of the rivalry between Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty.

In The Gadwall Incident, readers get a glimpse into James’s life a mere twenty-four hours before the tipping point—before life as he knows it changes irrevocably and his childhood slips into the shadows. Readers will come to know the dangers that surround the Moriartys before James and Moria are sent off to the hallowed halls of Baskerville Academy, where they first meet the insufferable, inexhaustible Sherlock Holmes. It’s a tale full of intrigue and false starts and daring getaways, one that will leave readers desperate to know what's next.

Good for the Lemony Snicket Crowd

I listened to this audiobook using the Audible for Fire TV to see if this was a good way to listen to books. I have to say, I would have no problem listening to other books this way.

The book itself leaves a bit to be desired. Perhaps because I am reading a book, on my Kindle, that deals with the very real feminist issues of how women (and girls) are expected to behave with regard to men (and boys), I found the way that Moria interacts with her brother James is a glaring example of how NOT to raise a daughter. She had to play the meek, and weaker, sibling to mitigate his ire. Apparently, we are what we read, and the appreciation of one work heavily depends on the one that came before.

Throughout the book, I thought that the narrator was mispronouncing the name Moira. After listening, I went to my audible library and found that the girl's name, in the book, is Moria. My apologies to the narrator.

I am a huge fan of the Sherlock Holmes legend. I've read the canon, I go to the movies, and I watch the TV shows. I also read the tales written by authors other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Seeing and reading the variations on the original keeps Holmes a contemporary, as well as historic, character. I'm okay with Holmes using a computer and cellphone in 21st century London, as well as Moriarty being a woman. I think that when I availed myself of this free prequel, I expected a bit more than simply seeing the family surname, Moriarty, as the only hint this was to be a precursor to the Holmes and Moriarty rivalry. In fact, I found Moria to be far more cunning than her brother James. Is this to be a case of 'behind every successful man, there is a woman?'

Overall, the story is interesting, however, the narrator sounded too much like she was reading a bedtime story. It was difficult to determine the age group for which these books are intended. My best guess is that they are aimed at the Lemony Snicket crowd (or from my childhood, readers of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys).

Ridley Pearson never disappoint

The book was great, and a quick read. Interesting characters, and engaging storyline. I love it.

A great Nancy-Drew-Hardy-Boy type listen

Any additional comments?

I loved that this story dealt with the background of one of my favorite evil villains, Professor James Moriarty. It's told from the POV of two children so it reads read a bit like a Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys mystery but that's not a bad thing.

The narrator was excellent. The mystery was deftly told. The road trip was full of surprises. All in all, totally worth a listen.

Enjoyed the story

I enjoy when a story pulls you in by the way to describes the environment of the characters in it

Ok.

I had a hard time finishing this story. I didn't feel the voice was convincingly connected to the characters. I listened to it as a free book on Audible. I am not sure if it would have made a difference if I had read it myself instead of hearing it. I was not taken INTO the story, I always remained on the outside, just listening to it. It was frustrating. Something was lacking.