An Urchin of Means

The Baker Street Series, Book 1

By: April White

Narrated by: Will M. Watt

Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Ringo Devereux knows far too much for a man of his times. There's no simple explanation for it that doesn't involve improbable conversations about the future, and Ringo's advanced understanding of three-phase generators and the secret histories of his city are not things he can discuss with the Victorian Londoners around him. Even his origins as an orphaned street thief are far too dangerous for a young gentleman of means to reveal.

An encounter with a 10-year-old pickpocket, and a luncheon with Oscar Wilde and Arthur Conan Doyle draw Ringo back into the shadows of his criminal past. A stolen gemstone, a suspicious pawnbroker, and a damning bundle of letters are mysteries that require Ringo's thief's instincts, his obscure facts, and the help of a little girl with the skills of deduction like his.

But are these crimes as random as they first appear? What do a covert affair and a blue carbuncle have in common? Ringo knows too much, but someone knows more, and the identity of a mysterious red-haired woman is perhaps the most diabolically complicated plot of them all.

©2017 April White (P)2018 April White

Great performance of a great book

I already loved the book in text. But the audiobook is done so well that it brings it to life even more than I would have ever expected. It is simply delightful!

Fun way to introduce Sherlock Homes

If you’re knowledgeable about Sherlock Homes you’ll recognize every little mystery told throughout this book. But you’ll still be immensely entertained. This is a great way for YA to possibly get a sense of what Sherlock Holmes mysteries may be about. The narration by Will M Watt is AMAZING as he always seems to be and has a voice I could listen to reading anything. . I love his character voices and he has a great range of different accents that make it all so much fun! You don’t need to have read the Immortal Descendants series to enjoy this book. It does help to make the leading character all the more dear to your heart from the start but he is likable without the background. It gives you a few very small snippets into that series. (I had only read book one of the series.)it’s a YA novel it’s clean of bad language and adult themes.

Interesting Twist

I have mixed feelings about this book. What I liked:
-the narrator was fantastic
-the lead characters were likeable
-I felt it had an original twist on Sherlock Holmes
-the paranormal aspect that I wasn't expecting
-no sex, swearing, etc.

What I didn't like:
-It wasn't fast paced. You have a couple shorter mysteries that later connect, but it wasn't an overall intense mystery.

I did like it enough to want to continue, whenever audible gets the next book. I would recommend it for those who like British mysteries and want something a little different.