Death Cloud

Sherlock Holmes: The Legend Begins

By: Andrew Lane

Narrated by: Daniel Weyman

Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

It is the summer of 1868, and Sherlock Holmes is 14. 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.

©2010 Andrew Lane (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

A bit over the top, but entertaining

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I enjoyed the beginning as young Holmes is attempting to solve the mystery he stumbles accross. The characters, Matty especially, were well explained. The end left several loose ends so I guess there will be more in the series. The confrontations with the evil Count were close to ridiculous.

What about Daniel Weyman’s performance did you like?

Well read and Weyman kept me intereted

Any additional comments?

Bought on impluse to use during a long car trip. It was enjoyable but not great.

Sherlock as a Youth

Would you consider the audio edition of Death Cloud to be better than the print version?

I thought this book did a good job of capturing the same feel of Doyle's character. It explained a few of his idiosyncrasies and beekeeping. The story was very good.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Death Cloud?

The paralyzed man's contraption for getting around was very "steam punk" and fitting with Holmes cases.

Any additional comments?

Definitely worth checking out if you're a diehard Holmes fan.

Clever...

Would you listen to ${title} again? Why?

I would listen to it again; its a clean and clever story for kids

Who was your favorite character and why?

Amius Crow was my favorite. He is the foreshadow of Sherlock Holmes as a grown-up, except American.

What does the narrator bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Daniel Weyman is one of my favorite narrators, that is actually why I purchased the book. His work on Nick Harkaway's books is fabulous.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did

Entertaining

Entertaining from start to finish. Narration was excellent and compelling story. Definitely going to read more from Andrew Lane.

Action packed adventure

The story was intriguing and suspenseful. it was a bit violent and slightly graphic but never vulgar.

Young Holmes begins

This was an excellent narration of Sherlock Holmes early career even before it had begun. Listening to world-famous logical thought process in its formative years was a real treat

Fun early Sherlock story

My 16 year old son and I enjoyed this as a fun summer listen. We're both Sherlock fans and thought the author added some interesting foreshadowing. The narrator was excellent. This would be good in the car, or as we used it, for an evening wind-down.

My only mild criticism is that I couldn't hear in the voice of Young Sherlock much of the adult he would become. It often felt like a different character, but one I thoroughly enjoyed following.

For fans of Alex Rider

On summer break from school, a young Sherlock Holmes finds a mentor and encounters his first mystery.

This was too much like an Alex Rider novel, perhaps deliberately. Although I like Alex Rider, Sherlock Holmes' adventures, even as (or especially as) a teenager, should be more cerebral and less violent.

There's an occasional good nugget, like when Sherlock develops the self-knowledge that he's not a good storyteller, and that he needs someone in his life to put his experiences in narrative form. Or the small fear that he enjoyed the experience of being drugged when kidnapped. But overall the mystery was predictable and the action ranged from extreme to ridiculous.

Must READ!

Would you listen to Death Cloud again? Why?

Yes, because the narrator gave a lot of expression.

What did you like best about this story?

Its an old story.

Which character – as performed by Daniel Weyman – was your favorite?

Sherlock

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!

Any additional comments?

This would be a good class reading.

VG showing the morp of a teen to the master

What made the experience of listening to Death Cloud the most enjoyable?

The life adventures and a mysterious tutor hired by his brother Microft that helped build the Consulting Detective Sherlock Holmes of adulthood.Started laying out the effects of his family. The effect that brother Microft had on his road to greatness.The introduction of historical & other FACTS incorporated into the story, like the sea forts built in the mid 1800's to protect from invasion from France, serving sporadically through WWII.

What did you like best about this story?

It was a logical path that would lead to the famous Sherlock Holmes.

What does Daniel Weyman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The way he read & comments largely made up for the lack sound effects. The different mannerisms of the other charactors.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but life provides interruptions

Any additional comments?

Some sound effects would have helped.