The Future Door (No Place Like Holmes #2) by Jason Lethcoe

I enjoyed No Place Like Holmes and so when I saw that a sequel was out I jumped at the chance to read it (via the fine folks at NetGalley of course).  But for various reasons I never got around to actually reading it until recently and, of course, have been slow in posting a review.

Nevertheless, I did manage to read The Future Door hence this post.  Here is the publisher’s blurb:

A mystery is afoot at 221 Baker Street, but will Griffin Sharpe be able to figure out the clues before the future catches up with the past?

When Sherlock Holmes moves out of Baker Street, a new tenant moves in-a mysterious woman named Elizabeth who has long been a fan of Holmes. When she discovers that Griffin and his uncle are also detectives, she becomes very friendly. So when Elizabeth goes missing along with a special invention, Griffin sets out to rescue her. But finding Elizabeth will take them on a race against the clock that bends time itself!

The second book in this series is much like the first, earnest but engaging, pious but not overly so. It was a quick and enjoyable read for the most part but it felt a little thin to be honest. As if some of the creativity had leaked out of the hook the second time around.  Then again, the young folks reading this series might not expect the depth and complexity I do.

From my perspective there seemed a lot more suspension of disbelief needed and a little less depth to the story.  The whole time machine in a tea-pot, the spend 25 years secretly rebuilding it, and the seemingly infinite ability to travel seeking just the exact moment you wished to return too all seemed a bit too easy and not all that interesting plot wise.

But the Black Widows concept was pretty clever and well done and the conundrum centering on whether Griffin should have killed Nigel was an interesting twist.  As I said, all in all an entertaining read and the series still manages to handle Griffin’s unique abilities and his faith in a way that adds to his depth as a character.  The plot just seemed a little rushed and too easy in parts.

 

Kevin Holtsberry
I work in communications and public affairs. I try to squeeze in as much reading as I can while still spending time with my wife and two kids (and cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers and Michigan Wolverines during football season).

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