This is one of my favorite middle grade books of the year! James Ponti is brilliant -- this is a fast-paced mystery set in Miami and the Everglades. Two siblings and their grandpa and two friends set up a detective agency and set out to solve mysteries. This had me guessing until the very end. I cannot wait to recommend this to students -- it will fly of the shelves in my library!

This book is excellent. I enjoyed the pacing of it and the storyline. Two siblings and their friends facing the prospect of a boring summer decided open their own detective agency so that they can solve mysteries all summer. Thanks to their cool grandfather who is a retired reporter for the Miami Herald who happened to keep a file of all his old articles and research the options for mystery-solving are endless. Though initially deciding to search for Al Capone's lost treasure their focus shifts when they notice shady happenings in an everglade slough (a marshy area) that needs attention asap.
This story has some subtle twists and turns that will keep middle grade readers engaged in the mystery. Age-appropriate friendship drama adds to the storyline nicely rather than overpowering the mystery that our team of sleuths must solve.
The character of Grandpa is well developed and adds humor and the right touch of resourcefulness to the story.
I am confident that Sherlock Society will solve more mysteries in the future and I cannot wait to read them.

This was fun! I enjoyed the characters but felt it took a little longer than necessary to get to the primary mystery plot. Once that part got going, I really enjoyed it.

James Ponti delivers another win for the world of middle grade mystery fiction. I loved The Sherlock Society. I especially enjoyed the Al Capone connection. Grandpa's help in aiding the sleuth duo was priceless. Old fashioned research and digging through old newspapers clearly was a big advantage in solving this mystery. I will be purchasing my own deerstalker hat to wear when I read any future sequels. I highly recommend for 4th grade and up.

James is a wonderful author. I love how he makes you feel like you are one of the characters. I enjoy his writing style very much. And his stories are so well thought out. He’s a personal favorite of mine. I would highly recommend him always.
10/10

I love a good mystery. And one that includes some old-fashioned journalistic research is even better. Add in themes of family, friendship and independent and group thinking, and you’ve got the recipe for a page-turning read.

The Sherlock Society is one such book.

The story is told from Alex’s point a view, but Zoe, Lina, Yadi and Grandpa are equally as well realized. Each has their own quirks and talents, and Grandpa is a hoot.

The thing that makes The Sherlock Society really work is author James Ponti’s story feels completely realistic. His use of history, geography, science, technology and the five Ws (who, what, when, where and why) is compelling. And it’s not inconceivable that a grandparent would foster this kind of summer project.

The book is set in South Florida, and offers a wealth of information along with adventure, making kids want to keep reading. It’s fast-paced and engaging from beginning to end. This would make a fun classroom read and will appeal to a large cross-section of readers. I look forward to more books in this series.

I have absolutely loved the City Spies Series, so when I saw Sherlock, I knew I was going to be hooked. So much good stuff!! First, the kids learning old school reading notes, taking notes, writing things down, not totally relying on their phone for an answer. And then all the nuggets thrown in, some history, some biology, environmental awareness, and even a little bullying lesson. I can't wait for the next one!!

This is the beginning to another fantastic series for middle-grade students by James Ponti. I love the nods to Sherlock Holmes and Al Capone. This book is action-packed and is one of those books that students won't want to put down. Siblings, Zoe and Alex Sherlock, along with two of their friends and their lovable grandpa make the best team. I can't wait for the next booK!

With these highly relatable and fantastic characters, the story is never boring. We especially loved the generational connection between Grandpa and the kids. Sprinkled with humor and plenty of action, the pages will turn themselves. James Pointi is a natural middle-grade storyteller who weaves a story that is both inspirational and diverse. You’ll soon see why he’s a favorite of ours!

Does anyone write about smart, funny, quirky middle school kids as well as James Ponti does? I genuinely do not think so, especially when it comes to placing them in exciting, crime-solving adventures.

Mr Ponti's latest series centers on siblings Alex and Zoe Sherlock, who are inspired by their last name to start a detective agency. It actually begins with Alex deciding to start a school club with his best friend Yadi, revolving around puzzles and mysteries. They're joined by new girl Lina, and are enjoying an Escape Room party planned for them on the next-to-last day of school by the librarian when Zoe barges in. Alex tricks her into playing with them but she soon discovers that she actually likes puzzles. Almost as importantly, she thinks that she now has the perfect plan to monetize their skills over the summer.

Zoe desperately wants to make enough money to go to summer camp with her friends, so proposes starting a detective agency to the rest of the Sherlock Society. They're enthused, and recruit the Sherlocks' Grandpa to be their Director of Transportation and Logistics. Unfortunately for the budding agency's plans, Alex and Zoe's lawyer mom quickly shuts down the private investigation for hire part of their business as being unlicensed and far too dangerous. She relents, however, when it comes to investigating historical mysteries that may or may not come with hefty cash rewards.

Grandpa, being a former journalist, has loads of old mysteries for the kids to check out. After some research and discussion, the Society decides to look into the case of Al Capone's missing million. Legend has it that he buried a million dollars somewhere in Florida before his stint in Alcatraz. Finding it will bring the kids more than enough money to afford summer camp and more.

With Grandpa's guidance on best journalistic practices, the kids find some really exciting clues... but also uncover evidence of crime of an entirely different kind. Spurred by a greater desire for justice than for riches, the Sherlock Society takes on a case that could prove far more dangerous than even Alex and Zoe's mom ever feared possible.

This tightly-written, fast-paced Middle Grade thriller features four great kids, their very realistic families, and a truly intriguing, important mystery. Zoe's growth throughout the book is wonderful to read, as is the development of the other three young members of the Society. Grandpa is a hoot, and I loved how his struggle to be a responsible adult was so often superseded by his love of adventure.

There's also real depth behind this exciting tale. The kids learn how to approach investigative journalism responsibly, as well as how to deal with law enforcement and how to set up for documentary film-making. The emphasis on environmental issues is also really great without being at all heavy-handed. I really love Mr Ponti's City Spies series but think that this one might be even better -- tho perhaps I'm just saying that because I've actually managed to get in on the ground floor here. The kids of the Sherlock Society feel like real tho supersmart kids, with many of the same feelings, motivations and flaws as the average middle schooler. I would have absolutely devoured Mr Ponti's books as a child, and am so glad to be able to enjoy them as an adult regardless.

The Sherlock Society by James Ponti will be published September 3 2024 by Aladdin and is available for pre-order from all good booksellers, including <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15382/9781665932530">Bookshop!</a>

Thank you so much to NetGalley and James Ponti for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Sherlock Society coming out September 3, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I was intrigued by the Sherlock references. I love mysteries! I think it was a really short and fun read. I loved the Scooby Gang vibes of the books. I think it’s perfect for middle and high school age. It was fun the kids had different strengths and they worked together to solve the mystery. I would read other books in the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries!

James Ponti does it again! THE SHERLOCK SOCIETY is a fabulous, funny, page-turning mystery perfect for middle grade readers!

Another fun and thrilling start to a new series by James Ponti. The Sherlock Society is a fast paced mystery with plenty of adventure while still being relatable for middle grade readers. My favorite part was the inclusion of so many different careers that were seamlessly woven into the story from journalism to movie production and more! I can’t wait to add these to my middle school library and start putting them in students hands. This would be a fantastic book club pick with so many opportunities for discussion. Thank you NetGalley for the arc copy!

Another instant classic from James Ponti! I couldn't put this one down! It kept me guessing the entire time and I loved how the first mystery evolved into the one that was ultimately solved. I loved the puzzles and all the random history about Florida. The grandad stole it for me. He was so funny and outrageous. I do hope they find Al Capone's treasure in one of the subsequent stories. I will definitely be following this series.

When your last name is Sherlock, what better way to make a few extra bucks than open up a detective agency. After all, what teenager would prefer jobs like mowing lawns, babysitting, or working at a fast food joint? Siblings Alex and Zoe along with a couple of friends look into a mystery that involves a mobster from the 1920s and 30s and may just run into a current day crime while investigating. Will they solve both mysteries and will they all stay out of jail in the end?

This fast paced middle grade mystery will keep readers entertained and entranced while reading. The characters are easily relatable and believable. This will be a first purchase for my middle school library.

** “The reward is doing what’s right, not what’s easy.” **

James Ponti starts off a new series with a bang in “The Sherlock Society.”

Facing boredom over the summer, siblings Alex and Zoe Sherlock decide to start a Sherlock Society with their friends, Lina and Yadi, with transportation and research assistance from their grandfather, a former reporter.

Initially deciding to search for Al Capone’s alleged hidden million dollars somewhere near their home in Miami, their search ultimately switches gears, going after a local businessman who might be involved in some shady dealings.

Ponti does a great job of creating a fun and quirky cast of characters, building off the strengths and weaknesses of each other. He also fills the story with some great themes, like doing something for the right reason; fighting for the lost cause; “a mystery is nothing more than a story missing its ending”; and always do your homework and dig deep into the story (“Someone once told me that information only goes from trivial to significant when you add the meaning behind those facts.)”

“The Sherlock Society,” which is due out Sept. 3, will appeal to fans of James Patterson’s “Treasure Hunters” and “Minerva Keen” series, Trenton Lee Stewart’s “Mysterious Benedict Society” series, and Tom Phillip’s “The Curious League of Detectives & Thieves” series.

Five stars out of five.

Aladdin provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

I am a sucker for James Ponti middle grade books! The Sherlock sisters, look for ways to earn money over the summer and settle on a detective agency..of course! With the help of two friends and grandfather, they start to investigate Al Capone, but stumble into a a huge local crime. For those of us who grew up with Nancy Drew and Encyclypidia Brown will love this story.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Aladdin for an ARC,

A very clever mystery/investigation book with four middle grade detectives and Alex and Zoe’s grandfather driving them around Miami. They start working a cold case from the grandfather’s files from his journalists. They make progress on Al Capone’s treasure, involving exploring the Everglades. I loved the descriptions of Miami and the Everglades. They also used good old-fashioned investigative tools like writing stuff down, and questioning people mixed with the internet and drones. The kids are great and interesting in their friendships and different backgrounds as well Alex and Zoe’s parents chipping in their expertise. A great mystery I would recommend to anyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for this DRC.
#TheSherlockSociety #NetGalley

Another knockout from James Ponti!

Once again Ponti does not underestimate kids' ability to understand complex and changing plotlines. This book will be well-loved by the middle grade readers at the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library.

I love the creative use of the adult characters to get the kids around the city and also out of tricky situations. He does a great job of allowing the kids to have wild adventures that every kid dreams of while not villainizing the adult and even casting them as important role models in the lives of the children.

Another key element that I really loved was the celebration of different abilities and inter-generational relationships. Each kid brought something completely unique to the table. The grandpa has his way of doing things and they mostly went along with it, but everyone was able to pivot when other methods were needed. Even Grandpa understood when a mixed approach was needed. The story thrived because of those inter-generational relationships.

I already can't wait for the next one in the series!

Not my favorite Ponti. Alex reads like if Florian from TOAST had less personality and was less precocious, and every time someone addressed him by name I had a moment of thinking, "Who's Alex?" I truly think my trouble connecting to the characters could be at least addressed had Zoe been the narrator - she was the one with the nice character arc who felt the most like a real person out of the kids.

I did like the way the plot went - when I thought it was just going to be "hunting down Al Capone's treasure," I was a little bored, but as soon as it got into actual environmental contamination I was more engaged! This is mostly, I think, because it grounds it in the real world and sends them into danger for a real reason rather than a frivolous one. This is something Ponti regularly excels at. I also knew a lot of the regulations and legal processes behind what the kids were looking into and did have a moment of thinking, "Ah, this is what my environmental policy degree is for: Understanding children's books."