Reason for Reading: Next in the series. This third entry into the series is not as dark or scary as the previous two and there are no dead bodies this time either but this mystery involving kidnapping and robbery is very clever and full of twists. Irene is back on the scene after an absence in the last book and is a welcome return. All the regular characters, including the new Mr. Bell, are also assembled and while of course there are some new characters involved in the plot the character development is all saved for the regulars. A spoilt rich girl just home from three years in India, daughter of a Lord in politics, in kidnapped. A few months go by without a single word or trace of her then suddenly an anonymous tip tells of her location and she is rescued but the culprits have escaped. The family retires to the country to relax and immediately their home in the city is robbed, not just robbed but almost totally emptied of its contents and days later the daughter is caught again. Sherlock has been on the case from the beginning and has clues that have sent him the wrong direction. But not only does he have to solve this crime for his own pride before the police, there is also a little boy's life at stake that Irene is desperate to save and finding the missing girl is crucial. Another page-turning, exciting mystery that I've come to expect from Shane Peacock. Peacock gives a nod to Holmesian fans by naming the missing girl's family the Rathbone's. Holmes character as a boy is really developing in this book towards the man we eventually will come to know. Up to and including this point he has been searching for cases to solve to show up Inspector Lestrade and prove himself to the police and the world that he is a genius detective. I haven't liked this aspect of the young Holmes as it runs contrary to the adult Holmes' confident arrogance. In this book young Sherlock comes to a realization about this aspect of his behaviour and changes. His relationship with the young Lestrade is also explored in this novel much further than it has been so far and we see the inklings of their future relationship. Malefactor has been a wild card up to this point and his true character is finally revealed in this book as well. Vanishing Girl is a satisfying read for followers of the series as we get another clever, exciting mystery, set in an accurate historical portrayal this time concentrating on the contrast between life of a child in a poor orphanage and life as a neglected but spoilt rich girl. We also come to a major point in all the major characters' development that will affect their behaviour now in future volumes. I have book 4 in my line-up and am looking forward to it.

Like I've said before, I love this series. It is wonderfully written and easily enjoyable for all ages. Although, most children are not going to be intrigued by Sherlock, which is a real pity since he is so fascinating and Shane Peacock has done a wonderful job of bringing Doyle's character to life. Sherlock is still disgruntled about Irene and his mother, and seeks fame and glory as a wasy to ease his pain. He is still sore about Lestrade's 'stealing' the glory for the previous two cases he's solved and is desperate for the public to know that he is the real genius behind solving the crimes. So when Victoria Rathbone is abducted in broad daylight he jumps at the chance to investigate. Through the course of the investigation he will end up alienating those he loves best. This Sherlock is much less lovable than he was in the previous two cases, but his arrogance is understandable, as is his rage. His emotions though, make he rash and hasty and makes all sorts of stupid mistakes. But pride is before a fall, and Sherlock might just get whats coming to him... While Sherlock is not exactly role model worthy in this one, he does get an ego-check and very realistically understands who and what he should be by the end. The mystery is complex, but for an adult reader the who, whats, and hows are fairly obvious. The real beauty comes from Sherlock's inner thought process and the way Peacock writes. Beautifully done!