The Missing Heir (The Sherlock Files) by Tracy Barrett

The Sherlock Files #4

by Tracy Barrett

Xena and Xander have just learned that their shy classmate, Alice, is the heir to a royal throne! Then they discover that their ancestor, Sherlock Holmes, had his suspicions about the kidnapping and return of Alice's grandmother, the princess of Borogovia.Alice is to be crowned on her thirteenth birthday . . . but she goes missing days before the ceremony. Who would kidnap a princess? Where would they hide her in a city where Xena and Xander Holmes—and the police!—are looking for her? And then there's the biggest mystery of is Alice really the princess?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Young Adult, Family, Juvenile

Hardcover

First published June 7, 2011

About the author

Tracy Barrett has written more than twenty books for children and young adults. She’s much too interested in too many things to stick to one genre, and has published nonfiction as well as historical fiction, mysteries, fantasy, time travel, myth and fairy-tale retellings, and contemporary realistic novels. She knows more about ancient Greece and Rome and the European Middle Ages than anyone really needs to know, can read lots of dead languages, and used to jump out of airplanes.
  Tracy grew up near New York City, and went to college in New England and graduate school in California. She majored in Classics and earned a Ph.D. in Medieval Italian. She was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to study medieval women writers and won the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Work-in-Progress Grant in 2005. She taught Italian and other subjects at Vanderbilt University for almost thirty years. She lives in Tennessee with her 6’7” husband, a rescue cat, and two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Reviews

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xena & Xander have a new mystery to solve. It will test their sleuthing limits and they will need to work hard to live up to the expectations set by their ancestor Sherlock Holmes. There is an age old mystery to solve and the disappearance of someone who is very important to the case!

I have liked reading this series and this book was my favorite in the Sherlock Files series. I found that the plot was put together very well. There are a few surprises to keep readers guessing about the final outcome.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to find this series had a book I hadn’t read. I love the way the descendants of Sherlock Holmes solve his old cases. My predictions were correct and I’m sure for kids it would be less obvious. There were clues I didn’t pick up on. I enjoyed it!

[Michelle Damour · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as engaging as the first three in the series.

[Tessa Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just wasn't very interested in it. I just wasn't excited about it.

[Carol Stirling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this series 5 stars

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw the twist coming around page 90 or 100 so I wasn't *totally* surprised but this was a entertaining mystery nonetheless. Xena and Xander are definitely resourceful!

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ages 8-12. Xena and Xander Holmes, great-great-great-grandchildren of Sherlock, are drawn into another one of their ancestor's cold cases. Shy classmate Alice is found to be the heir to the throne of Borogovia, although she only wants to sing on the Talented Brits TV show. She tells the siblings about a family mystery--a baby kidnapped, then returned a month later, and some 100-year-old letters concerning it that Alice had trouble translating. The letters disappear, then Alice is "kidnapped". Xena and Xander find entries in Sherlock's case book about the original kidnapping, suspect that it has something to do with the disappearance of Alice and the letters, and set to work trying to decipher his notes and gather their own clues, so they can find their friend. Some of the solutions to their problems are a little too handy, but it's a nice light mystery for young fans of the genre. (I couldn't help but note the little Jabberwocky references in the place names--and the character Alice!)

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twins Xena & Xander Holmes are faced with two interconnected cases simultaneously. The first involves their school friend, Alice, an orphan who has recently discovered that she is soon to be crowned princess of a small European nation called Borogovia. Alice comes upon some baffling letters hinting at some odd family history & is then kidnapped. The letters seem to touch upon a case from their esteemed great-great-great grandfather's book of mysteries he was unable to solve, involving the kidnapping of the then princess of Borogovia as a baby. Are the two related? Xena & Xander have only a short time to find out. These books are light, fast reads that will be a great introduction to Holmes for younger or reluctant readers.

[Mara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In many ways, this was the best installment in this series. While still lacking a true villain, the culprit in The Missing Heir is the closest to a bad guy that the Author has gotten to so far in the series, and that is better than nothing. My opinions on The Missing Heir don't much differ from the others; it would be nice for an actual villain who means true harm to the siblings - villain make a mystery, after all, - and I was impressed with how the Author tied one of Sherlock's old, unsolved cases into modern occurrences. And it especially worked in this one.

I look forward to any other installments Tracy Barrett intends to write!

[Tarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth volume of the The Sherlock Files series. It's fun and adventurous for kids. I like how Xena and Xander are able to solve some of Sherlock's unsolved cases by using modern technology and, of course, by using their brains.

This time, history is repeating itself. A princess of Borogravia has gone missing... just like a princess a hundred years ago did! Xena and Xander are on the case, using the files of the ancestor, the great detective himself, and modern day clues.

Definitely a fun book that invites young readers to look to classic literature for quality reading.

[C.O. Bonham · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot is a little tame I think. It seems to me that there isn't really any reason that Sherlock Holmes would have had it listed as an unsolved case. The solution was easily guessed at and the climax was just a little too "I would have gotten away with it too. . ." Though I do think that kids will like it and even though it isn't strictly speaking by the book it might serve to encourage young readers into exploring Sir Arthur's most excellent body of work.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a quick read for me, an adult, but I found the story quick moving, well paced and interesting. I was glad to find Tracy Barrett back in fine form after finding the third book in the series, The Case That Time Forgot, choppy. This story line flowed well and was interesting. I hope that Tracy will further develop Xena and Xander's characters.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series for kids (even older ones, like me) that love a very interesting mystery. This book is another rollicking romp through the world of Xena and Xander Holmes, the great, great, great grandchildren of Sherlock Holmes. Once again, they have a chance to solve one of his unsolved cases. Dive right in. It's fun!

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty good juvenile mystery. I think this will be a good way to get young kids into the Sherlock Holmes stories, then into even more mysteries after that. Good series, worth recommending to younger readers.

[Elizabeth Qualia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute little story, predictable, but cute. It might not have been predictable if I read this when I was 8-10, or younger. I liked that the case brought in some older things like the operetta: H. M. S. Pinafore. I'd like to see that someday. Not too much else to say about this.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think these books are fun mysteries. I like that they are short but satisfying. This one was a little predictable but since it is written for children and not adults I don't think that is a bad thing.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid entry in the series. Young readers won't notice that there is not much character development, and that the plot has been done before. But the story is interesting and well-paced, and suitable for students in about grades 4 and 5 or so.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Xena and Xander once again solve a mystery their illustrious ancestor, Sherlock Holmes, hadn't been able to solve. This time though, the mystery involves a friend at school who has been kidnapped. Great mystery!

[Becka Ramaglia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd have to say this one was my favorite by far of the series. Like the other books, it deals with a case from a hundred years ago, but this time there were real stakes with a person's life in danger.
My only complaint that has been running through the series is a lack of character development.

[Sophia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Im not liking it so far...

[Cinnapatty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for maybe grades 4-8? Although all ages would enjoy it. I love a good mystery :)

[Lugene Lancaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun series of books, but only 4. Hope she writes more.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

great mysteries books for those kids 4-6 grades. The audio version is great also

[Leigh Paddon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment. A great mystery that makes the ideas/techniques of Sherlock Holmes accessible to another generation.

[Kim Gontarz]

Xena and Xander are on the case of who is the real heir to the throne. Alice disappears and the duo must find her before it is too late.