R6: The Sherlock Home, @0LemonySnickers0
(R6 is short for Review 6)
Review : Book6 (MYSTERY/Thriller)
BOOK TITLE: The Sherlock Home
AUTHOR: @0LemonySnickers0
NOTE :
--This is my personal analysis, with the present contents of book, and the mentioned judging criteria. It may change after author edits the book or if criteria is changed.
--Any other person judging the same book, on same criteria/points, may hold different opinions/comments/suggestion/advice, than highlighted here.
--Nothing is written/criticized to offend anyone. If you don't agree, it's alright, I don't mind others having different opinions.
REVIEW :
1. Cover, Title, Summary (8/10)
Cover shows the probable orphanage building entrance. The cover image chosen, is a picture of a seemingly historical structure. This fits perfectly, as the story is framed in the year 1914.
The name of the orphanage is 'Sherlock Home', in the story, which is the title too. The cover and title are perfectly relevant to the story.
Summary is well written, barring few grammatical and sentence formation mistakes. There is a grave mistake, in summary, where author has used two dates and specified that the orphanage opened on those two dates. (February 11, 1914 opened/ January 11, 1914, orphanage just opened). Please check and correct it.
2. Images/photos etc., audio, video, GIFs- Graphics (2/10)
A few related images are used. No other graphics present.
3. Grammar, Spelling, vocabulary (6/10)
Spelling mistakes- I couldn't find any.
Grammar: Punctuation - few in number; mainly comma, single quotation marks mistakes, semi colon mistakes at more than a few places.
Verb (eg- 'was' used in place of 'were' etc.) and verb tense mistakes & tense mixing (eg.- will, is, was, used in chapter 2, in the same paragraph). Placement & usage of determiners (a, an, the) need correction (eg.- 'a' is used in place of 'an', etc.). Conjunctions missing at a few places (eg- in, on, at, etc.)
Word mistakes - I couldn't spot any.
Word repetitions are present but they don't impede the reader from progressing further.
Sentence formation mistakes- though less but present.
Vocabulary is moderate but understandable.
4. Literary elements: plot, setting, characterization, conflicts, POVs, mood, tone (5/10)
The plot environment is chosen appropriately, for a mystery novel.
Settings (meaning living environment, clothing, conversation styles, food habits, transportation, technology etc.) need elucidation, as per the time and date. Since the year is 1914, all the features of lead characters should be described as per that time, which is lacking.
The lead characters are four orphan kids of the orphanage, who are determined to find the murderer of Ms. Livenstein and avenge her. Characters are developed gradually with their thoughts, feelings, behavioral patterns, concerns etc. The main focus of the author is on the plot i.e., the murder, the hints they collect, plans the kids create to reach the murderer by combining bits & clues together.
Conflicts are many, in the form of many hints, but at many points it seems that the necessary explanation is missing, and at some places, reader isn't able to grasp the progress kids make for the case investigation.
POV- Third person POV is used for the story narration, which is wisely chosen, as it gives freedom of description/explanation from any character's POV. Thus the understanding of the reader could be magnified manifold. But, the author has, at many places mixed second person POV with the third person, which becomes confusing to the reader.
Moods (emotions aroused in reader) induced are sympathetic, investigative and perplexing, at different sections of book.
Tones (author's attitudes) are energetic, harmonious & puzzling at places, where kids work together to unravel the mystery. And gloomy, anxious, sadistic at other events when murders, moaning is expressed. Altogether, well expressed tones, but moods need to be improved.
5. Diction, writing style, pacing (8/10)
Diction (word choice) is good.
Writing style is formal narrative. Pacing is exactly in synchronism with events & conflicts, but the lack of description makes it rather slight clumsy, and thus pacing seems fast.
6. Allusion, epigraphs, euphemism, foreshadowing, metaphors/simile, imagery (8/10)
Foreshadowing is properly used throughout book chapters. The author divulges little information, with each chapter.
Epigraphs used at the beginning of each chapter, which builds interest and relate with the chapter contents. Interestingly they are Sherlock Holmes book quotes, and add the extra spice.
In such novels, imagery should be well developed, where the author needs enhancement.
Other devices not used, which is as per the story requirements (and not necessarily required).
7. Structuring (7/10)
Starting & ending clearly presented in text. Paragraphs, dialogues are properly structured. Chapters are numbered sequentially, which is professionally good.
8. Cliffhangers, twists/turns/incident presentation (9/10)
Cliffhangers are maintained throughout Chapters.
The storyline is intriguing & engaging and the inter related sequence of events makes it more interesting.
Twists and turns are abundant which maintains reader's curiosity, but need a clever presentation.
9. Originality, creativity (4/10)
Not much originality, but slight creativity lies in description of murders.
Rating/Marks :
8+2+6+5+8+8+7+9+4= 57/90
Reviewer's note (to readers) :
The story is a murder mystery, and the hints are collected by the four kids of orphanage (who do the detective work here). The hints will then add up in later chapters, to reveal the murderer and his motives. Such novels are slightly mind boggling and slightly straining as well as puzzling at times. So be prepared to embark on the probing journey.
ADVICE (to author):
1) Prologue/introduction/character description can be attached, in the book. In murder mysteries, there are many characters (due to the probing, detective work & other elements), so it's better to give a brief introduction to the various (non leading) characters, with their names, occupation and roles in the story.
2) Though chapters are short, which proves the strength of the book; the contents are a little obscure to interpretation, to the reader. More detailing and necessary description could be added.
If there is anything you don't understand, let me know, as an inline comment here. I will surely explain, if I find time for it.
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