"A well-paced, exciting story in which stalwart heroes attempt to outwit inscrutable villains...Readers who love mysteries and adventure stories are sure to enjoy the experience."—ALA Booklist (starred review)

"A tantalizing playground for inquisitive minds."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A bold and thrilling reimagining of Arthur Conan Doyle’s early life, filled with students and teachers who the world would later come to know so well, including Dr. Watson, James Moriarty, and, of course, Sherlock Holmes.”—The Conan Doyle Estate

From the acclaimed author Ali Standish of The Ethan I Was Before comes a thrilling middle grade tale with hair-raising adventures, new friendships, secret societies, and the mind behind one of the greatest detectives of all time: Sherlock Holmes.

When young Arthur Conan Doyle is o­ffered a spot at Baskerville Hall, a secret school for extraordinarily gifted children, he is elated at being chosen—and being given a chance to turn his family’s fortunes around. There, Arthur makes quick friends with Irene Eagle, a girl who boldly strides into action, and Jimmie Moriarty, a boy whose brilliance rivals Arthur’s own. Together, they discover that their new school is a peculiar place, home to leaning towers and unexplained explosions, prowling wolves and extinct birds.

Arthur quickly makes enemies, too—deadly foes who wants him expelled . . . or worse. When Arthur and his friends are invited into a powerful secret society called the Clover, they must pass three challenging tests to be accepted. But along the way, Arthur uncovers a mystery that will lead to grand adventure . . . and even greater danger.

An Amazon Best Books of the Month pick for September!

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection pick!