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Knightley & Son #1
Knightley & Son
The once highly in-demand detective Alan Knightley has just woken up after an unexplained incident kept him asleep for four years. While he was out cold, his son, Darkus, took it upon himself to read of all his dad's old cases, and he's learned a lot about the art of detection. It's a good thing too—because suddenly the duo find themselves caught up in a crazy conspiracy that involves a group of villainous masterminds (who keep appearing and then vanishing), some high-speed car chases (that will have everyone fastening their seat belts), and a national, bestselling book with the power to make people do terrible, terrible things. But because Alan is still suffering the effects of his coma, he tends to, well, fall asleep at the worst possible moments, Meaning that young Darkus might just have to solve this mystery . . . by himself.
313 pages, Hardcover
First published January 2, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
September 19, 2014
The cover of this book calls the characters 'quirky', which made me nervous. Quirky can mean a lot of things, but it usually means that the characters are completely one-dimensional, but have some weird quirk that they talk about endlessly that's supposed to make them seem more interesting.
I can safely report that KNIGHTLEY & SONS contains characters who are quirky in very real, funny, and interesting ways. Alan Knightley is a slightly affected, calculating, Sherlock Holmes type, and his son Darkus wants to be just like him. They wear tweed suits and homburg hats, and try to be dispassionate, analyzing everything and everyone around them. This puts an interesting factor in their relationship, as praise and love are not analytical, but Darkus secretly craves them both from his father.
His father who, by the way, just woke up from a coma and has a sort of narcolepsy now as a side effect.
And that's what I really liked about this book. It was weird and funny, yet intense and heartfelt, too. There was a very interesting and rather off-the-wall mystery at the core, but built around that mystery was a lot of family tension and real human issues.
This is also the set up for a whole series, which I'm looking forward to!
I can safely report that KNIGHTLEY & SONS contains characters who are quirky in very real, funny, and interesting ways. Alan Knightley is a slightly affected, calculating, Sherlock Holmes type, and his son Darkus wants to be just like him. They wear tweed suits and homburg hats, and try to be dispassionate, analyzing everything and everyone around them. This puts an interesting factor in their relationship, as praise and love are not analytical, but Darkus secretly craves them both from his father.
His father who, by the way, just woke up from a coma and has a sort of narcolepsy now as a side effect.
And that's what I really liked about this book. It was weird and funny, yet intense and heartfelt, too. There was a very interesting and rather off-the-wall mystery at the core, but built around that mystery was a lot of family tension and real human issues.
This is also the set up for a whole series, which I'm looking forward to!
May 28, 2019
2,5. Niet dat hij slecht was, gewoon een beetje te veel Sherlock Holmes willen nadoen 😒
September 11, 2018
This book is about a thirteen-year-old boy named "Darkus Knightley" with the habit of reading top-secret files hidden in his bedroom and the brainpower of every smart person in the world combined; he doesn't sound ordinary does he? Well that's because he's not. He's the son of "Alan Knightley" who used to be London's top detective, and a man who has been in a coma for four years after a mysterious incident. He wakes up one day, discovering that his own son has inherited his talent for solving mysteries. They soon become a part of a conspiracy that involve a group of villains, a code to crack, a car chase and a bestselling book that's making people do awful things.
I recommend this book to people who have a love for detective stories, cracking codes and murder mysteries; this book will fit your taste!
I recommend this book to people who have a love for detective stories, cracking codes and murder mysteries; this book will fit your taste!
December 14, 2014
So, I'm just 30 pages into this book, but I can already say I didn't think it'd be this good. I, unfortunately, almost always judge a book by its cover, or at least at first. It's the first impression I get. So the flashlight immediately warded me off, but then I read the description and decided to try it (albeit cautiously).
It's a little like the Secret Series, in that it has this aloof but lovable main character. The action starts right off at the prologue, but then calms down as you see the spelling bee, then shows more coming when Darkus' father wakes up from his coma.
Anyway, I hope it stays like this (or gets better), and I'll keep reading!
It's a little like the Secret Series, in that it has this aloof but lovable main character. The action starts right off at the prologue, but then calms down as you see the spelling bee, then shows more coming when Darkus' father wakes up from his coma.
Anyway, I hope it stays like this (or gets better), and I'll keep reading!
December 22, 2015
**DNFed at 113 pages**
Review to come. (I WROTE NOTES! *laughs manically*)
ETA: I lost the notes.
Review to come. (I WROTE NOTES! *laughs manically*)
ETA: I lost the notes.
December 14, 2016
I think in the hands of the right reader, this would be an enjoyable little mystery--but it just wasn't my cup of tea. The whole "caper mystery" is great for some, but I like my mysteries a little more thrilling. This one didn't have much excitement for me, and it took a lot of effort to finish. I know that Darkus is meant to be an odd, eccentric 13-year-old, but he was REALLY hard to relate to and care about. The most interesting character, Tilly, didn't get NEAR enough page time, and I'm still not sure I understand exactly what happened with the mystery there at the end--it feels like there was a lot left unexplained, but perhaps the follow-up books pick up the story.
March 25, 2015
The plot is filled with tension (‘a light scratching intruded on the uppermost frequencies of his hearing… A clearly audible click, followed by the faint sound of something softly crushing the fabric of the carpeted stairs’) and intrigue – and Gavin intelligently plants a series of clues that will draw readers further and further into the case. There is a satisfying feel to the writing and plotting as Darkus and Knightley unravel the facts – the same kind of revelatory gratification you find in Conan Doyle’s Sherlock stories. And the character cast is awesome: a broad-Scot called Bill (LOVING the sound of his fall being described as mimicking the noise of a king-size mattress dropping from a great height!), a feisty Polish woman, a child detective dressed in tweed who loves his sandwiches cut into triangles (and has a library card as ID) and a terrible villain…
There are codes, anagrams and secrets – perfect ingredients for a detective case – as well as cool gadgets to keep imaginative children engaged (think exploding lipstick and lethal inhalers). And Darkus is a fantastic lead character, motivated not only by a sharp desire to unravel the mystery but by a yearning to be close to his often distant father. He is both clever (‘Did you know that dust is seventy per cent human skin and hair?’) and amusing (‘Floor it, Bogna’) and 8-12-year-old readers will love him. And they’ll be pleased to know the sequel is out now and tweed-wearing, mega-brained, thoroughly logical 13-year-old investigator of the weird, Darkus Knightley, is back on a different case with a traumatised ex-bomb-disposal dog as his partner in crime-solving. A third in the series is on the way. Most definitely then, the game is afoot…
There are codes, anagrams and secrets – perfect ingredients for a detective case – as well as cool gadgets to keep imaginative children engaged (think exploding lipstick and lethal inhalers). And Darkus is a fantastic lead character, motivated not only by a sharp desire to unravel the mystery but by a yearning to be close to his often distant father. He is both clever (‘Did you know that dust is seventy per cent human skin and hair?’) and amusing (‘Floor it, Bogna’) and 8-12-year-old readers will love him. And they’ll be pleased to know the sequel is out now and tweed-wearing, mega-brained, thoroughly logical 13-year-old investigator of the weird, Darkus Knightley, is back on a different case with a traumatised ex-bomb-disposal dog as his partner in crime-solving. A third in the series is on the way. Most definitely then, the game is afoot…
January 14, 2024
This book was a fun, exciting and gripping read; it was easy to read and fairly unpredictable with an original storyline. It is very obviously aimed at teen reader so I may have been a bit too old but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it; I found it to be a fun quick read.
The main character is Darkus, a teenage boy whose dad has been in a comma a long time as Darkus has followed in his footsteps becoming an investigator but when his father wakes up he is thrown into a mystery that maybe he shouldn’t try to solve. With the help of his father and step sister they get to the bottom of a crime organisation that tie links with the reason his father went into a comma in the first place. Darkus is an imaginative character with deductive reasoning not unlike Sherlock holmes, he is a very fun and interesting character that leads the story.
Secondary characters I found to be most noteworthy include Alan, Darkus’s father and Tilly, Darkus’s step sister. Alan is a little bit strange after being in the comma for a few years but it may also be partly attributed to his issues with the case him and his son are working. Tilly is Darkus’s mothers husband’s daughter; Tilly and Darkus have an odd relationship in which they don’t really behave like they live together, more like they’re just acquaintances.
The storyline is very original with some great twists and turns and character development as well as some unpredictable bits. And the pacing was pretty good finishing the story nicely but then also leading to the possibility of more stories.
4 stars a really good book
The main character is Darkus, a teenage boy whose dad has been in a comma a long time as Darkus has followed in his footsteps becoming an investigator but when his father wakes up he is thrown into a mystery that maybe he shouldn’t try to solve. With the help of his father and step sister they get to the bottom of a crime organisation that tie links with the reason his father went into a comma in the first place. Darkus is an imaginative character with deductive reasoning not unlike Sherlock holmes, he is a very fun and interesting character that leads the story.
Secondary characters I found to be most noteworthy include Alan, Darkus’s father and Tilly, Darkus’s step sister. Alan is a little bit strange after being in the comma for a few years but it may also be partly attributed to his issues with the case him and his son are working. Tilly is Darkus’s mothers husband’s daughter; Tilly and Darkus have an odd relationship in which they don’t really behave like they live together, more like they’re just acquaintances.
The storyline is very original with some great twists and turns and character development as well as some unpredictable bits. And the pacing was pretty good finishing the story nicely but then also leading to the possibility of more stories.
4 stars a really good book
August 29, 2014
What a rollicking read! I read this book almost in one sitting tonight and loved every second of it. It reminded me of Sherlock Holmes, some James Bond and a dash of a puzzle-based mystery like Lemoncello's Library. I absolutely love the idea of a father-son detective team and though Gavin did a great job illustrating the nuances of that relationship. The characters were quirky with fun gadgets, wacky accents and lots of heart. While there was a bit more violence than I was expecting, it was not graphic and suited the genre. The mystery at hand is fascinating and I appreciated that the book had a proper ending, but left the door open for more. I don't want to give anything away, but I thought the idea of a book causing people to do bad things was really intriguing. I will continue on with this series for sure. Lots of fun!
September 16, 2016
L'histoire mêle habilement le mystère, le danger et l'humour, avec une belle brochette de personnages épatants (Alan le narcoleptique, Darkus qui ne porte que du tweed, Tilly la jeune surdouée, Clive le beau-père benêt, Oncle Bill l'excentrique et bedonnant chef de Scotland Yard...).
Cette nouvelle série signe les prémices de rendez-vous émoustillants, qui ne manqueront pas de charmer petits et grands lecteurs (à partir de 10 ans, préconise l'éditeur... sauf que livre fait déjà 385 pages !). L'auteur a voulu rendre hommage à ses idoles, Conan Doyle, Dickens, Ian Fleming et Roald Dahl, à travers cette lecture pleine d'entrain et estampillée « british touch » !
Cette nouvelle série signe les prémices de rendez-vous émoustillants, qui ne manqueront pas de charmer petits et grands lecteurs (à partir de 10 ans, préconise l'éditeur... sauf que livre fait déjà 385 pages !). L'auteur a voulu rendre hommage à ses idoles, Conan Doyle, Dickens, Ian Fleming et Roald Dahl, à travers cette lecture pleine d'entrain et estampillée « british touch » !
April 20, 2017
Treat yourself to this amazing novel. A well written mystery with great characters!!
February 23, 2018
This is one of the best mystery novels I've ever read. The main character is very interesting with some interesting dynamics between him and his father. Lot's of action
December 4, 2013
There are, by and large, two groups of children's books: those that are aimed at, and enjoyed by, children, and those that are aimed at children but are in fact enjoyed by readers of all ages.
Knightley and Son, to me, falls into the first group. This doesn't make it a bad book - no, I think that for its target group (I don't actually know who that target group is but I'd say "nine-year-old boys"), it has a lot to offer - some excitement, cool conspiracies, comical characters, people falling over, car racing, all that.
To me, it all fell a bit flat. Considering its length, this should have been a book I could read in one evening - two at the most. It took me four evenings to read it mostly because I found myself putting the Kindle down every ten minutes to do something else, like shoot peas at zombies or read the news. A few times I even nodded off.
And I really shouldn't have. I mean, the premise was exciting enough and even reasonably original - a smart 13-year-old investigating suspicious plots and mysteries while his father keeps falling into an inexplicable coma. Mysterious organisations, shady villains, people getting murdered - sounds exciting, doesn't it?
I've been trying to put my finger on what was wrong, and I came to the conclusion that to me, there are three major things that separate a children's book that doesn't successfully cross over to adult readers from those that do: a single, simple, straightforward plot line, with no real subplots (not a bad thing in itself and certainly fits a lot of books); sketchy, cardboard characters with absolutely no meat to them, who are only there to serve the plot, such as it is; and - last but not least - the tendency in many children's books (those that work best for children or those adults who fondly remember the books from their own childhood) to turn every single adult (if there are adult characters at all), who isn't a villain, into a bumbling fool, comic relief or someone who is completely ignorant about everything, never listens to reason and absolutely refuses to ever listen to whatever sensible thing a child has to say.
Of course all such people exist, but when a book that has half a dozen recurring adult characters and not a single one of them is anything but the abovementioned (with the possible exception of the mother, who was basically a vague non-entity)... well.
(I mean, really? )
I understand that in a children's book, the child protagonist needs to be the one to save the day with their ingenuity and courage, but there are plenty of children's books that achieve that and manage to have a nuanced, balanced, intelligent adult cast of characters as well.
Sigh.
Anyway. I did like Darkus, the protagonist, well enough, so that helped. And Tilly was ... well, not exactly fleshed out, but okay, I suppose. And the plot, while nothing spectacular, wasn't bad.
Rating: honestly, if I went solely by my own taste, this would be two stars. As it is, I know I'm not the target group for this book, even if I am an adult whose favourite books are children's / middle-grade action adventures / mysteries, and I'm quite sure that this book will have many very happy (younger) readers.
(Please note: I'm not saying an adult cannot possibly enjoy it - far from it. I just don't think it's the kind of book that has major crossover potential, and it didn't work too well for me.)
* ARC of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley. Thanks!
Knightley and Son, to me, falls into the first group. This doesn't make it a bad book - no, I think that for its target group (I don't actually know who that target group is but I'd say "nine-year-old boys"), it has a lot to offer - some excitement, cool conspiracies, comical characters, people falling over, car racing, all that.
To me, it all fell a bit flat. Considering its length, this should have been a book I could read in one evening - two at the most. It took me four evenings to read it mostly because I found myself putting the Kindle down every ten minutes to do something else, like shoot peas at zombies or read the news. A few times I even nodded off.
And I really shouldn't have. I mean, the premise was exciting enough and even reasonably original - a smart 13-year-old investigating suspicious plots and mysteries while his father keeps falling into an inexplicable coma. Mysterious organisations, shady villains, people getting murdered - sounds exciting, doesn't it?
I've been trying to put my finger on what was wrong, and I came to the conclusion that to me, there are three major things that separate a children's book that doesn't successfully cross over to adult readers from those that do: a single, simple, straightforward plot line, with no real subplots (not a bad thing in itself and certainly fits a lot of books); sketchy, cardboard characters with absolutely no meat to them, who are only there to serve the plot, such as it is; and - last but not least - the tendency in many children's books (those that work best for children or those adults who fondly remember the books from their own childhood) to turn every single adult (if there are adult characters at all), who isn't a villain, into a bumbling fool, comic relief or someone who is completely ignorant about everything, never listens to reason and absolutely refuses to ever listen to whatever sensible thing a child has to say.
Of course all such people exist, but when a book that has half a dozen recurring adult characters and not a single one of them is anything but the abovementioned (with the possible exception of the mother, who was basically a vague non-entity)... well.
(I mean, really? )
I understand that in a children's book, the child protagonist needs to be the one to save the day with their ingenuity and courage, but there are plenty of children's books that achieve that and manage to have a nuanced, balanced, intelligent adult cast of characters as well.
Sigh.
Anyway. I did like Darkus, the protagonist, well enough, so that helped. And Tilly was ... well, not exactly fleshed out, but okay, I suppose. And the plot, while nothing spectacular, wasn't bad.
Rating: honestly, if I went solely by my own taste, this would be two stars. As it is, I know I'm not the target group for this book, even if I am an adult whose favourite books are children's / middle-grade action adventures / mysteries, and I'm quite sure that this book will have many very happy (younger) readers.
(Please note: I'm not saying an adult cannot possibly enjoy it - far from it. I just don't think it's the kind of book that has major crossover potential, and it didn't work too well for me.)
* ARC of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley. Thanks!
June 1, 2014
Thoughts on the Overall Book: This was a book that caught my eye the instant I saw it in the bookstore, but I still ended up getting it from the library since I've never read the author before, and, well, you never know, but I was not disappointed in this book. For the most part, it was exactly what I expected.
Cover--Yea or Nay: Love the cover. That's what caught my eye. It looks like a mystery novel and, hey, it has the London skyline on it, what's not to like.
Characters: Darkus Knightley (okay, I thought his name just made him sound like a villain, but oh well) was a really awesome protagonist. He is almost exactly how I pictured Sherlock Holmes as a teenager. He's smart, self taught mostly, though he obviously inherited his father's genes too, and he's very mature for his age, sometimes, I think, forgetting that he is only thirteen when he's trying to solve a case. Alan Knightley, his father, was an interesting character too. He was your typical obsessed man, but he also really did care about Darkus and even his ex-wife. Tilly, Darkus' stepsister, I wasn't sure I would like at first, but she never had the Attitude, and I liked her bluntness and how she just got a job done and never tried to take the head from Darkus because she thought she was smarter. She was a good partner for him. Uncle Bill was an interesting character. He's kind of quirky and unassuming, but he gets a job done. Darkus' stepfather, Clive, was an annoying character, but also amusing. No, I didn't like him, but one isn't really supposed to. My favorite supporting character was definitely Bogna, Alan's Polish secretary. She was awesome :)
The Romance: None!
Writing Style: I did like the writing style-third person past tense. It did take a while to get used to though. Mainly because sometimes it would be hard to figure out who's perspective it was coming from. Usually, the author kept it within chapter or chapter break, but sometimes it would seem like it was from one perspective and then it turned out to be in another, but that was really only in the first few chapters. Apart from that, I liked how we got to see other people's perspectives. It gave more to the story without giving anything away. It actually read like a mystery show kind of like Sherlock it had the same pacing and "cuts". Not the most fluent and beautiful of writing styles but for the kind of book it was, it worked.
The story-line itself however, was what intrigued me in the first place. It was just too weird to pass up. A book that is making people commit crimes? Very cool! And I loved the way the author brought it about. I really can't say anymore about it because it would give too much away, but I was not disappointed as I feared I might be on occasion.
Accuracy/ Believability: Not really applicable in this. The deductive skills and reasoning were sound though.
Problems/What bothered me: Apart from my few niggles about the writing style, I didn't have any problems to report. It's kind of one of those books you go along for the ride with.
Conclusion: 4 stars. I really look forward to continuing this series. I really can't wait to see what happens next. I can see this idea going many places and doing really well.
Recommended Audience: Girl or guy read 13 and up. Fans of Sherlock Holmes would enjoy this, and anyone who likes mysteries with an odd twist would also enjoy.
Cover--Yea or Nay: Love the cover. That's what caught my eye. It looks like a mystery novel and, hey, it has the London skyline on it, what's not to like.
Characters: Darkus Knightley (okay, I thought his name just made him sound like a villain, but oh well) was a really awesome protagonist. He is almost exactly how I pictured Sherlock Holmes as a teenager. He's smart, self taught mostly, though he obviously inherited his father's genes too, and he's very mature for his age, sometimes, I think, forgetting that he is only thirteen when he's trying to solve a case. Alan Knightley, his father, was an interesting character too. He was your typical obsessed man, but he also really did care about Darkus and even his ex-wife. Tilly, Darkus' stepsister, I wasn't sure I would like at first, but she never had the Attitude, and I liked her bluntness and how she just got a job done and never tried to take the head from Darkus because she thought she was smarter. She was a good partner for him. Uncle Bill was an interesting character. He's kind of quirky and unassuming, but he gets a job done. Darkus' stepfather, Clive, was an annoying character, but also amusing. No, I didn't like him, but one isn't really supposed to. My favorite supporting character was definitely Bogna, Alan's Polish secretary. She was awesome :)
The Romance: None!
Writing Style: I did like the writing style-third person past tense. It did take a while to get used to though. Mainly because sometimes it would be hard to figure out who's perspective it was coming from. Usually, the author kept it within chapter or chapter break, but sometimes it would seem like it was from one perspective and then it turned out to be in another, but that was really only in the first few chapters. Apart from that, I liked how we got to see other people's perspectives. It gave more to the story without giving anything away. It actually read like a mystery show kind of like Sherlock it had the same pacing and "cuts". Not the most fluent and beautiful of writing styles but for the kind of book it was, it worked.
The story-line itself however, was what intrigued me in the first place. It was just too weird to pass up. A book that is making people commit crimes? Very cool! And I loved the way the author brought it about. I really can't say anymore about it because it would give too much away, but I was not disappointed as I feared I might be on occasion.
Accuracy/ Believability: Not really applicable in this. The deductive skills and reasoning were sound though.
Problems/What bothered me: Apart from my few niggles about the writing style, I didn't have any problems to report. It's kind of one of those books you go along for the ride with.
Conclusion: 4 stars. I really look forward to continuing this series. I really can't wait to see what happens next. I can see this idea going many places and doing really well.
Recommended Audience: Girl or guy read 13 and up. Fans of Sherlock Holmes would enjoy this, and anyone who likes mysteries with an odd twist would also enjoy.
April 8, 2014
Darkus Knightley is a young Sherlock Holmes. He is thirteen years old, prefers to be non-sociable and yet, is always unfailingly polite in his few interactions. He has a steel-trap for a mind and is blessed with amazing deductive skills. And yes, he has a fondness for tweed.
There you go, a young Sherlock Holmes.
He is also the son of the legendary Alan Knightley. Alan was once a top London Private Investigator. He handled baffling cases for an obscure branch of Scotland Yard and was a formidable force in both, the detective and criminal worlds. But matters started unraveling, Knightley Sr. had an “episode” and slipped into a coma.
Young Darkus adores his father and keeps a silent vigil over his dad’s comatose body at the hospital. Alan had meticulously transcribed the details of all his cases into a hard drive and Darkus now spends his free time poring over them and memorizing every single detail. But suddenly, after four years, Alan awakens and it appears that Knightley and Son are back in business.
And dangerous business it is. There’s a bestselling self-help book that is compelling people to commit heinous crimes. There’s a powerful secret organization that has it’s tentacles spread all over London. There are car chases, illusionists and conspiracy theories.
Will Alan and his son solve the mystery, their first as a father-son sleuthing team?
All that and more in the first instalment of Knightley and Son .
--------------------------
The first outing of the Knightleys is an engaging tale with engaging characters. The story is a blend of three of my favourite aspects : A Sherlock Holmes style of deduction + London as a foggy, mysterious backdrop + a hero who steadily grows on the reader. I picked up this book because I was suffering from BBC Sherlock withdrawal pangs. While I didn’t get an arrogant and delightfully ruffled up Benedict Cumberbatch playing to my heart-strings, Darkus Knightley effectively channelled Holmes’ spirit.
Darkus’ relationship with his father (perhaps the only time that he displays a flicker of vulnerability) is handled in a touching yet mature fashion. His banter with his intelligent and slightly deviant stepsister (special shout-out for Tilly here) plays out well in the time-honoured Sherlock-Watson tradition. Throw in a garrulous, shell-suit wearing stepfather, a massive stranger from Scotland Yard’s Department of the Unexplained and a stoic Polish woman who can wield a frying pan with alacrity and the scene is well and truly set for a juicy detective drama.
The mystery itself moves sluggishly at first but speeds up with some delicious twists and smatterings of hushed up theories. Throw in a dash of the supernatural and the reader is hooked till the end.
The first instalment of Knightley & Son is a good taste of things to come.
There you go, a young Sherlock Holmes.
He is also the son of the legendary Alan Knightley. Alan was once a top London Private Investigator. He handled baffling cases for an obscure branch of Scotland Yard and was a formidable force in both, the detective and criminal worlds. But matters started unraveling, Knightley Sr. had an “episode” and slipped into a coma.
Young Darkus adores his father and keeps a silent vigil over his dad’s comatose body at the hospital. Alan had meticulously transcribed the details of all his cases into a hard drive and Darkus now spends his free time poring over them and memorizing every single detail. But suddenly, after four years, Alan awakens and it appears that Knightley and Son are back in business.
And dangerous business it is. There’s a bestselling self-help book that is compelling people to commit heinous crimes. There’s a powerful secret organization that has it’s tentacles spread all over London. There are car chases, illusionists and conspiracy theories.
Will Alan and his son solve the mystery, their first as a father-son sleuthing team?
All that and more in the first instalment of Knightley and Son .
--------------------------
The first outing of the Knightleys is an engaging tale with engaging characters. The story is a blend of three of my favourite aspects : A Sherlock Holmes style of deduction + London as a foggy, mysterious backdrop + a hero who steadily grows on the reader. I picked up this book because I was suffering from BBC Sherlock withdrawal pangs. While I didn’t get an arrogant and delightfully ruffled up Benedict Cumberbatch playing to my heart-strings, Darkus Knightley effectively channelled Holmes’ spirit.
Darkus’ relationship with his father (perhaps the only time that he displays a flicker of vulnerability) is handled in a touching yet mature fashion. His banter with his intelligent and slightly deviant stepsister (special shout-out for Tilly here) plays out well in the time-honoured Sherlock-Watson tradition. Throw in a garrulous, shell-suit wearing stepfather, a massive stranger from Scotland Yard’s Department of the Unexplained and a stoic Polish woman who can wield a frying pan with alacrity and the scene is well and truly set for a juicy detective drama.
The mystery itself moves sluggishly at first but speeds up with some delicious twists and smatterings of hushed up theories. Throw in a dash of the supernatural and the reader is hooked till the end.
The first instalment of Knightley & Son is a good taste of things to come.
October 15, 2013
Grab your magnifying glass and sit back to enjoy a delightful mystery that will appeal to younger readers and spark their imaginations! Knightley and Son by Rohan Gavin tells the tale of a young boy, wise far beyond his years, who is determined to be the same kind of super sleuth his father is! Young Darkus has never lost hope that his father will awake from a four year coma, sits vigil by his bed, discusses his cases as if his father could answer and has decided to pick up where his father left off. When Alan Knightley miraculously awakes from his coma, Darkus shows his father he is up to joining him in his investigations of the strange power a best-selling book has over the people who read it. Will they discover the evil behind the book? Is it magic, a curse, and will anyone be safe from its pull? Will Alan finally see Darkus as a worthy partner in his business?
With all the mystery and adventure of a junior Sherlock Holmes, Knightley and Son will spark the imagination of readers, young and old as author Rohan Gavin creates a sinister plot for young Darkus to unravel with all of the pluck and guts of a boy who knows no limits and has a mind as sharp as a tack! Rohan Gavin has filled each page with clever characters, all with unique personalities and a few quirks, a dark puzzle to solve and a brave and adventurous hero who will stop at nothing to win his father’s approval, all while saving the day and growing up a little at the same time.
Do I recommend this as a great way to involve children in the world of books? Definitely!
I received an ARC edition from Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books in exchange for my honest review.
Expected Publication Date: March 4, 2013
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
ISBN: 9781619631533
Page Count: 320
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Age Recommendation: 10-12
Available from: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
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With all the mystery and adventure of a junior Sherlock Holmes, Knightley and Son will spark the imagination of readers, young and old as author Rohan Gavin creates a sinister plot for young Darkus to unravel with all of the pluck and guts of a boy who knows no limits and has a mind as sharp as a tack! Rohan Gavin has filled each page with clever characters, all with unique personalities and a few quirks, a dark puzzle to solve and a brave and adventurous hero who will stop at nothing to win his father’s approval, all while saving the day and growing up a little at the same time.
Do I recommend this as a great way to involve children in the world of books? Definitely!
I received an ARC edition from Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books in exchange for my honest review.
Expected Publication Date: March 4, 2013
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
ISBN: 9781619631533
Page Count: 320
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Age Recommendation: 10-12
Available from: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
February 13, 2016
Darkus is 13 and has been coming to visit his father every Saturday for four years. Alan Knightley was a private investigator who one day randomly entered a coma with no medical explanations available. Darkus has used the time to learn everything about his father's cases and becoming a bit of a teenage sleuth. When Alan Knightley wakes up he has to join forces with his son to stop The Combination, a villainous group responsible for all the unexplained crimes in the world. Joining them is Uncle Bill, Knightley's old friend and Tilly, Darkus' stepsister. Together the group has to stop "The Code" from creating more havoc all while trying to stop The Combination from growing.
"Knightley and Son" is sort of like Encyclopedia Brown meets Cam Jansen with a little Veronica Mars thrown in. Darkus is a young investigator but he has a near eidetic memory. He is confident in his abilities and wants to help people. At the same time he really just wants his father to spend time with him. Darkus is an interesting kid and an interesting investigator.
The general premise is a bit hard to swallow and is not for people wanting realistic mysteries. The entire premise surrounds a supernatural element of a cursed book. The book seems to be making random people do terrible things. As the mystery is unraveled it begins to seem as though the story is going back to realism but towards the end it takes a turn.
The funny thing is the story is stronger when focusing on Darkus and Tilly instead of Darkus and Knightley. Knightley is a pretty weak character when you really look at him. He is completely driven by solving crime and hardly notices the world around him. It's unfortunate but when he vanished towards the middle of the book, I really didn't care. He just wasn't interesting.
The book set up a potentially interesting series as long as the focus remains with Darkus and Tilly. They both attend a school which could be a site of a future story. Part boarding school, part top-notch academic school there is a lot of potential to bring back the various teachers and areas briefly introduced.
Clearly this book was either a debut novel or at least written by someone testing the middle grade/YA waters. It's a bit stilted and a bit unpolished. Hopefully book two is better when I finally manage to get to it.
"Knightley and Son" is sort of like Encyclopedia Brown meets Cam Jansen with a little Veronica Mars thrown in. Darkus is a young investigator but he has a near eidetic memory. He is confident in his abilities and wants to help people. At the same time he really just wants his father to spend time with him. Darkus is an interesting kid and an interesting investigator.
The general premise is a bit hard to swallow and is not for people wanting realistic mysteries. The entire premise surrounds a supernatural element of a cursed book. The book seems to be making random people do terrible things. As the mystery is unraveled it begins to seem as though the story is going back to realism but towards the end it takes a turn.
The funny thing is the story is stronger when focusing on Darkus and Tilly instead of Darkus and Knightley. Knightley is a pretty weak character when you really look at him. He is completely driven by solving crime and hardly notices the world around him. It's unfortunate but when he vanished towards the middle of the book, I really didn't care. He just wasn't interesting.
The book set up a potentially interesting series as long as the focus remains with Darkus and Tilly. They both attend a school which could be a site of a future story. Part boarding school, part top-notch academic school there is a lot of potential to bring back the various teachers and areas briefly introduced.
Clearly this book was either a debut novel or at least written by someone testing the middle grade/YA waters. It's a bit stilted and a bit unpolished. Hopefully book two is better when I finally manage to get to it.
April 29, 2014
Darkus Knightley is the son of Alan Knightley, a detective who has been in a coma for years. Darkus has been studying the record of his dad's cases, eager to help him when he wakes up. But Knightley's cases weren't quite normal, and they drove him to a breakdown. It is not the best future for Darkus.
I loved the idea of KNIGHTLEY & SON, father and son detective tackling strange cases, including the current one, involving a bestselling self-help book. (It's clearly modeled after THE SECRET, but it is somewhat more sinister.) The execution never quite won me over. Based on the premise I wasn't expecting many female characters, for instance, but Darkus does have a stepsister who is smart, resourceful, and often notices the few things he misses. So she gets sidelined for most of the book, despite being a character who would clearly add something to the mix.
The father-son relationship didn't quite work for me either. Knightley keeps falling asleep due to the effects of his coma. That gets him out of the way too and leaves most of the book to Darkus alone. When they do work together, Knightley is reluctant to involve him. That's responsible parenting, but I was expecting to see them work together as a detective team.
Then, there was Darkus himself. He strives to be totally logical, like his father. This has the effect of having him behave entirely unlike most human beings. He also comes off as rather stilted. It's a deliberate choice on the part of the character, but it's a ridiculous one. Maybe I would've rolled with it when I was the age of the intended audience, but maybe not. The book does seem to realize it's a silly choice that Darkus needs to grow out of, but then it also realizes his name is silly. That doesn't change the effect of reading it.
There are several fun scenes in KNIGHTLEY & SON, including a shining moment for Tilly, the stepsister. I wish it had been more of an ensemble story (the pieces are all there!) instead of focused on Darkus, but the detective working alone isn't an unknown trope. I would give this to a 10-12 year old who likes mysteries and conspiracies. There is series potential.
I loved the idea of KNIGHTLEY & SON, father and son detective tackling strange cases, including the current one, involving a bestselling self-help book. (It's clearly modeled after THE SECRET, but it is somewhat more sinister.) The execution never quite won me over. Based on the premise I wasn't expecting many female characters, for instance, but Darkus does have a stepsister who is smart, resourceful, and often notices the few things he misses. So she gets sidelined for most of the book, despite being a character who would clearly add something to the mix.
The father-son relationship didn't quite work for me either. Knightley keeps falling asleep due to the effects of his coma. That gets him out of the way too and leaves most of the book to Darkus alone. When they do work together, Knightley is reluctant to involve him. That's responsible parenting, but I was expecting to see them work together as a detective team.
Then, there was Darkus himself. He strives to be totally logical, like his father. This has the effect of having him behave entirely unlike most human beings. He also comes off as rather stilted. It's a deliberate choice on the part of the character, but it's a ridiculous one. Maybe I would've rolled with it when I was the age of the intended audience, but maybe not. The book does seem to realize it's a silly choice that Darkus needs to grow out of, but then it also realizes his name is silly. That doesn't change the effect of reading it.
There are several fun scenes in KNIGHTLEY & SON, including a shining moment for Tilly, the stepsister. I wish it had been more of an ensemble story (the pieces are all there!) instead of focused on Darkus, but the detective working alone isn't an unknown trope. I would give this to a 10-12 year old who likes mysteries and conspiracies. There is series potential.
May 5, 2014
The Story-
Darkus' dad Alan, has been in a coma for four years. Every week Darkus visits his dad, reviewing old case files and hoping his dad will awaken. His wish comes true one night when Alan Knightly hears the word, "combination" on TV and startles awake. Alan wastes no time escaping through a window and heading out into the darkness.
Darkus has spent the last four years going over every detail of his dad's investigations. The latest problem in London involves a book called The Code, and the freaky things it makes people do. When Alan and Darkus get together, they are on the case. Alan believes The Code is the work of a secret, evil group called The Combination. He believes they are behind many of the seemingly random acts of violence that has plagued London over the last decade. The problem is that Alan is still suffering side affects from his coma and is highly unreliable. It is up to Darkus to solve The Code and find out who is behind The Combination.
My Thoughts-
If you like Sherlock Holmes you will enjoy these characters. Both Alan and Darkus are highly intellectual beings that are able to deduce clues from uncanny logic. The difference is clear though, where Alan is cold and rational, Darkus has nice hints of emotion. The interplay between both characters is classically witty and amusing. There is also Darkus' step-sister Tilly, who I found a fun mystery. Just the idea that her hair randomly changes color is a great hook.
I love mysteries that involve clue hunts and mysterious characters. This book has both. I enjoyed following Darkus as one clue led to another and as the danger grew deeper. This series has great potential just because of Alan's belief in supernatural beings and events. There is such fodder there. I'm thinking young Harry Dresden ish, without Darkus being a wizard, but we'll have to see if that pans out in later books.
This book is so very British too. Such fun to read words that I didn't understand because the idioms are different. A jolly good read! 4 stars!
Darkus' dad Alan, has been in a coma for four years. Every week Darkus visits his dad, reviewing old case files and hoping his dad will awaken. His wish comes true one night when Alan Knightly hears the word, "combination" on TV and startles awake. Alan wastes no time escaping through a window and heading out into the darkness.
Darkus has spent the last four years going over every detail of his dad's investigations. The latest problem in London involves a book called The Code, and the freaky things it makes people do. When Alan and Darkus get together, they are on the case. Alan believes The Code is the work of a secret, evil group called The Combination. He believes they are behind many of the seemingly random acts of violence that has plagued London over the last decade. The problem is that Alan is still suffering side affects from his coma and is highly unreliable. It is up to Darkus to solve The Code and find out who is behind The Combination.
My Thoughts-
If you like Sherlock Holmes you will enjoy these characters. Both Alan and Darkus are highly intellectual beings that are able to deduce clues from uncanny logic. The difference is clear though, where Alan is cold and rational, Darkus has nice hints of emotion. The interplay between both characters is classically witty and amusing. There is also Darkus' step-sister Tilly, who I found a fun mystery. Just the idea that her hair randomly changes color is a great hook.
I love mysteries that involve clue hunts and mysterious characters. This book has both. I enjoyed following Darkus as one clue led to another and as the danger grew deeper. This series has great potential just because of Alan's belief in supernatural beings and events. There is such fodder there. I'm thinking young Harry Dresden ish, without Darkus being a wizard, but we'll have to see if that pans out in later books.
This book is so very British too. Such fun to read words that I didn't understand because the idioms are different. A jolly good read! 4 stars!
August 3, 2016
When I came across this book in my never ending search for new additions to the school library, I was intrigued. A good old fashioned mystery novel for the Junior Fiction set. I have been very pleased with the trend in publishing to broaden the offerings for younger readers and this is a tightly written, well paced book that reminds me of the books and eventually PBS Mystery show "Inspector Morse" If Morse were say thirteen and living an hour and half outside London with an image, car crazed step-dad and whip smart step-sister.
Our "hero" is a quiet child named Darkus Knightly who's father Alan is in a coma. Darkus uses cold logic and a quiet calm to get him through each day, always believing that his Father will wake up and they will become detectives together. While he waits, Darkus practices his deductive reasoning skills and privately wonders how his sister changes her hair color so often. I enjoyed the dark shadowy Combination, and every single character from the bullies "hoodies" to Uncle Bill. The cadre of about eight main characters were distinct, funny, with personalities sometimes a bit two dimensional (the bumbling police officer, the mysterious Uncle Bill, the Belgium housekeeper) but it worked. For a Junior Fiction mystery, the bad guys need to be bad and evil, the good guys pure and sympathetic, and the foolish characters the perfect fools. There is even an absent minded professor with a small but important part to play.
For parents, there is little not to recommend this book. Characters are killed or die, but it is done in the fashion of the 1940's silver screen: "Oh No...." and the shadow falls. Then a detective stands over the body later going "He was stabbed". No gory details, just great story telling. Overall I recommend this book, and the ending was outstanding. I probably will re-read this book again just to catch all the details I missed the first time.
Our "hero" is a quiet child named Darkus Knightly who's father Alan is in a coma. Darkus uses cold logic and a quiet calm to get him through each day, always believing that his Father will wake up and they will become detectives together. While he waits, Darkus practices his deductive reasoning skills and privately wonders how his sister changes her hair color so often. I enjoyed the dark shadowy Combination, and every single character from the bullies "hoodies" to Uncle Bill. The cadre of about eight main characters were distinct, funny, with personalities sometimes a bit two dimensional (the bumbling police officer, the mysterious Uncle Bill, the Belgium housekeeper) but it worked. For a Junior Fiction mystery, the bad guys need to be bad and evil, the good guys pure and sympathetic, and the foolish characters the perfect fools. There is even an absent minded professor with a small but important part to play.
For parents, there is little not to recommend this book. Characters are killed or die, but it is done in the fashion of the 1940's silver screen: "Oh No...." and the shadow falls. Then a detective stands over the body later going "He was stabbed". No gory details, just great story telling. Overall I recommend this book, and the ending was outstanding. I probably will re-read this book again just to catch all the details I missed the first time.
October 6, 2014
Grade Range: 6-10
Genre: Mystery, Humor
Literary Merit: Good
Characterization: Good
Recommendation: Optional Purchase
Darkus Knightley’s relationship with his detective father has been limited to studying the Knowledge – a hard drive containing all of his case notes – ever since his father inexplicably fell into a coma while working on a highly mysterious case. When Knightley suddenly awakes he finds himself quickly drawn back into the detective game by Uncle Bill, an old friend who works for Scotland Yard in the extremely secretive Department of the Unexplained. When the Knowledge is stolen, Knightley must rely on his son’s memory of the case files in order to continue his pursuit of the diabolical criminal organization known as the Combination.
There was a lot to like in Knightley & Son, the first installment in a new series chronicling the adventures of private detective Alan Knightley and his son Darkus. The characters are quirky and interesting, and their relationships, especially between Darkus and his father, seem primed to be developed over the course of a series. Both Darkus and stepsister Tilly are intelligent, sarcastic, and struggling to find their place within their new family and in the world. Knightley’s housekeeper Bogna and Darkus’s egotistical stepfather Clive provide comic relief in a couple of laugh out loud funny scenes.
This is a Sherlock Holmes style detective novel for the younger set, and those who are not familiar with the many tropes incorporated may stand to enjoy it more. Though the story moved at a decent pace, I can’t say that the suspense had me dying to turn the page. The central mystery, which involves a bestselling self-help book that causes some readers to commit violent crimes, was intriguing but became convoluted by the many characters and their possible connections to the Combination. In the end, I didn’t feel intrigued enough to want to read the next book in the series.
Genre: Mystery, Humor
Literary Merit: Good
Characterization: Good
Recommendation: Optional Purchase
Darkus Knightley’s relationship with his detective father has been limited to studying the Knowledge – a hard drive containing all of his case notes – ever since his father inexplicably fell into a coma while working on a highly mysterious case. When Knightley suddenly awakes he finds himself quickly drawn back into the detective game by Uncle Bill, an old friend who works for Scotland Yard in the extremely secretive Department of the Unexplained. When the Knowledge is stolen, Knightley must rely on his son’s memory of the case files in order to continue his pursuit of the diabolical criminal organization known as the Combination.
There was a lot to like in Knightley & Son, the first installment in a new series chronicling the adventures of private detective Alan Knightley and his son Darkus. The characters are quirky and interesting, and their relationships, especially between Darkus and his father, seem primed to be developed over the course of a series. Both Darkus and stepsister Tilly are intelligent, sarcastic, and struggling to find their place within their new family and in the world. Knightley’s housekeeper Bogna and Darkus’s egotistical stepfather Clive provide comic relief in a couple of laugh out loud funny scenes.
This is a Sherlock Holmes style detective novel for the younger set, and those who are not familiar with the many tropes incorporated may stand to enjoy it more. Though the story moved at a decent pace, I can’t say that the suspense had me dying to turn the page. The central mystery, which involves a bestselling self-help book that causes some readers to commit violent crimes, was intriguing but became convoluted by the many characters and their possible connections to the Combination. In the end, I didn’t feel intrigued enough to want to read the next book in the series.
July 25, 2014
Knightley and Son by Rohan Gavin is a young adult novel about family, mystery, and connections. Alan Knightley is an expert in crimes too strange for Scotland Yard to handle, but four years ago he fell into a mysterious coma. His thirteen year old son Darkus is determined to follow in his father’s footsteps and find out what really happened. But when Alan suddenly wakes up, his memory is out of wack and he needs some help. There is a mystery that gets weirder by the minute, a bestselling book that makes its readers commit terrible crimes, and a sinister organization known as the Combination, and unusual family members who are all more than they seem.
Knightley and Son is a novel with a little bit of everything. There is mystery and humor with quirky characters and connections that will keep you wondering what will happen next. I always love a book with odd characters that are written sop realistically or surreally that I half expect to bump into them out in public. Alan Knightly, Darkus, and the variety of characters are each well fleshed out, and each have a vital role in the story. the larger mystery has enough twists and turns to keep every reader on thier toes while giving us just enough to feel like we already saw coming that we feel smart and engaged as we read. Darkus is dedicated to his father, and solving mysteries. While I felt like there were a couple aspects of him that I just did not get, like I had missed a prequel or something, I still found him to be a character I would watch on television.
Young adult and preteen readers that enjoy Sherlock Holmes, mystery, and humor will enjoy Knightley and Son. Adults that monitor their children's reading and those that are willing to pick up books labeled children's or teen books will get some enjoyment from the book as well. I will admit that there were some slow moments, but there were some break neck speed moments as well, so I feel it all balanced in the end and left me as a satisfied reader.
Knightley and Son is a novel with a little bit of everything. There is mystery and humor with quirky characters and connections that will keep you wondering what will happen next. I always love a book with odd characters that are written sop realistically or surreally that I half expect to bump into them out in public. Alan Knightly, Darkus, and the variety of characters are each well fleshed out, and each have a vital role in the story. the larger mystery has enough twists and turns to keep every reader on thier toes while giving us just enough to feel like we already saw coming that we feel smart and engaged as we read. Darkus is dedicated to his father, and solving mysteries. While I felt like there were a couple aspects of him that I just did not get, like I had missed a prequel or something, I still found him to be a character I would watch on television.
Young adult and preteen readers that enjoy Sherlock Holmes, mystery, and humor will enjoy Knightley and Son. Adults that monitor their children's reading and those that are willing to pick up books labeled children's or teen books will get some enjoyment from the book as well. I will admit that there were some slow moments, but there were some break neck speed moments as well, so I feel it all balanced in the end and left me as a satisfied reader.
November 22, 2014
For the past four years, Darkus' investigator father has been in a coma. In an attempt to learn as much as he can about the detective business and his father, Darkus spent countless hours poring over his dad's old cases. When his father suddenly wakes, he's immediately pulled back into his last case. Darkus is just happy to have his dad back and, this time around, he's set on making the detective biz a family affair. When reports of seemingly unprovoked crimes start making the news and the only detail that connects them is a book currently on the bestseller list, Darkus and his father set out to solve the case.
Knightley & Son has a compelling mystery, sinister villains, seriously funny characters, and family drama readers are sure to identify with. Plus it has a distinctly Sherlockian air, which I loved!
I must say, Rohan Gavin has his hands full with these characters! They all have such distinct personalities; even the secondary characters are unforgettable. Knightley's housekeeper was hilarious and I was always happy to see her show up in a scene!
I have a soft spot for the main character, Darkus, and his struggles to relate to and connect with his father. Readers will see some improvement in Darkus and Knightley's relationship in book one, but I'm looking forward to seeing how things progress in book two. Though it's likely the mystery elements and action within Knightley & Son will be what pull readers in, I sincerely hope that the characters and their personal struggles will make an impression as well.
Of course, I have to mention that I absolutely loved that it was a book that was wreaking so much havoc and causing people to commit crimes they didn't remember. I mean, crime is bad and all that, but what a clever reminder that books have power!
I'll definitely be reading the next adventure featuring Knightley and Darkus!
Knightley & Son has a compelling mystery, sinister villains, seriously funny characters, and family drama readers are sure to identify with. Plus it has a distinctly Sherlockian air, which I loved!
I must say, Rohan Gavin has his hands full with these characters! They all have such distinct personalities; even the secondary characters are unforgettable. Knightley's housekeeper was hilarious and I was always happy to see her show up in a scene!
I have a soft spot for the main character, Darkus, and his struggles to relate to and connect with his father. Readers will see some improvement in Darkus and Knightley's relationship in book one, but I'm looking forward to seeing how things progress in book two. Though it's likely the mystery elements and action within Knightley & Son will be what pull readers in, I sincerely hope that the characters and their personal struggles will make an impression as well.
Of course, I have to mention that I absolutely loved that it was a book that was wreaking so much havoc and causing people to commit crimes they didn't remember. I mean, crime is bad and all that, but what a clever reminder that books have power!
I'll definitely be reading the next adventure featuring Knightley and Darkus!
January 11, 2014
Knightley and Son is a fun book for the 9-12 age range, but it wasn't quite my cup of tea. I liked certain elements, Darkus Knightley especially, but overall I didn't connect with the story or the characters and found it difficult to finish. That's not to say it's a bad book, because it isn't, it just didn't engage me as much as I thought it would.
There's a clever mystery at the heart of Knightley and Son, one that involves a bestselling book, terrible crimes and the dark streets of London. It's all very Sherlock Holmes, in that there's an air of humour in an otherwise serious situation. I think this aspect of the book will resonate with younger readers, and maybe they'll even be inspired to check out Arthur Conan Doyle's works!
Darkus is by far my favourite part of the whole book, mainly because he's so quintessentially British. He speaks very well and has a great love for tweed, similar to his father, the highly thought of Alan Knightley. Together they make Knightley and Son, a team of highly trained, intelligent private investigators who can solve any case - the weirder the better!
I have no doubt that Knightley and Son will do well with it's intended audience, and I'm glad I gave it a go. For me it was a bit slow, but it does pick up near the end and comes to an exciting conclusion. Do give this one a go if you like mysteries set in the heart of a foggy, atmospheric London, and don't forget to keep Darkus on speed dial. You never know when you might need him...
2.5/5
There's a clever mystery at the heart of Knightley and Son, one that involves a bestselling book, terrible crimes and the dark streets of London. It's all very Sherlock Holmes, in that there's an air of humour in an otherwise serious situation. I think this aspect of the book will resonate with younger readers, and maybe they'll even be inspired to check out Arthur Conan Doyle's works!
Darkus is by far my favourite part of the whole book, mainly because he's so quintessentially British. He speaks very well and has a great love for tweed, similar to his father, the highly thought of Alan Knightley. Together they make Knightley and Son, a team of highly trained, intelligent private investigators who can solve any case - the weirder the better!
I have no doubt that Knightley and Son will do well with it's intended audience, and I'm glad I gave it a go. For me it was a bit slow, but it does pick up near the end and comes to an exciting conclusion. Do give this one a go if you like mysteries set in the heart of a foggy, atmospheric London, and don't forget to keep Darkus on speed dial. You never know when you might need him...
2.5/5
April 1, 2015
The best way that Darkus Knightly knows to spend time with his father is probably immoral. As a minor, he’s not really allowed to read the private eye’s casebook. But since Mr. Knightly has been in a mysterious coma for four years, it’s the only way for Darkus to get to know his father better. When his father does wake up, he desperately needs Darkus’ help to find and stop the evil that is wreaking havoc through a book called The Code. Soon Darkus, Knightly and a cast of amusing characters are bombing around London in a classic black cab doing their best to save the world.
Knightly and Son is an engaging read and a cracking good mystery. The story, with its larger-than-life characters and evil magic doesn’t take itself too seriously. The humor is engaging: a Scotland Yard detective whose accent and vocabulary often leave everyone uncertain of what he’s said, a finicky celebrity stepdad, a stepsister whose hair color changes constantly. Even as the humor makes the book engaging, there are great insights into humanity through the characters here. The relationship between the Knightlys is painful and heartwarming in turns, and all the characters seem to struggle with their own complex needs, wants, and realities, making them all the more appealing.
Because of Knightly and Son’s depth, pace, and humor, I’d recommend it to lots of different kinds of readers. Plus, it’s got London. Who doesn’t love a book set in London? Knightly and Son #2 K-9 is out, too. I hope it will be another fun and funny middle grade read.
Knightly and Son is an engaging read and a cracking good mystery. The story, with its larger-than-life characters and evil magic doesn’t take itself too seriously. The humor is engaging: a Scotland Yard detective whose accent and vocabulary often leave everyone uncertain of what he’s said, a finicky celebrity stepdad, a stepsister whose hair color changes constantly. Even as the humor makes the book engaging, there are great insights into humanity through the characters here. The relationship between the Knightlys is painful and heartwarming in turns, and all the characters seem to struggle with their own complex needs, wants, and realities, making them all the more appealing.
Because of Knightly and Son’s depth, pace, and humor, I’d recommend it to lots of different kinds of readers. Plus, it’s got London. Who doesn’t love a book set in London? Knightly and Son #2 K-9 is out, too. I hope it will be another fun and funny middle grade read.
February 5, 2014
New Detective Duo Hits the London Crime Scene
Dressed in a Donegal tweed walking hat and a herringbone coat, Darkus Knightley visits his Dad every week to discuss Knightley senior’s cases; Knightley senior worked as a private detective and, when he wakes up from the coma he has been in for the last four years, he finds he has a new partner – his thirteen year old son. Now that he is awake Alan Knightley can actually participate in the discussions and he has to admit Darkus’ ideas cannot be ignored; in fact, Darkus' intellect is so advanced only one other person can compete with him – his stepsister Tilly, whose help is vital for solving the case.
Together they face the most difficult case Alan Knightley ever faced as a private eye– an elusive crime syndicate named the Combination and the detectives find that their opponent is stopping at nothing to avoid being caught.
This is a classic detective novel 2.0 for the 21st century and Knightley and Son is a well-written, fast-paced and witty novel and I hope it will get all the readers it deserves.
Dressed in a Donegal tweed walking hat and a herringbone coat, Darkus Knightley visits his Dad every week to discuss Knightley senior’s cases; Knightley senior worked as a private detective and, when he wakes up from the coma he has been in for the last four years, he finds he has a new partner – his thirteen year old son. Now that he is awake Alan Knightley can actually participate in the discussions and he has to admit Darkus’ ideas cannot be ignored; in fact, Darkus' intellect is so advanced only one other person can compete with him – his stepsister Tilly, whose help is vital for solving the case.
Together they face the most difficult case Alan Knightley ever faced as a private eye– an elusive crime syndicate named the Combination and the detectives find that their opponent is stopping at nothing to avoid being caught.
This is a classic detective novel 2.0 for the 21st century and Knightley and Son is a well-written, fast-paced and witty novel and I hope it will get all the readers it deserves.
February 16, 2014
*Review of ARC*
Buzzwords: Detectives, father&son, step-siblings, supernatural, criminal organizations
When his father wakes up after a 4 year coma, eager to shut-down a criminal organization he calls The Combination, Darkus Knightley is eager to help, with his Sherlock-Holmes-esque memory and observational skills. His father is uneasy at first, but Darkus is soon swept up in the investigation of a series of crimes where the only link is a book called THE CODE, and where Darkus may be the only one who can solve it...
Adorable, and a sure hit with a younger crowd of Sherlock Holmes fans, Knightley & Son is an action filled beginning to a wonderful new series. Recommended for fans of The London Eye Mystery and Eye of the Crow.
Buzzwords: Detectives, father&son, step-siblings, supernatural, criminal organizations
When his father wakes up after a 4 year coma, eager to shut-down a criminal organization he calls The Combination, Darkus Knightley is eager to help, with his Sherlock-Holmes-esque memory and observational skills. His father is uneasy at first, but Darkus is soon swept up in the investigation of a series of crimes where the only link is a book called THE CODE, and where Darkus may be the only one who can solve it...
Adorable, and a sure hit with a younger crowd of Sherlock Holmes fans, Knightley & Son is an action filled beginning to a wonderful new series. Recommended for fans of The London Eye Mystery and Eye of the Crow.
April 6, 2014
Combine a young Sherlock Holmes with the action of James Bond and you have the antics of Alan and Darkus
Knightley in this fun new series for kids. The ex-private eye Knightley wakes up after a comatose state only to find that a case that he was working on when he had his episode may still be open and a secret evil society is still a threat to London's security. A mysterious book is compelling its readers to commit crimes and a dastardly secret crime ring is behind it. Young Knightley has the same detective skills as his father so he is a welcome addition to the team as is Darkus's mysterious stepsister, Lilly. Can they recover the manuscript and stop the evil Combination from doing harm? Will the book take any more unwilling followers? Will Alan Knightley stay awake long enough to solve the crime? Beware if you decide to take this dangerous mission. This review will self-destruct in 10 seconds.
Knightley in this fun new series for kids. The ex-private eye Knightley wakes up after a comatose state only to find that a case that he was working on when he had his episode may still be open and a secret evil society is still a threat to London's security. A mysterious book is compelling its readers to commit crimes and a dastardly secret crime ring is behind it. Young Knightley has the same detective skills as his father so he is a welcome addition to the team as is Darkus's mysterious stepsister, Lilly. Can they recover the manuscript and stop the evil Combination from doing harm? Will the book take any more unwilling followers? Will Alan Knightley stay awake long enough to solve the crime? Beware if you decide to take this dangerous mission. This review will self-destruct in 10 seconds.
October 2, 2014
I read the book Knightley & Son, a crime book.I really enjoyed the book because it had crime and mystery. At the beginning of the book it starts out slow but as you begin to read more it gets more interesting.The theme of the book is crime. The setting in the book takes place in London.The story is told from a third person point of view. The protagonist characters are Knightley and Darkus. Other major characters are Tilly, Clive and Uncle Bill.
It was really interesting reading a book like knightley & Son. It was really interesting because there were a lot of surprises. It surprised me that some of the Characters played a bigger role in the story than I thought they would. It also surprised me when certain characters put their own life at risk which made the story more exciting. I would read the next book Knightley & Son:K-9. The reason I would read the next book by this author because this book was thrilling and created suspense.I can’t wait for the second book to come out.'
It was really interesting reading a book like knightley & Son. It was really interesting because there were a lot of surprises. It surprised me that some of the Characters played a bigger role in the story than I thought they would. It also surprised me when certain characters put their own life at risk which made the story more exciting. I would read the next book Knightley & Son:K-9. The reason I would read the next book by this author because this book was thrilling and created suspense.I can’t wait for the second book to come out.'
February 14, 2015
A Sherlock Holmes-style story set in the present. Darkus is serious, analytical and starving for a connection with his father. Partly because his father is a detective who gets too involved in his work to spend time with his family, and partly because his father has spent the last several years in a mysterious coma. Darkus finds a flash drive of his father's cases and studies it so that he can share his own observations and impressions with his comatose father. But when his father suddenly awakens and the drive is stolen, Darkus's knowledge of that information becomes all important. He finally gets his father's attention as the two of them embark on a search for a secretive criminal organization, with Darkus's stepsister Tilly tagging along whenever she can. This one is a lot of fun. Tilly is a blast--snarky and smart, and Darkus himself is a great mix of bravado and vulnerability. Plenty of humor and adventure here.
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