Why I Wasn’t a Fan of Lock & Mori by Heather W. Petty
What: Lock & Mori (Lock & Mori, #1) by Heather W. Petty
Who: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
When: September 15th 2015
How: A copy of this novel was provided by Simon & Schuster for review via Edelweiss.
In modern-day London, two brilliant high school students, one Sherlock Holmes and a Miss James “Mori” Moriarty, meet. A murder will bring them together. The truth very well might drive them apart.
Before they were mortal enemies, they were much more.
FACT: Someone has been murdered in London’s Regent’s Park. The police have no leads.
FACT: Miss James “Mori” Moriarty and Sherlock “Lock” Holmes should be hitting the books on a school night. Instead, they are out crashing a crime scene.
FACT: Lock has challenged Mori to solve the case before he does. Challenge accepted.
FACT: Despite agreeing to Lock’s one rule–they must share every clue with each other–Mori is keeping secrets.
OBSERVATION: Sometimes you can’t trust the people closest to you with matters of the heart. And after this case, Mori may never trust Lock again.
To be honest, I’m not entirely sure what to think of Lock & Mori. On the whole, I’m not entirely sure that I liked it, and here are some reasons why.
1) I thought it was super weird that these characters were actually called Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty. I’m guessing that Sherlock Holmes doesn’t exist in the world of Lock & Mori. Which kind of takes away the whole ‘reimagining’ thing, but okay.
2) Sherlock became progressively more … un-Sherlock like. The first time we see him, he’s flailing and running around a lab and muttering to himself and lacking social skills. And then by the end of the book none of that is there, and he’s just your typical run of the mill YA love interest. Boo.
3) Mori was annoying. There, I said it. I didn’t care for her narration, especially because everything that went through her head, and everything that she said was pretentious as fuck. I mean, if this is going to be modern retelling or whatever it is, make it modern. I had no idea why Mori was thinking and acting like this was the olde original Sherlock Holmes time when people were whipping out iPads and whatnot.
I also didn’t really understand her reaction to her domestically abusive father. She’d wait until he hit her nine year old brother before stepping in, and I’m just like: why did you wait until he was hit? Also (SPOILER) I have no idea why she’s angry at Sherlock because HE SAVED HER LIFE. So she would rather be dead? The outcome would have been the same. Her father would have been convicted of her murder, the boys would have been the sons of a murderer anyway. But now at least they still have her? Her logic doesn’t make a lot of sense for someone who is supposed to be a genius (END SPOILER).
4) The relationship between Sherlock and Mori moved WAY too quickly. They kissed within the first 17% of the novel. No way. I want build up to that kind of thing when it comes to relationships. And then Mori was all: no, I’m never going to kiss you again. And what do you know … they’re making out, like, ten pages later.
Also HUGE negative points for not even mentioning any kind of contraception when they had sex. Way to avert teenage pregnancy.
5) The characters were extremely underdeveloped. There was nothing to Mori’s three younger brothers except that their ages and their names. I wanted to know more about who they were. Mori was constantly going on about ‘plans’, but never actually had any. Mycroft was ‘droopy-eyed’ and that was really the extent of his characterisation. Sherlock was a pathetic puppy dog like boy that just went along with whatever Mori said (and if he is supposed to be a modern teen version of Sherlock can I just say how unbelievable that is? Sherlock doesn’t take orders from anyone). Even the motives of the killer weren’t fleshed out enough for me to understand on even the most basic of levels why they were doing what they were doing.
6) It was SO SLOW. I mean, this was supposed to be a murder mystery novel (lacking in the mystery department severely, might I add. I guessed immediately), and I was just bored out of my mind. I didn’t even really want to pick up this book again after I read the first few chapters, but I continued because it was for review, and I had hope. I should not have had hope.
So there you have it. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Lock & Mori, and I had been expecting something a little bit more than what I got.
© 2015, Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity. All rights reserved.
trigger warning: domestic abuse and murder in this novel
After reading your review, I don’t know how you got through it. Bravo to you! I love a good mystery, but this just sounds pretty blah. I watch Elementary and the main characters are named Watson and Sherlock Holmes. Even though I’m a fan, the name situation is a little weird when you mention it. Sorry this didn’t work for you, but brilliant, honest review as always <3
Haha, thank you! XD Yeah, for some reason when I’m watching BBC Sherlock I don’t mind about the names, but in this book it was annoying to me. Especially since Mori was actually called JAMES. I mean, what? T.T Thank youuuuu <3
So I sort of have a policy of reading every Sherlock Holmes retelling I can get my hands on (because the original stories are my babies and I like to extend the universe as much as possible) – this one’s been on my TBR for ages, but now it’s looking like I might not enjoy it as much as I was hoping :( I think I’m still going to pick it up, even if just because SHERLOCK HOLMES, but I will keep your thoughts in mind – if it was as bad as all that, I will keep my expectations low!
I am totally the same as you! I love picking up everything Sherlock related, but I am starting to think the YA retellings might not be for me :/ Especially since they’re saturating at the moment D:
I hope you like it better than I did, lovely! <3
WHAT A SHAME. I had my eye on this when I saw it on Goodreads at the end of this year. Although yours is the first review I’ve seen, which is strange. But yeah, a murder mystery with slow pacing…hmm, no thanks.
I KNOW. I was disappointed in practically every aspect of this book. If you’re looking for a Sherlock YA, stick to Ellie Marney for sure (which I’m pretty sure you’ve read :D).
I FEEL YOU, CHIARA. I know nothing about Sherlock Holmes (therefore went into this without any expectations whatsoever), but this book was still boring and annoying as fuck. I didn’t like either wtf-is-going-on Sherlock or bitchy Mori. I totally agree about the abusive father thing, too! Ugh. This book. -_-
THANK YOU. I felt like I was the only one not keen on this book, but hurrah for a comrade! This was SO annoying and boring, and I felt like I wasted a lot of good reading time on, it to be honest. Neither Sherlock nor Mori were characters that I really gave a shit about at all.
When I read the book, I gave it four stars, but tbh I haven’t had it like totally present in my mind. It was kind of forgettable, I guess, and maybe these are some reasons why? Hmm. Either way – you make some great points!
Oh wow! At least you liked it better than I did, haha XD It is pretty forgettable, I must say. Even in its disappointment. Thanks, dear!
Awww…sorry this was a bit disappointing for you Chiara. :( I can completely see where you’re coming from though – slow pacing and underdeveloped characters are the bane of me existence too, so I doubt I’d do well with this either. It’s such a shame because the plot sounds absolutely amazing. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! ♥
I’m sorry, too! Yeah, they were two big disappointing features of this book, for sure. And it was such a shame because I feel like this could have been great! Thank you, lovely <3
Ah I feel like I would be really annoyed at watching Sherlock being reduced to your typical YA hero, so I will give this book a wide berth. I usually ADORE Sherlock retelling in TV and film, so I am wondering why the ones in books always fall short for me. I love Elementary the show, if you’re looking for a female spin on the usual characters.
I am always a bit confused on how the Sherlock books never seem to exist in these worlds though – they must live in a totally different literary landscape as Arthur Conan Doyle inspired so much fiction and pop culture. I would be more interested in seeing those changes explored actually haha.
I was beyond annoyed, Aentee! Sherlock is so eccentric, and to say that disappear over the course of this book was very disappointing. I adore Sherlock TV/film adaptations, as well, but I have yet to a book version I REALLY love (I do suggest the Every series by Ellie Marney if you’re looking for one, though. It was pretty good!). I have yet to check out Elementary, but I might one day!
Right! I mean, even their names were exactly the same, which I found to be a bit odd. I’d rather Sherlock actually exist in their worlds, or at least have their names different so it’s not pretending that these characters are ACTUALLY Doyle’s ones, yaknow? SIGH.
WELL DONE to you for making it to the end! Honestly,I’m terrible at the whole finishing thing, haha, I would’ve given up after a few chapters :D and gaaah this book sounded so cool and i love the tv show but by the sound of typical YA love interest – NO, Sherlock is not typical, he’s antisocial and strange, a YA retelling where that’s actually maintained would be pretty amazing though *wishes she had SJ maas’ telephone number*
Haha, thank you! XD Yeah, I was so disappointed in this book, because it just sounded SO FABULOUS and turned out to be not so fabulous at all. And RIGHT about Sherlock! He is so not typical in any way, and it was awful to see him so average D:
We totally should get her to write a Sherlock retelling. Can you even imagine the amazingness? :O