Lock & Mori (Lock & Mori Series #1)

by Heather W. Petty

Overview

In modern-day London, two brilliant high school students meet. A murder will bring them together. The truth very well might drive them apart.

You know their names. Now discover their beginnings.

Someone has been murdered in London’s Regent’s Park, and sixteen-year-old Lock has challenged his classmate Mori to solve the crime before he does. His only rule: they must share every clue with each other.

Mori reluctantly agrees, but what begins as fun and games quickly becomes sinister. As she gets closer to solving the case—and more and more drawn to Lock—she discovers that the murder is connected to her own past. Now she’s keeping secrets from Lock, her family, and her best friend, secrets with dire consequences.

To save herself and loved ones, Mori is prepared to take matters into her own hands. Will Lock be standing by her side when it’s all over? That’s one mystery Mori cannot solve.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781481423045
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	09/13/2016
Series:	Lock & Mori Series , #1
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Heather W. Petty has been obsessed with mysteries since she was twelve, which is when she decided that stories about murders in London drawing rooms and English seaside villages were far superior to all other stories. She is the author of the Lock & Mori series. She lives in Reno, Nevada, with her husband, daughter, and four hopelessly devious cats. You can visit her online at HeatherWPetty.com.

Editorial Reviews

"Darkly atmospheric, and the stakes are high."

Booklist

True to canon, this sleuthing tale is rife with intrigues, puzzles, and vivid danger. Read at your own peril – nothing is more electrifying than the hunt for truth.

The Christian Science Monitor

A unique spin on a familiar tale makes Lock & Mori wise, witty and engaging. Author Heather W. Petty is a force to be reckoned with.

Ellen Hopkins

"[T]een readers will enjoy the dialogue, the dark mystery, and of course, the romance."

School Library Connection

09/07/2015
Petty debuts with a suspenseful, sure-footed mystery, set in present-day London and starring a teenage Holmes and Moriarty. The narrator, James "Mori" Moriarty, meets the absent-minded, egotistical, and truth-obsessed "Lock" at school. They are both curious, analytical observers, so when they learn of a bizarre murder, in which a man is found stabbed with his hands in his pockets, they decide to investigate. The teens are both unmoored: Lock's mother is ill, and Mori's father has been abusing Mori and her brothers ever since their mother died six months ago. Lock and Mori initially promise to keep no secrets from each other, but when Mori suspects her mother may have been involved with this and other murders, she withholds information, putting both teens in harm's way. The chemistry between the protagonists is at the heart of the story, and their sparring relationship predictably, but enjoyably, develops into romance. While some readers may guess the killer's identity early on, this is still a quick-moving mystery distinguished by clear writing, memorable imagery, and some keen insights into human fragility. Ages 14–up. Agent: Laurie McLean, Fuse Literary. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

Petty’s re-imagining of the classic Sherlock Holmes tale is from the perspective of a young, female Moriarty (Mori) as she meets Sherlock (Lock) for the first time. After crossing each other's paths, Lock starts a game. The two will observe a crime scene of a murder in the park, share all their information, and see who can use their powers of deduction to solve the mystery first. Mori is not sure she wants to play, her relationship with Lock quickly blossoms into romance, and the discovery of an old photo makes the mystery very personal. The mystery is solved early on, at least by Mori, and the rest of the book is her making bad decision after bad decision as she tries to protect the identity of the murderer and hide the conclusion from Lock. This is definitely more of a character study of Moriarty than the average Sherlockian mystery—in fact, other than as a love interest, there was no need for Lock in this book. Their romance seems rushed and not entirely natural. The decisions Mori makes seem more in line with setting the stage for future books in the series than what made the most sense. Sherlock Holmes in any variation is hot, hot, hot. Die hard Sherlock fans will require access to this book, but other readers may not be as enamored. Reviewer: Kristi Sadowski; Ages 12 to 18.

VOYA, October 2015 (Vol. 38, No. 4) - Kristi Sadowski

09/01/2015
Gr 9 Up—Miss James "Mori" Moriarty's mother has died of cancer, leaving her and her three younger brothers alone with their violent, grieving father. But then she meets Sherlock "Lock" Holmes at school. In this reimagining of Arthur Conan Doyle's world, Lock and Mori pair up to try and solve the very disturbing murders that are occurring in London's Regent's Park. After the father of one of their schoolmates is brutally killed, the duo agree to team up to see who can solve the murder first, and their only rule is that they have to share everything they find. But when Mori finds out that her mother might just be at the center of not only Mr. Patel's murder but three other suspicious murders, she decides that she must investigate on her own to keep her new friend and family secrets safe. Along the way, the teens start falling for each other, which makes Mori all the more determined to keep the whole dangerous mess a secret. This fun, thrilling read will interest not only fans of the Sherlock TV show, but also those who have no prior knowledge of Baker Street and the wonders and mysteries that happen there. Mori is a well-developed, multidimensional protagonist and a lively narrator. Lock is just as intriguing, and it will be fun for fans to see the sleuth as a teenager, trying to make his way to his ultimate destiny. Watson shows up, too—he's the boyfriend of their classmate Lily Patel. The ending will leave readers wanting more from these two mystery mavens. VERDICT A definite purchase where mysteries are loved and Sherlock fandom is celebrated.—Traci Glass, Eugene Public Library, OR

School Library Journal

2015-06-10
The brilliant daughter of Detective Sgt. Moriarty meets posh Sherlock Holmes, so obviously there will be murders. Mori's got her hands full putting up with idiots at school, grieving her six-months-dead mum, and protecting her three younger brothers from their alcoholic and abusive father. Not so long ago, her family was happy: her dad spent time being manly with the boys, while Mori learned about martial arts and sleight of hand from her mother. With all that over, Mori has no intention of becoming friends with arrogant classmate Sherlock. Despite her best efforts to stay away from him, though, Mori fails. Both his intelligence and his affection for her are deeply compelling, and that's not to mention how interesting it is to be solving a murder with one of the few clever people she knows. When the crime they're investigating starts hitting too close to home—reminding Mori of her beloved mother's many secrets—she no longer wants Sherlock to be a part of her investigation. The story is set in present-day London and narrated affectingly by Mori. The conclusion leaves space for the fated collapse of the Holmes/Moriarty relationship in later series entries, putting a nice potential twist on the good girl-bad boy trend. Mystery lovers will be pleased to have this whodunit, which is neither Victoriana nor steampunk. (Mystery. 13-15)

Kirkus Reviews