Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is preparing Sherlock Holmes’s return, but someone plans to make him disappear first.
A school trip to the Sherlock Holmes Museum ends with Aria and Liam transported to 1902, straight into Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s home. His daughter Mary Louise has just received a warning: her father is in danger. Aria and Liam know exactly how this ends. In their timeline, the famous author vanishes and is never found. Now they have a chance to rewrite history.
With the help of Mary Louise and Peter, the local milkboy, Aria and Liam begin searching for answers. When Doyle announces the return of Sherlock Holmes, the threats against him grow darker. Aria and Liam discover that someone has been blackmailing him, but before they can uncover who, Sir Doyle vanishes.
All the clues suggest that someone close to Doyle is involved, but which of their theories can they trust? Could a rival author be acting out of jealousy? Are the Freemasons protecting a dangerous secret? Do powerful members of high society want Doyle silenced?
To bring Sir Doyle home and rewrite history, Aria and Liam must learn to think like Sherlock Holmes himself.
Book Details
Author: Coline Monsarrat
Publisher: Apicem Publishing
Series: Aria & Liam
Age range: 8 to 12 years old
Genre: middle-grade, adventure, historical, detective
Time period: England (1900’s)
ISBN (paperback): 978-1-959814-29-0
ISBN (ebook): 978-1-959814-21-4
Format: paperback and e-book
❝I never really understood why Aria liked Sir Arthur Conan Doyle so much. I thought he was just the guy who created Sherlock Holmes. But then I found out that his stories helped forensic science develop and changed the way the police investigated crimes. Before, I thought only politicians, kings, or soldiers could change the world. Now I know you can make a big difference in all kinds of jobs!❞
❝This adventure was crazy! I honestly thought we weren’t going to make it back with Liam. But meeting one of my favorite authors was so cool! I have dyslexia, so I used to think becoming an author probably wasn’t possible for me. But after this adventure, I don’t feel that way anymore. I realized that being different can make some things harder, but it can also be a strength. I just have to work on the things I struggle with and keep building on what I’m good at.❞
I wrote this book to show that our work can shape the world in ways we may not expect. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was an author, yet his work helped bring major advances in forensic science and in the use of evidence to fight crime. I also wanted to explore the importance of continuing to fight for the good of others, even when we are threatened by people who are willing to cause harm to protect their own interests.
It was important to me that Aria reveals that she has dyslexia. I am neurodivergent myself, and I have never understood why neurodivergence is only seen as a disability. It can bring real challenges, but it also comes with valuable strengths. I believe we are all dealt a different hand in life, with some cards easier to play than others. What matters is learning to work on the things we struggle with, develop our strengths, and use both to grow and thrive.
Coline Monsarrat
More Books in the series
Coline Monsarrat grew up believing books were gateways to magical realms where anything was possible. Her love for history and her endless curiosity shaped her belief that life is an adventure waiting to be written—and we are the authors of our own stories.