Sherlock Sam and the Missing Heirloom in Katong: book one

By A.J. Low and Andrew Tan

Introducing the Sherlock Sam series by A.J. Low—a fresh, cross-cultural twist on the classic Sherlock Holmes stories, tailored for middle-grade readers. Set in iconic Singapore locations, the series follows the mystery-solving exploits of smart, observant, food-loving 10-year-old Samuel Tan Cher Lock (a.k.a. Sherlock Sam), Watson, his reluctant robot sidekick, and the rest of the Supper Club (a “Scooby Doo gang,” of sorts) as they prove that mysteries are best solved through teamwork.

In Sherlock Sam and the Missing Heirloom in Katong, Auntie Kim Lian’s precious Peranakan cookbook disappears, and Sherlock Sam cannot eat her delicious ayam buah keluak anymore! Will Sherlock Sam be able to use his super detective powers to find this lost treasure?

Praise:
“A promising adventure series with Super Sleuth Sherlock Sam! His insatiable appetite to sample Singapore’s popular foods and never-give-up attitude to solving mysteries will keep readers glued till the last page.”
—Adeline Foo, author of the bestselling series The Diary of Amos Lee

“A thrilling kid’s detective romp in the grand tradition of Famous Five, with a lovable robot and delicious Peranakan food!”
—Otto Fong, author of Sir Fong’s Adventures In Science

“Sherlock Sam and Watson are set to become one of Singapore’s favourite detective duos! Sam’s preoccupation with food struck a familiar chord with the Singaporean in me and Watson’s deadpan one-liners had me laughing out loud. What afun-filled, food-filled adventure story! This is a delicious read that will certainly warm your heart like a good serving of ayam buah keluak!”
—Emily Lim, award-winning author of Tibby, the Tiger Bunny and Prince Bear & Pauper Bear

“Watson is a delightful creation. He follows a rich line of great robot companions from Star War’s R2D2 to Star Trek’s Data; no detective should leave home without one!”
—Sonny Liew, Eisner-nominated author of Malinky Robot

“A genius kid detective would be good. A genius kid detective with a wise-acre robot sidekick is even better. Add a wicked sense of humor and you’ve one of the sharpest, funniest books you’ll read all year.”
—Hal Johnson, author of Immortal Lycanthropes

“This book will definitely draw you in with its twists and turns that will leave you guessing with each turn of the page who the culprits are. There are also many funny lines from Watson that will cause you to burst out in laughter.”
—Seow Kai Lun, ?Singapore's Child

“A clever, entertaining and funny children's novel...a promising start to a new book series [with] bold and whimsical illustrations by drewscape”
—Tina Gan, Red Dot Diva

“This debut local novel is rich (in local references) and satisfying (as a mystery story).”
—Stephani Yeo, Young Parents

“BOTH boys were clamouring to read the book first, so I was left with no choice but to read the book TOGETHER with the both of them...I found it to be utterly captivating enough to make me want to complete the book in one sitting...the localized dialogue is hilariously tongue-in-cheek and the book's subtle appeal to a child's instinct for the mysterious proved to be just what kept both Ash and Ayd deeply intrigued.”
—Kelvin Ang, Cheekiemonkies

“A.J. Low have created an intriguing tale which would keep young readers eager to find out what happens next, while subtly documenting old-school landmarks such as Chin Mee Chin Confectionery and Katong Antique House. Looks set to be a betseller.”
—Clara Chow, My Paper

“I like this book because it leaves you with questions in your mind which make you want to keep reading.”
—Greta Roberts, 9, in Expat Living Singapore

• Language: English
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
• Release date: Aug 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781449480271

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Reviews for Sherlock Sam and the Missing Heirloom in Katong

[abigailadams26 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Samuel Tan Cher Lock, a young Singaporean boy who takes the name of his favorite detective, Sherlock Holmes, as a nickname, sets out to solve his first mystery in this novel for beginning chapter-book readers. When Auntie Kim Lian, the mother of his schoolmate Jimmy, discovers her treasured collection of traditional family recipes has gone missing, Sherlock Sam kicks into overdrive, determined to track down the lost volume and restore it to its rightful owner. Together with friends, family (including older sister Wendy) and Watson - the robot Sherlock himself created - the young sleuth triumphs in the end, revealing the thief and setting everything to rights...The first volume of a twelve-book (and counting) mystery series originally published in Singapore, Sherlock Sam and the Missing Heirloom of Katong was published for the American market by the Kansas City-based Andrews McMeel Publishing, and is the first Singaporean children's book I have read. I was fascinated by the cultural details here, from the traditional dishes mentioned throughout to the various Singaporean locations discussed, as they were all hitherto unfamiliar to me. I appreciated the fact that a glossary of terms was included at the rear, as it was quite helpful to consult it, from time to time. The author name, "A.J. Low," is actually a pseudonym for husband-and-wife team Adan Jimenez and Felicia Low-Jimenez. Recommended to young mystery lovers who are just getting going with chapter-books, as well as to anyone looking for children's books from and/or set in Singapore.

[katie-2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good candidate for our Red Dot Book Awards - younger readers category. Not only is it set in Singapore, but it features a public library (one many of my students probably go to -- at Marine Parade). Also thinking that the Grade 3s do a unit on mysteries which this would be good for. Sequels as well. Like how there's a glossary at the back.

[rena613 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I won this from Goodreads for my kids. The book is best for 3rd grade readers, but my 10 and 13 yr old kids read it and this is what they thought. The book is really funny and the mystery is good since they didn't figure out the ending. They both liked the main character and the humor. The book is set in Singapore, so that's interesting as well.

[jennybeast · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fun mystery set in Singapore, with a smarty kid and his sidekick robot and a whole crew of interesting family members. Some of the family connections are confusing (I think maybe all older ladies are called Auntie? And apparently any child of the family would call an older lady Mama, even is she is grandmama not mom?) but I liked that about the book -- the food focus and the cultural heritage is part of what make it interesting.