Awesome book. Keeps you hooked. Recommended read for anyone into action type books.

There are lots of remarkable things in this world. The fact that a butterfly comes from a creepy little caterpillar. The array of colors visible in a soap bubble. And the perpetual unending ravenous hunger kids have for murder mystery tales. They just can't get enough. Hardy Boys books obviously were one of the first tales to capitalize on this need, but they were by no means the last. Over the years various authors have made forays into the world of kids-solving-mysteries. Some of the best also take care to tread closely to the original Hardy Boy formula. You take a basic mystery (someone dies) and then add on a potentially supernatural element for the fun of it. Even Scooby-Doo knows that there's nothing like a ghost or phantom to make an already creepy tale just a bit more enjoyable. And few authors have adhered so closely to this formula as historical mystery writer (and resident Brit) Chris Priestley. His books are basically Hardy Boys novels sucked back in time to the 1700s and involving (instead of two boys) a boy and a friend who happens to be an old and wise doctor.

Like any other printer's boy in 1715, Tom Marlowe wants a lot out of life. He wants to see the world and have some fabulous adventures under his belt. He may only be fifteen, but Tom's been itching to get out from under his father's protective gaze for some time, and he enjoys spending time with his good friend and pickpocket Will Piggot. When mysterious murders begin occurring in London, Tom's just as interested in them as anyone. The men killed are always found with cards showing a figure of death throwing an arrow. More mysterious still, the men die of arrows in the heart. Arrows that are Native American (Mohawk, to be exact) in make. Perhaps none of this would have interested Tom were Will not found murdered with one of those very cards in his pocket. Now it's up to our teenaged hero and family friend Dr. Harker to track down the murderer and determine whether or not these deaths are really the work of a demon after all.

This is the first of the Tom Marlowe Adventure series. Subsequent novels are near identical to the form established in this book. Therefore, if you like the way this title reads, you're bound to enjoy its sequels. A review of "Death and the Arrow" from the British "Guardian" newspaper said of it, "a tightly woven plot ... lightly but vividly drawn". I quote this review here because I think its wording is spot on. Priestley doesn't mince words with this slim 161 page novella. You want action, adventure, and a bit of historical mystery? You got it. Because the author and the book itself originally hail from England, it suffers a little from that perpetual and sometimes unhealthy British fascination with Native Americans. Fortunately, for the most part the people in this book are given a fair shake. Some readers may take issue with the ways in which they are presented, but there's certainly a lot of very careful political correctness at work.

Though the book could be called a historical mystery, Tom doesn't really do all that much detective work per say. Mostly this is left up to Dr. Harker, and even he is more inclined to let circumstances take him where they may rather than deduce anything brilliantly. Tom may have more than a little Dr. Watson in him, but Dr. Harker had better work on his Sherlock Holmes impression a bit more.

I also enjoyed the novelty of reading a kid's book set in London in a time period other than Victorian England. There's only so much Dickensian dialogue (not to say naming) a person can take before feeling fully satiated. The novel 18th century setting also allows for far more interesting political and historical events to play out in the background.

No one's going to award Chris Priestley for originality, but if you've a kid who enjoys their Hardy Boys, their Nancy Drew, and their Trixie Belden then I can think of few other books that read as swiftly and enjoyably as "Death and the Arrow". It's a fun ride and a swift to-the-point journey that avoids feeling too slapdash.

Tom Marlowe's father runs a printing company in London. It's 1715 and young Tom dreams of more than just working behind a hot and sweaty press. He wants to see the world. There is tension between Tom and his father and Tom seeks comfort from his mentor, Dr. Harker, and his best friend, Will Piggot. Tom is fascinated by science and reasoning and Dr. Harker encourages his explorations and discoveries. Will is a pickpocket and one of the best in city and appeals to the part of Tom that craves adventure and excitement. One day a body is discovered in the streets of London shot through by an arrow. The victim had a card in his pocket of death holding an arrow. Soon another victim is discovered with the same card. Tom suspects that Will is somehow involved with the killings, but he isn't sure how. Then one day Will is found dead, too. Tom is convince it has to do with the Death & Arrow killings and seeking guidance from Dr. Harker sets forth to solve the mystery and bring Will's murderer to justice. Little did Tom Marlowe know that he was being watched from above with a being who slays with arrows.

DEATH AND THE ARROW is a short book (161 pages) that I was able to read in a little over two hours. The story is a mystery & action tale that includes snippets of historical details. Even though I didn't get much out of the story, I can see why it would appeal to young boy readers: arrows falling from the sky, the death of the main character's best friend, tales about Indians, etc. There's also just enough history tied to the story that readers might learn a thing or two after reading the story. Recommended for reluctant reading boys ages 7-13.

Reading Level: Ages 9 and Up
In the Spring of 1715, London is beset by a string of sensational murders where each victim is found to be in the possession of a card with an ominous depiction of Death holding an arrow engraved upon it.
Fifteen-year-old Tom Marlowe works for his widowed father in the family print shop. He yearns for adventure. Perhaps that is why he is drawn to the likes of Dr. Harker, a well-traveled scholar, and to Will Piggot, a young pickpocket. When Will is found murdered with a Death and the Arrow card upon his body, Tom seeks the aid of Dr. Harker in his quest to bring Will's murderer to justice.

Chris Priestly has crafted a wonderful tale that is a rousing blend of Robert Louis Stevenson adventure and Sherlock Holmes detective story. Priestly's bits of historical detail add texture to the tale without losing sight of his action/adventure pacing.
Although the reading level says ages 9 and up, this is a terrific book for anyone who reads to younger children at bedtime, for it will keep them entertained and will inspire them to revisit the book on their own when they are older.
- KB SHAW, Publisher
Spectrum Children's Book Club - [...]
Member SCBWI

Death and the Arrow is about a boy named Tom Marlowe who lived in London in the 1700's. Tom finds himself thrown into an ancient plot of indian slaughter, an stealing coins in the new Americas. After strange murders have been occurring around town, murders occurring from arrows. One night Tom is walking down the street and gets pulled into a doorway, and to his despair he finds out his dear friend will is the next to be murdered for will has the calling card of the murderer a death and the arrow playing card. Only the next day Toms dear friend will turns up dead, dead from an arrow wound. Tom with the help of his role model Dr. Harker swears revenge to find out who the killer is. As the book goes on Tom and Dr. Harker meet many a mysterious characters, and almost meet their fates. This is a great book for people of all ages. This book has a pretty fast paced plot, which happens to twist and turn just as the wind. This is a fairly short book so it's good just to read and unwind. I give this book a 4 out 5 stars.

An great read, even for adults. If you like mysteries, then I definitely recommend it.