Dickens & Rumi

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The Disappearance of Sherlock Holmes

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Larry Millett · 2002

Is The Disappearance of Sherlock Holmes appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for The Disappearance of Sherlock Holmes by Larry Millett. This book is content notes include Death of a character, Frightening scenes, Violence; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Creativity & curiosity.

Book 5 · Shadwell RaffertySource checked

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsDeath of a character 3/5 · Frightening scenes 2/5 · Violence 2/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 3/5 · Creativity & curiosity 3/5
Series positionBook 5 · Shadwell Rafferty
Recommendation3/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Death of a character 3/5
Recommendation 3/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
14Scored categories
14Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 3, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

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Review depth14 scored categories14 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character3/5
  • Frightening scenes2/5
  • Violence2/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Good role models3/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

Next volumeBook 6 · The Magic BulletStrongest cautions: Death of a character 3/5 · Violence 3/5Open next review →
  1. Book 1 · Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 2 · Sherlock Holmes and the Ice Palace Murders
    Death of a character4/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Frightening scenes2/5Graphic injury2/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  3. Book 3 · Sherlock Holmes and the Rune Stone Mystery
    Death of a character3/5Violence3/5Frightening scenes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  4. Book 4 · Sherlock Holmes and the secret alliance
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  5. Book 5 · The Disappearance of Sherlock Holmes
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes2/5Violence2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  6. Book 6 · The Magic Bullet
    Death of a character3/5Violence3/5Frightening scenes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  7. Book 7 · Strongwood
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes2/5Violence2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  8. Book 8 · Sherlock Holmes and the Eisendorf Enigma
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  9. Book 9 · Rafferty's Last Case
    Alcohol or drugs3/5Death of a character3/5Strong language2/5Violence2/5Frightening scenes1/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5
    About the same

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What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

The plot involves investigation into disappearances and murder, standard for the genre.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Minimal descriptions of physical injuries common to the mystery genre.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Uses formal, late-Victorian language appropriate for the era; no strong profanity.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Romantic elements, if present, appear minor and secondary to the mystery rather than a central storyline.

Frightening scenes2/5
Why this rating?

Features tense, suspenseful sequences typical of historical mystery stories.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Occasional references to tobacco pipe smoking, consistent with the Holmes character.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Includes typical detective thriller violence, such as scuffles and threatening situations.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Characters frequently display bravery in the face of danger.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Encourages deductive reasoning and analytical thinking.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

The historical setting and Holmesian cast suggest limited representation, with little evidence of broad, central diversity.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

Offers historical context regarding 1890s America.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

The investigation involves concern for victims and cooperation, though kindness is not the book's primary theme.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Emphasizes logic, justice, and the pursuit of truth.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Holmes and Watson display intellectual rigor and perseverance.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in The Disappearance of Sherlock Holmes would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The Disappearance of Sherlock Holmes, and what caused that change?
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Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

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