Nathan Nakkapalli

Mrs. Mainero
2 October, 2015
ALA
In the detective/mystery novel Death Cloud, by Andrew Lane, describes Sherlock
Holmes as a young teenager shaping him to be the man he is in the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
stories. Caught up in a whirlwind of mystery, friendship, and love, Sherlock stops a massacre on
the British Army. The author makes the character Sherlock possess an important quality of selfreliance throughout the book.
At first, Sherlock shows his self-reliance in his dialogue. For instance, Sherlock says,So
theres something about the clothes that causes the bees to attack them. In their boxes or crates
they are safe, but when people wear them...the bees are attracted to them and sting whoevers
wearing them(255). This shows the geniusness of Sherlock independently solving the mystery.
By reciting the facts, everything came into place like solving a puzzle. The other characters in
the book such as Amyus Crowe (Sherlocks mentor), Mycroft (Sherlocks brother), Matty (one of
Sherlocks friend), or Virginia (a friend of Sherlocks), did not tell him all the facts and so
Sherlock had to solve it independently. Sherlock just used the facts and evidence, then deduced
from the facts and solved the mysterious killings.
Secondly, apart from Sherlocks self-reliance in his dialogue, he also shows it in his
thoughts. For example, Sherlock thought, Yes. Powder.Flour. Matty had mentioned a fire that
had occurred at a bakery where he onced worked. And if it worked for flour, it just might work
for pollen(294). Sherlock shows quick thinking without depending on anyone else. He used the
prior knowledge that Matty gave and used that to his advantage. With his quick thinking skills

and information, he immediately realizes that pollen could be used to burn the place down and
destroy Barons plan.
Thirdly, Sherlock shows his independence through the narrator. For example, Sherlock
thought ,If Sherlock couldnt beat Maupertuis with his skills as a swordsman, he would beat
him with the power of his brain.(277). This shows the self-consciousness and determination of
Sherlock. Although the Baron may had an advantage in fighting because he was a good
swordsman, Sherlock independently used his mind to find a vulnerability. He found a
vulnerability in the way the Barron moved and capitalized on that, which led him to beat Barron.
In conclusion, the author of Death Cloud, makes the character Sherlock possess the
special quality of self-reliance throughout the book. One example is when Sherlock showed selfreliance in solving the mystery. Another example of self-reliance in the book is when Sherlock
uses his quick thinking skills to help him stop Barrons plan. Lastly, Sherlock showed selfreliance in the book when he used his determination to find a vulnerability and beat Barron.