The Sherlock Society: Chapters 5–9

by James Ponti
Alex and Zoe Sherlock, with friends Lina and Yadi, start a detective agency in Miami. Helped by their grandfather and guided by the family motto "Do what's right, not what's easy," their first case entails a notorious crime boss, corporate corruption, and a near escape from a burning yacht; but do they have enough evidence to solve the case?

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–4, Chapters 5–9, Chapters 10–14, Chapters 15–24, Chapters 25–35
15 words 7 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. warily
    in a manner marked by keen caution and watchful prudence
    “I had a big idea for the Sherlock Society and wanted to run it by everyone.”
    Now we were really confused.
    “Okay,” I said warily. “What is it?”
  2. retribution
    the act of taking revenge
    The threat of retribution put a damper on the otherwise joyous occasion that is the impending start of summer vacation.
  3. wheelhouse
    a person’s area of interest, skill, or expertise
    “An appropriate way to make money,” I interjected. “Yadi and I are twelve. You and Lina are thirteen. Lawn mowing and babysitting are kind of in our wheelhouse.”
  4. cliche
    an unoriginal or predictable theme, situation, or person
    “Which means they’re clichés,” Zoe offered. “If you want to succeed in business, you have to stand out from the competition. Middle schoolers who babysit or do yard work are so common you don’t even notice them. But middle schoolers who solve mysteries, that’s buzzworthy.”
  5. buzzworthy
    interesting enough to be discussed in public and the media
    “Which means they’re clichés,” Zoe offered. “If you want to succeed in business, you have to stand out from the competition. Middle schoolers who babysit or do yard work are so common you don’t even notice them. But middle schoolers who solve mysteries, that’s buzzworthy.”
  6. conspire
    act in agreement and in secret towards a deceitful purpose
    “Developers and journalists conspired with railroad magnate Henry Flagler to trick unknowing northerners into buying land sight unseen among the swamps, marshes, and beaches of South Florida.”
  7. magnate
    a very wealthy or powerful businessperson
    “Developers and journalists conspired with railroad magnate Henry Flagler to trick unknowing northerners into buying land sight unseen among the swamps, marshes, and beaches of South Florida.”
  8. inception
    an event that is a beginning
    “Because it’s essential to understand that from its inception, this city has been built on deceit and mistruths. They’re baked into its DNA.”
  9. swindler
    a person who steals by means of deception or fraud
    “For well over a century, it’s been a haven for swindlers, speculators, and criminals, which brings us to contradiction number one: Do not for one second forget that Miami is a sunny place filled with shady people.”
  10. speculator
    one who makes risky investments in the hopes of high profits
    “For well over a century, it’s been a haven for swindlers, speculators, and criminals, which brings us to contradiction number one: Do not for one second forget that Miami is a sunny place filled with shady people.”
  11. contradiction
    opposition between two conflicting forces or ideas
    “For well over a century, it’s been a haven for swindlers, speculators, and criminals, which brings us to contradiction number one: Do not for one second forget that Miami is a sunny place filled with shady people.”
  12. inherent
    existing as an essential constituent or characteristic
    “Let’s forget the inherent danger for a moment,” Mom said. “And that’s huge.”
  13. pamper
    treat with excessive indulgence
    “Hmm.” Grandpa thought about this for a moment. “It’s not exactly exciting, but I’ll pay you twenty dollars to wash my car. You can think of it as ‘solving the mystery of what’s underneath the dirt.’”
    It was easy money, because his car was practically spotless. Grandpa pampered it too much to ever let it get dirty.
  14. wistful
    showing pensive sadness
    “The first five cabinets are arranged by date of publication and include everything I did as a reporter, columnist, and investigative journalist.”
    “And the last two?”
    “Those are the stories that never got published,” he said with a wistful smile. “The ones I couldn’t quite pull together and solve.”
  15. purist
    someone who insists on great precision and correctness
    I ignored them and asked Lina, “You’re a LEGO fan?”
    “Big-time.” She studied the Millennium Falcon I’d been building on my desk. “Is this a set? Or a MOC?” (Pronounced mock.)
    “A MOC,” I said proudly. “The set’s too expensive. Besides, I’m more of a purist.”
Created on Fri Jul 24 20:38:03 EDT 2026 (updated Tue Aug 25 12:52:56 EDT 2026)

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