In their continuing quest to make LEGO® sets the ultimate home decor accessories, the LEGO Group has introduced a new concept called Book Nooks. The first in the series is based on Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes books, with a Harry Potter Book Nook also on the way. These literacy-themed builds can be displayed on bookshelves alongside or nestled within real books. They can also be configured in two different ways, either opened up to create a scene or closed like a book, to offer a different perspective on the scene. The set has also been licensed by the Conan Doyle Estate. Here’s what the LEGO Icons Sherlock Holmes: Book Nook has to offer.
Product Details
Set Name: Sherlock Holmes Book Nook | Set Number: 10351 | Pieces: 1359 | Theme: Icons
Number of Bags: Bags x 17 + loose elements | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Stickers: Sheet x 1 | Minifigures: Sherlock Holmes, Dr Watson, Irene Adler, Paige & Professor Moriarty
RRP: £109.99/$129.99/119.99€/99.99AUD/149.99CAD
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & LEGO retailers from June 1st
Sherlock Holmes debuted in 1887 in A Study in Scarlet and appeared in four novels and over 50 short stories. Officially, he was a consulting private detective who could deduce the most fiendish of criminal cases. He was often joined on cases with his good friend and biographer, Dr John Watson. The legacy of the character spans far beyond Arthur Conan Doyle’s original stories. This has included modern-day takes such as the BBC series Sherlock. But Sherlock is closely associated with Victorian England.
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The set’s concept may seem elementary, but its build is quite complex in places. It replicates a section of Victorian street, including Sherlock’s iconic home at 221b Baker Street. This is focused purely on the facade of the buildings and a small section of Victorian cobblestone street. Despite only featuring the front of buildings, they are really detailed, and this is where the complexity comes into play. Not only does the build need to capture an impressive level of detail on the buildings, but it also needs to have the ability to fold in on itself.
The set is packed with fun details and Sherlock Easter Eggs. Although it focuses on the exterior of the buildings of Baker Street, there are sections which offer a peek within. The upper floor of Sherlock’s apartment can be opened to show his study and several references to famous cases on his clue board, plus his beloved violin. The circular display window on the Elementary Book Shop can be rotated, and there’s even a hidden room behind an unassuming doorway. This can be uncovered by turning a knob hidden atop the sand green building.
The focus of the set is the interior, but one side of the outer section has been made to look like a cover of a book. This features a silhouette of Sherlock, created from various black tiles and plates. The ‘spine’ of the ‘book’ is a little messy, but whichever way you choose to display the set, this part of it is always hidden.
The set features five minifigures, including Sherlock Holmes. This reuses the Deerstalker hat element used for the Detective character featured in the Series 5 Collectable Minifigures. This is paired with a shorter material cape and a suitably Victorian era torso, complete with a pocket watch. Dr Watson uses a slightly darker skin tone compared to Holmes. His sand green jacket seems era-specific, and he uses another classic style bowler hat. Dr Watson was wounded during his army career, so he uses a walking stick. This features a wand element, which looks way better than using a rod element.
Irene Adler only appears in one of the original Sherlock Holmes stories, but her ability to match Sherlock’s skills makes her one of Holmes’ endearing acquaintances. Her minifigure is rather charming, with Miss Adler wearing a light purple outfit with a slope piece used instead of legs. She also sports a material piece which sits over her shoulders. Paige appears to be a new character and not inspired by the books. But it’s another fun minifigure which reuses the hair and hat combo used for Hooper in the Jaws set. As a newspaper seller, Paige is the perfect source for Sherlock to get the latest word on the street, hence their inclusion in the set. The final minifigure is Sherlock’s most fiendish foe, Professor James Moriarty. He is a criminal mastermind, and one look at his minifigure certainly gives off those vibes. Wearing a top hat, dark cape and fiendish grin, Moriarty’s minifigure is comically evil-looking, and that’s what makes it such a great minifigure.
Book Nooks are an interesting addition to the ever-growing selection of LEGO builds available. Like many of the Icons sets, their leaning towards adult LEGO fans often means they make great display pieces. That’s the sole focus of this set and others like it. They are also a great way to introduce characters and worlds from beyond movies and video games. There’s already a Harry Potter Book Nook on the way and rumours of a Lord of the Rings one, but their possibilities are endless. There are countless Fairy Tales which could become Book Nooks. Along with popular series like Narnia, Winnie the Pooh and any of Roald Dahl’s books. The Sherlock Holmes Book Nook captures the Victorian era nicely, and the detailed architecture of the building fronts is on par with the Modular Buildings Collection sets. Both display methods offer equally impressive decor options. The LEGO Icons Sherlock Holmes: Book Nook set will be released on June 1st and can be pre-ordered now.
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The LEGO Group provided this set to BricksFanz.com for review purposes. The thoughts expressed in this review are those of BricksFanz.com and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group or New Line. Providing the set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion.
