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Enola Holmes #3
The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets
Everyone knows Dr. Watson is Sherlock Holmes' right-hand man—so when he goes missing, it's a shock. Even Sherlock hasn't, well, the slightest clue as to where he could be. Enola is intrigued, but wary; she's still hiding from her older brothers—and getting involved could be disastrous.
But when a bizarre bouquet shows up at the Watson residence, full of convolvulus, hawthorn, and white poppies, Enola must act. She dons her most discerning disguise yet to find the sender—and quickly, for Enola knows the blossoms symbolize death!
Hold your breath, because Enola's about to take it away. The stakes are higher and the mystery deeper than ever before in this third installment of this Edgar Award-nominated, critically acclaimed series.
But when a bizarre bouquet shows up at the Watson residence, full of convolvulus, hawthorn, and white poppies, Enola must act. She dons her most discerning disguise yet to find the sender—and quickly, for Enola knows the blossoms symbolize death!
Hold your breath, because Enola's about to take it away. The stakes are higher and the mystery deeper than ever before in this third installment of this Edgar Award-nominated, critically acclaimed series.
170 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
562 people are currently reading
9194 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Springer
192 books2,342 followersBIO -- NANCY SPRINGER
Nancy Springer has passed the fifty-book milestone, having written that many novels for adults, young adults and children, in genres including mythic fantasy, contemporary fiction, magical realism, horror, and mystery -- although she did not realize she wrote mystery until she won the Edgar Allan Poe Award from the Mystery Writers of America two years in succession. DARK LIE, recently released from NAL, is her first venture into mass-market psychological suspense.
Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Nancy Springer moved with her family to Gettysburg, of Civil War fame, when she was thirteen. She spent the next forty-six years in Pennsylvania, raising two children (Jonathan, now 38, and Nora, 34), writing, horseback riding, fishing, and birdwatching. In 2007 she surprised her friends and herself by moving with her second husband to an isolated area of the Florida panhandle, where the birdwatching is spectacular and where, when fishing, she occasionally catches an alligator.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,432 reviews
March 4, 2023
Another cute installment.
This time around Enola works to find the missing Dr. Watson because he was so kind to her in the last book. <--he's been locked up in a lunatic asylum unbeknownst to his friends and family.
But how?
And why?
Sherlock is also on the case (naturally!) so she has to avoid detection by the world's most famous detective, as they are both snooping around the same clues.
When will Sherlock and Mycroft learn that their little sister is quite an incredible young woman, and stop insisting that she be shoved into the mold so that she can be married off?
Well, my thoughts would be that it will be by the end of the series...
The bizarre bouquets are a reference to "the language of flowers" which was apparently somewhat popular with women and men back in the day. I didn't even know this was a thing, but apparently, you could send a secret message using flowers.
So, I learned something. That's nice.
There's nothing groundbreaking here, but I'm looking forward to listening to the next one.
Recommended for Sherlock Holmes and YA cozy mystery fans.
This time around Enola works to find the missing Dr. Watson because he was so kind to her in the last book. <--he's been locked up in a lunatic asylum unbeknownst to his friends and family.
But how?
And why?
Sherlock is also on the case (naturally!) so she has to avoid detection by the world's most famous detective, as they are both snooping around the same clues.
When will Sherlock and Mycroft learn that their little sister is quite an incredible young woman, and stop insisting that she be shoved into the mold so that she can be married off?
Well, my thoughts would be that it will be by the end of the series...
The bizarre bouquets are a reference to "the language of flowers" which was apparently somewhat popular with women and men back in the day. I didn't even know this was a thing, but apparently, you could send a secret message using flowers.
So, I learned something. That's nice.
There's nothing groundbreaking here, but I'm looking forward to listening to the next one.
Recommended for Sherlock Holmes and YA cozy mystery fans.
April 26, 2024
A charming series continues to grow!
Nancy Springer is finding her stride. Far from being derivative, Springer has effectively used the fame and atmosphere of the much-loved Holmes canon as a springboard to develop her Enola Holmes character, Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes' younger sister, and to create a series that is exciting, entirely innovative, appealing and quite capable of standing on its own literary merit ... thank you very much!
Beginning with the very first mystery in the series, THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS, we have seen Enola Holmes' character develop, blossom and ultimately flourish as she pursues her career as a "perditorian" - a finder of lost things. She is forced to keep one eye constantly looking over shoulder as she deftly eludes the dogged pursuit of her elder brothers who seek to find her and place her in the stultifying environment of a school for proper young ladies - an ongoing problem she'll face until she reaches the age of majority and can legally live on her own. But, as her mother, who is also in hiding, was so fond of saying, Enola Holmes is doing very well on her own!
In THE CASE OF THE BIZARRE BOUQUETS, the third instalment in the series, Watson has been kidnapped and is being held incommunicado in a mental institution. If he is not found and released, the likelihood is that Watson will lose the battle to preserve his own sanity and become a permanent resident. For reasons that are quite mysterious, the kidnapper has chosen to communicate with Mrs Watson through the vehicle of floral bouquets with entirely unique combinations of flowers, weeds and even vegetables. But a grieving Mrs Watson and a frustrated Sherlock Holmes are not even aware that these "bizarre bouquets" constitute a message from the kidnapper. They believe them to be mere expressions of sympathy from anonymous friends who are worried about Dr Watson's continuing absence. With her intimate knowledge of the traditional symbolic meaning of flowers, Enola knows better and is hot on the scent of Dr Watson and his kidnapper.
I'm thrilled to witness this charming young adult series continue to grow in quality - deep characterization, effective dialogue, high quality plotting and, of course, wonderful attention to Victorian atmosphere and details that rivals Conan Doyle's original series. Sherlock and Mycroft are portrayed as typical 19th century men in their attitude toward women and whatever intellect they may possess. That is to say, they are at least patronizing and chauvinist and perhaps, in Mycroft's case, downright misogynist. As the title character and the leading lady in the series, Enola is exceptionally well developed. She exemplifies that baffling and ultimately paradoxical teenage blend of cock-sure bravado and angst and uncertainty; incipient adulthood contrasted against an occasional reversion to childhood fear; and, of course, self-direction and self-confidence versus the obvious desire for occasional adult guidance and assistance. Enola's budding femininity is also charmingly and endearingly presented in wonderfully good taste with all due regard to Victorian sensibilities.
Highly recommended for mystery lovers of all ages. I'm willing to bet that twenty years from now there will be a host of adult female readers who will look back on this series with the same fondness that many of today's adult women remember their love of the Nancy Drew series.
Paul Weiss
Nancy Springer is finding her stride. Far from being derivative, Springer has effectively used the fame and atmosphere of the much-loved Holmes canon as a springboard to develop her Enola Holmes character, Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes' younger sister, and to create a series that is exciting, entirely innovative, appealing and quite capable of standing on its own literary merit ... thank you very much!
Beginning with the very first mystery in the series, THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS, we have seen Enola Holmes' character develop, blossom and ultimately flourish as she pursues her career as a "perditorian" - a finder of lost things. She is forced to keep one eye constantly looking over shoulder as she deftly eludes the dogged pursuit of her elder brothers who seek to find her and place her in the stultifying environment of a school for proper young ladies - an ongoing problem she'll face until she reaches the age of majority and can legally live on her own. But, as her mother, who is also in hiding, was so fond of saying, Enola Holmes is doing very well on her own!
In THE CASE OF THE BIZARRE BOUQUETS, the third instalment in the series, Watson has been kidnapped and is being held incommunicado in a mental institution. If he is not found and released, the likelihood is that Watson will lose the battle to preserve his own sanity and become a permanent resident. For reasons that are quite mysterious, the kidnapper has chosen to communicate with Mrs Watson through the vehicle of floral bouquets with entirely unique combinations of flowers, weeds and even vegetables. But a grieving Mrs Watson and a frustrated Sherlock Holmes are not even aware that these "bizarre bouquets" constitute a message from the kidnapper. They believe them to be mere expressions of sympathy from anonymous friends who are worried about Dr Watson's continuing absence. With her intimate knowledge of the traditional symbolic meaning of flowers, Enola knows better and is hot on the scent of Dr Watson and his kidnapper.
I'm thrilled to witness this charming young adult series continue to grow in quality - deep characterization, effective dialogue, high quality plotting and, of course, wonderful attention to Victorian atmosphere and details that rivals Conan Doyle's original series. Sherlock and Mycroft are portrayed as typical 19th century men in their attitude toward women and whatever intellect they may possess. That is to say, they are at least patronizing and chauvinist and perhaps, in Mycroft's case, downright misogynist. As the title character and the leading lady in the series, Enola is exceptionally well developed. She exemplifies that baffling and ultimately paradoxical teenage blend of cock-sure bravado and angst and uncertainty; incipient adulthood contrasted against an occasional reversion to childhood fear; and, of course, self-direction and self-confidence versus the obvious desire for occasional adult guidance and assistance. Enola's budding femininity is also charmingly and endearingly presented in wonderfully good taste with all due regard to Victorian sensibilities.
Highly recommended for mystery lovers of all ages. I'm willing to bet that twenty years from now there will be a host of adult female readers who will look back on this series with the same fondness that many of today's adult women remember their love of the Nancy Drew series.
Paul Weiss
January 21, 2008
Sweet god, how I love these books! Sorry. That’s not something a professional reviewer should start off by saying is it? I should probably be coy about my opinions. I should couch my language with faint praise saying sniffy little things like, “It seems that Ms. Springer has truly found an oeuvre that will suit some out there”. My review would nod its head at her other books and series and then end with constructive criticism along the lines of, “Certainly children in search of mysteries will have no problems with Ms. Springer’s popular choices.” Well, forget it. I can’t be all detached and restrained when I’m talking about Enola Holmes. The fact of the matter is that I can’t get enough of her. From the minute I read her first story The Case of the Missing Marquess, I was hooked. Now we’re on Enola’s third caper, The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets, and things are heating up. Whether you’ve been reading these books faithfully from the start, or have just dropped into this series without seeing its predecessors, this is one Enola Holmes mystery that is bound to mystify, confound, and delight.
A lot has changed for Enola Holmes in the last few months, but one thing certainly hasn’t. She’s still on the run from her older brothers Mycroft and Sherlock and she still needs to keep them at bay until she comes of age and can legally live on her own. Of course there’s the small problem that she’s been making her living by posing as the secretary of a detective, but now her cover’s been blown and she needs to figure out what to do with herself. Top it all off with her sudden fear that her mother doesn’t love her and Enola’s in a pretty deep funk. Deliverance comes in the form of Dr. Watson. Or rather, the lack of Dr. Watson. Someone has kidnapped Sherlock Holmes’ right-hand man, and Enola immediately is on the case. Her newest disguise? She’ll become something her brothers would never expect her to be. She’ll become beautiful. Armed with a pretty face, a knowledge of The Language of the Flowers, and her own common sense, Enola sets out to find the good doctor and maybe figure out some things about her own life along the way.
I think that it was the School Library Journal review of one of Enola’s books that pointed out that it is Enola’s loneliness combined with her, “intelligence, sense of humor, and sheer pluck,” that makes her such an appealing character. That’s very insightful. Though she may try to hide it behind make-up and wigs, Enola is essentially a lonely person. She hasn’t a confidant in the world, and this weighs on her. She doesn’t even entirely realize it either. Fortunately, this isn’t a teenager prone to sulks. The combination of code breaking, multiple clues, and a straightforward if intriguing mystery makes this a particularly delightful read. Plus I just love the sense of a larger story arc present in this series. There’s some ultimate resolution on the horizon. Some grand view of this tale that will resolve Enola’s essential loneliness and heal the rift between her and Sherlock. It’ll probably bring her closer to her mother as well, perhaps. I don’t know. All we can do is keep reading to find out.
These books work as well as they do partly because just as Enola is thwarting her time period’s conventions, so too is Nancy Springer thwarting her genre’s. Any other author out there would have dressed Enola up as a boy first thing and probably would have done the same in all her subsequent novels. This is a kind of laziness on an author’s part. I’m sorry, but if you’re writing a historical novel, fantasy or straight fiction, and your heroine needs a disguise, somehow the act of pulling on a pair of trousers instantly makes her into ideal boy material. It’s an easy out for an author, requiring little thought on their part. This is why I love Nancy Springer. In this book, Enola says that when she first ran away from home her brothers, “had quite expected to find me disguised as a boy; to their way of thinking, how else could such an unfortunately plain female possibly manage?” So does she finally cave in and put on some pants? No sir! Instead she goes 180 degrees in the opposite direction and becomes utterly lovely. It’s the last thing anyone would expect, particularly the reader, and serves as a stroke of genius on the author’s part. Bravo.
Little spoiler alert in this paragraph: There is the matter of the villain of this piece engaging in a bit of (to quote Sherlock Holmes) “George Sandism”. So the fear might be that this is a negative reflection of lesbians or cross-dressers, but I think Springer’s cleverer than that. The bad guy in this book is evil because of what they do, and that has no connection to their preference for pants. Something to watch out for though.
When girls come into my library looking for good mysteries along the lines of Nancy Drew, the pickings are sometimes slimmer than you’d expect. There are the Wendelin Van Draanen stories about Sammy Keyes. There’s good old Trixie Belden (who was the preferred sleuth of my childhood). And now there is Enola Holmes, who seems to have more wit, sense, and skills than any other sleuthy heroine I’ve run across in an age. The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets is a strong addition to a great series and it is the best Sherlock Holmes series for kids I’ve ever been lucky enough to read.
A lot has changed for Enola Holmes in the last few months, but one thing certainly hasn’t. She’s still on the run from her older brothers Mycroft and Sherlock and she still needs to keep them at bay until she comes of age and can legally live on her own. Of course there’s the small problem that she’s been making her living by posing as the secretary of a detective, but now her cover’s been blown and she needs to figure out what to do with herself. Top it all off with her sudden fear that her mother doesn’t love her and Enola’s in a pretty deep funk. Deliverance comes in the form of Dr. Watson. Or rather, the lack of Dr. Watson. Someone has kidnapped Sherlock Holmes’ right-hand man, and Enola immediately is on the case. Her newest disguise? She’ll become something her brothers would never expect her to be. She’ll become beautiful. Armed with a pretty face, a knowledge of The Language of the Flowers, and her own common sense, Enola sets out to find the good doctor and maybe figure out some things about her own life along the way.
I think that it was the School Library Journal review of one of Enola’s books that pointed out that it is Enola’s loneliness combined with her, “intelligence, sense of humor, and sheer pluck,” that makes her such an appealing character. That’s very insightful. Though she may try to hide it behind make-up and wigs, Enola is essentially a lonely person. She hasn’t a confidant in the world, and this weighs on her. She doesn’t even entirely realize it either. Fortunately, this isn’t a teenager prone to sulks. The combination of code breaking, multiple clues, and a straightforward if intriguing mystery makes this a particularly delightful read. Plus I just love the sense of a larger story arc present in this series. There’s some ultimate resolution on the horizon. Some grand view of this tale that will resolve Enola’s essential loneliness and heal the rift between her and Sherlock. It’ll probably bring her closer to her mother as well, perhaps. I don’t know. All we can do is keep reading to find out.
These books work as well as they do partly because just as Enola is thwarting her time period’s conventions, so too is Nancy Springer thwarting her genre’s. Any other author out there would have dressed Enola up as a boy first thing and probably would have done the same in all her subsequent novels. This is a kind of laziness on an author’s part. I’m sorry, but if you’re writing a historical novel, fantasy or straight fiction, and your heroine needs a disguise, somehow the act of pulling on a pair of trousers instantly makes her into ideal boy material. It’s an easy out for an author, requiring little thought on their part. This is why I love Nancy Springer. In this book, Enola says that when she first ran away from home her brothers, “had quite expected to find me disguised as a boy; to their way of thinking, how else could such an unfortunately plain female possibly manage?” So does she finally cave in and put on some pants? No sir! Instead she goes 180 degrees in the opposite direction and becomes utterly lovely. It’s the last thing anyone would expect, particularly the reader, and serves as a stroke of genius on the author’s part. Bravo.
Little spoiler alert in this paragraph: There is the matter of the villain of this piece engaging in a bit of (to quote Sherlock Holmes) “George Sandism”. So the fear might be that this is a negative reflection of lesbians or cross-dressers, but I think Springer’s cleverer than that. The bad guy in this book is evil because of what they do, and that has no connection to their preference for pants. Something to watch out for though.
When girls come into my library looking for good mysteries along the lines of Nancy Drew, the pickings are sometimes slimmer than you’d expect. There are the Wendelin Van Draanen stories about Sammy Keyes. There’s good old Trixie Belden (who was the preferred sleuth of my childhood). And now there is Enola Holmes, who seems to have more wit, sense, and skills than any other sleuthy heroine I’ve run across in an age. The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets is a strong addition to a great series and it is the best Sherlock Holmes series for kids I’ve ever been lucky enough to read.
June 25, 2022
I just finished a road trip with my 10 year old granddaughter. We listened to this book instead of music. She is an avid reader who loved the PBS Enola Holmes show. We both were intrigued by this case and enjoyed the book.
When Dr. Watson, Sherlock Holmes' best friend and biographer, goes missing everyone scrambles in an effort to find him. Enola knows how close these two are, but she is also in hiding from both her brothers. Even though her interest is piqued and she wants to help, she doesn't want her brothers to find her.
Unable to stay away, Enola creates an intriguing disguise and visits Mrs. Watson where a most unusual floral display has been delivered. One clue leads to another and she is successful in finding and facilitating the rescue of Dr. Watson. Even the Holmes brothers are in awe of how she cracked the case.
When Dr. Watson, Sherlock Holmes' best friend and biographer, goes missing everyone scrambles in an effort to find him. Enola knows how close these two are, but she is also in hiding from both her brothers. Even though her interest is piqued and she wants to help, she doesn't want her brothers to find her.
Unable to stay away, Enola creates an intriguing disguise and visits Mrs. Watson where a most unusual floral display has been delivered. One clue leads to another and she is successful in finding and facilitating the rescue of Dr. Watson. Even the Holmes brothers are in awe of how she cracked the case.
May 24, 2025
Dr. John Watson is missing! His friend and partner-in-deductive-ratiocination, Sherlock Holmes, is clueless! It looks like a job for Sherlock's young sister, Enola!
Enola Holmes, still on the lam from her brothers and still looking for her mom, decides to help her famous brother. Besides, she'd met Dr. Watson once before and found him to be a nice enough fellow. After disguising herself to meet Watson's young wife, she is more determined to find the missing doctor. Unfortunately, her only clue is a bouquet of flowers sent to Mrs. Watson containing weirdly inappropriate plants, including asparagus.
Nancy Springer's third book to feature her young detective, "Enola Holmes and the Bizarre Bouquets", is another excellent entry in one of my new favorite young-adult series.
P.S. The Netflix movie series is wonderful, but don't watch them expecting them to be close adaptations of the books. They're not. The books are definitely targeted more for middle-school/early high school readers, while the movies are definitely targeted for older teens.
Enola Holmes, still on the lam from her brothers and still looking for her mom, decides to help her famous brother. Besides, she'd met Dr. Watson once before and found him to be a nice enough fellow. After disguising herself to meet Watson's young wife, she is more determined to find the missing doctor. Unfortunately, her only clue is a bouquet of flowers sent to Mrs. Watson containing weirdly inappropriate plants, including asparagus.
Nancy Springer's third book to feature her young detective, "Enola Holmes and the Bizarre Bouquets", is another excellent entry in one of my new favorite young-adult series.
P.S. The Netflix movie series is wonderful, but don't watch them expecting them to be close adaptations of the books. They're not. The books are definitely targeted more for middle-school/early high school readers, while the movies are definitely targeted for older teens.
April 1, 2022
Το τρίτο βιβλίο της σειράς ξεκινά με την Ενόλα έτοιμη για το επόμενο μυστήριο που πρέπει να λύσει. Αυτή τη φορά όμως είναι λίγο πιο προσωπικό.
Λατρεύω τον τρόπο που λύνει τα μυστήρια, και όλο αυτό το «αστυνομικό δαιμόνιο» που βγάζει. Οι κινήσεις της και η σκέψη της διαφέρουν απο του αδερφού της και αυτό την κάνει ξεχωριστή, ειδικά στο συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο με την «γλώσσα των λουλουδιών».
Τα βιβλία αυτά σου μαθαίνουν για τη δύναμη της θέλησης, την ανεξαρτησία και την πίστη στον εαυτό σου. Το τρίτο βιβλίο περνά υπέροχα μηνύματα που κάθε έφηβος θα έπρεπε να ξέρει, και γι΄αυτό το προτείνω ανεπιφύλακτα!
4.5/5
Λατρεύω τον τρόπο που λύνει τα μυστήρια, και όλο αυτό το «αστυνομικό δαιμόνιο» που βγάζει. Οι κινήσεις της και η σκέψη της διαφέρουν απο του αδερφού της και αυτό την κάνει ξεχωριστή, ειδικά στο συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο με την «γλώσσα των λουλουδιών».
Τα βιβλία αυτά σου μαθαίνουν για τη δύναμη της θέλησης, την ανεξαρτησία και την πίστη στον εαυτό σου. Το τρίτο βιβλίο περνά υπέροχα μηνύματα που κάθε έφηβος θα έπρεπε να ξέρει, και γι΄αυτό το προτείνω ανεπιφύλακτα!
4.5/5
November 19, 2021
I honestly think Enola is WAY better than Sherlock. Just saying.
February 23, 2020
Der mittlerweile dritte Band der Reihe, der auf deutsch erschienen ist und ich bin immer noch sehr begeistert! Die Autorin hat hier mit Enola Holmes, der jüngeren Schwester des berühmten Sherlock Holmes und Mycroft eine wunderbare Figur geschaffen!
Abseits des "gesellschaftlichen Lebens" im viktorianischen London ist Enola sehr frei aufgewachsen, was vor allem durch die unkoventionelle Lebensart ihrer Mutter zustande kam. Diese ist jedoch verschwunden und Enola seither auf sich allein gestellt - und sie bekommt ihr Leben sehr gut in den Griff!
Immer wieder zeigt die Autorin, wie die Frauen damals beschränkt wurden auf Äußerlichkeiten, welche Pflichten sie hatten, damit sie vorzeigbar und eine gute Partie waren und wie sie der Willkür ihrer Väter und Ehemänner ausgesetzt waren. Oder eben den älteren Brüdern, denn Enola sollte eigentlich auf ein Internat gehen, auf dem ihr die Flausen ausgetrieben werden. Doch ebenso wie Sherlock und Mycroft ist sie nicht auf den Kopf gefallen und hat sich in London der Aufgabe gewidmet, die ihre Passion ist: in die Fußstapfen ihres größten Vorbilds zu treten und mit Detektivarbeit verzwickte Fälle zu lösen.
Mit dem Prolog schafft Nancy Springer schon einen sehr spannenden Einstieg der extrem neugierig macht! Und es bleibt durchweg so, denn der Fall ist verzwickt und mysteriös und Enola muss all ihre Rafinesse einsetzen, um der Lösung näher zu kommen.
Vor allem die Atmosphäre ist wieder grandios eingefangen von einem düsteren London, der Armut, der Kulisse und mit vielen Details, die das Leben damals sehr lebendig einfangen. Dabei streut die Autorin auch immer wieder Wörter und interessante Infos ein, ohne den Erklär-Bär zu spielen, sondern lässt es direkt in die Handlung einfließen. Da die Reihe für jüngere Leser gedacht ist finde ich das super, um Wissen zu vermitteln, das in eine fesselnde Handlung integriert ist. Das ist mir auch schon in den vorherigen Bänden aufgefallen und ist definitiv ein großer Pluspunkt. Genauso wie die doch anspruchsvolle Schreibweise, die sicher auch ihre Freunde findet bei der jungen Generation und eben auch für Erwachsene ein absolutes Lesevergnügen ist!
Vor allem auch Enolas Wille, ihren Weg zu gehen, alles zu tun, um das durchzusetzen, was ihr wichtig ist und selbst wenn sie sich alleine fühlt, nach vorne zu schauen und nicht aufzugeben, rührt mich jedes Mal wieder sehr!
"Für immer allein?
Für immer verloren?
Für immer trotzig, sagte ich mir feierlich. Für immer das sein, was ich nun einmal bin.
Eine Rebellin, eine Träumerin und eine Perditorin, Finderin des Verlorenen." Zitat Seite 16
Das einzige Manko: es ist so kurz! Es hat alles gepasst und hätte man auch nicht strecken müssen, aber ich würde noch gerne viel länger mit Enola unterwegs sein - und hoffe daher, dass der nächste Teil auch bald ins deutsche übersetzt wird.
Weltenwanderer
Abseits des "gesellschaftlichen Lebens" im viktorianischen London ist Enola sehr frei aufgewachsen, was vor allem durch die unkoventionelle Lebensart ihrer Mutter zustande kam. Diese ist jedoch verschwunden und Enola seither auf sich allein gestellt - und sie bekommt ihr Leben sehr gut in den Griff!
Immer wieder zeigt die Autorin, wie die Frauen damals beschränkt wurden auf Äußerlichkeiten, welche Pflichten sie hatten, damit sie vorzeigbar und eine gute Partie waren und wie sie der Willkür ihrer Väter und Ehemänner ausgesetzt waren. Oder eben den älteren Brüdern, denn Enola sollte eigentlich auf ein Internat gehen, auf dem ihr die Flausen ausgetrieben werden. Doch ebenso wie Sherlock und Mycroft ist sie nicht auf den Kopf gefallen und hat sich in London der Aufgabe gewidmet, die ihre Passion ist: in die Fußstapfen ihres größten Vorbilds zu treten und mit Detektivarbeit verzwickte Fälle zu lösen.
Mit dem Prolog schafft Nancy Springer schon einen sehr spannenden Einstieg der extrem neugierig macht! Und es bleibt durchweg so, denn der Fall ist verzwickt und mysteriös und Enola muss all ihre Rafinesse einsetzen, um der Lösung näher zu kommen.
Vor allem die Atmosphäre ist wieder grandios eingefangen von einem düsteren London, der Armut, der Kulisse und mit vielen Details, die das Leben damals sehr lebendig einfangen. Dabei streut die Autorin auch immer wieder Wörter und interessante Infos ein, ohne den Erklär-Bär zu spielen, sondern lässt es direkt in die Handlung einfließen. Da die Reihe für jüngere Leser gedacht ist finde ich das super, um Wissen zu vermitteln, das in eine fesselnde Handlung integriert ist. Das ist mir auch schon in den vorherigen Bänden aufgefallen und ist definitiv ein großer Pluspunkt. Genauso wie die doch anspruchsvolle Schreibweise, die sicher auch ihre Freunde findet bei der jungen Generation und eben auch für Erwachsene ein absolutes Lesevergnügen ist!
Vor allem auch Enolas Wille, ihren Weg zu gehen, alles zu tun, um das durchzusetzen, was ihr wichtig ist und selbst wenn sie sich alleine fühlt, nach vorne zu schauen und nicht aufzugeben, rührt mich jedes Mal wieder sehr!
"Für immer allein?
Für immer verloren?
Für immer trotzig, sagte ich mir feierlich. Für immer das sein, was ich nun einmal bin.
Eine Rebellin, eine Träumerin und eine Perditorin, Finderin des Verlorenen." Zitat Seite 16
Das einzige Manko: es ist so kurz! Es hat alles gepasst und hätte man auch nicht strecken müssen, aber ich würde noch gerne viel länger mit Enola unterwegs sein - und hoffe daher, dass der nächste Teil auch bald ins deutsche übersetzt wird.
Weltenwanderer
October 12, 2021
Yes, I am once again back (I read this book and the one before it within one day, so yeah)
Anyway
Dislikes
1) “‘Curses! Ye gods,’ I muttered naughtily” Enola, shut up.
2) An explanation for the disappearance of Dr. Watson is that “he might have been attacked by an anti-vaccination mob”. This is the second time in the books that anti-vaxxers have randomly been mentioned like this. It serves nothing but the author’s political agenda.
3) Okay you know what I am sick and tired of Sherlock and Mycroft being portrayed as soooooo sexist. They stop going to a certain shop because the owner is now a strong-minded woman, which they can’t stand; Sherlock doesn’t notice the weird bouquet Mrs. Watson receives, cause, y’know, he’s a man and therefore doesn’t think flowers are worth noticing; he doesn’t even look at Enola because she’s just a lady… First of all, the worst thing canon!Sherlock says about women is that he does not trust them. He actually compliments women’s keen insight more than once. Secondly, Sherlock the detective looks at and deduces things about everyone. He should have noticed Enola’s disguise, seeing as to how he’s literally a master of disguise himself. And the flowers? Yes, I think that if the great detective’s personal friend went missing, he would be smart enough to realise that a weird bouquet like the one mentioned is off… especially since he knows Enola and her mum are communicating through flowers. His mind is already on flowers! Also: “Neither of them [Sherlock and Mycroft] could imaginatively enter the mind of any woman”. Have you not read A Scandal in Bohemia?
Basically, what I’m trying to say is that this author needs to chill. Yes, women had less rights in Victorian (that’s the age, right?) times, but not every single frickin man was a sexist!
You also get annoying tidbits like this: “I firmly believe that the whole reason women must wear long skirts is so that they are unable to do anything worthwhile.” First of all, Enola, you really think there is some nefarious plot going on to stop all women from being themselves??? Through skirts???? Please shut up. Second of all, this is in the middle of a chase scene. Can we cut the political stuff and get to the action, please?
There’s a part where Enola complains that men are idiots and that being beautiful will get you way more attention.
Oh, and Enola tells a story of a women who was put away into an insane asylum because she sat down on the ground in her dress and her husband thought it was less embarrassing than divorce. Um….. okay. This author really wants to portray these times as just a living hell, doesn’t she?
Basically: It wasn’t that bad! And men aren’t all trash.
4) The above example is the only reason Enola ever gives for her not wanting to marry ever. That’s the only reason. Once again, if women are so cool, why is matrimony such a bad thing?
5) “[…] there were always a few eccentric amateur scientists, followers of Malthus and Darwin, trying to cross-pollinate orchids in hothouses”. Once again Malthus and Darwin being amazing geniuses. But… why not mention Gregor Mendel? You know, father of modern genetics? The guy with the peas? Yeah, he actually discovered something instead of repackaging old ideas in shiny new paper. If you’re gonna talk about cross-pollination, this man might be worth a mention. It’s because he was a devout Christian monk, isn’t it?
6)
7)
Likes
1) Dr. Watson is the main focus, and that is as it should be. (although, since he’s missing, and the book is from Enola’s perspective, we don’t really see him a lot)
2) Secret messages through flowers are one of my favourite tropes. Do people still read things into bouquets like that?
3)
4) The bittersweet reunion scene was very beautiful.
5) Sherlock Holmes himself is also shown to be more and more caring about his younger sister.
6)
So there you have it! More feminist, atheist propaganda, but at least there’s flowers and lots of Dr. Watson content.
Anyway
Dislikes
1) “‘Curses! Ye gods,’ I muttered naughtily” Enola, shut up.
2) An explanation for the disappearance of Dr. Watson is that “he might have been attacked by an anti-vaccination mob”. This is the second time in the books that anti-vaxxers have randomly been mentioned like this. It serves nothing but the author’s political agenda.
3) Okay you know what I am sick and tired of Sherlock and Mycroft being portrayed as soooooo sexist. They stop going to a certain shop because the owner is now a strong-minded woman, which they can’t stand; Sherlock doesn’t notice the weird bouquet Mrs. Watson receives, cause, y’know, he’s a man and therefore doesn’t think flowers are worth noticing; he doesn’t even look at Enola because she’s just a lady… First of all, the worst thing canon!Sherlock says about women is that he does not trust them. He actually compliments women’s keen insight more than once. Secondly, Sherlock the detective looks at and deduces things about everyone. He should have noticed Enola’s disguise, seeing as to how he’s literally a master of disguise himself. And the flowers? Yes, I think that if the great detective’s personal friend went missing, he would be smart enough to realise that a weird bouquet like the one mentioned is off… especially since he knows Enola and her mum are communicating through flowers. His mind is already on flowers! Also: “Neither of them [Sherlock and Mycroft] could imaginatively enter the mind of any woman”. Have you not read A Scandal in Bohemia?
Basically, what I’m trying to say is that this author needs to chill. Yes, women had less rights in Victorian (that’s the age, right?) times, but not every single frickin man was a sexist!
You also get annoying tidbits like this: “I firmly believe that the whole reason women must wear long skirts is so that they are unable to do anything worthwhile.” First of all, Enola, you really think there is some nefarious plot going on to stop all women from being themselves??? Through skirts???? Please shut up. Second of all, this is in the middle of a chase scene. Can we cut the political stuff and get to the action, please?
There’s a part where Enola complains that men are idiots and that being beautiful will get you way more attention.
Oh, and Enola tells a story of a women who was put away into an insane asylum because she sat down on the ground in her dress and her husband thought it was less embarrassing than divorce. Um….. okay. This author really wants to portray these times as just a living hell, doesn’t she?
Basically: It wasn’t that bad! And men aren’t all trash.
4) The above example is the only reason Enola ever gives for her not wanting to marry ever. That’s the only reason. Once again, if women are so cool, why is matrimony such a bad thing?
5) “[…] there were always a few eccentric amateur scientists, followers of Malthus and Darwin, trying to cross-pollinate orchids in hothouses”. Once again Malthus and Darwin being amazing geniuses. But… why not mention Gregor Mendel? You know, father of modern genetics? The guy with the peas? Yeah, he actually discovered something instead of repackaging old ideas in shiny new paper. If you’re gonna talk about cross-pollination, this man might be worth a mention. It’s because he was a devout Christian monk, isn’t it?
6)
7)
Likes
1) Dr. Watson is the main focus, and that is as it should be. (although, since he’s missing, and the book is from Enola’s perspective, we don’t really see him a lot)
2) Secret messages through flowers are one of my favourite tropes. Do people still read things into bouquets like that?
3)
4) The bittersweet reunion scene was very beautiful.
5) Sherlock Holmes himself is also shown to be more and more caring about his younger sister.
6)
So there you have it! More feminist, atheist propaganda, but at least there’s flowers and lots of Dr. Watson content.
May 9, 2011
(More like 3.5 STARS; though I did enjoy it, I think the stellar audiobook narration enhanced it and I might have been a bit bored at times were I simply reading this.)
Who knew fronds of an asparagus plant could be so sinister!?!?!
Enola Holmes is back to solve her third mystery, this one close to her heart as dear Dr. Watson has gone missing! Her brother Sherlock is on the case, but things look grim when Watson's medical bag turns up and the shrewd Mr. Holmes is at a loss for where to look next.
Perhaps that is because he hasn't studied "The Language of Flowers" lately...
For when Enola visits the grieving Mrs. Watson, she discovers a decidedly bizarre bouquet among the standard bunches of flowers signifying condolences. Composed of an odd and sinister assortment of flowers, the bizarre bouquet seems to have been sent by someone who wanted revenge on Dr and/or Mrs Watson, and who is very happy the Doctor is missing. Perhaps the sender of the bouquet is also the one responsible for Dr. Watson's disappearance..!
I very much enjoy that Enola's detective solving skills fit perfectly with the "women's world" that she is forced to inhabit. The fact she could understand the messages of a bouquet of flowers ("women's knowledge") whereas her brother could not is a great plot twist and helps distinguish Enola from her brother. (Especially since Springer works the plots so that Enola and her brother do not see one another.) However, by this third book I've grown quite tired of Enola harping on the male sex for always finding women inferior, and frankly Enola is not so kind to most of the "fair sex" either. Would be far kinder and more fair for her to acknowledge that most women of the time did not have a free-thinking and intellectual mother to bring them up as Enola did--that they were never given the tools to be her (and men's) "equals." The bits about Enola going back-and-forth over her detached mother also get a bit wearing after three books, as do the repeated depictions of the slums of London. I don't mind Springer having her agenda in revealing that London was not always glamorous and happy, but it doesn't always serve her plot or characterization well.
As with the other Enola Holmes books, although this is considered "Middle Grade" I caution younger audiences that this contains references to some more mature content . Particularly disturbing is a case of disfigurement in this book, as well as lunacy.
My personal grips aside, the story entertained me and I will probably carry on with the series on audiobook, narrated by Katherine Kellgren.
Who knew fronds of an asparagus plant could be so sinister!?!?!
Enola Holmes is back to solve her third mystery, this one close to her heart as dear Dr. Watson has gone missing! Her brother Sherlock is on the case, but things look grim when Watson's medical bag turns up and the shrewd Mr. Holmes is at a loss for where to look next.
Perhaps that is because he hasn't studied "The Language of Flowers" lately...
For when Enola visits the grieving Mrs. Watson, she discovers a decidedly bizarre bouquet among the standard bunches of flowers signifying condolences. Composed of an odd and sinister assortment of flowers, the bizarre bouquet seems to have been sent by someone who wanted revenge on Dr and/or Mrs Watson, and who is very happy the Doctor is missing. Perhaps the sender of the bouquet is also the one responsible for Dr. Watson's disappearance..!
I very much enjoy that Enola's detective solving skills fit perfectly with the "women's world" that she is forced to inhabit. The fact she could understand the messages of a bouquet of flowers ("women's knowledge") whereas her brother could not is a great plot twist and helps distinguish Enola from her brother. (Especially since Springer works the plots so that Enola and her brother do not see one another.) However, by this third book I've grown quite tired of Enola harping on the male sex for always finding women inferior, and frankly Enola is not so kind to most of the "fair sex" either. Would be far kinder and more fair for her to acknowledge that most women of the time did not have a free-thinking and intellectual mother to bring them up as Enola did--that they were never given the tools to be her (and men's) "equals." The bits about Enola going back-and-forth over her detached mother also get a bit wearing after three books, as do the repeated depictions of the slums of London. I don't mind Springer having her agenda in revealing that London was not always glamorous and happy, but it doesn't always serve her plot or characterization well.
As with the other Enola Holmes books, although this is considered "Middle Grade" I caution younger audiences that this contains references to some more mature content . Particularly disturbing is a case of disfigurement in this book, as well as lunacy.
My personal grips aside, the story entertained me and I will probably carry on with the series on audiobook, narrated by Katherine Kellgren.
July 10, 2021
Enola holmes is back with a new adventure. When Watson goes missing Enola takes it upon herself to solve this mystery which even boggles her brother Sherlock. Donning the most unusual disguise she sets out to investigate.
Enola surprises me everytime with her resourcefulness and her clever mind. I love how she always analyses and thinks everything through before acting on it. Which doesn't discount of her being able to think on her feet at moments of distress. I am still in awe how she always manages to outsmart her brothers who for reason still discredit and look upon as a child. Even though she suffers from moments of loneliness, her determination for independence is truly remarkable.
I loved the mystery presented in this book, which was specially enhanced by the audiobook narration. Now onto the fourth.
Enola surprises me everytime with her resourcefulness and her clever mind. I love how she always analyses and thinks everything through before acting on it. Which doesn't discount of her being able to think on her feet at moments of distress. I am still in awe how she always manages to outsmart her brothers who for reason still discredit and look upon as a child. Even though she suffers from moments of loneliness, her determination for independence is truly remarkable.
I loved the mystery presented in this book, which was specially enhanced by the audiobook narration. Now onto the fourth.
January 5, 2025
I libri di Nancy Springer sono sempre piacevoli da leggere, scorrevoli, trama intrigante, personaggi interessanti. Ottimo per trascorrere alcune ore in completo relax.
***
Nancy Springer's books are always pleasant to read, flowing, intriguing plot, interesting characters. Great for spending a few hours in complete relaxation.
***
Nancy Springer's books are always pleasant to read, flowing, intriguing plot, interesting characters. Great for spending a few hours in complete relaxation.
December 19, 2024
Well written and entertaining.
January 3, 2023
Enola staje się coraz sprytniejsza i zaczyna powoli zyskiwać szacunek starszych braci. Coraz ciekawsze sprawy i rozwinięcie głównej bohaterki.
June 6, 2021
Una tercera parte que engancha y que deja con ganas de continuar con la saga. La lectura es amena en todo momento, así que entre eso y lo corto que es el libro (205 páginas), me lo acabé en un par de sentadas.
Enola es un personaje entrañable que aquí va ganando más seguridad en sí misma y que debe decidir si vale la pena hacer peligrar su libertad para salvar a otra persona. Vemos cómo sigue queriendo aprender a ser totalmente independiente y cómo, al mismo tiempo, añora que se preocupen por ella, algo que no resulta molesto porque la humaniza y hace que sea un personaje creíble dadas sus circunstancias y su edad. A pesar de todo, la he notado más madura que en los libros anteriores.
El caso a investigar es el que más me ha atrapado hasta ahora y creo que la forma de desarrollarlo ha sido casi perfecta. El libro está destinado a un público juvenil, así que eso provoca que no haya una excesiva complejidad en la trama, pero eso no le resta interés. Aquí toca investigar la desaparición de Watson, el gran amigo de su hermano Sherlock, lo que hace que Enola corra más riesgo de que él la descubra. Es cierto que Enola se topa con algunas respuestas de forma casual, pero la autora consigue que no resulte surrealista porque se justifica bien que Enola realice los descubrimientos y que llegue a determinadas conclusiones.
Respecto al tema familiar, Sherlock es el que más participación tiene, aunque no llega a coger demasiado protagonismo. Aún así, sus pequeñas aportaciones valen oro, pero no por su perspicacia como detective, sino por la manera en que vamos viendo cómo evoluciona su opinión de Enola. La presencia de Mycroft es residual y solo me sorprendió cierta revelación del desenlace. El asunto de la madre aquí no avanza, realmente tengo la sensación de que la autora está reservando todo lo de ella para el último libro, y eso es un arma de doble filo, ya que puede llegar a decepcionar que no se resuelvan todos los interrogantes. Además, aunque sea de modo indirecto, se echa en falta que aparezca o que podamos saber mejor cómo era.
Con sus más y sus menos, esta novela se lee en un suspiro y se agradece que en ningún momento se infantilicen los comportamientos de los personajes. A esto hay que sumarle que la autora sabe introducir bien en la trama explicaciones sobre costumbres del siglo XIX en Inglaterra, y aprovecha para hacer una denuncia contra algunas injusticias. En esta ocasión, lo que más se toca es la facilidad para encerrar a alguien es una institución mental, especialmente a mujeres, solo por tener actitudes “reprochables” o poco decoro. No se ahonda en exceso en el asunto, pero se aprenden cosas.
Tal vez la puntuación real sería un 3,5/5, pero la voy a redondear al alza por lo adictiva que me ha resultado la lectura y por el hecho de que la investigación no ha dejado ningún cabo suelto.
Enola es un personaje entrañable que aquí va ganando más seguridad en sí misma y que debe decidir si vale la pena hacer peligrar su libertad para salvar a otra persona. Vemos cómo sigue queriendo aprender a ser totalmente independiente y cómo, al mismo tiempo, añora que se preocupen por ella, algo que no resulta molesto porque la humaniza y hace que sea un personaje creíble dadas sus circunstancias y su edad. A pesar de todo, la he notado más madura que en los libros anteriores.
El caso a investigar es el que más me ha atrapado hasta ahora y creo que la forma de desarrollarlo ha sido casi perfecta. El libro está destinado a un público juvenil, así que eso provoca que no haya una excesiva complejidad en la trama, pero eso no le resta interés. Aquí toca investigar la desaparición de Watson, el gran amigo de su hermano Sherlock, lo que hace que Enola corra más riesgo de que él la descubra. Es cierto que Enola se topa con algunas respuestas de forma casual, pero la autora consigue que no resulte surrealista porque se justifica bien que Enola realice los descubrimientos y que llegue a determinadas conclusiones.
Respecto al tema familiar, Sherlock es el que más participación tiene, aunque no llega a coger demasiado protagonismo. Aún así, sus pequeñas aportaciones valen oro, pero no por su perspicacia como detective, sino por la manera en que vamos viendo cómo evoluciona su opinión de Enola. La presencia de Mycroft es residual y solo me sorprendió cierta revelación del desenlace. El asunto de la madre aquí no avanza, realmente tengo la sensación de que la autora está reservando todo lo de ella para el último libro, y eso es un arma de doble filo, ya que puede llegar a decepcionar que no se resuelvan todos los interrogantes. Además, aunque sea de modo indirecto, se echa en falta que aparezca o que podamos saber mejor cómo era.
Con sus más y sus menos, esta novela se lee en un suspiro y se agradece que en ningún momento se infantilicen los comportamientos de los personajes. A esto hay que sumarle que la autora sabe introducir bien en la trama explicaciones sobre costumbres del siglo XIX en Inglaterra, y aprovecha para hacer una denuncia contra algunas injusticias. En esta ocasión, lo que más se toca es la facilidad para encerrar a alguien es una institución mental, especialmente a mujeres, solo por tener actitudes “reprochables” o poco decoro. No se ahonda en exceso en el asunto, pero se aprenden cosas.
Tal vez la puntuación real sería un 3,5/5, pero la voy a redondear al alza por lo adictiva que me ha resultado la lectura y por el hecho de que la investigación no ha dejado ningún cabo suelto.
February 3, 2017
If you liked this book, you might also enjoy:
✱ Flavia de Luce series
✱ Sally Lockhart series
✱ Flavia de Luce series
✱ Sally Lockhart series
October 5, 2020
Książka i film to dwie zupełnie odmienne historie!
Porównanie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5SdW...
Porównanie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5SdW...
May 10, 2022
Ach, jestem coraz ciekawsza, co będzie dalej i jak ostatecznie zakończy się rozgrywka pomiędzy Enolą a Sherlockiem! Naprawdę doceniam niewielką objętość i to, jak szybko można ją pochłonąć! :)
March 4, 2023
4,25/5
Kolejny reread po niemal 3 latach, a ja nadal jestem tak samo zachwycona ta historia.
Im Enola robi się starsza, tym mam wrazenie, ze bardziej niebezpieczne przygód ja spotykają. Mam na myśli, ze pojawia się więcej krwi, więcej akcji i więcej próby morderstwa jej osoby. Czasem zapominam, ze to zaledwie niemal 15 letnia dziewczyna. I może na tamte czasy to coś znaczyło, ale nadal jest tak młodziutka.
Jednak ta cześć przekonuje mnie tylko w postanowieniu, ze jako kobieta miała o wiele większe szanse rozwiązać te zagadkę niż policja czy Sherlock. Jej wiedza o kwiatach, o ubiorze i jej wdzięki pomagają jak nigdy.
I podoba mi się, ze mimo iż na codzień sama siebie opisuje jako zbyt podobna do Sherlocka, żeby być piękna, udowodniła sama sobie, ze może wystroić się na piękność, która olśni wszystkich do tego stopnia, ze nie pozna jej jej własny brat.
A ten ostatni rozdział? Chciałabym, żeby Sherlock znalazł sposób, by powiedzieć to Enoli osobiście.
2020:
Z każdą kolejną częścią trudniej się oderwać. Nie jest to może arcydzieło, ale czyta się szybko, historia wciąga i trudno nie polubić Enoli. Czekam teraz na tłumaczenie reszty części jej przygód, bo na pewno będzie się działo.
Kolejny reread po niemal 3 latach, a ja nadal jestem tak samo zachwycona ta historia.
Im Enola robi się starsza, tym mam wrazenie, ze bardziej niebezpieczne przygód ja spotykają. Mam na myśli, ze pojawia się więcej krwi, więcej akcji i więcej próby morderstwa jej osoby. Czasem zapominam, ze to zaledwie niemal 15 letnia dziewczyna. I może na tamte czasy to coś znaczyło, ale nadal jest tak młodziutka.
Jednak ta cześć przekonuje mnie tylko w postanowieniu, ze jako kobieta miała o wiele większe szanse rozwiązać te zagadkę niż policja czy Sherlock. Jej wiedza o kwiatach, o ubiorze i jej wdzięki pomagają jak nigdy.
I podoba mi się, ze mimo iż na codzień sama siebie opisuje jako zbyt podobna do Sherlocka, żeby być piękna, udowodniła sama sobie, ze może wystroić się na piękność, która olśni wszystkich do tego stopnia, ze nie pozna jej jej własny brat.
A ten ostatni rozdział? Chciałabym, żeby Sherlock znalazł sposób, by powiedzieć to Enoli osobiście.
2020:
Z każdą kolejną częścią trudniej się oderwać. Nie jest to może arcydzieło, ale czyta się szybko, historia wciąga i trudno nie polubić Enoli. Czekam teraz na tłumaczenie reszty części jej przygód, bo na pewno będzie się działo.
August 3, 2024
3er libro y Enola sigue pensando que está sola😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
La real "THE PROPHECY"
Estos libros me gustan mucho y amo a Enola, así que nunca es aburrido.
Me gustó el misterio y amo como trabaja el cerebro de mi pequeña detectiva, a veces siento que ella necesita un abrazo.
Y en cada pensamiento que usualmente tiene, evidencia su deseo de compañia, tanto de su madre o de sus hermanos.
Me gustaría que ella se abriera más a Sherlock, ya que es el más similar y no confía en él.
LA ÚLTIMA PARTE DEL LIBRO DUELE JUSTAMENTE POR ESO.
Seguiré leyéndola, porque la amo.
La real "THE PROPHECY"
Estos libros me gustan mucho y amo a Enola, así que nunca es aburrido.
Me gustó el misterio y amo como trabaja el cerebro de mi pequeña detectiva, a veces siento que ella necesita un abrazo.
Y en cada pensamiento que usualmente tiene, evidencia su deseo de compañia, tanto de su madre o de sus hermanos.
Me gustaría que ella se abriera más a Sherlock, ya que es el más similar y no confía en él.
LA ÚLTIMA PARTE DEL LIBRO DUELE JUSTAMENTE POR ESO.
Seguiré leyéndola, porque la amo.
August 28, 2023
3'75⭐YOUTUBE / INSTAGRAM
Mi favorito de Enola hasta el momento, sin duda alguna.
Del primero me gustó sobre todo la primera mitad, la segunda fue muy diferente a lo que yo esperaba en base a la peli, y fue más infantil de lo que tenía en mente.
Con el segundo libro, ya había ajustado las expectativas en cuanto al tono de la historia, pero es cierto que la resolución me pareció un tanto confusa, sobre todo teniendo en cuenta que, en principio, es un libro enfocado a un público middle-grade.
Ah, pero este... me lo he bebido en un par de días. La trama de la desaparición de Watson me ha gustado un montón. Todas las pesquisas que lleva a cabo Enola,me parece una prota muy interesante, y sus tejemanejes para que sus hermanos no la descubran... También me ha gustado cómo avanza mínimamente esta relación al final del libro. Aunque sea un pasito pequeño, es un pasito. Igual que el pasito que da Enola en su mentalidad con respecto a la desaparición de su madre, que aquí en los libros aún no se ha resuelto.
La verdad es que para mí todo el conjunto ha estado muy equilibrado y ahora tengo muchas ganas de ponerme con el siguiente.
Mi favorito de Enola hasta el momento, sin duda alguna.
Del primero me gustó sobre todo la primera mitad, la segunda fue muy diferente a lo que yo esperaba en base a la peli, y fue más infantil de lo que tenía en mente.
Con el segundo libro, ya había ajustado las expectativas en cuanto al tono de la historia, pero es cierto que la resolución me pareció un tanto confusa, sobre todo teniendo en cuenta que, en principio, es un libro enfocado a un público middle-grade.
Ah, pero este... me lo he bebido en un par de días. La trama de la desaparición de Watson me ha gustado un montón. Todas las pesquisas que lleva a cabo Enola,me parece una prota muy interesante, y sus tejemanejes para que sus hermanos no la descubran... También me ha gustado cómo avanza mínimamente esta relación al final del libro. Aunque sea un pasito pequeño, es un pasito. Igual que el pasito que da Enola en su mentalidad con respecto a la desaparición de su madre, que aquí en los libros aún no se ha resuelto.
La verdad es que para mí todo el conjunto ha estado muy equilibrado y ahora tengo muchas ganas de ponerme con el siguiente.
January 7, 2025
2025: The 2021 version of myself was not wrong.
_______________________________________________
2021: Really very happy that it occurred to me to re-read this series.
The mystery in itself never makes much difference to me, in these books. This one was rather twisted and as bizarre as the bouquets of the title, but, no matter as I am here for the character of Enola first, and Sherlock and Mycroft second. Somehow, Nancy Springer has created an entirely believable 14-year-old girl who feels lonely and bereft in one moment, and in the next is stalking around London as if she owns it. She has also taken the aloof and coldly logical Sherlock and Mycroft, and made them somehow lovable. AND written a series that manages to be charming while never hiding the dark aspects, the filth, and the reality.
I hope I am never forced to choose my favorite girl detective but if I am, it might be Enola.
_______________________________________________
2021: Really very happy that it occurred to me to re-read this series.
The mystery in itself never makes much difference to me, in these books. This one was rather twisted and as bizarre as the bouquets of the title, but, no matter as I am here for the character of Enola first, and Sherlock and Mycroft second. Somehow, Nancy Springer has created an entirely believable 14-year-old girl who feels lonely and bereft in one moment, and in the next is stalking around London as if she owns it. She has also taken the aloof and coldly logical Sherlock and Mycroft, and made them somehow lovable. AND written a series that manages to be charming while never hiding the dark aspects, the filth, and the reality.
I hope I am never forced to choose my favorite girl detective but if I am, it might be Enola.
December 19, 2020
I enjoyed this audiobook and the narrator, Katherine Kellgren has been making this series very enjoyable for me.
I can't give a very detailed review of this book because I've been binging books 3-6 of this series and now they're all a blur.
In this book, Dr Watson is missing and it was fun to see Enola and Sherlock trying to solve the mystery of his disappearance, not working together. I loved seeing Enola apply her vast knowledge of the language of flowers to solve this one.
As always, I love Enola and she's such a formidable heroine.
I loved this book and I highly recommend it.
I can't give a very detailed review of this book because I've been binging books 3-6 of this series and now they're all a blur.
In this book, Dr Watson is missing and it was fun to see Enola and Sherlock trying to solve the mystery of his disappearance, not working together. I loved seeing Enola apply her vast knowledge of the language of flowers to solve this one.
As always, I love Enola and she's such a formidable heroine.
I loved this book and I highly recommend it.
November 6, 2015
Springer definitely hit her stride with this one. Curious to see if this improving trend will carry on through the rest of the series. This case was curious and exciting, introducing even more Holmesian canon, with the significant cameos of Dr. Watson and his wife Mary. I found myself laughing, gasping a few times, as well as cringing in shock and disgust when the story reached its peak. Good fun, just as the others. As of right now, my favorite.
March 5, 2023
Wieder einmal ein interessantes Abenteuer von Enola. Bei diesen Büchern gilt wirklich "In der Kürze liegt die Würze". Also damit meine ich, dass hier nichts zur Streckung geschrieben wurde, sondern alles mit dem Fall und der Zeit drum herum zu tun hat.
Ich bin mir auch noch nicht ganz sicher, ob es von der Autorin eine gute Idee war, die Auflösung des Falls um den verschwundenen Dr. Watson im ersten Kapitel schon zu verraten oder nicht. Der Vorteil war, dass ich als Leser immer wusste, ob Enola auf der richtigen Spur ist oder nicht.
Auch hier wurden wieder recht erwachsene Themen untergebracht mit Referenzen zu den Impfgegnern des 19. Jahrhunderts und der Versorgung psychisch kranker Leute zu dieser Zeit. Ich kann diese Buchreihe also nur empfehlen.
Once again, an interesting adventure involving Enola. With these books, it's really "Keep it simple". So by that I mean that nothing was written here to stretch, but everything has to do with the case and the time around it.
I'm also not quite sure yet if it was a good idea of the author to give away the resolution of the case around the missing Dr. Watson in the first chapter already or not. The advantage was that I as a reader always knew whether Enola was on the right track or not.
Again, quite adult themes were accommodated with references to the anti-vaccinationists of the 19th century and the care of mentally ill people at that time. So I highly recommend this book series.
Ich bin mir auch noch nicht ganz sicher, ob es von der Autorin eine gute Idee war, die Auflösung des Falls um den verschwundenen Dr. Watson im ersten Kapitel schon zu verraten oder nicht. Der Vorteil war, dass ich als Leser immer wusste, ob Enola auf der richtigen Spur ist oder nicht.
Auch hier wurden wieder recht erwachsene Themen untergebracht mit Referenzen zu den Impfgegnern des 19. Jahrhunderts und der Versorgung psychisch kranker Leute zu dieser Zeit. Ich kann diese Buchreihe also nur empfehlen.
Once again, an interesting adventure involving Enola. With these books, it's really "Keep it simple". So by that I mean that nothing was written here to stretch, but everything has to do with the case and the time around it.
I'm also not quite sure yet if it was a good idea of the author to give away the resolution of the case around the missing Dr. Watson in the first chapter already or not. The advantage was that I as a reader always knew whether Enola was on the right track or not.
Again, quite adult themes were accommodated with references to the anti-vaccinationists of the 19th century and the care of mentally ill people at that time. So I highly recommend this book series.
October 30, 2025
Jedva čekam prevod ostalih djelova, nadam se da će ih biti, jer je ovo toliko jedna sjajna edicija, tj. ozbiljna sjajna detektivska priča uz ozbiljno sjajnu glavnu junakinju! 5⭐️ i 💐 lovorika za Enolu!
October 24, 2020
My entire weekend is gonna be Sherlocked! I read a Sherlock YA retelling this morning already, I'm planning to read another one tomorrow morning and after the finish of La Vuelta I had enough time to devour this lovely third installment in the Enola Holmes series. After the first book seemed a little unspectacular, especially compared to the movie, the second book certainly made up for that. I was therefore quite curious what the third book would bring!
And this book was amazingly cool from start to finish! Mostly because this time Enola's full focus was on the case she was dealing with. And not without reason, because James Watson is missing and she did specialize in finding lost people, didn't she? And therefore this book contains a lot of scheming, planning, going undercover, asking the right and wrong questions and some action where our Enola comes very close to a dangerous enemy.
Of course, Mycroft and Sherlock are still trying to find Enola. And although the focus is fully on the case, in between we also see glimpses of that. There are more messages to decipher in the newspaper, there are more traps to avoid, but most of all there is a really nice progression at the end of the story. Where Sherlock was quite convinced in the previous books that Enola couldn't be that smart, he's starting to notice that maybe she is. I hope that in time he and Enola can become friends, I'm pretty sure Enola would want that.
And I would also wish for Enola to have that little bit of happiness she longs for so badly. Since we spend the entire book in her head, we get quite a clear image of who she is. And although she's intelligent and willing to take risks to save people, it's quite clear that underneath she's just a girl who wants to be loved and cherished for who she is and not for the doll and fancy lady she could be with loads and loads of training. I really really hope, maybe against all odds, that she can get all that and more! I'll just keep on reading to find out.
And this book was amazingly cool from start to finish! Mostly because this time Enola's full focus was on the case she was dealing with. And not without reason, because James Watson is missing and she did specialize in finding lost people, didn't she? And therefore this book contains a lot of scheming, planning, going undercover, asking the right and wrong questions and some action where our Enola comes very close to a dangerous enemy.
Of course, Mycroft and Sherlock are still trying to find Enola. And although the focus is fully on the case, in between we also see glimpses of that. There are more messages to decipher in the newspaper, there are more traps to avoid, but most of all there is a really nice progression at the end of the story. Where Sherlock was quite convinced in the previous books that Enola couldn't be that smart, he's starting to notice that maybe she is. I hope that in time he and Enola can become friends, I'm pretty sure Enola would want that.
And I would also wish for Enola to have that little bit of happiness she longs for so badly. Since we spend the entire book in her head, we get quite a clear image of who she is. And although she's intelligent and willing to take risks to save people, it's quite clear that underneath she's just a girl who wants to be loved and cherished for who she is and not for the doll and fancy lady she could be with loads and loads of training. I really really hope, maybe against all odds, that she can get all that and more! I'll just keep on reading to find out.
March 14, 2024
This is another fun installment in what was originally supposed to be a 6 book series. Eleven years after the 6th book the series started up again with a new cover artist (or perhaps digital art, I have no idea since it was long past when any of my kids were reading them.) In this one, Enola's extensive knowledge of flowers and their meanings, which she learned from her mother, is of utmost importance in helping her solve this case. She dons at least one new disguise as she searches for the missing Dr. Watson and we meet some more colourful characters. There is no question that this is a good series in my mind.
February 10, 2021
So so so good!!!!!!
December 7, 2020
Afferrate la vostra lente d'ingrandimento e tuffatevi con me in questa nuova avventura ricca di pericoli e mistero, signori: stiamo per essere coinvolti ancora una volta nei guai della famiglia più in gamba e problematica d'Inghilterra: gli Holmes.
Perché, si sa, avere a che fare con menti brillanti ed eccentriche non è facile!
Sono onorata e fiera di potervi parlare di nuovo della nostra Enola, sorella minore dei fratelli Sherlock e Mycroft Holmes.
In questo terzo volume della saga edita in Italia da DeA, ho trovato un miglioramento madornale della penna dell'autrice, nonché una vera marcia in più nelle vicende.
Per quanto avessi temuto il contrario, come sapete delusa dal film, sapendo che in questo libro ci sarebbe stato un piede in più nelle vicende private di Sherlock, dato il coinvolgimento di Watson, per fortuna non è esistita alcuna delusione! Santo cielo, siano benedetti i libri e la casa editrice per averli portati in Italia. Solo il film avrebbe dato tutt'altra idea di Enola.
Ma andiamo, adesso, un po' di più in qualche dettaglio del nostro bellissimo terzo volume:
la storia riprende le vicende da dove le avevamo lasciate, con una Enola timorosa di dover cambiare ancora una volta identità e trovare un nuovo posto dove nascondersi dai suoi fratelli e il loro desiderio di renderla una signorina per bene, rinchiudendola in un collegio per nobili gentildonne.
Qualcosa stavolta, però, porta i suoi problemi in secondo piano: John Watson, assistente di suo fratello Sherlock, è scomparso!
Enola, che tiene tanto a John e sa quanto a sua volta ci tenga suo fratello, si mette in prima linea per scoprire chi è l'artefice dietro il suo rapimento. Ma riuscirà davvero ad investigare, facendola sotto al naso persino a Sherlock? Stavolta riuscirà a cavarsela da sola o per amore di una persona cara, collaborare non sarà una cattiva idea per i fratelli Holmes?
Tra intrighi e segreti, Enola Holmes si ritrova ancora una volta ad essere un ragazza che dona una rivalsa per le donne in un'epoca dove la loro più grande ambizione poteva essere solo quella di partorire una squadra di calcio.
Come sempre il libro è pieno di dettagli dell'epoca, tra usi, costumi e cibo, tutto è studiato con minuziosa attenzione.
Ho apprezzato particolarmente anche l'aver inserito, data la trama, anche la moglie di John - non era scontata la sua presenza, credetemi -.
Non aggiungo altro per non fare spoiler, se non che attendo con trepidazione la quarta uscita!
Consigliatissimo!
Perché, si sa, avere a che fare con menti brillanti ed eccentriche non è facile!
Sono onorata e fiera di potervi parlare di nuovo della nostra Enola, sorella minore dei fratelli Sherlock e Mycroft Holmes.
In questo terzo volume della saga edita in Italia da DeA, ho trovato un miglioramento madornale della penna dell'autrice, nonché una vera marcia in più nelle vicende.
Per quanto avessi temuto il contrario, come sapete delusa dal film, sapendo che in questo libro ci sarebbe stato un piede in più nelle vicende private di Sherlock, dato il coinvolgimento di Watson, per fortuna non è esistita alcuna delusione! Santo cielo, siano benedetti i libri e la casa editrice per averli portati in Italia. Solo il film avrebbe dato tutt'altra idea di Enola.
Ma andiamo, adesso, un po' di più in qualche dettaglio del nostro bellissimo terzo volume:
la storia riprende le vicende da dove le avevamo lasciate, con una Enola timorosa di dover cambiare ancora una volta identità e trovare un nuovo posto dove nascondersi dai suoi fratelli e il loro desiderio di renderla una signorina per bene, rinchiudendola in un collegio per nobili gentildonne.
Qualcosa stavolta, però, porta i suoi problemi in secondo piano: John Watson, assistente di suo fratello Sherlock, è scomparso!
Enola, che tiene tanto a John e sa quanto a sua volta ci tenga suo fratello, si mette in prima linea per scoprire chi è l'artefice dietro il suo rapimento. Ma riuscirà davvero ad investigare, facendola sotto al naso persino a Sherlock? Stavolta riuscirà a cavarsela da sola o per amore di una persona cara, collaborare non sarà una cattiva idea per i fratelli Holmes?
Tra intrighi e segreti, Enola Holmes si ritrova ancora una volta ad essere un ragazza che dona una rivalsa per le donne in un'epoca dove la loro più grande ambizione poteva essere solo quella di partorire una squadra di calcio.
Come sempre il libro è pieno di dettagli dell'epoca, tra usi, costumi e cibo, tutto è studiato con minuziosa attenzione.
Ho apprezzato particolarmente anche l'aver inserito, data la trama, anche la moglie di John - non era scontata la sua presenza, credetemi -.
Non aggiungo altro per non fare spoiler, se non che attendo con trepidazione la quarta uscita!
Consigliatissimo!
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