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Enola Holmes #7
Enola Holmes i sprawa czarnego powozu
Robi, co tylko zechce, wystarczy, że się na to zdecyduje... Enola Holmes, ulubiona bohaterka nastolatków, znowu rozwiązuje kryminalne zagadki. Przy gwałtownym sprzeciwie słynnego brata, Holmesa. Komu kibicujesz w tym pojedynku?
Enola Holmes powraca w Sprawie czarnego powozu – kolejnej opowieści, której akcja dzieje się w barwnych wiktoriańskich czasach. I to powraca w wielkim stylu! Jest zabawna, bystra, inteligentna i przebiegła. Idealne cechy dla młodej detektywki. A oto, jak się tym razem zaczyna ta historia...
U pogrążonego w melancholii Sherlocka Holmesa zjawia się panna Letitia Glover, która nie wierzy w śmierć ukochanej siostry bliźniaczki. Enola, która akurat jest na miejscu, nie marnuje okazji i przepytuje zdesperowaną klientkę brata. Wątpliwości obojga detektywów budzi ton listu od męża zmarłej, nie wspominając o podejrzanej zawartości urny z jej prochami.
Mimo gwałtownego sprzeciwu brata Enola rusza na poszukiwania. Szybko dowiaduje się, że Felicity Glover nie była jedyną żoną hrabiego Dunhencha, która odeszła nagle i w niewyjaśnionych okolicznościach. Odkrywa też, że sprawa jej zniknięcia związana jest z tajemniczym czarnym powozem. Aby odkryć sekrety niebezpiecznego hrabiego, Enola będzie potrzebowała pomocy Sherlocka, siostry zaginionej oraz swego dawnego przyjaciela – wicehrabiego Tewkesbury, markiza Basilwether...
Enola Holmes i sprawa czarnego powozu to idealna lektura dla tych wszystkich, którzy pokochali brawurowe ekranizacje z Millie Bobby Brown i Henrym Cavillem w rolach głównych. I nie mogą się doczekać kolejnych przygód bystrej Enoli, której towarzyszy słynny brat. Możemy już zdradzić, że to nie koniec przygód słynnej perdytorystki i detektywki! Spodziewajcie się kolejnych książek z serii!
Enola Holmes powraca w Sprawie czarnego powozu – kolejnej opowieści, której akcja dzieje się w barwnych wiktoriańskich czasach. I to powraca w wielkim stylu! Jest zabawna, bystra, inteligentna i przebiegła. Idealne cechy dla młodej detektywki. A oto, jak się tym razem zaczyna ta historia...
U pogrążonego w melancholii Sherlocka Holmesa zjawia się panna Letitia Glover, która nie wierzy w śmierć ukochanej siostry bliźniaczki. Enola, która akurat jest na miejscu, nie marnuje okazji i przepytuje zdesperowaną klientkę brata. Wątpliwości obojga detektywów budzi ton listu od męża zmarłej, nie wspominając o podejrzanej zawartości urny z jej prochami.
Mimo gwałtownego sprzeciwu brata Enola rusza na poszukiwania. Szybko dowiaduje się, że Felicity Glover nie była jedyną żoną hrabiego Dunhencha, która odeszła nagle i w niewyjaśnionych okolicznościach. Odkrywa też, że sprawa jej zniknięcia związana jest z tajemniczym czarnym powozem. Aby odkryć sekrety niebezpiecznego hrabiego, Enola będzie potrzebowała pomocy Sherlocka, siostry zaginionej oraz swego dawnego przyjaciela – wicehrabiego Tewkesbury, markiza Basilwether...
Enola Holmes i sprawa czarnego powozu to idealna lektura dla tych wszystkich, którzy pokochali brawurowe ekranizacje z Millie Bobby Brown i Henrym Cavillem w rolach głównych. I nie mogą się doczekać kolejnych przygód bystrej Enoli, której towarzyszy słynny brat. Możemy już zdradzić, że to nie koniec przygód słynnej perdytorystki i detektywki! Spodziewajcie się kolejnych książek z serii!
264 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2021
464 people are currently reading
10175 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Springer
190 books2,331 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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May 23, 2021
Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche
by Nancy Springer brings together Sherlock Holmes and his much younger sister Enola in a teen / young adult historical mystery set in London and Surrey in 1889. There are several previous books in this series, but this one worked well as a standalone. Mystery, suspense, and humor are blended together in an appealing new case for Enola.
At fifteen, Enola is living on her own at the Professional Women’s Club and has a history of sleuthing. While she is visiting Sherlock a young woman, Miss Letitia Glover, shows up desperate to learn more about the fate of her twin sister, Felicity. Felicity’s husband of two years sent a note that she had died and needed to be cremated. Letitia believes she would know it if her sister was dead. Enola decides to go undercover to determine what happened to Felicity.
Enola is a likeable character; she’s is witty, thoughtful, outgoing, and a master of disguises. But sometimes she is short of facts and that can get her into hot water. How she and Sherlock think and analyze situations is fun to see unfold. Besides Sherlock, Dr. Watson and the Viscount Tewksbury put in appearances as well.
The author does a good job of world-building. I was able to easily visualize the settings, the people, the clothing, and the homes. The atmosphere felt right for the times resulting in a strong sense of time and place. Unraveling the mystery was enjoyable. While the mystery is not overly complicated, it is solid and entertaining. Additionally, amidst the tension and suspense, there are bits of humor that lighten the tone of the story. The ending wrapped things up nicely. While the prologue and epilogue are from Sherlock’s point of view, everything in between is from that of Enola. For those that haven’t read the previous books, the prologue does a great job of bringing readers up to speed.
Overall, this book was an engaging and enjoyable historical mystery that moved at a quick pace. Themes include treatment of women in the late 1800’s, clothing, disguises, friendship, injustices, sibling relationships, and much more. There are some disturbing descriptions of the conditions in some institutions of the times.
I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. Readers that enjoy young adult historical mysteries will likely enjoy this series. There is a movie out that is based on an earlier book.
St. Martin’s Press – Wednesday Books and Nancy Springer provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for August 31, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
At fifteen, Enola is living on her own at the Professional Women’s Club and has a history of sleuthing. While she is visiting Sherlock a young woman, Miss Letitia Glover, shows up desperate to learn more about the fate of her twin sister, Felicity. Felicity’s husband of two years sent a note that she had died and needed to be cremated. Letitia believes she would know it if her sister was dead. Enola decides to go undercover to determine what happened to Felicity.
Enola is a likeable character; she’s is witty, thoughtful, outgoing, and a master of disguises. But sometimes she is short of facts and that can get her into hot water. How she and Sherlock think and analyze situations is fun to see unfold. Besides Sherlock, Dr. Watson and the Viscount Tewksbury put in appearances as well.
The author does a good job of world-building. I was able to easily visualize the settings, the people, the clothing, and the homes. The atmosphere felt right for the times resulting in a strong sense of time and place. Unraveling the mystery was enjoyable. While the mystery is not overly complicated, it is solid and entertaining. Additionally, amidst the tension and suspense, there are bits of humor that lighten the tone of the story. The ending wrapped things up nicely. While the prologue and epilogue are from Sherlock’s point of view, everything in between is from that of Enola. For those that haven’t read the previous books, the prologue does a great job of bringing readers up to speed.
Overall, this book was an engaging and enjoyable historical mystery that moved at a quick pace. Themes include treatment of women in the late 1800’s, clothing, disguises, friendship, injustices, sibling relationships, and much more. There are some disturbing descriptions of the conditions in some institutions of the times.
I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. Readers that enjoy young adult historical mysteries will likely enjoy this series. There is a movie out that is based on an earlier book.
St. Martin’s Press – Wednesday Books and Nancy Springer provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for August 31, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
December 14, 2023
Tewky is back!
Yes, dear reader. This is the first time the little lord has shown up since book #1.
And he's adorable. I see a friendship blossoming here...
That was my main takeaway from this installment and if that makes me a bad person, so be it.
Another thing that made this fun was that Enola works this case with her brother, Sherlock.
So what happens is that Watson gets worried about Sherlock's behavior because he has sunk into a depression. He goes to Enola.
Enola then trots over to 221 Baker Street and annoys her brother out of his funk. In other words, she gets on his nerves and then decides to get on his nerves even more by taking the case of a young woman who had just come to see him.
Naturally, Sherlock can't let his little sister have all the fun so he drags himself off his couch and they take on the problem together.
This case involves a Bluebeard, twins, and a look at how easily unruly wives were disposed of in asylums back in the day.
I think this is my favorite of the entire series!
Recommended.
Yes, dear reader. This is the first time the little lord has shown up since book #1.
And he's adorable. I see a friendship blossoming here...
That was my main takeaway from this installment and if that makes me a bad person, so be it.
Another thing that made this fun was that Enola works this case with her brother, Sherlock.
So what happens is that Watson gets worried about Sherlock's behavior because he has sunk into a depression. He goes to Enola.
Enola then trots over to 221 Baker Street and annoys her brother out of his funk. In other words, she gets on his nerves and then decides to get on his nerves even more by taking the case of a young woman who had just come to see him.
Naturally, Sherlock can't let his little sister have all the fun so he drags himself off his couch and they take on the problem together.
This case involves a Bluebeard, twins, and a look at how easily unruly wives were disposed of in asylums back in the day.
I think this is my favorite of the entire series!
Recommended.
January 4, 2024
I loved this book! Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this latest (#7) in the Enola Holmes series, by Nancy Springer. I am late to the party since this is the first book it the series that I’ve read, but it works as a stand-alone. Book #6 of the series was published over a decade ago! This new book in the series follows the successful screening of the Enola Holmes Netflix film of 2020. (I must live in a cave with no electricity or internet, otherwise I would not have to wait for my sister to tell me what’s on the telly, whenever we discuss a book that I loved).
Enola is the younger (still) fifteen-year-old sister of Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes. The book opens with a brief intro of the character and her background, and then gallops off (double entendre intended) into a fun, briskly paced mystery and historical romp that works well for Middle School-Aged, Young Adults, and Young at Heart Adults (like me).
Our heroine, Enola, doesn’t fall far from the tree and is endowed with her own deductive abilities as well as many of her older brother’s brilliant detective skills. In this case, a woman visits the Baker Street dwelling of Sherlock. Enola, who is attending her brother, immediately takes to the woman and promises to help her. The woman, Tish (aka Letitia) seeks Holmes’ assistance in finding her twin sister, Felicity. Tish believes that Felicity has disappeared or is otherwise indisposed – despite her brother-in-law Cad’s laconic letter informing her that Felicity took suddenly ill and died (and by the way here is an urn with her ashes…). Tish does not believe that her sister died, and claims that as a twin, she would have sensed her sister’s death if it were true.
Now the scene is set for the investigation and exciting adventure in this historic, atmospheric mystery. There is much undercover subterfuge as Enola, together with her good friend Tewky (from an earlier novel), Sherlock, and Tish work together to find out what really befell Felicity at the hands of (her lecherous) Cad (of a husband), the Earl of Dunhench.
I loved the prose, which contributed to the historical ambience of the novel. I loved the feisty and adventurous Enola, at once a hellion, escaping out of second story windows or driving a buggy being led by a crazy, wild horse named Jezebel, and other times, dressed in ‘a russet delaine trimmed with muted gold, replete with gloves and parasol, and ravishing a hat in the latest fashion worn on the back of the head tilted up to peak in front with a froth of autumn-coloured flowers tucked underneath the brim’, described by Sherlock as “like a frigate in need of a figurehead”.
Although there is much humor in this novel, there are also disturbing descriptions of the conditions in insane asylums of the period – nothing we haven’t read before or seen in numerous other period pieces, but disturbing never-the-less.
I’m so excited to have six earlier novels to look forward to reading…and judging from the success of the television movie, I’m guessing there will be more Enola Holmes adventures to be read in the future.
Enola is the younger (still) fifteen-year-old sister of Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes. The book opens with a brief intro of the character and her background, and then gallops off (double entendre intended) into a fun, briskly paced mystery and historical romp that works well for Middle School-Aged, Young Adults, and Young at Heart Adults (like me).
Our heroine, Enola, doesn’t fall far from the tree and is endowed with her own deductive abilities as well as many of her older brother’s brilliant detective skills. In this case, a woman visits the Baker Street dwelling of Sherlock. Enola, who is attending her brother, immediately takes to the woman and promises to help her. The woman, Tish (aka Letitia) seeks Holmes’ assistance in finding her twin sister, Felicity. Tish believes that Felicity has disappeared or is otherwise indisposed – despite her brother-in-law Cad’s laconic letter informing her that Felicity took suddenly ill and died (and by the way here is an urn with her ashes…). Tish does not believe that her sister died, and claims that as a twin, she would have sensed her sister’s death if it were true.
Now the scene is set for the investigation and exciting adventure in this historic, atmospheric mystery. There is much undercover subterfuge as Enola, together with her good friend Tewky (from an earlier novel), Sherlock, and Tish work together to find out what really befell Felicity at the hands of (her lecherous) Cad (of a husband), the Earl of Dunhench.
I loved the prose, which contributed to the historical ambience of the novel. I loved the feisty and adventurous Enola, at once a hellion, escaping out of second story windows or driving a buggy being led by a crazy, wild horse named Jezebel, and other times, dressed in ‘a russet delaine trimmed with muted gold, replete with gloves and parasol, and ravishing a hat in the latest fashion worn on the back of the head tilted up to peak in front with a froth of autumn-coloured flowers tucked underneath the brim’, described by Sherlock as “like a frigate in need of a figurehead”.
Although there is much humor in this novel, there are also disturbing descriptions of the conditions in insane asylums of the period – nothing we haven’t read before or seen in numerous other period pieces, but disturbing never-the-less.
I’m so excited to have six earlier novels to look forward to reading…and judging from the success of the television movie, I’m guessing there will be more Enola Holmes adventures to be read in the future.
August 30, 2021
Enola Holmes is the seventh story in Nancy Springer's series of Middle Grade mysteries featuring Sherlock's younger sister. If you haven't read the previous titles in the series, don't worry: a) it can be easily read as a standalone b) we get a prologue from Sherlock with a hilarious recap of Enola's previous adventures. We also learn from this introduction that fifteen-year-old Enola is a very independent and resourceful young lady.
When Dr Watson writes to her and asks her to help with one of Sherlock's famous bouts of melancholia, she immediately hurries to Baker Street. While she is there, trying to get any kind of reaction from her depressed brother, a desperate potential client arrives. Miss Letitia Glover, a young professional woman (a typist) desperately needs Sherlock's detective expertise to help her locate her twin sister Felicity. Felicity's rich husband, the Earl of Dunhench, sent Tish a note informing her that her sister unexpectedly fell ill and passed away and has been already cremated (a practice most victorians were suspicious of). Nevertheless, Tish is convinced that Felicity is still alive. While Enola is immediately moved by her pleas, Sherlock's interest is only piqued when it turns out that the ashes aren't human.
Enola is a delightful character. She is smart, determined, witty, and doesn't take herself too seriously. She's also extremely enterprising and brave. This is a historical mystery, so all of her adventures are set against the background of the Victorian society. The book is rich in detail - from changing fashions, food, transportation, homes and institutions to typical attitudes that will seem strange and often unfair to a modern reader.
It was great to see how Enola and Sherlock worked on the case, approaching it in similar ways-they both collected information, using various disguises, looked at the evidence, detected forged documents and even set up a trap for the culprit.
The writing was very engaging, easy to follow and fun to read. I would definitely recommend it not just to MG/YA audience, but anyone who likes entertaining mysteries with a strong, independent female lead.
Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin'sPress/Wednesday Books for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
When Dr Watson writes to her and asks her to help with one of Sherlock's famous bouts of melancholia, she immediately hurries to Baker Street. While she is there, trying to get any kind of reaction from her depressed brother, a desperate potential client arrives. Miss Letitia Glover, a young professional woman (a typist) desperately needs Sherlock's detective expertise to help her locate her twin sister Felicity. Felicity's rich husband, the Earl of Dunhench, sent Tish a note informing her that her sister unexpectedly fell ill and passed away and has been already cremated (a practice most victorians were suspicious of). Nevertheless, Tish is convinced that Felicity is still alive. While Enola is immediately moved by her pleas, Sherlock's interest is only piqued when it turns out that the ashes aren't human.
Enola is a delightful character. She is smart, determined, witty, and doesn't take herself too seriously. She's also extremely enterprising and brave. This is a historical mystery, so all of her adventures are set against the background of the Victorian society. The book is rich in detail - from changing fashions, food, transportation, homes and institutions to typical attitudes that will seem strange and often unfair to a modern reader.
It was great to see how Enola and Sherlock worked on the case, approaching it in similar ways-they both collected information, using various disguises, looked at the evidence, detected forged documents and even set up a trap for the culprit.
The writing was very engaging, easy to follow and fun to read. I would definitely recommend it not just to MG/YA audience, but anyone who likes entertaining mysteries with a strong, independent female lead.
Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin'sPress/Wednesday Books for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
May 4, 2021
Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche
by Nancy Springer
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this fun and exciting book!
I find Enola just as exciting, if not more, than Holmes! She is a bit brash, always daring, and will take on just about anything! Her and Holmes make a great team! In this book Holmes is in a terrible funk and Watson is worried about him. Holmes won't eat, shave, or get out of bed. Watson wants Enola to come cheer him up.
When Enola arrives, she finds Holmes in a dreadful state and is unable to get him moving. That is until Holmes gets a case but Enola takes it instead. Holmes then perks up! This is just what he needed! Enola and Holmes set about to save a woman before it's too late.
The woman states she received a letter saying her sister died suddenly and was cremated. It just seemed suspicious. The husband is a Duke that married below his status. The case is exciting, has suspense, clever, and sprinkled with wit and humor.
I watched the one show that aired having Enola so I could picture all this happening! I hope they make this into one also! Recommend for middle grade and up!
by Nancy Springer
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this fun and exciting book!
I find Enola just as exciting, if not more, than Holmes! She is a bit brash, always daring, and will take on just about anything! Her and Holmes make a great team! In this book Holmes is in a terrible funk and Watson is worried about him. Holmes won't eat, shave, or get out of bed. Watson wants Enola to come cheer him up.
When Enola arrives, she finds Holmes in a dreadful state and is unable to get him moving. That is until Holmes gets a case but Enola takes it instead. Holmes then perks up! This is just what he needed! Enola and Holmes set about to save a woman before it's too late.
The woman states she received a letter saying her sister died suddenly and was cremated. It just seemed suspicious. The husband is a Duke that married below his status. The case is exciting, has suspense, clever, and sprinkled with wit and humor.
I watched the one show that aired having Enola so I could picture all this happening! I hope they make this into one also! Recommend for middle grade and up!
June 3, 2021
I am excited to present my first guest review, from my wonderful wife, Kate! Thanks, babe, for your review of this book, the seventh in Nancy Springer's Enola Holmes' series.
When I heard there was going to be another book in the Enola Holmes series, I jumped at the chance and promised my book-loving wife that I would write a guest review. So, here it is! Please accept my apologies ahead of time for the fact that I cannot (and would never dare try to) match the quality and skill that my wife demonstrates in her own book reviews.
Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche, by Nancy Springer, is another book in the growing series following Ms. Enola Holmes, the 15 year old sister of the famous Sherlock Holmes. This book is being released over 10 years after the last published novel, which came out in 2010. The earlier six novels covered the ongoing story of Enola’s (often contentious) relationship with her brothers (Sherlock and Mycroft), as well as brought the reader resolution about Enola’s missing/runaway mother. This new story starts with a Prologue written by none other than Sherlock himself, who provides a summary of these tales, and tells of his earlier encounters with Enola. His introduction even suggests his level of respect for her has improved dramatically. The new story finds the young detective (or Scientific Perditorian, as she has dubbed herself) seeking the whereabouts of Miss Leticia Glover’s twin sister, Flossie. Glover has been told that her sister has died, but the circumstances surrounding Flossie’s death are mysteriously vague. Initially, Glover seeks the assistance of Mr. Sherlock Holmes, but she ends up with the masterful pair of Enola and Sherlock, who are finally working together on a case. The two detectives set out, albeit in opposite directions, to ascertain the fate of the missing twin.
I think the allure of these books for me is the underlying message that Enola is as good as, if not better (or at least cleverer) than her notorious older brother. In the previous stories I enjoyed her ability to reach conclusions before him, even if she was getting there with only a slight edge. This particular story seamlessly continues the message that Enola’s keen mind works in ways that Sherlock’s doesn’t.
I thoroughly enjoyed this seventh book in the Enola Holmes series and hope that the author continues with her story. And, while I do enjoy that Enola and Sherlock have mended their relationship and are able to work together, I hope Enola can still find time to shine on her own. This particular book began with a Prologue from Sherlock, and ended with an Epilogue also penned from his perspective. As these stories are supposed to be Enola’s, it felt wrong for the final word to be coming from someone else. Beyond that, this was an excellent mystery and fun, quick read.
We received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press / Wednesday Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for BLACK BAROUCHE on 08/31/2021!
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When I heard there was going to be another book in the Enola Holmes series, I jumped at the chance and promised my book-loving wife that I would write a guest review. So, here it is! Please accept my apologies ahead of time for the fact that I cannot (and would never dare try to) match the quality and skill that my wife demonstrates in her own book reviews.
Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche, by Nancy Springer, is another book in the growing series following Ms. Enola Holmes, the 15 year old sister of the famous Sherlock Holmes. This book is being released over 10 years after the last published novel, which came out in 2010. The earlier six novels covered the ongoing story of Enola’s (often contentious) relationship with her brothers (Sherlock and Mycroft), as well as brought the reader resolution about Enola’s missing/runaway mother. This new story starts with a Prologue written by none other than Sherlock himself, who provides a summary of these tales, and tells of his earlier encounters with Enola. His introduction even suggests his level of respect for her has improved dramatically. The new story finds the young detective (or Scientific Perditorian, as she has dubbed herself) seeking the whereabouts of Miss Leticia Glover’s twin sister, Flossie. Glover has been told that her sister has died, but the circumstances surrounding Flossie’s death are mysteriously vague. Initially, Glover seeks the assistance of Mr. Sherlock Holmes, but she ends up with the masterful pair of Enola and Sherlock, who are finally working together on a case. The two detectives set out, albeit in opposite directions, to ascertain the fate of the missing twin.
I think the allure of these books for me is the underlying message that Enola is as good as, if not better (or at least cleverer) than her notorious older brother. In the previous stories I enjoyed her ability to reach conclusions before him, even if she was getting there with only a slight edge. This particular story seamlessly continues the message that Enola’s keen mind works in ways that Sherlock’s doesn’t.
I thoroughly enjoyed this seventh book in the Enola Holmes series and hope that the author continues with her story. And, while I do enjoy that Enola and Sherlock have mended their relationship and are able to work together, I hope Enola can still find time to shine on her own. This particular book began with a Prologue from Sherlock, and ended with an Epilogue also penned from his perspective. As these stories are supposed to be Enola’s, it felt wrong for the final word to be coming from someone else. Beyond that, this was an excellent mystery and fun, quick read.
We received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press / Wednesday Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for BLACK BAROUCHE on 08/31/2021!
Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ PaperBackSwap ~ Smashbomb
June 19, 2021
Imagine my surprise when I learned that this delightful diversion by Nancy Springer, Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche, is the seventh in a series! I wish to thank NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review. Opinions stated are my own.
Enola, an unusual name that is “alone” spelled backwards, is the 15-year-old sister of the famous Sherlock Holmes. In the introduction, Holmes indicates that his sister is basically annoying and insinuates that he’d rather not have to bother with her. He does, however, grudgingly admit that she is clever.
This proves to be true when Enola becomes the lead investigator on what she dubs, “the Case of the Black Barouche.” Barouche? I know, I had to look it up too. It’s a horse-drawn carriage, but that’s all I’m saying about that. Her brother is suffering one of his episodes of depression, and Enola has dropped by to try to coax him out of it when Letitia “Tish” Glover appears seeking to hire Sherlock Holmes to find her sister Felicity (“Flossie”). She has received a letter from Flossie’s husband informing her that her sister has died. There’s more to it than that, but Tish does not believe it. Being a twin, she says she would “know” if her sister were dead. Since Holmes appears to be incapacitated for the moment, Enola begins firing questions and agrees to look into the matter herself. That’s all it takes for her brother to revive and refresh himself to join the adventure.
And what an adventure it turns out to be! Enola is inventive and creative when it comes to costumes, disguises, and aliases. She can concoct a story to wiggle her way into a situation and out of it again, if need be. Does trouble find her? It most certainly does! Does she get the job done? Wait and see!
Holmes himself does play a role, as does his sidekick, Dr. Watson. Enola seems to have a sidekick of her own, Viscount Tewkesbury, Marquess of Basilwether, whom she affectionately refers to as Tewky. She also forms quite a loyalty toward her client. The relationship between Sherlock and Enola is an interesting one. Because of their age difference, they were not raised together, and their interactions struck me as more like uncle and niece, perhaps, rather than brother-sister. There is humor and even mutual admiration mixed in as they seem to still be discovering each other.
The author does a great job capturing a sense of place and time, complete with customs of the time. For instance, a woman was not allowed to travel or stay at an inn without a male companion. I also found myself making frequent use of the online dictionary to find the meanings of unfamiliar words and phrases of the times, words far beyond barouche. Enola balks, as she endeavors to be independent, but she manages to make do. It struck me that while she makes some rookie mistakes, she is quite sharp and mature for her age. While I know that today’s teenager females attend school and usually remain unwed until later in life than those in the times depicted in this story, it still seemed to me a bit of a stretch that Enola was on her own throughout much of this investigation – and that, for the most part, she managed to pull it off!
I enjoyed the mystery. It wasn’t what so much as where, and it was also a question of how they would ever find the missing sister of their client. The conclusion was a whole lot of fun.
4 stars
Enola, an unusual name that is “alone” spelled backwards, is the 15-year-old sister of the famous Sherlock Holmes. In the introduction, Holmes indicates that his sister is basically annoying and insinuates that he’d rather not have to bother with her. He does, however, grudgingly admit that she is clever.
This proves to be true when Enola becomes the lead investigator on what she dubs, “the Case of the Black Barouche.” Barouche? I know, I had to look it up too. It’s a horse-drawn carriage, but that’s all I’m saying about that. Her brother is suffering one of his episodes of depression, and Enola has dropped by to try to coax him out of it when Letitia “Tish” Glover appears seeking to hire Sherlock Holmes to find her sister Felicity (“Flossie”). She has received a letter from Flossie’s husband informing her that her sister has died. There’s more to it than that, but Tish does not believe it. Being a twin, she says she would “know” if her sister were dead. Since Holmes appears to be incapacitated for the moment, Enola begins firing questions and agrees to look into the matter herself. That’s all it takes for her brother to revive and refresh himself to join the adventure.
And what an adventure it turns out to be! Enola is inventive and creative when it comes to costumes, disguises, and aliases. She can concoct a story to wiggle her way into a situation and out of it again, if need be. Does trouble find her? It most certainly does! Does she get the job done? Wait and see!
Holmes himself does play a role, as does his sidekick, Dr. Watson. Enola seems to have a sidekick of her own, Viscount Tewkesbury, Marquess of Basilwether, whom she affectionately refers to as Tewky. She also forms quite a loyalty toward her client. The relationship between Sherlock and Enola is an interesting one. Because of their age difference, they were not raised together, and their interactions struck me as more like uncle and niece, perhaps, rather than brother-sister. There is humor and even mutual admiration mixed in as they seem to still be discovering each other.
The author does a great job capturing a sense of place and time, complete with customs of the time. For instance, a woman was not allowed to travel or stay at an inn without a male companion. I also found myself making frequent use of the online dictionary to find the meanings of unfamiliar words and phrases of the times, words far beyond barouche. Enola balks, as she endeavors to be independent, but she manages to make do. It struck me that while she makes some rookie mistakes, she is quite sharp and mature for her age. While I know that today’s teenager females attend school and usually remain unwed until later in life than those in the times depicted in this story, it still seemed to me a bit of a stretch that Enola was on her own throughout much of this investigation – and that, for the most part, she managed to pull it off!
I enjoyed the mystery. It wasn’t what so much as where, and it was also a question of how they would ever find the missing sister of their client. The conclusion was a whole lot of fun.
4 stars
October 6, 2022
this is such a unique and fun book! i’m a fan of the enola holmes movie, so i decided to pick this one up and give it a try, and i’m glad i did! it’s a short book that goes by really quickly. the mystery was really fun and i loved seeing sherlock featured as well. the writing in this novel is also really well-done and it describes london in the late 1800s perfectly. i highly recommend this one for fans of the movie, sherlock holmes, or people just wanting a good ya mystery.
May 8, 2021
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ever since I watched Enola on Netflix, I was very happy to dive into Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche. There was just something about Enola that left me in awe. Yes, I got some parts of Sherlock in her but she had her own kind of sass to things. She definitely amused me. So, it's safe to say that I was very happy when I got approved to dive into this book.
Long story short, I loved it. I liked getting to see her and Sherlock work together to solve this. They are so alike in so many ways but how they get to certain things just amazes me. These two just made this entire book so freaking entertaining. Also, I liked seeing Watson! Even if he wasn't how I pictured he would be.
In the end, I loved the sass, wit, banter, and everything else in between. This entire book was enjoyable from start to finish and I can't wait for the next one. Maybe I will dive into her entire series this year. Maybe even his. I'd be down for both because I love their movies.
Bring it on.
Ever since I watched Enola on Netflix, I was very happy to dive into Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche. There was just something about Enola that left me in awe. Yes, I got some parts of Sherlock in her but she had her own kind of sass to things. She definitely amused me. So, it's safe to say that I was very happy when I got approved to dive into this book.
Long story short, I loved it. I liked getting to see her and Sherlock work together to solve this. They are so alike in so many ways but how they get to certain things just amazes me. These two just made this entire book so freaking entertaining. Also, I liked seeing Watson! Even if he wasn't how I pictured he would be.
In the end, I loved the sass, wit, banter, and everything else in between. This entire book was enjoyable from start to finish and I can't wait for the next one. Maybe I will dive into her entire series this year. Maybe even his. I'd be down for both because I love their movies.
Bring it on.
January 24, 2022
I really loved the Enola Holmes books as a pre-teen. I plotted endless adventures for her growing up, falling in love, and solving mysteries alongside her brothers. So, to have an actual real-life story of her post-events of book 6...it was like a dream come true.
But then reviews started coming out. And a lot of people who read the book for the same nostalgia trip that I did started saying that this didn't live up to their expectations. Talk about crushing. I braced myself for disappointment.
And I am delighted to report...I LIKED IT.
I did not love it. But I enjoyed it.
The story keeps things action-packed. We don't get quite as many disguises from Enola, but we do get a running commentary on fashion. And we get some fun moments with Sherlock.
If I have one main complaint, it is that the story goes a little too girl-power for my tastes. I'm all for a strong heroine and I think Enola has amply demonstrated that she is one. But the thing that appealed to me about Enola in her earlier books was that she was a character who worked within the limitations placed on her by society. This book too often felt like she was bucking against them because she couldn't be bothered to remember they existed. (Like the number of times she got in trouble for traveling without a maid.)
And was the insane asylum thing done before in this series or am I crazy?
Pre-Review
I've imagined so many adventures for Enola post book 6 that I'm both thrilled and terrified to continue the series.
But then reviews started coming out. And a lot of people who read the book for the same nostalgia trip that I did started saying that this didn't live up to their expectations. Talk about crushing. I braced myself for disappointment.
And I am delighted to report...I LIKED IT.
I did not love it. But I enjoyed it.
The story keeps things action-packed. We don't get quite as many disguises from Enola, but we do get a running commentary on fashion. And we get some fun moments with Sherlock.
If I have one main complaint, it is that the story goes a little too girl-power for my tastes. I'm all for a strong heroine and I think Enola has amply demonstrated that she is one. But the thing that appealed to me about Enola in her earlier books was that she was a character who worked within the limitations placed on her by society. This book too often felt like she was bucking against them because she couldn't be bothered to remember they existed. (Like the number of times she got in trouble for traveling without a maid.)
And was the insane asylum thing done before in this series or am I crazy?
Pre-Review
I've imagined so many adventures for Enola post book 6 that I'm both thrilled and terrified to continue the series.
January 5, 2025
I'm so glad to say that the first book I've read in 2025 was absolutely amazing!
Every part of this book was phenomenal. It wasn't too long but the perfect length, and it never seemed to drag on.
I've read too many newer series and books with complex, done before, terrible plots. This book has such a simple idea with such a simple, unique plot line but it is done to perfection. This was so refreshing and everyone should read it!
I have to say that this has been the most captivating book I've read in a while since I think I've probably been in a bit of a slump and just didn't know it.
(Also, I should just say that I haven't read the books previous to this one and understood everything just fine!)
The characters were delightful and I love the banter between Sherlock and Enola. Tewkesbury was an adorable character and I love him to pieces!
Enola is adventurous and very smart. She seems very eager to help people and get herself into sticky situations when something needs to be done.
"Confound skirts, which seemed designed by malicious intent to prevent women from doing anything adventuresome, let alone climbing gates—".
So...if you looking for a fun, short, and excitable book, take this as a sign and read it.
~4.5
Every part of this book was phenomenal. It wasn't too long but the perfect length, and it never seemed to drag on.
I've read too many newer series and books with complex, done before, terrible plots. This book has such a simple idea with such a simple, unique plot line but it is done to perfection. This was so refreshing and everyone should read it!
I have to say that this has been the most captivating book I've read in a while since I think I've probably been in a bit of a slump and just didn't know it.
(Also, I should just say that I haven't read the books previous to this one and understood everything just fine!)
The characters were delightful and I love the banter between Sherlock and Enola. Tewkesbury was an adorable character and I love him to pieces!
Enola is adventurous and very smart. She seems very eager to help people and get herself into sticky situations when something needs to be done.
"Confound skirts, which seemed designed by malicious intent to prevent women from doing anything adventuresome, let alone climbing gates—".
So...if you looking for a fun, short, and excitable book, take this as a sign and read it.
~4.5
July 25, 2025
After a brief pause, we return to our regularly scheduled Enola!
OK, the pause was actually eleven years, which is brief compared to things that take much longer than eleven years...
Between 2006 and 2010 Nancy Springer published the first six Enola Holmes mysteries, which I have read and reviewed separately, and also summed up in my review of the omnibus collection here. In short -- they are tremendous fun, the perfect refreshment after reading something longer and more serious. The final novel in this series of six, The Case of the Disappearing Duchess, brought the series to a neat conclusion. We learned that Enola's mother had disappeared because she was ill, and that she had died sometime in the ensuing year. Furthermore, Enola was reconciled with her brothers Sherlock and Mycroft. And there the story rested for eleven real-world years.
In 2020 Netflix released an Enola Holmes movie (which I have seen) and in 2022 a second (which I have not). In 2021 Springer rebooted the book series with this novel. I am of course delighted at the resumption of the series, but was also apprehensive that it might have been changed to take after the movie, which is quite different from the books.
This apprehension was not unfounded, but I was pleased to find that Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche was still a lot of fun. It is based almost entirely on the earlier books and continues them in story, characters, and overall nature. The main changes are the ones that follow from the events of Disappearing Duchess -- Enola now has a relationship with her brothers, particularly Sherlock, and is no longer hunting for her mother. Also, there is one change for which I suspect we have the movie to thank. Viscount Tewksbury, Marquess of Basilwether, whom Enola calls "Tewky", to his annoyance, is only a minor character in the novels, despite having been the missing Marquess in the title of the first of them. In the movie, however, he was elevated to male lead, and there is even a hint of romance between him and Enola (though the action never goes beyond looking soulfully into each other's eyes). Tewky is back in Black Barouche, though -- thank the Lord -- only as a friend.
Black Barouche begins with a prolog by Sherlock in which he nicely summarizes the first six novels. It also ends with an epilog by Sherlock.
The story begins when Watson shows up on Enola's doorstep to tell her he is worried about Sherlock, who has fallen into melancholia -- the nineteenth century term for depression. (This, by the way, is true to Arthur Conan Doyle's original Sherlock Holmes stories -- Sherlock was subject to occasional black moods.) Enola decides to annoy him out of his lethargy. She visits him at 221B Baker St, and while she is unsuccessfully annoying Sherlock (let me clarify -- she is entirely successful at annoying him, but not at getting him up off the couch), a lady shows up desiring to engage Sherlock's services to look into the untimely death of her sister. Sherlock is too depressed to be interested, but Enola volunteers her help. This, finally, gets Sherlock off the couch, and together he, Enola, Miss Glover (the lady whose sister was lost), Watson, and Tewky investigate.
It is every bit as fun as the first six Enola Holmes mysteries. There are currently (24-Oct-2023) two more Enola Holmes novels, published in 2022 and 2023, and I will certainly read them.
The book ends with a short story, Enola Holmes and the Boy in Buttons, which I have reviewed separately -- it's also fun. If you buy Black Barouche, you need not buy Boy in Buttons.
Blog review.
OK, the pause was actually eleven years, which is brief compared to things that take much longer than eleven years...
Between 2006 and 2010 Nancy Springer published the first six Enola Holmes mysteries, which I have read and reviewed separately, and also summed up in my review of the omnibus collection here. In short -- they are tremendous fun, the perfect refreshment after reading something longer and more serious. The final novel in this series of six, The Case of the Disappearing Duchess, brought the series to a neat conclusion. We learned that Enola's mother had disappeared because she was ill, and that she had died sometime in the ensuing year. Furthermore, Enola was reconciled with her brothers Sherlock and Mycroft. And there the story rested for eleven real-world years.
In 2020 Netflix released an Enola Holmes movie (which I have seen) and in 2022 a second (which I have not). In 2021 Springer rebooted the book series with this novel. I am of course delighted at the resumption of the series, but was also apprehensive that it might have been changed to take after the movie, which is quite different from the books.
This apprehension was not unfounded, but I was pleased to find that Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche was still a lot of fun. It is based almost entirely on the earlier books and continues them in story, characters, and overall nature. The main changes are the ones that follow from the events of Disappearing Duchess -- Enola now has a relationship with her brothers, particularly Sherlock, and is no longer hunting for her mother. Also, there is one change for which I suspect we have the movie to thank. Viscount Tewksbury, Marquess of Basilwether, whom Enola calls "Tewky", to his annoyance, is only a minor character in the novels, despite having been the missing Marquess in the title of the first of them. In the movie, however, he was elevated to male lead, and there is even a hint of romance between him and Enola (though the action never goes beyond looking soulfully into each other's eyes). Tewky is back in Black Barouche, though -- thank the Lord -- only as a friend.
Black Barouche begins with a prolog by Sherlock in which he nicely summarizes the first six novels. It also ends with an epilog by Sherlock.
The story begins when Watson shows up on Enola's doorstep to tell her he is worried about Sherlock, who has fallen into melancholia -- the nineteenth century term for depression. (This, by the way, is true to Arthur Conan Doyle's original Sherlock Holmes stories -- Sherlock was subject to occasional black moods.) Enola decides to annoy him out of his lethargy. She visits him at 221B Baker St, and while she is unsuccessfully annoying Sherlock (let me clarify -- she is entirely successful at annoying him, but not at getting him up off the couch), a lady shows up desiring to engage Sherlock's services to look into the untimely death of her sister. Sherlock is too depressed to be interested, but Enola volunteers her help. This, finally, gets Sherlock off the couch, and together he, Enola, Miss Glover (the lady whose sister was lost), Watson, and Tewky investigate.
It is every bit as fun as the first six Enola Holmes mysteries. There are currently (24-Oct-2023) two more Enola Holmes novels, published in 2022 and 2023, and I will certainly read them.
The book ends with a short story, Enola Holmes and the Boy in Buttons, which I have reviewed separately -- it's also fun. If you buy Black Barouche, you need not buy Boy in Buttons.
Blog review.
June 7, 2021
Gobbled up this fab teen/YA mystery in one sitting! Loved the character in the Netflix movie and was thrilled to get this ARC from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
The book — seventh in the series — is a total winner. We get to see Sherlock Holmes and his much younger sister, Enola, work together to solve a confounding crime. Enola is every bit as smart, clever, curious, and fearless as her famous brother. All the usual characters show up but it is Enola who steals the show. I wish I’d had this engaging series to read when I first got into Nancy Drew as a teen. Now, I MUST go back and read the previous six Enola adventures. Perfect for mystery lovers of all ages!
5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 31 Aug 2021
#EnolaHolmes #StMartinsPress #NetGalley
Merged review:
Gobbled up this fab teen/YA mystery in one sitting! Loved the character in the Netflix movie and was thrilled to get this ARC from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
The book — seventh in the series — is a total winner. We get to see Sherlock Holmes and his much younger sister, Enola, work together to solve a confounding crime. Enola is every bit as smart, clever, curious, and fearless as her famous brother. All the usual characters show up but it is Enola who steals the show. I wish I’d had this engaging series to read when I first got into Nancy Drew as a teen. Now, I MUST go back and read the previous six Enola adventures. Perfect for mystery lovers of all ages!
5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 31 Aug 2021
#EnolaHolmes #StMartinsPress #NetGalley
The book — seventh in the series — is a total winner. We get to see Sherlock Holmes and his much younger sister, Enola, work together to solve a confounding crime. Enola is every bit as smart, clever, curious, and fearless as her famous brother. All the usual characters show up but it is Enola who steals the show. I wish I’d had this engaging series to read when I first got into Nancy Drew as a teen. Now, I MUST go back and read the previous six Enola adventures. Perfect for mystery lovers of all ages!
5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 31 Aug 2021
#EnolaHolmes #StMartinsPress #NetGalley
Merged review:
Gobbled up this fab teen/YA mystery in one sitting! Loved the character in the Netflix movie and was thrilled to get this ARC from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
The book — seventh in the series — is a total winner. We get to see Sherlock Holmes and his much younger sister, Enola, work together to solve a confounding crime. Enola is every bit as smart, clever, curious, and fearless as her famous brother. All the usual characters show up but it is Enola who steals the show. I wish I’d had this engaging series to read when I first got into Nancy Drew as a teen. Now, I MUST go back and read the previous six Enola adventures. Perfect for mystery lovers of all ages!
5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 31 Aug 2021
#EnolaHolmes #StMartinsPress #NetGalley
January 4, 2022
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2021/12/26/...
Like so many others, I discovered Enola Holmes as a Netflix movie before finding out about the series of books it was based on—a series that has been around since 2006, no less. Now more than a decade after the last book, Nancy Springer has returned with Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche, which is the seventh installment though it can be read as a standalone. In fact, Enola’s famous older brother Sherlock gives a rather thorough recap in the prologue, covering her adventures in mystery solving from the previous six books, allowing seamless access into this one.
Following this brief but detailed recap, we jump right into the meat of the story. At fifteen, our protagonist is already living on her own in London, visiting 221B Baker Street after Watson informs her that Sherlock hasn’t been himself as of late. But while Enola is there attending to her brother, a young woman named Tish shows up seeking the detective to consult on a difficult case. An Earl had recently become smitten with Tish’s twin sister Flossie, and the two married despite her being far beneath his station. Now a letter has come from the nobleman informing Tish that Flossie had died from a sudden illness, one that was so severe that the body had to be cremated almost immediately out of an abundance of caution.
Because of the vagueness and curt tone of the note though, Tish has reason to suspect that the Earl may not be telling the truth. Growing up, she and her twin were also very close, and if Flossie had truly died, Tish insists that she would have felt the death in her gut. Instead, her instincts tell her that there is more to the letter, and despite the urn that came along with it ostensibly containing Flossie’s ashes, Enola agrees. So, with Sherlock still being in a funk and feeling indisposed, she decides to step up and help the bereaved young woman.
What follows next is a delightful mix of humor and sleuthing action as Enola does what she does best, utilizing multiple disguises to travel to different places, questioning witnesses and gathering evidence. A clever, resourceful, and confident young lady, she is just such a joy to read about! Even when caught in sticky situations, she powers through the awkwardness with courage and determination, and usually still comes out on top with helpful information towards the case.
And of course, watching Enola carry out her investigations also lights a fire under Sherlock. Newly motivated, he comes up with his own ways to help Tish and his sister, and though his attitude is very different from Enola’s, their two investigative styles complement each other well. While the two are polar opposites in temperament with many years separating them, there’s clear affection between the siblings which was heartwarming to see, even if they do get on each other’s nerves sometimes.
The writing was also accessible and fast-paced, perfected suited for the young adult or higher middle grade audience these books were meant for, though I think adults will also enjoy this immensely. I know I did. Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche was a quick read that I would absolutely recommend to fans of engaging historical mysteries or Sherlock Holmes-type stories with a twist. Our witty and fearless protagonist is almost guaranteed to steal some hearts and bring about a few smiles, and I can’t wait to read more, either the previous books or future installments if we’re fortunate!
Like so many others, I discovered Enola Holmes as a Netflix movie before finding out about the series of books it was based on—a series that has been around since 2006, no less. Now more than a decade after the last book, Nancy Springer has returned with Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche, which is the seventh installment though it can be read as a standalone. In fact, Enola’s famous older brother Sherlock gives a rather thorough recap in the prologue, covering her adventures in mystery solving from the previous six books, allowing seamless access into this one.
Following this brief but detailed recap, we jump right into the meat of the story. At fifteen, our protagonist is already living on her own in London, visiting 221B Baker Street after Watson informs her that Sherlock hasn’t been himself as of late. But while Enola is there attending to her brother, a young woman named Tish shows up seeking the detective to consult on a difficult case. An Earl had recently become smitten with Tish’s twin sister Flossie, and the two married despite her being far beneath his station. Now a letter has come from the nobleman informing Tish that Flossie had died from a sudden illness, one that was so severe that the body had to be cremated almost immediately out of an abundance of caution.
Because of the vagueness and curt tone of the note though, Tish has reason to suspect that the Earl may not be telling the truth. Growing up, she and her twin were also very close, and if Flossie had truly died, Tish insists that she would have felt the death in her gut. Instead, her instincts tell her that there is more to the letter, and despite the urn that came along with it ostensibly containing Flossie’s ashes, Enola agrees. So, with Sherlock still being in a funk and feeling indisposed, she decides to step up and help the bereaved young woman.
What follows next is a delightful mix of humor and sleuthing action as Enola does what she does best, utilizing multiple disguises to travel to different places, questioning witnesses and gathering evidence. A clever, resourceful, and confident young lady, she is just such a joy to read about! Even when caught in sticky situations, she powers through the awkwardness with courage and determination, and usually still comes out on top with helpful information towards the case.
And of course, watching Enola carry out her investigations also lights a fire under Sherlock. Newly motivated, he comes up with his own ways to help Tish and his sister, and though his attitude is very different from Enola’s, their two investigative styles complement each other well. While the two are polar opposites in temperament with many years separating them, there’s clear affection between the siblings which was heartwarming to see, even if they do get on each other’s nerves sometimes.
The writing was also accessible and fast-paced, perfected suited for the young adult or higher middle grade audience these books were meant for, though I think adults will also enjoy this immensely. I know I did. Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche was a quick read that I would absolutely recommend to fans of engaging historical mysteries or Sherlock Holmes-type stories with a twist. Our witty and fearless protagonist is almost guaranteed to steal some hearts and bring about a few smiles, and I can’t wait to read more, either the previous books or future installments if we’re fortunate!
August 12, 2021
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me an e-ARC of Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer in exchange for an honest review.
4 stars
I had no idea that there was an Enola Holmes book series before I saw this on Netgalley. Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche was really fun to dive into and I will most likely be reading the rest of the series some time this year (This book can be read on it's own without the knowledge of what had happened in the previous books).
Enola Holmes is the 15 year old sister of Sherlock Holmes. When Sherlock falls into a state of depression after a long case, Dr.Watson visits Enola in hopes she could lift his spirits. While Enola is at Sherlock's house in an attempt to help him, Letitia Glover stops by seeking the aid of Sherlock. Tish (Letita) had received a letter from her twin sister Felicity 'Flossie' Glover's husband, telling Tish that Flossie had passed away from sickness, and was cremated before anybody has even heard news of her death. Tish doesn't believe it, so Enola says she will help her investigate. Upon hearing that Enola would be investigating alone, Sherlock agrees to help too.
I deeply enjoyed watching Sherlock and Enola work together, along with their dialogue in it's humor and wit. I also love the message that young women are capable, empowered, and independent. What I would've changed is that there wasn't really a reason behind what the villain did. Basically, all that was said was 'that's how he is'. That didn't detract much from how much I enjoyed the book though.
Overall, Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche was a very enjoyable mystery and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
4 stars
I had no idea that there was an Enola Holmes book series before I saw this on Netgalley. Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche was really fun to dive into and I will most likely be reading the rest of the series some time this year (This book can be read on it's own without the knowledge of what had happened in the previous books).
Enola Holmes is the 15 year old sister of Sherlock Holmes. When Sherlock falls into a state of depression after a long case, Dr.Watson visits Enola in hopes she could lift his spirits. While Enola is at Sherlock's house in an attempt to help him, Letitia Glover stops by seeking the aid of Sherlock. Tish (Letita) had received a letter from her twin sister Felicity 'Flossie' Glover's husband, telling Tish that Flossie had passed away from sickness, and was cremated before anybody has even heard news of her death. Tish doesn't believe it, so Enola says she will help her investigate. Upon hearing that Enola would be investigating alone, Sherlock agrees to help too.
I deeply enjoyed watching Sherlock and Enola work together, along with their dialogue in it's humor and wit. I also love the message that young women are capable, empowered, and independent. What I would've changed is that there wasn't really a reason behind what the villain did. Basically, all that was said was 'that's how he is'. That didn't detract much from how much I enjoyed the book though.
Overall, Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche was a very enjoyable mystery and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
July 12, 2021
Thank you so much Wednesday Books for sending me an ARC of this new Enola Holmes mystery!
I had so much fun reading this book! I adore Enola Holmes and read the first books of this series a long time ago and then watched the movie when it came out so I was thrilled to be sent an ARC of this new one!
Enola Holmes is the role model young readers need today! She is so strong and doesn't take patriarchal idealogy from anyone! I loved her witty banter and ideas I never would have come up with! Enola gets into some sticky situations that are so enthralling to read about and kept me turning pages well past my bedtime!
The mystery of this book was incredible! Enola's client is looking for clues about her twin sister who mysteriously died soon after marrying an earl. These peculiar circumstances made for a fast-paced and twist-filled novel! Enola manages to unravel clues leading to her client's sister, but not everything is as it seems. So many twists caught me off guard! I was absolutely reeling by the end of this story!
Make sure to preorder this new Enola Holmes mystery! Each of the books in this series can be read separately so don't worry about being confused if you haven't read books #1-6!
I had so much fun reading this book! I adore Enola Holmes and read the first books of this series a long time ago and then watched the movie when it came out so I was thrilled to be sent an ARC of this new one!
Enola Holmes is the role model young readers need today! She is so strong and doesn't take patriarchal idealogy from anyone! I loved her witty banter and ideas I never would have come up with! Enola gets into some sticky situations that are so enthralling to read about and kept me turning pages well past my bedtime!
The mystery of this book was incredible! Enola's client is looking for clues about her twin sister who mysteriously died soon after marrying an earl. These peculiar circumstances made for a fast-paced and twist-filled novel! Enola manages to unravel clues leading to her client's sister, but not everything is as it seems. So many twists caught me off guard! I was absolutely reeling by the end of this story!
Make sure to preorder this new Enola Holmes mystery! Each of the books in this series can be read separately so don't worry about being confused if you haven't read books #1-6!
August 27, 2023
Czuć, że ta książka została stworzona po przerwie (Enola miała się zakończyć na 6 tomach, ten został wydany po 10 latach) – jest bardziej dojrzała, ma całkiem inną strukturę, wydaje się mniej dziecinna, a bardziej skupia się na intrydze kryminalnej. Ależ bym obejrzała film z ekranizacją tej części :D
May 29, 2021
As I kid, I loved this series.
It was always a little cutesy and awkwardly self-aware, but I sure did not care. I enjoyed the way Enola approaches cases from a totally different avenue than Sherlock, blowing his mind every time, and the subversion of the "I run away dressed as a boy" trope. I was interested in the fiddly details of the mysteries. I was intensely invested in whatever resolution she might or might not achieve in her family relationships.
You better believe that I SLAMMED that download button the very minute I got approved for an eARC.
This latest installment in the series is meant to work as a standalone as well, so there's a little prologue by Sherlock that quickly recaps the road so far. I was a bit worried that the truce Enola and Sherlock had reached would be walked back to create more conflict, but I'm so happy to be wrong. Instead, the latest case has them working together a lot (mostly) and occasionally at cross purposes.
It's still a little awkward, and now that I'm older it's harder to take Enola's quips and "wink at the reader" sort of attitude. The mystery also seemed a little shaky. Why did the villain end up doing what he did? Because that's just "how he is!" Okay, sure, but please give him a direct motive that holds water other than just inherent, senseless villainy.
Still fully enjoyable, though.
I liked the chaos that accompanied Enola in this. It's been a while since I read the rest of the series, so maybe this is just par for the course, but she seemed especially off the rails in this one. Exactly how I'd expect a fifteen-year-old flinging herself into the jaws of danger to end up. I also liked the client -- one of the nice things about this series is the way Enola approaches the clients, often ending up long-term friends with them. The opposite of Sherlock's detachment.
And Tewkesbury makes a few appearances! This is a bit unnecessary and shoehorned-in since his part could have been played by any random hired worker, which is Sherlock's usual M.O. But still nice, since I do enjoy seeing Tewkesbury regardless of the reason.
Overall, this was a fun blast from the past. I really would like to see where Enola goes from here, so any further installments in the series will get no complaints from me.
It was always a little cutesy and awkwardly self-aware, but I sure did not care. I enjoyed the way Enola approaches cases from a totally different avenue than Sherlock, blowing his mind every time, and the subversion of the "I run away dressed as a boy" trope. I was interested in the fiddly details of the mysteries. I was intensely invested in whatever resolution she might or might not achieve in her family relationships.
You better believe that I SLAMMED that download button the very minute I got approved for an eARC.
This latest installment in the series is meant to work as a standalone as well, so there's a little prologue by Sherlock that quickly recaps the road so far. I was a bit worried that the truce Enola and Sherlock had reached would be walked back to create more conflict, but I'm so happy to be wrong. Instead, the latest case has them working together a lot (mostly) and occasionally at cross purposes.
It's still a little awkward, and now that I'm older it's harder to take Enola's quips and "wink at the reader" sort of attitude. The mystery also seemed a little shaky. Why did the villain end up doing what he did? Because that's just "how he is!" Okay, sure, but please give him a direct motive that holds water other than just inherent, senseless villainy.
Still fully enjoyable, though.
I liked the chaos that accompanied Enola in this. It's been a while since I read the rest of the series, so maybe this is just par for the course, but she seemed especially off the rails in this one. Exactly how I'd expect a fifteen-year-old flinging herself into the jaws of danger to end up. I also liked the client -- one of the nice things about this series is the way Enola approaches the clients, often ending up long-term friends with them. The opposite of Sherlock's detachment.
And Tewkesbury makes a few appearances! This is a bit unnecessary and shoehorned-in since his part could have been played by any random hired worker, which is Sherlock's usual M.O. But still nice, since I do enjoy seeing Tewkesbury regardless of the reason.
Overall, this was a fun blast from the past. I really would like to see where Enola goes from here, so any further installments in the series will get no complaints from me.
September 5, 2021
4.3 Stars
********
The book has been published.
********
It sure feels like I’m living under a rock when I didn’t even know about the existence of Enola Holmes and the past 6 cases she solved. Nor was I aware of the movie released last year that led to another book in the series after more than 10 years.
But I’m glad to have redeemed my mistake. All the previous books are in my TBR now. I may watch the movie, though I’ll read the book first.
Thankfully, this book starts with a brief recap covering the series. It’s narrated by none other than Sherlock. The author had done justice to his character and retained most of his grumpiness and dry humor.
Enola is now fifteen and ready to take on a case again. Her banter with Sherlock is fun to read. Enola steps in and takes over the case when Letitia Glover goes to Sherlock for help.
What else can she do when her brother is having one of his bouts again, and the poor Miss Glover was worried for her twin sister? The case doesn’t have too many twists and turns and comes to a satisfactory ending. Enola does her share of sleuthing, going undercover, getting caught, escaping, and finally working with her experienced brother to solve the case together. Viscount Tewky and Dr. Watson are roped in to play their roles.
Written for the YA audience, the book is mostly lighthearted. But it does have a couple of disturbing scenes. The author presented them well, so that shouldn’t really be a problem.
To conclude, I totally enjoyed reading this book. If you are a fan of mysteries, the Victorian era, resourceful heroines, and the YA genre, this one is for you. And hey, it’s got Sherlock too!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/ Wednesday Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
************
Read the full review here.
********
The book has been published.
********
It sure feels like I’m living under a rock when I didn’t even know about the existence of Enola Holmes and the past 6 cases she solved. Nor was I aware of the movie released last year that led to another book in the series after more than 10 years.
But I’m glad to have redeemed my mistake. All the previous books are in my TBR now. I may watch the movie, though I’ll read the book first.
Thankfully, this book starts with a brief recap covering the series. It’s narrated by none other than Sherlock. The author had done justice to his character and retained most of his grumpiness and dry humor.
Enola is now fifteen and ready to take on a case again. Her banter with Sherlock is fun to read. Enola steps in and takes over the case when Letitia Glover goes to Sherlock for help.
What else can she do when her brother is having one of his bouts again, and the poor Miss Glover was worried for her twin sister? The case doesn’t have too many twists and turns and comes to a satisfactory ending. Enola does her share of sleuthing, going undercover, getting caught, escaping, and finally working with her experienced brother to solve the case together. Viscount Tewky and Dr. Watson are roped in to play their roles.
Written for the YA audience, the book is mostly lighthearted. But it does have a couple of disturbing scenes. The author presented them well, so that shouldn’t really be a problem.
To conclude, I totally enjoyed reading this book. If you are a fan of mysteries, the Victorian era, resourceful heroines, and the YA genre, this one is for you. And hey, it’s got Sherlock too!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/ Wednesday Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
************
Read the full review here.
August 8, 2021
I loved this book! Smart, witty, often humorous dialogue, a fantastic cast of characters, a good mystery, fast pace. Sherlock and Enola’s relationship is realistic as brother and sister, and great fun to observe. Enola is smart, fearless, and adventurous - a likable and caring young woman who is completely capable of handling herself against the unscrupulous and those who mean to defy her mission.
A wonderful, very enjoyable, clean read. Suitable to read as a stand alone.
The book cover was outstanding, and displays Enola’s beauty and independent spirit.
5 Big Stars - can’t wait for the next installment.
My profound thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
A wonderful, very enjoyable, clean read. Suitable to read as a stand alone.
The book cover was outstanding, and displays Enola’s beauty and independent spirit.
5 Big Stars - can’t wait for the next installment.
My profound thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 1, 2021
Enola Holmes—Sherlock’s teen sister—receives a missive from dear Dr. Watson warning of her brother's decreasing health due to a bout of depression. As is the duty of a loving sister Enola takes it upon herself to visit her dear brother and rouse him from his melancholia. On her visit, she overhears a most curious case of a twin-sister deceased by mysterious circumstances and sets off to outwit her brothers and solve the case.
Enola Holmes is many things, fearless, tenacious, brilliant, and sometimes feckless, but I love her role of sister the most. I adored how Enola insinuates herself into Sherlocks' cases becoming a super-sleuth in her own right as she outfoxes her famous brother. Despite her mature demeanor, this insistence on trumping her brothers is such a fun and juvenile act of a loving sister.
From an unconventional upbringing, which may or may not have led to her outright shunning of society's norms to her sharp intellect and witty sense of humor, I can think of no better role model for young impressionable teens globally. Her role as Perditorian- a finder of that which was lost- allows her to showcase not only her sharp tongue and brazen personality, but embraces her true passion for solving mysteries and flexing her considerable intellectual prowess.
Enola Holmes represents such an integral role for women's progression, especially within the time this novel was set, where women could not rent a room without a chaperone or male relative present. I venerate her free spirit and most of all her unwavering tenacity. Enola is not bound by society’s restraints but a free spirit, a wanderer, a nomad, being able to fit into everywhere but not truly belonging.
I relished Enola's growth throughout the series, from a young unkempt girl, running around barefoot in the fields of her ancestral home, to a proper young woman with a taste for society's fashions. Enola has managed to integrate the aspects of society she finds pleasing without allowing it to consumer her personality and I admire that. This is a powerful lesson in the ability of young women to chart their own course, their own destiny, without succumbing to the fancies of society.
The juxtaposition between Tewkesbury and Enola is delightful! I enjoy seeing his boyish innocence against her worldly weariness and the ability for him to keep her grounded, to maintain hope and faith in humanity.
Nancy Springer is an inspiring writer and her vivid descriptions make readers feel as if they are running alongside young Enola, through the streets of London. I believe it takes true mastery to pen something in such prim and proper language without readers feeling intimidated. Her ability to keep readers at the edge of their seats with such intriguing mysteries while entertaining them with the sharp and eccentric banter of Enola and Sherlock is incredible.
I do wish we saw more Mycroft, but alas, there are always future novels for us to discover more adventures of the charming, stylish and intelligent Ms. Enola Holmes.
Thank you to the wonderful folks at St. Martins Publishing Group for inviting me to participate in the Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche Blog Tour and for providing me with an arc. My blog stop can be seen here: https://jessicareadsit.wordpress.com/...
Enola Holmes is many things, fearless, tenacious, brilliant, and sometimes feckless, but I love her role of sister the most. I adored how Enola insinuates herself into Sherlocks' cases becoming a super-sleuth in her own right as she outfoxes her famous brother. Despite her mature demeanor, this insistence on trumping her brothers is such a fun and juvenile act of a loving sister.
From an unconventional upbringing, which may or may not have led to her outright shunning of society's norms to her sharp intellect and witty sense of humor, I can think of no better role model for young impressionable teens globally. Her role as Perditorian- a finder of that which was lost- allows her to showcase not only her sharp tongue and brazen personality, but embraces her true passion for solving mysteries and flexing her considerable intellectual prowess.
Enola Holmes represents such an integral role for women's progression, especially within the time this novel was set, where women could not rent a room without a chaperone or male relative present. I venerate her free spirit and most of all her unwavering tenacity. Enola is not bound by society’s restraints but a free spirit, a wanderer, a nomad, being able to fit into everywhere but not truly belonging.
I relished Enola's growth throughout the series, from a young unkempt girl, running around barefoot in the fields of her ancestral home, to a proper young woman with a taste for society's fashions. Enola has managed to integrate the aspects of society she finds pleasing without allowing it to consumer her personality and I admire that. This is a powerful lesson in the ability of young women to chart their own course, their own destiny, without succumbing to the fancies of society.
The juxtaposition between Tewkesbury and Enola is delightful! I enjoy seeing his boyish innocence against her worldly weariness and the ability for him to keep her grounded, to maintain hope and faith in humanity.
Nancy Springer is an inspiring writer and her vivid descriptions make readers feel as if they are running alongside young Enola, through the streets of London. I believe it takes true mastery to pen something in such prim and proper language without readers feeling intimidated. Her ability to keep readers at the edge of their seats with such intriguing mysteries while entertaining them with the sharp and eccentric banter of Enola and Sherlock is incredible.
I do wish we saw more Mycroft, but alas, there are always future novels for us to discover more adventures of the charming, stylish and intelligent Ms. Enola Holmes.
Thank you to the wonderful folks at St. Martins Publishing Group for inviting me to participate in the Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche Blog Tour and for providing me with an arc. My blog stop can be seen here: https://jessicareadsit.wordpress.com/...
July 1, 2023
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
Enola Holmes meets with Sherlock and Watson too help her friend find her twin sister. They investigate the earl and come up with a plan to find the sister. The plan comes off with a few bumps and the twin sisters are back together. I would recommend this series and author to fans of Sherlock Holmes and readers mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡
Enola Holmes meets with Sherlock and Watson too help her friend find her twin sister. They investigate the earl and come up with a plan to find the sister. The plan comes off with a few bumps and the twin sisters are back together. I would recommend this series and author to fans of Sherlock Holmes and readers mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡
February 9, 2024
I loved having some chapters in Sherlock's perspective! and I also loved having Enola actually work with him rather than running away from her brothers.
Very impressed with the writing still being consistent from the last book considering it was written 11 years before this one. Overall I love this series.
Very impressed with the writing still being consistent from the last book considering it was written 11 years before this one. Overall I love this series.
August 27, 2021
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
Young Adult is not a genre I have ever read. At least, not since I was 12 and was really into Nancy Drew. So why, you may ask, am I reading this one? I saw the first book as a production on Netflix and loved it. But, more importantly, my 11 year old granddaughter loved it. I thought if the books were half as good as the PBS show, this would be a great way to encourage her to read more. Although I would not recommend this book for kids as young as my granddaughter, I highly recommend it for teens and older. The prose and situations are just not appropriate for younger readers. For me, I loved it. Enola is a kick-ass heroine and I loved how she took charge of this case and wouldn't let go.
Sherlock Holmes and his brother, Mycroft, have their hands full trying to manage there 15 year old sister, Enola. After trying, they have come to realize that Enola just isn't the sweet young proper English girl they envisioned. After trying, unsuccessfully, they have backed off and everyone is much happier. While Enola is visiting to Sherlock, a young woman comes to him for help. Miss Letitia Glover has received distressing news that her twin sister has taken ill and died suddenly. The note from Felicity's husband, the Earl of Dunhench, is short, brisk and not at all what a grieving husband would write. Letitia doesn't believe her sister is dead and neither do Enola and Sherlock.
As they delve into the death they discover forged documents and a connection to the Earl's first wife, who also died suspiciously. Enola goes undercover in the Earl's home, over the protest of Sherlock, and discovers that Felicity went missing after a mysterious black barouche was seen at the house. Enola and Sherlock form a plan, but to pull it off they need the help of Leticia, Dr. Watson and Enola's friend, the Viscount Tewkesbury, Marquess of Basilwether.
Young Adult is not a genre I have ever read. At least, not since I was 12 and was really into Nancy Drew. So why, you may ask, am I reading this one? I saw the first book as a production on Netflix and loved it. But, more importantly, my 11 year old granddaughter loved it. I thought if the books were half as good as the PBS show, this would be a great way to encourage her to read more. Although I would not recommend this book for kids as young as my granddaughter, I highly recommend it for teens and older. The prose and situations are just not appropriate for younger readers. For me, I loved it. Enola is a kick-ass heroine and I loved how she took charge of this case and wouldn't let go.
Sherlock Holmes and his brother, Mycroft, have their hands full trying to manage there 15 year old sister, Enola. After trying, they have come to realize that Enola just isn't the sweet young proper English girl they envisioned. After trying, unsuccessfully, they have backed off and everyone is much happier. While Enola is visiting to Sherlock, a young woman comes to him for help. Miss Letitia Glover has received distressing news that her twin sister has taken ill and died suddenly. The note from Felicity's husband, the Earl of Dunhench, is short, brisk and not at all what a grieving husband would write. Letitia doesn't believe her sister is dead and neither do Enola and Sherlock.
As they delve into the death they discover forged documents and a connection to the Earl's first wife, who also died suspiciously. Enola goes undercover in the Earl's home, over the protest of Sherlock, and discovers that Felicity went missing after a mysterious black barouche was seen at the house. Enola and Sherlock form a plan, but to pull it off they need the help of Leticia, Dr. Watson and Enola's friend, the Viscount Tewkesbury, Marquess of Basilwether.
September 18, 2021
I just loved this book and I honestly did not know this series existed and yet here we are at book 7, and I am so excited for this series that I am reading book 1 asap and reading the entire series as a goal before the end of the year. I also saw Enola Holmes in Netflix before reading this and I found them both, the movie and the book quite enjoyable equally.
I feel like these were my Nancy Drew back in the day, and so happy to see young readers have this character to inspire them who is smart, brave, witty, positive, and even a master of disguise.
I felt that the world-building was phenomenal and I was quickly immersed into the story line - read wonderfully as a stand alone and this being my first book was absolutely a delight to read. I just love this YA Historical Mystery that is engaging, fun to read, with amazing mysteries to uncover.
I feel like these were my Nancy Drew back in the day, and so happy to see young readers have this character to inspire them who is smart, brave, witty, positive, and even a master of disguise.
I felt that the world-building was phenomenal and I was quickly immersed into the story line - read wonderfully as a stand alone and this being my first book was absolutely a delight to read. I just love this YA Historical Mystery that is engaging, fun to read, with amazing mysteries to uncover.
September 12, 2021
It's a great middle grade mystery series. Fun to read.
My Japanese review:
https://youshofanclub.com/2021/09/12/...
My Japanese review:
https://youshofanclub.com/2021/09/12/...
May 4, 2024
I'm delighted to learn that this much newer book is as good a the first six--I hadn't realized that it had become a TV show until I started posting reviews as I reread the first ones that came out when my kids were growing up.
Enola no longer has to live in hiding or in disguise to avoid her brothers, but that doesn't mean she never dons any. In this book she ends up working with her much older brother Sherlock to solve a case and we see someone from at least one previous book--to say more is to say too much. It's always best to read these knowing very little about them. I like the fact that it exposes something that really went on but once again that falls into the spoiler category.
Enola no longer has to live in hiding or in disguise to avoid her brothers, but that doesn't mean she never dons any. In this book she ends up working with her much older brother Sherlock to solve a case and we see someone from at least one previous book--to say more is to say too much. It's always best to read these knowing very little about them. I like the fact that it exposes something that really went on but once again that falls into the spoiler category.
August 21, 2021
4.6/5 stars, full review to come! I absolutely DEVOURED this and I simply adore Enola!!
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Pacing: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Pacing: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
August 3, 2021
I actually never read the previous books in this series but had fun watching the movie. So when I got the email if I was interested in this book, I immediately took the chance. And this turned out to be fun.
If you checkout my earliest posts on this blog a few years ago, you’ll know that I’m a huge Sherlock fan. So even if this is the story of his sister, just having him tangentially in the story is enough of a draw for me. Firstly, I have to appreciate the author for giving a good recap of everything that’s happened before, I so wish all authors would do that for their sequels. And this was such a quick read - I finished it in just a couple of hours and was quite entertained throughout, though I have to say that I found some of the vocabulary tough to follow. But that’s probably because I don’t read a lot of historical fiction.
The mystery was interesting but a tad bit predictable - it wasn’t at all hard to guess what had happened to the missing young woman. But I think it was the characters who made up for any shortcomings in the plot. Enola is a fun, eccentric and impulsive young girl who is way too different and independent for her times. But she didn’t lack courage or creative ideas on how to solve the questions troubling her. I thought she got great company in Tish who was quite ready to go along with these crazy ideas, if only to save her sister. It was nice to see some female bonding. Sherlock seemed like a reluctant participant in his sister’s activities, but he can never let a mystery go unsolved and I loved how supportive he was of the girl’s plans.
To conclude, I’m glad I got to read this book. It probably fills a hole in my heart left by all the Sherlock books I’ve read many many times. However, it wasn’t too special and I think my enjoyment was very much related to the nostalgia factor. But I probably will continue the series because why not.
If you checkout my earliest posts on this blog a few years ago, you’ll know that I’m a huge Sherlock fan. So even if this is the story of his sister, just having him tangentially in the story is enough of a draw for me. Firstly, I have to appreciate the author for giving a good recap of everything that’s happened before, I so wish all authors would do that for their sequels. And this was such a quick read - I finished it in just a couple of hours and was quite entertained throughout, though I have to say that I found some of the vocabulary tough to follow. But that’s probably because I don’t read a lot of historical fiction.
The mystery was interesting but a tad bit predictable - it wasn’t at all hard to guess what had happened to the missing young woman. But I think it was the characters who made up for any shortcomings in the plot. Enola is a fun, eccentric and impulsive young girl who is way too different and independent for her times. But she didn’t lack courage or creative ideas on how to solve the questions troubling her. I thought she got great company in Tish who was quite ready to go along with these crazy ideas, if only to save her sister. It was nice to see some female bonding. Sherlock seemed like a reluctant participant in his sister’s activities, but he can never let a mystery go unsolved and I loved how supportive he was of the girl’s plans.
To conclude, I’m glad I got to read this book. It probably fills a hole in my heart left by all the Sherlock books I’ve read many many times. However, it wasn’t too special and I think my enjoyment was very much related to the nostalgia factor. But I probably will continue the series because why not.
February 1, 2022
I'm always kind of afraid to revisit series I was obsessed with in middle school, because there's a solid chance I'll be disappointed. In this case, yeah I'm pretty underwhelmed, but I'm not sure whether it's because this book is missing a lot of the elements in my memory that I loved from the previous books, or if it's because I've outgrown the writing. The feminist women-supporting-women aspect is still there and at the forefront, but a lot of the other things that made the series so cool to baby-me (such as codebreaking using flowers) are either missing or barely there.
The worst part is that Enola doesn't ever really outsmart Sherlock....more so he out-dumbs her? Perhaps this was present in the earlier books as well and I just didn't notice, but the author seems to think the best way to make Enola look clever is to make other characters a little more inept. It's also cringe and OOC how Sherlock weirdly starts representing everything wrong with The Patriarchy, probably again for the sake of convenience for the author. I mean, it's not like Sherlock guzzled respect-women-juice in canon, but it wasn't this bad...
The worst part is that Enola doesn't ever really outsmart Sherlock....more so he out-dumbs her? Perhaps this was present in the earlier books as well and I just didn't notice, but the author seems to think the best way to make Enola look clever is to make other characters a little more inept. It's also cringe and OOC how Sherlock weirdly starts representing everything wrong with The Patriarchy, probably again for the sake of convenience for the author. I mean, it's not like Sherlock guzzled respect-women-juice in canon, but it wasn't this bad...
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