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dch7's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Death, Medical content, and Excrement
thenovelbook's review against another edition
4.0
The Enola Holmes series is my favorite Young Adult fiction. It's smart, funny and fast-paced. I also love the interactions between Enola and her big brother Sherlock, which are a bit infrequent in this latest installment, but still delightful.
Nancy Springer brings the late Victorian world to life by describing sights, sounds, and new inventions (like the elevator) in such a way that reader feels all the freshness of noticing them for the first time. And there are so many intriguing nods to real people that I always come away feeling like I learned something, but the author doesn't shoe-horn in her research; it's always handled with a light touch that leaves you wanting more information!
A note on the plot: Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose deals with a quite sobering danger: the threat of rabies from a mad dog. Although the narrative doesn't get graphic, I would say that I occasionally felt just a tad squeamish.
I look forward to seeing what Enola investigates next.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this digital review copy!
Nancy Springer brings the late Victorian world to life by describing sights, sounds, and new inventions (like the elevator) in such a way that reader feels all the freshness of noticing them for the first time. And there are so many intriguing nods to real people that I always come away feeling like I learned something, but the author doesn't shoe-horn in her research; it's always handled with a light touch that leaves you wanting more information!
A note on the plot: Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose deals with a quite sobering danger: the threat of rabies from a mad dog. Although the narrative doesn't get graphic, I would say that I occasionally felt just a tad squeamish.
I look forward to seeing what Enola investigates next.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this digital review copy!
luxile's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It's always a good time to meet with Enola for yet another adventure. Though this might be her last, as Nancy Springer has mentioned on twitter that she was retired... But if she comes back I will welcome her like an old friend again and again
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
I'm always looking forward to the new Enola Holmes. Not so much because they're amazing mysteries or brilliant detective novels. I'm looking forward to them because they're an insanely entertaining way to get a not always pretty picture of life during Sherlockian time. And since this series is mostly focussed on Enola we're mostly getting to see what life was like for women at the time. Which makes it even less pretty.
This book continues doing so from the very first moment. When a man bursts into her office to request help finding his best friend he refuses to even talk to her. Because she is a woman. Not pretty, but very realistic for the time period. And once more this book does an amazing job on picturing the time period in general. I can imagine that even real teenagers (which I'm not) might still enjoy history if it's taught this way.
It's not just the history I liked in this book though. I also really enjoyed seeing Enola and Sherlock finding a way to work together. Enola doesn't need to hide anymore and that means that she and her brother can work together on cases crossing their paths. At times they're not entirely understanding each other, but in this book there were also quite a few instances where they worked together perfectly and really got work done.
I also really loved the science in this book. This book is taking place long ago, so all the science is of course a little outdated and yet it's really fascinating to see how all the knowledge we have these days came to be. Because it had to start somewhere. And it's also quite impressive how much the scientists at the time discovered despite their very limited attributes. I hope that in future books in the series we'll get more of this!
This book continues doing so from the very first moment. When a man bursts into her office to request help finding his best friend he refuses to even talk to her. Because she is a woman. Not pretty, but very realistic for the time period. And once more this book does an amazing job on picturing the time period in general. I can imagine that even real teenagers (which I'm not) might still enjoy history if it's taught this way.
It's not just the history I liked in this book though. I also really enjoyed seeing Enola and Sherlock finding a way to work together. Enola doesn't need to hide anymore and that means that she and her brother can work together on cases crossing their paths. At times they're not entirely understanding each other, but in this book there were also quite a few instances where they worked together perfectly and really got work done.
I also really loved the science in this book. This book is taking place long ago, so all the science is of course a little outdated and yet it's really fascinating to see how all the knowledge we have these days came to be. Because it had to start somewhere. And it's also quite impressive how much the scientists at the time discovered despite their very limited attributes. I hope that in future books in the series we'll get more of this!
lynguy1's review against another edition
4.0
Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose by Nancy Springer brings together Sherlock Holmes and his much younger sister Enola in a teen / young adult historical mystery set in London in May of 1890. One of the things that makes this even better is the way the author brings together fictional characters with real people who were in London at the time.
Enola is living on her own at the Professional Women’s Club, has a history of sleuthing, attends classes, and occasionally pursues her chosen profession as a finder of lost things and people. She’s also no longer hiding from her older brothers Sherlock and Mycroft. Wolcott Balestier, a representative of an American book publisher is in London to contract with English authors for their latest worlds. When he disappears, Rudyard Kipling shows up at Enola’s office. However, he refuses to hire her to find Wolcott and hires Sherlock instead. Enola is intrigued by the case and unwilling to accept her dismissal. Instead, she is determined to learn what happened and find Wolcott.
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. Dr. Watson, Caroline Balestier, Florence Nightingale, and Dr. Joseph Lister play roles in the story 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 as well as the city streets. However, I felt there was a little too much time spent on clothing descriptions. The atmosphere felt right for the times resulting in a strong sense of time and place. While the mystery is not overly complicated, it is entertaining and thought-provoking. The plot is full of chasing down leads and interviewing people as well as plenty of danger for Enola. Additionally, amidst the tension, danger, and suspense, there are bits of humor that lighten the tone of the story. The ending wrapped things up nicely.
Overall, this book was an engaging and atmospheric young adult historical mystery that moved at a quick pace. Themes include treatment of women in the late 1800’s, class differences, clothing, disguises, friendship, injustices, sibling relationships, and much more. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Those who enjoy the genre will likely be entertained by this series.
St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books and Nancy Springer provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for September 05, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------------------------
My 4.07 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Enola is living on her own at the Professional Women’s Club, has a history of sleuthing, attends classes, and occasionally pursues her chosen profession as a finder of lost things and people. She’s also no longer hiding from her older brothers Sherlock and Mycroft. Wolcott Balestier, a representative of an American book publisher is in London to contract with English authors for their latest worlds. When he disappears, Rudyard Kipling shows up at Enola’s office. However, he refuses to hire her to find Wolcott and hires Sherlock instead. Enola is intrigued by the case and unwilling to accept her dismissal. Instead, she is determined to learn what happened and find Wolcott.
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. Dr. Watson, Caroline Balestier, Florence Nightingale, and Dr. Joseph Lister play roles in the story 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 as well as the city streets. However, I felt there was a little too much time spent on clothing descriptions. The atmosphere felt right for the times resulting in a strong sense of time and place. While the mystery is not overly complicated, it is entertaining and thought-provoking. The plot is full of chasing down leads and interviewing people as well as plenty of danger for Enola. Additionally, amidst the tension, danger, and suspense, there are bits of humor that lighten the tone of the story. The ending wrapped things up nicely.
Overall, this book was an engaging and atmospheric young adult historical mystery that moved at a quick pace. Themes include treatment of women in the late 1800’s, class differences, clothing, disguises, friendship, injustices, sibling relationships, and much more. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Those who enjoy the genre will likely be entertained by this series.
St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books and Nancy Springer provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for September 05, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------------------------
My 4.07 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
bargainsleuth's review against another edition
5.0
For this and my other book reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com
Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
I’ve been a fan of Enola Holmes since the beginning. As a reader of every sort of Sherlock Holmes pastiche, and as the mother of three girls, I was always looking for strong, independent young ladies in literature like Nancy Drew to introduce to my daughters. I found another one in Enola Holmes, younger sister to Sherlock.
Enola Holmes books are a treat to read or listen to. While her relationship with her older famous brother has been more adversarial in the past, in this volume, Enola actually works with Sherlock, both on their own ends of the same case.
Enola is trying to track down Rudyard Kipling’s missing American friend. Kipling underestimates Holmes’ abilities (can you say misogynist?), so she wants to prove to him that’s she’s just as able as any man, especially her brother, Sherlock.
There’s been a lot of growth of Enola from the first book to this volume, so this is one series that I do recommend you read in order to get a sense of development of the character and how Enola became as equipped at solving mysteries involving missing persons as Sherlock.
There’s plenty of action in the book that at times it reads like a movie; there is also a lot of focus on higher vocabulary (thank you Kindle dictionary for the help on some of the words even this 50-year-old was unfamiliar with). There’s also discussion of the historical treatment for rabies with an appearance of one Joseph Lister (the inspo for Listerine due to his research into cleanliness in surgeries). There’s a great scene where Enola rides a moving room that travels from one floor to another, something previously unseen in her time.
All in all, this is a great addition to a much-loved higher middle grade or young adult audience, and I daresay this grown up enjoyed the book, too.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
I’ve been a fan of Enola Holmes since the beginning. As a reader of every sort of Sherlock Holmes pastiche, and as the mother of three girls, I was always looking for strong, independent young ladies in literature like Nancy Drew to introduce to my daughters. I found another one in Enola Holmes, younger sister to Sherlock.
Enola Holmes books are a treat to read or listen to. While her relationship with her older famous brother has been more adversarial in the past, in this volume, Enola actually works with Sherlock, both on their own ends of the same case.
Enola is trying to track down Rudyard Kipling’s missing American friend. Kipling underestimates Holmes’ abilities (can you say misogynist?), so she wants to prove to him that’s she’s just as able as any man, especially her brother, Sherlock.
There’s been a lot of growth of Enola from the first book to this volume, so this is one series that I do recommend you read in order to get a sense of development of the character and how Enola became as equipped at solving mysteries involving missing persons as Sherlock.
There’s plenty of action in the book that at times it reads like a movie; there is also a lot of focus on higher vocabulary (thank you Kindle dictionary for the help on some of the words even this 50-year-old was unfamiliar with). There’s also discussion of the historical treatment for rabies with an appearance of one Joseph Lister (the inspo for Listerine due to his research into cleanliness in surgeries). There’s a great scene where Enola rides a moving room that travels from one floor to another, something previously unseen in her time.
All in all, this is a great addition to a much-loved higher middle grade or young adult audience, and I daresay this grown up enjoyed the book, too.
jill24's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75