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Enola Holmes #4
Sprawa osobliwego wachlarza
Odważna. Inteligentna. Niezależna. Bystra. Taka właśnie jest Enola Holmes, młodsza siostra słynnego detektywa, która poszła w ślady Sherlocka i ma już na swoim koncie kilka rozwiązanych spraw.
Autorka opowieści o przygodach młodszej siostry Sherlocka Holmesa, odważnie przeciwstawiającej się konwenansom, fabułę swoich książek osadziła w uniwersum stworzonym przez Arthura Conan Doyle’a, w realiach XIX-wiecznej wiktoriańskiej Anglii.
W czwartym tomie cyklu Enola ponownie usiłuje pomóc lady Cecily. Tym razem stara znajoma próbuje uniknąć aranżowanego małżeństwa. Detektywka stawia na szali swoją wolność i angażuje w sprawę samego Sherlocka, choć przecież miała się przed nim ukrywać...
Czy misja ratunkowa się powiedzie? I czy Enola umknie braciom i odnajdzie matkę?
Autorka opowieści o przygodach młodszej siostry Sherlocka Holmesa, odważnie przeciwstawiającej się konwenansom, fabułę swoich książek osadziła w uniwersum stworzonym przez Arthura Conan Doyle’a, w realiach XIX-wiecznej wiktoriańskiej Anglii.
W czwartym tomie cyklu Enola ponownie usiłuje pomóc lady Cecily. Tym razem stara znajoma próbuje uniknąć aranżowanego małżeństwa. Detektywka stawia na szali swoją wolność i angażuje w sprawę samego Sherlocka, choć przecież miała się przed nim ukrywać...
Czy misja ratunkowa się powiedzie? I czy Enola umknie braciom i odnajdzie matkę?
224 pages, Hardcover
First published September 18, 2008
About the author
Nancy Springer
184 books2,151 followersBIO -- NANCY SPRINGER
Nancy Springer has passed the fifty-book milestone, having written that many novels for adults, young adults and children, in genres including mythic fantasy, contemporary fiction, magical realism, horror, and mystery -- although she did not realize she wrote mystery until she won the Edgar Allan Poe Award from the Mystery Writers of America two years in succession. DARK LIE, recently released from NAL, is her first venture into mass-market psychological suspense.
Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Nancy Springer moved with her family to Gettysburg, of Civil War fame, when she was thirteen. She spent the next forty-six years in Pennsylvania, raising two children (Jonathan, now 38, and Nora, 34), writing, horseback riding, fishing, and birdwatching. In 2007 she surprised her friends and herself by moving with her second husband to an isolated area of the Florida panhandle, where the birdwatching is spectacular and where, when fishing, she occasionally catches an alligator.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 985 reviews
March 19, 2023
Fans! Fans, everywhere!
Remember the Left Handed Lady, Cecily? She's back.
This time Enola runs into her in an old-timey bathroom. <--this was back when ladies would have to pay money to safely pee when they were out shopping.
Thanks to the language of fans, which is yet another language I have to master, Enola is alerted that Cecily is in some sort of danger and needs her help.
Which, of course, she is more than willing to give.
But how can she help her (sort of?) friend while still actively avoiding her brothers, Mycroft & Sherlock?
Welp. That's the plot of this book.
And I honestly think it's starting to look like her brothers might just come out of this with a bit of respect for their little sister when it's all said and done.
There's not a great deal of substance, but I'm still eating these with a spoon because they're such easily digestible books.
Recommended for anyone looking for a bit of an adorable YA mystery series.
Remember the Left Handed Lady, Cecily? She's back.
This time Enola runs into her in an old-timey bathroom. <--this was back when ladies would have to pay money to safely pee when they were out shopping.
Thanks to the language of fans, which is yet another language I have to master, Enola is alerted that Cecily is in some sort of danger and needs her help.
Which, of course, she is more than willing to give.
But how can she help her (sort of?) friend while still actively avoiding her brothers, Mycroft & Sherlock?
Welp. That's the plot of this book.
And I honestly think it's starting to look like her brothers might just come out of this with a bit of respect for their little sister when it's all said and done.
There's not a great deal of substance, but I'm still eating these with a spoon because they're such easily digestible books.
Recommended for anyone looking for a bit of an adorable YA mystery series.
November 11, 2022
Enola continues to elude her brothers' relentless pursuit!
Nancy Springer is finding her stride. Far from being derivative, Springer has effectively used the fame and atmosphere of the much-loved Holmes canon as a springboard to develop her Enola Holmes character, Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes' younger sister, and to create a series that is exciting, entirely innovative, appealing and quite capable of standing on its own literary merit ... thank you very much!
Beginning with the very first mystery in the series, THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS, we have seen Enola Holmes' character develop, blossom and ultimately flourish as she pursues her career as a "perditorian" - a finder of lost things. She is forced to keep one eye constantly looking over shoulder as she deftly eludes the dogged pursuit of her elder brothers who seek to find her and place her in the stultifying environment of a school for proper young ladies - an ongoing problem she'll face until she reaches the age of majority and can legally live on her own. But, as her mother, who is also in hiding, was so fond of saying, Enola Holmes is doing very well on her own!
In THE CASE OF THE PECULIAR PINK FAN, Lady Cecily Alistair, the missing marquess from Enola's very first case, is in trouble again. This time she's been kidnapped by her own family. Her two dowager aunts, both full-fledged, entirely insufferable battle-axes are holding her against her will and, with the full permission and collusion of her estate minded father, are forcing her into an arranged marriage against her will with a foppish but financially well-situated cousin.
Instead of watching an established series author sit back and bask in the warmth of previous successes, I'm thrilled to witness this charming young adult series continue to grow in quality - deep characterization, effective dialogue, high quality plotting and, of course, wonderful attention to Victorian atmosphere and details that rivals Conan Doyle's original series.
As the title character and the leading lady in the series, Enola is exceptionally well developed. While she is neither female chauvinist or militaristic suffragette, her independence and self-assuredness continue to grow as she lives on her own and approaches the age of majority at which point she will be free of her brothers' relentless pursuit. But she also exemplifies that baffling and ultimately paradoxical teenage blend of cock-sure bravado and angst and uncertainty; incipient adulthood contrasted against an occasional reversion to childhood fear; and, of course, self-direction and self-confidence versus the obvious desire for occasional adult guidance and assistance. Enola's budding femininity is also charmingly and endearingly presented in wonderfully good taste with all due regard to Victorian sensibilities.
Sherlock and Mycroft are portrayed as typical 19th century men in their attitude toward women and whatever intellect they may possess. That is to say, they are at least patronizing and chauvinist and perhaps, in Mycroft's case, downright misogynist. That said, the very special relationship between Enola and Sherlock seems to have turned a corner in this, Enola's fourth outing, as Sherlock develops a grudging respect for Enola's abilities and a tentative belief that, as their mother said so often, she just might be able to make it on her own.
Highly recommended for mystery lovers of all ages. I'm willing to bet that twenty years from now there will be a host of adult female readers who will look back on this series with the same fondness that many of today's adult women remember their love of the Nancy Drew series.
Paul Weiss
Nancy Springer is finding her stride. Far from being derivative, Springer has effectively used the fame and atmosphere of the much-loved Holmes canon as a springboard to develop her Enola Holmes character, Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes' younger sister, and to create a series that is exciting, entirely innovative, appealing and quite capable of standing on its own literary merit ... thank you very much!
Beginning with the very first mystery in the series, THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS, we have seen Enola Holmes' character develop, blossom and ultimately flourish as she pursues her career as a "perditorian" - a finder of lost things. She is forced to keep one eye constantly looking over shoulder as she deftly eludes the dogged pursuit of her elder brothers who seek to find her and place her in the stultifying environment of a school for proper young ladies - an ongoing problem she'll face until she reaches the age of majority and can legally live on her own. But, as her mother, who is also in hiding, was so fond of saying, Enola Holmes is doing very well on her own!
In THE CASE OF THE PECULIAR PINK FAN, Lady Cecily Alistair, the missing marquess from Enola's very first case, is in trouble again. This time she's been kidnapped by her own family. Her two dowager aunts, both full-fledged, entirely insufferable battle-axes are holding her against her will and, with the full permission and collusion of her estate minded father, are forcing her into an arranged marriage against her will with a foppish but financially well-situated cousin.
Instead of watching an established series author sit back and bask in the warmth of previous successes, I'm thrilled to witness this charming young adult series continue to grow in quality - deep characterization, effective dialogue, high quality plotting and, of course, wonderful attention to Victorian atmosphere and details that rivals Conan Doyle's original series.
As the title character and the leading lady in the series, Enola is exceptionally well developed. While she is neither female chauvinist or militaristic suffragette, her independence and self-assuredness continue to grow as she lives on her own and approaches the age of majority at which point she will be free of her brothers' relentless pursuit. But she also exemplifies that baffling and ultimately paradoxical teenage blend of cock-sure bravado and angst and uncertainty; incipient adulthood contrasted against an occasional reversion to childhood fear; and, of course, self-direction and self-confidence versus the obvious desire for occasional adult guidance and assistance. Enola's budding femininity is also charmingly and endearingly presented in wonderfully good taste with all due regard to Victorian sensibilities.
Sherlock and Mycroft are portrayed as typical 19th century men in their attitude toward women and whatever intellect they may possess. That is to say, they are at least patronizing and chauvinist and perhaps, in Mycroft's case, downright misogynist. That said, the very special relationship between Enola and Sherlock seems to have turned a corner in this, Enola's fourth outing, as Sherlock develops a grudging respect for Enola's abilities and a tentative belief that, as their mother said so often, she just might be able to make it on her own.
Highly recommended for mystery lovers of all ages. I'm willing to bet that twenty years from now there will be a host of adult female readers who will look back on this series with the same fondness that many of today's adult women remember their love of the Nancy Drew series.
Paul Weiss
November 6, 2015
I will come right out and admit that I definitely allowed myself to picture a particular Mr. Cumberbatch throughout the Sherlock cameos in this story, which had me laughing quite heartily. I loved the scenes that Sherlock shared with Enola, the sibling relationship was humorous and tense, quite realistic given their difference in age. Again, I was impressed with how clever and thoughtful Enola was, always thoroughly thinking things through before launching off. That doesn't mean she doesn't improvise, but she is never impulsive. This particular case was equal parts funny and infuriating, but it all wrapped up quite well. Good job, Enola!
April 1, 2022
Προχωρώντας στο τέταρτο βιβλίο της σειράς, δεν μπορούσα παρά να σκεφτώ ότι είναι μια ιστορία ενηλικίωσης.
Τα στάδια που περνά ένας έφηβος, τις ανησυχίες και τις ανάγκες που έχει μέχρι να αποφασίσει ποιος πραγματικά είναι.
Επιτέλους, σε αυτό το βιβλίο είδαμε και τον Σέρλοκ να μοιράζεται σκηνές με την Ενόλα, και αφήστε με να σας πω ότι ήταν από τα πιο διασκεδαστικά κομμάτια που έχω διαβάσει ποτέ. Εξαιρετική πινελιά και οι εμφανίσεις χαρακτήρων από προηγούμενα βιβλία.
Ωστόσο, αυτά δεν έκλεψαν την λάμψη της Ενόλα, μιας και αυτή η χαρακτήρας δεν μπορεί ποτέ να μην σε ξαφνιάσει με την εξυπνάδα και την μαεστρία της.
Είναι μια χαρακτήρας που σε εμπνέει, σου δίνει δύναμη να συνεχίσεις και να ξεπεράσεις τα προβλήματα σου, ενώ σου μαθαίνει να πολέμας για τα πιστεύω και τα θέλω σου. Όλα αυτά μέσα απο δροσερές και καταιγιστικές περιπέτειες. Τι άλλο να ζητήσει ένας αναγνώστης;
Τα στάδια που περνά ένας έφηβος, τις ανησυχίες και τις ανάγκες που έχει μέχρι να αποφασίσει ποιος πραγματικά είναι.
Επιτέλους, σε αυτό το βιβλίο είδαμε και τον Σέρλοκ να μοιράζεται σκηνές με την Ενόλα, και αφήστε με να σας πω ότι ήταν από τα πιο διασκεδαστικά κομμάτια που έχω διαβάσει ποτέ. Εξαιρετική πινελιά και οι εμφανίσεις χαρακτήρων από προηγούμενα βιβλία.
Ωστόσο, αυτά δεν έκλεψαν την λάμψη της Ενόλα, μιας και αυτή η χαρακτήρας δεν μπορεί ποτέ να μην σε ξαφνιάσει με την εξυπνάδα και την μαεστρία της.
Είναι μια χαρακτήρας που σε εμπνέει, σου δίνει δύναμη να συνεχίσεις και να ξεπεράσεις τα προβλήματα σου, ενώ σου μαθαίνει να πολέμας για τα πιστεύω και τα θέλω σου. Όλα αυτά μέσα απο δροσερές και καταιγιστικές περιπέτειες. Τι άλλο να ζητήσει ένας αναγνώστης;
January 23, 2021
Why Mycroft persists, despite the evidence of her managing quite well on her own for months, in thinking Enola must be pushed into the stifling confines of Victorian womanhood is beyond me! Even Sherlock persists in his belief, though his repeated encounters with Enola in this book are beginning to change his mind.
Enola reencounters Lady Cecily (the left-handed lady of book two), and knows immediately that Cecily needs rescuing again. This time, it’s from Lady Cecily’s father’s desire to squash any life out of her by forcing her into a marriage with an odious man. Enola dons many disguises and thwarts her brothers again, and cracks the case, of course.
I find Enola’s musings on her relationship with her mother a little sad; the young woman is lonely, but at the same time, her independence and ability to thrive are only growing stronger, and I dread the thought of her corralled by her supposedly well-meaning brothers. Two books left in this terrific series; on to book 5!
Enola reencounters Lady Cecily (the left-handed lady of book two), and knows immediately that Cecily needs rescuing again. This time, it’s from Lady Cecily’s father’s desire to squash any life out of her by forcing her into a marriage with an odious man. Enola dons many disguises and thwarts her brothers again, and cracks the case, of course.
I find Enola’s musings on her relationship with her mother a little sad; the young woman is lonely, but at the same time, her independence and ability to thrive are only growing stronger, and I dread the thought of her corralled by her supposedly well-meaning brothers. Two books left in this terrific series; on to book 5!
December 27, 2020
I liked this one best of all. Either I am getting used to the author, or I have more faith in her based on what I have already read. Either way, a strong and intelligent main character and enough of a mystery that I hadn't figured it out in the first pages. I was, in fact, delighted to find a familiar face. The ciphers are fun, the relationships between characters are evolving, and I have not caught the author in a historical error.
Notable among Enola's accomplishments is disguise. She is fourteen and anxious not to be found by her brothers and sent to a boarding school for young ladies. In this book and others she goes out at night as a nun offering comfort to the poorest in London and as rag-and-bone scrounger, and in daylight as an impoverished orphan, a secretary, a widow, a young wife who has married above her station, a woman scholar, and (most-amusing) as "Beautiful." This last she accomplishes with the help of crafted undergarments, skillfully applied make-up, an elegant wig, and attitude. It is all smoke and mirrors, but she is pleased with her ability to pass.
Though there is considerable tension and physicality, nothing here is inappropriate for a child to read. My granddaughter is too busy online to read these books as I hand them over, but I think I will order the last two in the series for myself.
Notable among Enola's accomplishments is disguise. She is fourteen and anxious not to be found by her brothers and sent to a boarding school for young ladies. In this book and others she goes out at night as a nun offering comfort to the poorest in London and as rag-and-bone scrounger, and in daylight as an impoverished orphan, a secretary, a widow, a young wife who has married above her station, a woman scholar, and (most-amusing) as "Beautiful." This last she accomplishes with the help of crafted undergarments, skillfully applied make-up, an elegant wig, and attitude. It is all smoke and mirrors, but she is pleased with her ability to pass.
Though there is considerable tension and physicality, nothing here is inappropriate for a child to read. My granddaughter is too busy online to read these books as I hand them over, but I think I will order the last two in the series for myself.
August 16, 2020
Enola Holmes, die "kleine" Schwester der berühmten Brüder Sherlock und Mycroft, ist ja den konventionellen Zwängen der Gesellschaft im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes entflohen und widmet ihre Zeit mit dem Lösen von Rätseln. Ganz nach dem Vorbild ihres großen Bruders Sherlock Holmes, zu dem sie eine ganz außergewöhnliche Bindung hat. Einerseits versteckt sie sich ja vor ihren Brüdern, die sie ein Internat stecken und heiratsfähig machen möchten, andererseits strebt sie ihm nach, da er ein unbewusstes Vorbild für sie ist.
Enola ist mit ihren 14 Jahren noch sehr jung, aber eben auch pfiffig und weiß sich zu helfen. Mittlerweile hat sie sich in ihrer Situation gefestigt, in der sie sich als Sekretärin des (nicht vorhandenen) Dr. Rasputins ausgibt. Durch ihre vielen Verkleidungen schafft sie sich einen Schutzraum, in dem sie sich durch die Straßen von London begibt und auf ihre Weise rätselhafte Fälle löst.
Dieses Mal muss sie nochmals Lady Cecily helfen, die wir schon in Band 2 kennengelernt haben und es wird eine schwierige Mission, da sie nicht nur kaum Ansatzpunkte hat, sondern auch ihre Brüder ihr ständig in die Quere kommen. Mit ihrem Mut, ihrer Kombinationsgabe und ihrem Sinn für Gerechtigkeit setzt sie sich jedoch durch und schafft es immer wieder, zu überraschen.
Es unterlaufen ihr dabei einige Schnitzer, was sie nur noch sympathischer macht! Ihre Fähigkeit, sich immer selbst Mut zu machen, auch wenn sie sich manchmal sehr verloren und einsam fühlt, ist eine ganz starke Eigenschaft und bekräftigt sie, Lösungen zu finden und ihr Ziel zu erreichen.
Dabei spielt natürlich eine große Rolle, dass ihre Mutter noch immer verschwunden ist und zeigt Enolas Unsicherheit, wie sie damit umgehen soll. Die Suche nach ihr schiebt sie immer wieder hinaus, da sie Angst hat, nicht das zu finden, was sie sich erhofft.
Sherlock und Mycroft selbst erlebt man hier ja immer nur eher am Rande, doch der Prolog und Epilog mit den beiden ist eine gute Kompontene, um einen Einblick zu geben, was sie über ihre Schwester denken. Vor allem bei Sherlock bemerkt man, dass seine Bewunderung und sein Verständnis seiner Schwester gegenüber zunimmt, was ihn natürlich umso mehr ins Herz schließen lässt.
Insgesamt wieder eine sehr gelungene Fortsetzung, die die Atmosphäre der damaligen Zeit lebendig aufleben lässt. Viele Details geben ein eingehendes Bild ab über die unterschiedlichen gesellschaftlichen Schichten und welche Probleme sich damit ergeben, wie die Menschen damals lebten und miteinander umgegangen sind und noch viele weitere Einblicke, die grade auch jungen Lesern überzeugend und prägnant veranschaulicht werden.
Enola ist mit ihren 14 Jahren noch sehr jung, aber eben auch pfiffig und weiß sich zu helfen. Mittlerweile hat sie sich in ihrer Situation gefestigt, in der sie sich als Sekretärin des (nicht vorhandenen) Dr. Rasputins ausgibt. Durch ihre vielen Verkleidungen schafft sie sich einen Schutzraum, in dem sie sich durch die Straßen von London begibt und auf ihre Weise rätselhafte Fälle löst.
Dieses Mal muss sie nochmals Lady Cecily helfen, die wir schon in Band 2 kennengelernt haben und es wird eine schwierige Mission, da sie nicht nur kaum Ansatzpunkte hat, sondern auch ihre Brüder ihr ständig in die Quere kommen. Mit ihrem Mut, ihrer Kombinationsgabe und ihrem Sinn für Gerechtigkeit setzt sie sich jedoch durch und schafft es immer wieder, zu überraschen.
Es unterlaufen ihr dabei einige Schnitzer, was sie nur noch sympathischer macht! Ihre Fähigkeit, sich immer selbst Mut zu machen, auch wenn sie sich manchmal sehr verloren und einsam fühlt, ist eine ganz starke Eigenschaft und bekräftigt sie, Lösungen zu finden und ihr Ziel zu erreichen.
Dabei spielt natürlich eine große Rolle, dass ihre Mutter noch immer verschwunden ist und zeigt Enolas Unsicherheit, wie sie damit umgehen soll. Die Suche nach ihr schiebt sie immer wieder hinaus, da sie Angst hat, nicht das zu finden, was sie sich erhofft.
Sherlock und Mycroft selbst erlebt man hier ja immer nur eher am Rande, doch der Prolog und Epilog mit den beiden ist eine gute Kompontene, um einen Einblick zu geben, was sie über ihre Schwester denken. Vor allem bei Sherlock bemerkt man, dass seine Bewunderung und sein Verständnis seiner Schwester gegenüber zunimmt, was ihn natürlich umso mehr ins Herz schließen lässt.
Insgesamt wieder eine sehr gelungene Fortsetzung, die die Atmosphäre der damaligen Zeit lebendig aufleben lässt. Viele Details geben ein eingehendes Bild ab über die unterschiedlichen gesellschaftlichen Schichten und welche Probleme sich damit ergeben, wie die Menschen damals lebten und miteinander umgegangen sind und noch viele weitere Einblicke, die grade auch jungen Lesern überzeugend und prägnant veranschaulicht werden.
November 1, 2020
These books are so perfect to read at the end of the day, when I'm a little tired and just want something entertaining and not too heavy. On top of that the books are not too big so in about two hours I can easily finish one. The English however is not too easy, there are some really old fashioned words and descriptions, but as they say, that's good for improving my own English! I've been reading English for about two or three years now and it feels more and more natural!
And with every Enola Holmes installment I fall more and more in love with these characters. Enola is such an amazing character! Of course, she's stuck in the wrong time, a time where she's not appreciated for who she is and can't be who she wants to be, but that makes reading about her all the more interesting. On top of that we got to see more of Sherlock in this book and although he's clearly a product of his time it was really nice to see that he and Enola are forming more of a connection and that he's slowly starting to see his sister as her own person.
In this story we are also reunited with a character from the previous books, a character I already really liked in that story and therefore it was quite amazing to see her back. It also made the stakes higher. I really cared about this girl and I really wanted both Sherlock and Enola to help her. And Enola clearly learned from all her previous adventures, which not only lead to some quite clever solutions, but also to a few really funny situations!
I also love how those cases really show the issues and problems of Sherlock's time. Those times are quite often romanticized in books, but for women it was far from pleasant. In the first book we already saw what Enola needed to do to escape some reform school that had to turn her into a proper lady ready for marriage. In the second book we were introduced to the lives if rich young ladies and in this book we returned to that life. And the idea that forced marriages were really done and that everyone looked away...
I can't wait to read the last two installments! Especially because I hope Sherlock and Enola will really find each other in their shared passion for solving riddles!
And with every Enola Holmes installment I fall more and more in love with these characters. Enola is such an amazing character! Of course, she's stuck in the wrong time, a time where she's not appreciated for who she is and can't be who she wants to be, but that makes reading about her all the more interesting. On top of that we got to see more of Sherlock in this book and although he's clearly a product of his time it was really nice to see that he and Enola are forming more of a connection and that he's slowly starting to see his sister as her own person.
In this story we are also reunited with a character from the previous books, a character I already really liked in that story and therefore it was quite amazing to see her back. It also made the stakes higher. I really cared about this girl and I really wanted both Sherlock and Enola to help her. And Enola clearly learned from all her previous adventures, which not only lead to some quite clever solutions, but also to a few really funny situations!
I also love how those cases really show the issues and problems of Sherlock's time. Those times are quite often romanticized in books, but for women it was far from pleasant. In the first book we already saw what Enola needed to do to escape some reform school that had to turn her into a proper lady ready for marriage. In the second book we were introduced to the lives if rich young ladies and in this book we returned to that life. And the idea that forced marriages were really done and that everyone looked away...
I can't wait to read the last two installments! Especially because I hope Sherlock and Enola will really find each other in their shared passion for solving riddles!
July 13, 2021
Another good story in the Enola Holmes series. This one has Enola to rescue, after Lady Cecily is again in grave peril! Enola is resting in the Ladie's Public Lavatory after a day of shopping when she encounters Lady Cecily (from The Case of the Left-Handed Lady). Cecily is dressed in a very curious and cumbersome gown and seems to be in the process of shopping for her trousseau. Lady Cecily manages to ask Enola for help using the language of fans before her guardians whisk her away and Enola is once again on the trail after Lady Cecily.
These Enola Holmes mysteries are quite fun! This one has Enola stumbling over Sherlock, even rescuing him, as he too, has been asked to investigate Lady Cecily's disappearance. Enola is still out on her own, managing her business and living in the rooming house with Mrs. Tupper. I enjoy seeing how she has grown and continues to mature and find her way in London, and avoid the "protection" of her brothers, Mycroft and Sherlock. It breaks my heart a little to see her detaching herself from them and their good intentions, and also from her mother, who still has not tried to contact Enola and is still missing, as far as the Holmes' are concerned.
On to the next in the series!
These Enola Holmes mysteries are quite fun! This one has Enola stumbling over Sherlock, even rescuing him, as he too, has been asked to investigate Lady Cecily's disappearance. Enola is still out on her own, managing her business and living in the rooming house with Mrs. Tupper. I enjoy seeing how she has grown and continues to mature and find her way in London, and avoid the "protection" of her brothers, Mycroft and Sherlock. It breaks my heart a little to see her detaching herself from them and their good intentions, and also from her mother, who still has not tried to contact Enola and is still missing, as far as the Holmes' are concerned.
On to the next in the series!
June 13, 2021
Una 4º parte de saga que afianza los vínculos entre algunos personajes y que solo pierde puntos por las excesivas descripciones que no aportan nada. Lo mejor es que, a pesar de todo, los aspectos positivos compensan a los negativos, y eso es algo que ayuda a que la lectura sea amena en casi todo momento.
En este caso, la investigación principal hace que nos reencontremos que Lady Cecily, a quien ya conocimos en El caso de la dama zurda. Sorprendentemente, vuelve a estar en apuros y su situación es peor que la de la vez anterior. Un encuentro y un mensaje a través de un abanico harán que Enola quiera volver a ayudarla, aunque eso la expondrá más que nunca y la acercará más a sus hermanos… ¿la atraparán? ¿podrá volver a liberar a Lady Cecily?...
Enola y sus labores detectivescas siguen evolucionando. Como siempre, los mensajes codificados tienen un gran peso y se mantiene mi admiración ante la capacidad de Enola para verle sentido a metáforas y símbolos. No hay respuestas por arte de magia, cosa que está muy bien, pero las indagaciones se ven interrumpidas por culpa de la manía de la autora de describir detalladamente las vestimentas de camuflaje que usa Enola y los lugares por los que pasa. No digo que hubiera que eliminar esto completamente, pero sí resumirlo un poco, ya que a mí por lo menos me resultaba un poco pesado. De resto, en lo que respecta a la investigación en sí, no está mal, pero me faltó que se explicara mejor lo que lo originó todo.
El otro pilar de la novela es el tema familiar de Enola. Aquí hay un avance respecto al personaje de Mycroft, el cual ha estado en un muy segundo plano en los libros anteriores. No es que salga mucho más, pero sus pequeñas aportaciones hacen que veamos que su capacidad deductiva no es peor que la de sus hermanos… si no fuera porque sigue igual de machista que al principio, hasta me lo consideraría simpático. En todo caso, espero más de él en las siguientes partes. En cuanto a Sherlock… ¿puedo declararle ya mi amor? ^^ Me fascina cómo ha ido cambiando este personaje y amo cada encuentro suyo con Enola. Sus apariciones no eclipsan el protagonismo de su hermana y es innegable que es el que más ha intentado ir entendiéndola y hasta ha aceptado tragarse algunos prejuicios y algunas ideas preconcebidas sobre las mujeres, ya que Enola no deja escapar ninguna ocasión para aclararle que una mujer no es menos que un hombre. En este sentido, creo que la autora maneja muy bien todo lo de Enola con sus hermanos y logra que sea interesante ver su forma de desafiarlos y de hacerlos reflexionar, pero falla en lo relacionado con la madre. Sigo pensando que debería jugar un papel más activo, ya que, por lo poco que sabemos de ella, dudo que al final se dé alguna justificación razonable a su comportamiento. Si no fuera porque Enola la menciona ocasionalmente, hasta podríamos olvidarnos de que existe.
La crítica contra la sociedad de la época es más suave en este libro. En los anteriores, la autora solía aprovechar para describir ciertas costumbres o actitudes y condenarlas, pero aquí no nos centramos en ninguna en concreto. Sí que seguimos conociendo un poco sobre el estilo de vida, pero no focalizamos la atención en ninguna materia concreta.
Sea como sea, y a pesar de sus altibajos, sigo declarándome fan de esta saga y estoy deseando saber cómo continúa. En este libro se ha notado que estamos llegando a la recta final y es inevitable querer saber cómo afrontará Enola sus siguientes aventuras.
En este caso, la investigación principal hace que nos reencontremos que Lady Cecily, a quien ya conocimos en El caso de la dama zurda. Sorprendentemente, vuelve a estar en apuros y su situación es peor que la de la vez anterior. Un encuentro y un mensaje a través de un abanico harán que Enola quiera volver a ayudarla, aunque eso la expondrá más que nunca y la acercará más a sus hermanos… ¿la atraparán? ¿podrá volver a liberar a Lady Cecily?...
Enola y sus labores detectivescas siguen evolucionando. Como siempre, los mensajes codificados tienen un gran peso y se mantiene mi admiración ante la capacidad de Enola para verle sentido a metáforas y símbolos. No hay respuestas por arte de magia, cosa que está muy bien, pero las indagaciones se ven interrumpidas por culpa de la manía de la autora de describir detalladamente las vestimentas de camuflaje que usa Enola y los lugares por los que pasa. No digo que hubiera que eliminar esto completamente, pero sí resumirlo un poco, ya que a mí por lo menos me resultaba un poco pesado. De resto, en lo que respecta a la investigación en sí, no está mal, pero me faltó que se explicara mejor lo que lo originó todo.
El otro pilar de la novela es el tema familiar de Enola. Aquí hay un avance respecto al personaje de Mycroft, el cual ha estado en un muy segundo plano en los libros anteriores. No es que salga mucho más, pero sus pequeñas aportaciones hacen que veamos que su capacidad deductiva no es peor que la de sus hermanos… si no fuera porque sigue igual de machista que al principio, hasta me lo consideraría simpático. En todo caso, espero más de él en las siguientes partes. En cuanto a Sherlock… ¿puedo declararle ya mi amor? ^^ Me fascina cómo ha ido cambiando este personaje y amo cada encuentro suyo con Enola. Sus apariciones no eclipsan el protagonismo de su hermana y es innegable que es el que más ha intentado ir entendiéndola y hasta ha aceptado tragarse algunos prejuicios y algunas ideas preconcebidas sobre las mujeres, ya que Enola no deja escapar ninguna ocasión para aclararle que una mujer no es menos que un hombre. En este sentido, creo que la autora maneja muy bien todo lo de Enola con sus hermanos y logra que sea interesante ver su forma de desafiarlos y de hacerlos reflexionar, pero falla en lo relacionado con la madre. Sigo pensando que debería jugar un papel más activo, ya que, por lo poco que sabemos de ella, dudo que al final se dé alguna justificación razonable a su comportamiento. Si no fuera porque Enola la menciona ocasionalmente, hasta podríamos olvidarnos de que existe.
La crítica contra la sociedad de la época es más suave en este libro. En los anteriores, la autora solía aprovechar para describir ciertas costumbres o actitudes y condenarlas, pero aquí no nos centramos en ninguna en concreto. Sí que seguimos conociendo un poco sobre el estilo de vida, pero no focalizamos la atención en ninguna materia concreta.
Sea como sea, y a pesar de sus altibajos, sigo declarándome fan de esta saga y estoy deseando saber cómo continúa. En este libro se ha notado que estamos llegando a la recta final y es inevitable querer saber cómo afrontará Enola sus siguientes aventuras.
August 5, 2023
Enola Holmes i (upiorna) Panna Młoda
Stęskniłam się za Enolą, a to ponowne spotkanie było niezwykle miłe 😊
Chociaż sama sprawa tego tomu wydaje się dość oczywista, to największymi zaskoczeniami dla czytelnika stają się sposoby, w jaki ma dojść do finału (scena z omdleniem tak totalnie telewizyjna 🤌🏻).
Uwielbiam też, jak autorka stara się przemycać fragmenty świadczące o feminiźmie tytułowej bohaterki. Jasne, nie może otwarcie zrobić nagle czegoś WIELKIEGO, nadal dostosowujemy fabułę do czasów, do XIX wieku. Samo pokazanie kostki przez damę to szał ciał, a tu nam Enola w rajtuzach biega 😅
No i sama końcówka sprawiła, że kocham Sherlocka coraz bardziej, a Mycrofta.... Już mniej 🙃
Stęskniłam się za Enolą, a to ponowne spotkanie było niezwykle miłe 😊
Chociaż sama sprawa tego tomu wydaje się dość oczywista, to największymi zaskoczeniami dla czytelnika stają się sposoby, w jaki ma dojść do finału (scena z omdleniem tak totalnie telewizyjna 🤌🏻).
Uwielbiam też, jak autorka stara się przemycać fragmenty świadczące o feminiźmie tytułowej bohaterki. Jasne, nie może otwarcie zrobić nagle czegoś WIELKIEGO, nadal dostosowujemy fabułę do czasów, do XIX wieku. Samo pokazanie kostki przez damę to szał ciał, a tu nam Enola w rajtuzach biega 😅
No i sama końcówka sprawiła, że kocham Sherlocka coraz bardziej, a Mycrofta.... Już mniej 🙃
July 19, 2022
Okay, zacznijmy od tego, że książka absolutnie nie jest zła, bardzo lubię przygody Enoli, ale kompletnie nie doceniłam poziomu mojego zmęczenia i zasnęłam na niej dwa razy. Nie zmienia to też faktu, że mimo wszystko ten tom podobał mi się mniej niż dwa poprzednie, nie wciągnęłam się tak mocno. Mimo to wyczekuję już momentu, kiedy sięgnę po kolejne przygody i jestem ogromnie ciekawa, jak to się skończy! :D
May 9, 2022
My favorite Enola Holmes book yet. I feel like I say that with each new Enola Holmes book.
I had never heard of a ha-ha fence. Quite intriguing. I realize now I’ve seen them before but knew not what they were.
I also learned about the remarkable communication that fans were used for in Victorian England.
The plot of the book brings Lady Cecily back. One of the villains is intriguing and scary. I hope a future book delves further into him and his mastiff and ha-ha fence.
Enola still struggles with Mycroft and Sherlock, but there is progress as in all the books. Quite a dynamic family.
I had never heard of a ha-ha fence. Quite intriguing. I realize now I’ve seen them before but knew not what they were.
I also learned about the remarkable communication that fans were used for in Victorian England.
The plot of the book brings Lady Cecily back. One of the villains is intriguing and scary. I hope a future book delves further into him and his mastiff and ha-ha fence.
Enola still struggles with Mycroft and Sherlock, but there is progress as in all the books. Quite a dynamic family.
May 15, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️3.5
"The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan" by Nancy Springer is a delightful and charming mystery that offers an enjoyable reading experience. With its clever plot, well-drawn characters, and Victorian London setting, this book is sure to captivate fans of historical mysteries and Sherlock Holmes-inspired tales.
Springer's writing style is engaging and captures the essence of Arthur Conan Doyle's original Sherlock Holmes stories. The author seamlessly incorporates familiar elements from the Holmes canon, paying homage to the beloved detective while also offering her unique spin. The atmosphere of Victorian London is vividly depicted, immersing readers in the world of gaslit streets and elegant parlors.
The protagonist, Enola Holmes, Sherlock's much younger sister, takes center stage in this novel. Enola is a feisty and intelligent character who skillfully navigates the challenges of a male-dominated society. Her wit and resourcefulness make her a compelling lead, and readers will find themselves rooting for her as she unravels the mystery at hand.
The plot of "The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan" is intricate and filled with unexpected twists. The mystery at the heart of the story is well-crafted, keeping readers guessing until the very end. Springer skillfully integrates social issues of the time, such as women's suffrage and the plight of the working class, into the narrative, adding depth and relevance to the story.
However, the pacing of the book occasionally suffers, with certain sections feeling sluggish and lacking momentum. Some readers may find that the pacing hampers the overall enjoyment and suspense of the mystery. Additionally, while the secondary characters are intriguing, their development often feels overshadowed by Enola, leaving them somewhat underutilized and less fully realized.
Overall, "The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan" is a satisfying and whimsical mystery that successfully captures the spirit of Sherlock Holmes while introducing readers to the resourceful and independent Enola Holmes. While it may have pacing issues and less-developed secondary characters, the clever plot and engaging protagonist make this book a worthwhile read for fans of historical mysteries and Sherlockian tales.
"The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan" by Nancy Springer is a delightful and charming mystery that offers an enjoyable reading experience. With its clever plot, well-drawn characters, and Victorian London setting, this book is sure to captivate fans of historical mysteries and Sherlock Holmes-inspired tales.
Springer's writing style is engaging and captures the essence of Arthur Conan Doyle's original Sherlock Holmes stories. The author seamlessly incorporates familiar elements from the Holmes canon, paying homage to the beloved detective while also offering her unique spin. The atmosphere of Victorian London is vividly depicted, immersing readers in the world of gaslit streets and elegant parlors.
The protagonist, Enola Holmes, Sherlock's much younger sister, takes center stage in this novel. Enola is a feisty and intelligent character who skillfully navigates the challenges of a male-dominated society. Her wit and resourcefulness make her a compelling lead, and readers will find themselves rooting for her as she unravels the mystery at hand.
The plot of "The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan" is intricate and filled with unexpected twists. The mystery at the heart of the story is well-crafted, keeping readers guessing until the very end. Springer skillfully integrates social issues of the time, such as women's suffrage and the plight of the working class, into the narrative, adding depth and relevance to the story.
However, the pacing of the book occasionally suffers, with certain sections feeling sluggish and lacking momentum. Some readers may find that the pacing hampers the overall enjoyment and suspense of the mystery. Additionally, while the secondary characters are intriguing, their development often feels overshadowed by Enola, leaving them somewhat underutilized and less fully realized.
Overall, "The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan" is a satisfying and whimsical mystery that successfully captures the spirit of Sherlock Holmes while introducing readers to the resourceful and independent Enola Holmes. While it may have pacing issues and less-developed secondary characters, the clever plot and engaging protagonist make this book a worthwhile read for fans of historical mysteries and Sherlockian tales.
January 12, 2010
Not as good as the previous Enola Holmes mysteries, but the relationship between Sherlock and Enola became the main focus in this one rather than the actual mystery plot. Whether that was intentional or not, I cannot tell. For me that shows a distinct lack of polish. However, I still like it, and think these books on average smarter than the average YA novel for older elementary to middle school students.
Quite liking how Sherlock makes comparisons and contrasts between his little sister and he. The spunk and innovative spirit and the longing to help others, he's starting to realize he might have found a kindred spirit among his own flesh-and-blood, and might have actually misjudged Enola, allowing social mores dictate his thoughts. The very prejudices that he himself has had to contend with by becoming a "working" aristocrat.
In The Case of the Peculiar Fan, we see the reappearance of Lady Claire, who played a prominent role in the Left-Handed Lady book. She's being forced into a horrible marriage, arranged by the brute of her father but not condoned by her mother. An interesting premise since divorce was not really an option back then. Also, hints of how the era was prejudiced against females, especially females with strong-minded opinions, are subtly woven in. How these women were thought to be "insane," and treated for the condition.
She's being held captive by her fiance's family and Sherlock has been hired by her mother to find her. Enola has been implored by the Lady Claire herself after they have a run in in the women's lavatory and a pink fan is deviously used by the Lady to convey her need for help. Even still, with such physical evidence to go on, Enola's thwarted a few times too many for her ego's liking and becomes quite emotional over this case.
She sees a lot of herself in Lady Claire and realizes without her mother's demands to keep her away from society she too could possibly be in the same dire straits as the Lady Claire. And for that she's grateful, and bitter because despite her strength of character, her mother still abandoned her.
Quite liking how Sherlock makes comparisons and contrasts between his little sister and he. The spunk and innovative spirit and the longing to help others, he's starting to realize he might have found a kindred spirit among his own flesh-and-blood, and might have actually misjudged Enola, allowing social mores dictate his thoughts. The very prejudices that he himself has had to contend with by becoming a "working" aristocrat.
In The Case of the Peculiar Fan, we see the reappearance of Lady Claire, who played a prominent role in the Left-Handed Lady book. She's being forced into a horrible marriage, arranged by the brute of her father but not condoned by her mother. An interesting premise since divorce was not really an option back then. Also, hints of how the era was prejudiced against females, especially females with strong-minded opinions, are subtly woven in. How these women were thought to be "insane," and treated for the condition.
She's being held captive by her fiance's family and Sherlock has been hired by her mother to find her. Enola has been implored by the Lady Claire herself after they have a run in in the women's lavatory and a pink fan is deviously used by the Lady to convey her need for help. Even still, with such physical evidence to go on, Enola's thwarted a few times too many for her ego's liking and becomes quite emotional over this case.
She sees a lot of herself in Lady Claire and realizes without her mother's demands to keep her away from society she too could possibly be in the same dire straits as the Lady Claire. And for that she's grateful, and bitter because despite her strength of character, her mother still abandoned her.
January 28, 2012
What a rollicking good time I am having reading these books about 14 year old Enola Holmes, the very resourceful younger sister of Sherlock Holmes and Mycroft Holmes whose mom ran away to join the gypsies leaving Enola with a lot of money to support herself on. Sherlock and Mycroft want to put her in a boarding school to learn to be a lady and trophy wife one day but Enola is having none of it. She is living on her own in London and helping people solve mysteries while dodging Sherlock and Mycroft.
In this 4th book of the series, Enola actually teams up with Sherlock at one point to help her old friend Lady Cecily who she rescued in another book from a hypnotist. Lady Cecily's dad is trying to marry her off to a repulsive cousin and they have locked her up and are starving and abusing her and planning to force her into marriage.
To the rescue comes both Enola and Sherlock. I love how they interact and how Sherlock actually does a major favor for her at the end, showing that she has earned his respect, if not Mycroft's.
This mystery starts in a ladies rest room and ends in a creepy orphanage and there is much excitement, fun and mystery in between. All ages can have fun with this series.
In this 4th book of the series, Enola actually teams up with Sherlock at one point to help her old friend Lady Cecily who she rescued in another book from a hypnotist. Lady Cecily's dad is trying to marry her off to a repulsive cousin and they have locked her up and are starving and abusing her and planning to force her into marriage.
To the rescue comes both Enola and Sherlock. I love how they interact and how Sherlock actually does a major favor for her at the end, showing that she has earned his respect, if not Mycroft's.
This mystery starts in a ladies rest room and ends in a creepy orphanage and there is much excitement, fun and mystery in between. All ages can have fun with this series.
July 19, 2021
We have our favorite perditorian with yet another case of missing person. On a chance encounter she runs into her old friend Cecily who then hands her off a peculiar pink fan. And off goes Enola solving the case of the peculiar pink fan.
As usual I loved Enola. She is an amazing character. I am inspired by her spirit and impressed how she is shown as a young girl seeking a familial bond yet determined to pave her own independent path. I cannot understand why Malcolm and Sherlock still insist on Enola to get formal education and get married. They still undermine her abilities which outrages me. Haven't she proved herself enough in numerous ocassions??
I loved the encounter Enola has with Sherlock. The banter they share and the most adorable sibiling energy which they radiate. Utterly delightful. The mystery was more of ok to me. I was rather more invested in Enola's family drama. Now off to the next 😃
As usual I loved Enola. She is an amazing character. I am inspired by her spirit and impressed how she is shown as a young girl seeking a familial bond yet determined to pave her own independent path. I cannot understand why Malcolm and Sherlock still insist on Enola to get formal education and get married. They still undermine her abilities which outrages me. Haven't she proved herself enough in numerous ocassions??
I loved the encounter Enola has with Sherlock. The banter they share and the most adorable sibiling energy which they radiate. Utterly delightful. The mystery was more of ok to me. I was rather more invested in Enola's family drama. Now off to the next 😃
March 14, 2024
This is another delightful mystery in this series, where Enola is once again searching for young Lady Cicely, who we met in The Case of the Left-Handed Lady. Thankfully both Lady Cicely and Enola are familiar with the young ladies' language of fans so that Enola knows she needs help, but of course they can't speak because she is being controlled by two dragon ladies. Thwarted by--I can't say who--she has to dig deep in order to find out where Lady Cicely is being held. Worse, her brother Sherlock is the only one who can help.
April 27, 2021
As I've re-read each in this series I have bumped its star rating from 4 to 5. I don't know what I will do when I re-read it again.
November 19, 2020
Auch wenn mich die Bücher von Sherlock Holmes immer noch mehr als begeistern, schummelt sich Enola Holmes immer mehr an die Spitzenposition. Die jüngste Tochter aus dem Hause Holmes, erlebte nun schon ihr 4. Abenteuer, welches mich in einen spannenden Fall bugsierte, der für der Leser der Vorgänger glatt zum Highlight werden könnte.
Seit dem ersten Band verfolge ich nun schon Enolas Abenteuer und wurde bisher immer überrascht. Dies war auch diesmal so, zumal man es diesmal mit Charakteren zutun bekam, welche man teilweise bereits kannte. Aber auch sonst wusste dieser Band einfach, wie er mich als Leserin abholen konnte.
Zum einen wäre da natürlich wieder Enola selbst, welche mich mit ihrem Wissen und Können, einfach sofort wieder in ihren Bann zog. Dazu kamen die herrlichen Beschreibungen Londons, welche vom Kutscher bis zu den Bewohner wieder sehr detailliert wieder gegeben wurden. Abschließend war dann noch der Fall selbst, welcher die Raffinesse der Autorin wieder hervorbrachte.
Es war einfach eine Freude das Buch zu lesen, zumal die Verbindungen zu Enolas Brüdern immer wieder einen Weg in die Geschichte fanden. Besonders diesmal spielte dies eine wichtige Rolle, da Sherlock eine wichtige Person im Buch darstellte. Als Fan seiner Kriminalromane wirklich spannend, auch wenn der sonst stets äußerst clevere Detektiv den ein oder anderen Fehler beging. Aber hey, keiner ist perfekt, auch ein Sherlock Holmes nicht.
Trotz allem fühlte sich dieser Band einfach nur gut an. Er war spannend geschrieben, beachtete kleine Details bei Kleidung oder Sprache und lehrte mich, was es heißt einen Fächer als Sprachinstrument zu benutzen. Es war wirklich eine vollgepackte Wundertüte, deren Inhalt wirklich niemand enttäuschen dürfte. Ich freue mich jetzt schon auf Enolas nächsten Fall.
Enola Holmes und ihr mittlerweile 4. Abenteuer waren wieder ein fulminantes Werk mit einem Mix aus Jugendbuch und Kriminalfall. Dabei konnte nicht nur das Cover überzeugen, sondern auch die Geschichte selbst. Diese war nämlich nicht nur spannend geschrieben, sondern auch voll mit eindrucksvollen Erlebnissen, welche eine tolle Einsicht in die damalige Zeit ermöglichte.
Seit dem ersten Band verfolge ich nun schon Enolas Abenteuer und wurde bisher immer überrascht. Dies war auch diesmal so, zumal man es diesmal mit Charakteren zutun bekam, welche man teilweise bereits kannte. Aber auch sonst wusste dieser Band einfach, wie er mich als Leserin abholen konnte.
Zum einen wäre da natürlich wieder Enola selbst, welche mich mit ihrem Wissen und Können, einfach sofort wieder in ihren Bann zog. Dazu kamen die herrlichen Beschreibungen Londons, welche vom Kutscher bis zu den Bewohner wieder sehr detailliert wieder gegeben wurden. Abschließend war dann noch der Fall selbst, welcher die Raffinesse der Autorin wieder hervorbrachte.
Es war einfach eine Freude das Buch zu lesen, zumal die Verbindungen zu Enolas Brüdern immer wieder einen Weg in die Geschichte fanden. Besonders diesmal spielte dies eine wichtige Rolle, da Sherlock eine wichtige Person im Buch darstellte. Als Fan seiner Kriminalromane wirklich spannend, auch wenn der sonst stets äußerst clevere Detektiv den ein oder anderen Fehler beging. Aber hey, keiner ist perfekt, auch ein Sherlock Holmes nicht.
Trotz allem fühlte sich dieser Band einfach nur gut an. Er war spannend geschrieben, beachtete kleine Details bei Kleidung oder Sprache und lehrte mich, was es heißt einen Fächer als Sprachinstrument zu benutzen. Es war wirklich eine vollgepackte Wundertüte, deren Inhalt wirklich niemand enttäuschen dürfte. Ich freue mich jetzt schon auf Enolas nächsten Fall.
Enola Holmes und ihr mittlerweile 4. Abenteuer waren wieder ein fulminantes Werk mit einem Mix aus Jugendbuch und Kriminalfall. Dabei konnte nicht nur das Cover überzeugen, sondern auch die Geschichte selbst. Diese war nämlich nicht nur spannend geschrieben, sondern auch voll mit eindrucksvollen Erlebnissen, welche eine tolle Einsicht in die damalige Zeit ermöglichte.
October 25, 2020
Watch the review on Youtube
Hear the review on my Podcast
Read the full review at my blog Digital Amrit
tl;dr: The ‘Enola Holmes’ books are an engaging, entertaining and empowering take on the Holmes mythos which will be a hit with girls in their tweens.
This series is a set of six short books set from the perspective of Sherlock Holmes’s younger sister, Enola Holmes. The series starts with their mother disappearing on Enola’s fourteenth birthday. Mycroft and Sherlock are not interested in pursuing their mother’s disappearance due to an old family quarrel and want to put Enola in boarding school. Enola has been bought up by her mother to be a free and independent thinker. She refuses to be part of the patriarchal and misogynistic system of the 1900s, runs away to London and tries to find her mother on her own. Her struggles to survive in London; her attempts to help others by using her powers of intelligence and deduction and her constant brushes with her brothers form the stories of the rest of the series.
Each of the books has a central mystery at its core that Enola has to solve. Typically, these are focused on women and their problems in the era. For example — women being forced to wear corsets, thrown into arranged marriages, being robbed etc. (the rest of the review is available at my blog or any of the links below)
Watch the review on Youtube
Hear the review on my Podcast
Read the full review at my blog Digital Amrit
Hear the review on my Podcast
Read the full review at my blog Digital Amrit
tl;dr: The ‘Enola Holmes’ books are an engaging, entertaining and empowering take on the Holmes mythos which will be a hit with girls in their tweens.
This series is a set of six short books set from the perspective of Sherlock Holmes’s younger sister, Enola Holmes. The series starts with their mother disappearing on Enola’s fourteenth birthday. Mycroft and Sherlock are not interested in pursuing their mother’s disappearance due to an old family quarrel and want to put Enola in boarding school. Enola has been bought up by her mother to be a free and independent thinker. She refuses to be part of the patriarchal and misogynistic system of the 1900s, runs away to London and tries to find her mother on her own. Her struggles to survive in London; her attempts to help others by using her powers of intelligence and deduction and her constant brushes with her brothers form the stories of the rest of the series.
Each of the books has a central mystery at its core that Enola has to solve. Typically, these are focused on women and their problems in the era. For example — women being forced to wear corsets, thrown into arranged marriages, being robbed etc. (the rest of the review is available at my blog or any of the links below)
Watch the review on Youtube
Hear the review on my Podcast
Read the full review at my blog Digital Amrit
November 14, 2022
Toujours séduite par la relecture de cette série ! En audio, la performance de la comédienne est extra. Agréable, distrayante et élégante. Un vrai bonheur à écouter.
Dans cette histoire, nous retrouvons la jeune Cecily croisée dans le deuxième tome L'affaire Lady Alistair. Cette demoiselle est un peu le reflet de Miss Holmes, à savoir une jeune fille de bonne famille qu'on destine à une vie rangée et conventionnelle alors qu'elle brûle de briser ses chaînes et s'enfuir de sa cage dorée. Enola avait eu un coup de cœur pour elle et pris de grands risques pour la sauver. Cette fois encore, Lady Cecily se trouve dans une situation inquiétante et réclame l'assistance de la détective. Et à nouveau, notre héroïne va prendre à cœur cette mission, quitte à impliquer son frère Sherlock. Ce dernier commence tout doucement à lui reconnaître des qualités même s'il se comporte aussi en grand frère protecteur et autoritaire.
J'aime beaucoup la relation qui se noue timidement entre eux. Et j'aime à penser que la suite va leur offrir d'autres occasions pour se comparer et se rapprocher. Une perspective ô combien réjouissante. Je ne manquerai pas de poursuivre ma relecture très bientôt.
Dans cette histoire, nous retrouvons la jeune Cecily croisée dans le deuxième tome L'affaire Lady Alistair. Cette demoiselle est un peu le reflet de Miss Holmes, à savoir une jeune fille de bonne famille qu'on destine à une vie rangée et conventionnelle alors qu'elle brûle de briser ses chaînes et s'enfuir de sa cage dorée. Enola avait eu un coup de cœur pour elle et pris de grands risques pour la sauver. Cette fois encore, Lady Cecily se trouve dans une situation inquiétante et réclame l'assistance de la détective. Et à nouveau, notre héroïne va prendre à cœur cette mission, quitte à impliquer son frère Sherlock. Ce dernier commence tout doucement à lui reconnaître des qualités même s'il se comporte aussi en grand frère protecteur et autoritaire.
J'aime beaucoup la relation qui se noue timidement entre eux. Et j'aime à penser que la suite va leur offrir d'autres occasions pour se comparer et se rapprocher. Une perspective ô combien réjouissante. Je ne manquerai pas de poursuivre ma relecture très bientôt.
October 14, 2021
Some of you may be wondering: why am I still reading these books when they annoy me so? Well, first of all, the premise is actually really fun. It's making my imagination machine work overtime. Second of all, the tension is actually really good. Third of all, I refuse to read any of those sub-par teen versions of Sherlock Holmes. This is the best option.
But, anyway, despite absolutely hating the premise, this book was enjoyable to me! I've decided to accept that this version of Sherlock is just a lot less intelligent. I'd rather he was, but the whole series would crumble if Sherlock knew how to actually solve stuff. And it's gonna make for an adorable scene (his bumbliness) so I'm just chalking this up to character interpretation.
Likes
1) In the prologue, Mycroft brings up an excellent point: 'It is the girl's future that is at stake, not her immediate survival. What is to become of her in a few years?' Of course, he and Sherlock are still mostly interested in getting Enola a husband, but he still has a point. Enola is 14. She needs some more education, of whatever sort. Or, as Sherlock mentions later: 'Does any respectable and responsible older person have a care for you? [...] If not, then you cannot possible be safe; any female dwelling alone is a magnet for crime.'
2) There's some guy named Baron Dagobert Merganser. In the Netherlands, Donald Duck's uncle (Scrooge) is called Dagobert.
3) Enola has to make sure her aristocratic accent doesn't slip through. I liked this bit of realism.
4) The riddle that Enola wrote was pretty catchy
5) And now... the reason I liked this book! Sherlock and Enola have quite a bit of interaction, and this is the first we see of them working together. It was very cute, especially since Sherlock shows actual love for Enola, and even Mycroft is starting to warm up.
6) There's a non-sexist man in here!
Dislikes
1) "Society-watching was a pursuit that, being a person of democratic convictions, I had scorned, up until now." What does that even mean?
2) This is the fourth book in a row in which Darwin and evolution are mentioned for no good reason.
3) I'm okay with long words, but "dolichocephalic" is overdoing it.
4) I have to admit I'm very prejudiced against stories where girls try to get out of arranged marriages. It's not that it's wrong for them to want to be happy, it's just...
Okay (1) if you've lived your entire life in a culture where it's normal, you will probably accept your parents' decision (). (2) Quite a lot of the time, parents actually... cared about their children. Yeah, weird concept, huh? So when they were looking for partners, they would also take the character into consideration.
I guess my problem with the trope is just that it portrays the entire world as anti-women and makes everything seem way worse than it was.
It also makes for a perfect opportunity for Enola to complain about marriage again: 'It had to do with the lock part of the wedlock. Trapped. Horrible, irrevocably trapped' Just because a character doesn't want to marry doesn't mean she has to hate marriage! Nuance exists.
5) Enola continues with the "not like other girls" - spiel by disguising herself as beautiful. Yeah, basically she says her brothers won't recognise her if she looks beautiful... I could read this as being insecure, but it comes across as "I'm not like other girls. I don't care about looks". Except she's constantly calling everybody ugly.
6) Enola steals candals from a chapel, which isn't great. But my bigger problem comes later. Enola talks about feeling "revulsion" while "appropriating altar candals and baptismal water". Apparantly the church is something to be grossed out by.
7) Enola assumes Cecily's father is marrying her off because he's embarrassed by her kidnapping in book something (i don't remember which one it was). She says: "And marrying his daughter to his sister's son was exactly the sort of thing Sir Eastace would do. I remembered how his concern had been all for hushing up scandal, rather than for his daugher's safety, when Cecily had been kidnapped." Now, first of all, we've never even met the man. We don't know how concerned he was. I recall it was he who contacted Sherlock Holmes about it, although I might be wrong. Whatever the case, simply assuming the father doesn't love the daughter because he doesn't love the poor is a bit of a stretch.
8) Enola doesn't say a proper hello to her landlady and her servant (idk was it a servant) at one point, and her excuse is: "the deafness of the former and the humble status of the latter rendered any explanation unnecessary" Yeah, cause you don't have to be polite to the deaf and those of lower social status than you.
So... yeah. The only reason I gave this three stars is because of the sweet scene between Sherlock and Enola.
But, anyway, despite absolutely hating the premise, this book was enjoyable to me! I've decided to accept that this version of Sherlock is just a lot less intelligent. I'd rather he was, but the whole series would crumble if Sherlock knew how to actually solve stuff. And it's gonna make for an adorable scene (his bumbliness) so I'm just chalking this up to character interpretation.
Likes
1) In the prologue, Mycroft brings up an excellent point: 'It is the girl's future that is at stake, not her immediate survival. What is to become of her in a few years?' Of course, he and Sherlock are still mostly interested in getting Enola a husband, but he still has a point. Enola is 14. She needs some more education, of whatever sort. Or, as Sherlock mentions later: 'Does any respectable and responsible older person have a care for you? [...] If not, then you cannot possible be safe; any female dwelling alone is a magnet for crime.'
2) There's some guy named Baron Dagobert Merganser. In the Netherlands, Donald Duck's uncle (Scrooge) is called Dagobert.
3) Enola has to make sure her aristocratic accent doesn't slip through. I liked this bit of realism.
4) The riddle that Enola wrote was pretty catchy
5) And now... the reason I liked this book! Sherlock and Enola have quite a bit of interaction, and this is the first we see of them working together. It was very cute, especially since Sherlock shows actual love for Enola, and even Mycroft is starting to warm up.
6) There's a non-sexist man in here!
Dislikes
1) "Society-watching was a pursuit that, being a person of democratic convictions, I had scorned, up until now." What does that even mean?
2) This is the fourth book in a row in which Darwin and evolution are mentioned for no good reason.
3) I'm okay with long words, but "dolichocephalic" is overdoing it.
4) I have to admit I'm very prejudiced against stories where girls try to get out of arranged marriages. It's not that it's wrong for them to want to be happy, it's just...
Okay (1) if you've lived your entire life in a culture where it's normal, you will probably accept your parents' decision (). (2) Quite a lot of the time, parents actually... cared about their children. Yeah, weird concept, huh? So when they were looking for partners, they would also take the character into consideration.
I guess my problem with the trope is just that it portrays the entire world as anti-women and makes everything seem way worse than it was.
It also makes for a perfect opportunity for Enola to complain about marriage again: 'It had to do with the lock part of the wedlock. Trapped. Horrible, irrevocably trapped' Just because a character doesn't want to marry doesn't mean she has to hate marriage! Nuance exists.
5) Enola continues with the "not like other girls" - spiel by disguising herself as beautiful. Yeah, basically she says her brothers won't recognise her if she looks beautiful... I could read this as being insecure, but it comes across as "I'm not like other girls. I don't care about looks". Except she's constantly calling everybody ugly.
6) Enola steals candals from a chapel, which isn't great. But my bigger problem comes later. Enola talks about feeling "revulsion" while "appropriating altar candals and baptismal water". Apparantly the church is something to be grossed out by.
7) Enola assumes Cecily's father is marrying her off because he's embarrassed by her kidnapping in book something (i don't remember which one it was). She says: "And marrying his daughter to his sister's son was exactly the sort of thing Sir Eastace would do. I remembered how his concern had been all for hushing up scandal, rather than for his daugher's safety, when Cecily had been kidnapped." Now, first of all, we've never even met the man. We don't know how concerned he was. I recall it was he who contacted Sherlock Holmes about it, although I might be wrong. Whatever the case, simply assuming the father doesn't love the daughter because he doesn't love the poor is a bit of a stretch.
8) Enola doesn't say a proper hello to her landlady and her servant (idk was it a servant) at one point, and her excuse is: "the deafness of the former and the humble status of the latter rendered any explanation unnecessary" Yeah, cause you don't have to be polite to the deaf and those of lower social status than you.
So... yeah. The only reason I gave this three stars is because of the sweet scene between Sherlock and Enola.
November 1, 2022
Uwielbiam wątek Cecyli
November 19, 2022
O wiele lepsze od poprzednich części :)
February 15, 2023
I am on a roll and cannot get enough of Enola and her budding relationship with her brother, who slowly seems to get on her side. Also her longing for family and friendship is very relatable and touching. It is the price she pays for her independence, and I wish she (we) would not have to chose, but could have it all. Her competence and ingenuity are so satisfying to read about.
February 20, 2021
I love the relationship between Enola and Sherlock!
June 13, 2022
Przy każdym kolejnym tomie zadaję sobie pytanie, czy zaskoczy mnie bardziej od poprzedniego? I za każdym razem odpowiedź okazuje się twierdząca.
May 9, 2023
Ein weiterer guter Band in dieser Reihe. Diese Bücher sind spannend und total kurzweilig, aber in einem guten Sinne. Aber ich freue mich sehr darüber, dass Enolas Brüder inzwischen auch wieder mehr in die Geschichte einbezogen werden, wobei Enola weiterhin eine interessante Protagonistin bleibt.
Another good volume in this series. These books are exciting and really entertaining. But I am very pleased that Enola's brothers are now more involved in the story as well, while Enola remains an interesting protagonist.
Another good volume in this series. These books are exciting and really entertaining. But I am very pleased that Enola's brothers are now more involved in the story as well, while Enola remains an interesting protagonist.
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