Customer Reviews

The Case of the Missing Marquess: An Enola Holmes Mystery

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There's a real sense of relief that comes with reading a book that knows what it wants to do and then goes out and accomplishes it. Take Ms. Nancy Springer. Having given us some insight into Robin Hood's daughter ("Rowan Hood: Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest"), as well as that notorious King Arthur villainess ("I Am Morgan le Fay"), Springer turns her attention to a friend of her youth. According to this book, the author grew up with the "Complete Works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle". It was as a kid that she would be, "reading and rereading them over a period of years until she could find no more Sherlock Holmes stories to memorize". But rather than do as so many have done and continue Holmes' adventures (or, in some cases, that of his lady love Irene Adler) Springer had a better idea. Anyone who has read Doyle at any length knows that Holmes had a brother Mycroft (on whom Rex Stout's character of Nero Wolfe was partly based). But what about a sister? Holmes undoubtedly wouldn't have mentioned her to Watson and if she had any of the great detective's smarts her story would be a truly interesting tale to tell. With that thought in mind we come to "The Case of the Missing Marquess". A good old-fashioned mystery alongside an understanding of the role women were meant to play back in the 1800s, the book is fast-paced, truly enjoyable, and a great read for one and all.

When Enola Holmes's mother disappears without a trace on the day of her birthday, her daughter doesn't fret too much. Her mother often wanders off on her own. She's a singularly single-minded woman, after all, and has raised Enola to be the same. But when it becomes clear, however, that Lady Eudoria Vernet Holmes is not coming back, Enola has no choice but to contact her two elder brothers: Mycroft and Sherlock. The men had not been home in years, owing partly to a fight they had had with the now missing Lady. On their return they are shocked at the state of things and Mycroft in particular becomes intent upon bending his stubborn little sister to his will. Enola has other plans in mind, however, and in no time she concocts a plan on escaping the rigid role both her brothers and society have assigned her. Along her journey she also gets wrapped up in the case of a missing heir to a Duke and finds herself thoroughly ensconced in the slimy backwaters of London's foulest dens. But if anyone's up to the task of battling villains and saving young heirs, it's a girl with the last name of Holmes.

As a children's librarian I hear no end of demands from stubborn young `uns for an unceasing and steady supply of mystery fiction. Kids love a good mystery, be it the fabulous "Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin or the tepid "Chasing Vermeer" by Blue Balliett. In spite of the demand, very few quality works of fiction fulfill this need. You could close your eyes, spin around in the children's room of a library or bookstore, and end up pointing at one of the five million mystery series out there, but GOOD ones are as rare as rubies. All the more reason why this book (hopefully only the first of more to come) will be greatly appreciated by kids of many persuasions.

Because you see, the writing is key. Though the book spends half its time getting Enola on the road, you don't feel that it ever goes any faster or slower than it should. Enola is not only engaging (she points out to Mycroft that the chances of marrying her off are probably fairly slim since, "I look just like Sherlock"), but also on top of things. She is very touched by her mother's disappearance but when it becomes clear that she is truly on her own, she rallies admirably. She even eschews the usual girl-dressing-up-like-a-boy conceit (OVERDONE conceit, I add) because she knows that if she is to hide from Sherlock she must do what he doesn't expect. That makes for especially good disguises on her part. Ones that make sense too. And there are plenty of ciphers, codes, clues, and neat twists to keep the book interesting for both kids and adults alike. I was delighted to find on more than one occasion that the book would surprise me with a twist that, had I been looking for it, I should have discovered on my own. I cannot quite figure out if the hidden numbers and letters on the cover of "The Case of the Missing Marquess" are a code, but I'm certain that enterprising youth everywhere will try to figure it out on their own.

There is a small problem with the essential conceit behind this book, of course. I mean, it starts off with a woman abandoning her daughter so that she herself can lead her own carefree life without worrying about a young `un. Say what you will about the difficulties faced back in the day, it's very hard to justify a mother leaving her child and without so much as a card or hug. Enola tries to come up with several justifications for her mom's actions, but when you get right down to it it's a nasty thing to do. She definitely could have taken Enola along with her. It just would have made for an entirely different story, and not one that Ms. Springer particularly wanted to tell.

All in all, Enola Holmes and her book make for a difficult-to-resist pairing. I've little doubt that kids will be clamoring for the next installment in the series and that this is only the beginning. A great combination of humor, history, and contemporary good sense. An excellent addition to any collection.

Nancy Springer is a noted fantasy author, but here lately she's been re-writing some of her - and my - favorite childhood characters. I've always been partial to that Outlaw of Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood, but who knew he had a daughter? Nancy did. In fact, she's written five novels about Rowan Hood and her merry band.

Morgan Le Fay has always been one of those strong woman, and evil, from Arthurian legend. But who knew her childhood stories? Nancy did. She wrote two of the young Morgan Le Fay.

When I think of private detectives, I always think of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, and Mycroft Holmes. But who knew that Sherlock and Mycroft had a younger sister? Nancy did. And she's just now penning the curious adventures of Enola Holmes, the fourteen-year-old younger sister of the Great Detective.

I first met Miss Enola Holmes in the novel, ENOLA HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS. I found her to be utterly brilliant, like her older brothers, and quite given to solving mysteries. Her deductive reasoning is a delight, as is her particular views on society.

Regrettably, young Enola is not a proper young lady. She loves traipsing through forests, wearing men's clothing, and having hideouts that require journeying through streams and across muddy earth. She's also quite fearless and knowledgeable about a great many things.

The first-person narrative of the novels revealed a lot of Miss Holmes's character to me within a few short pages. I found her to be, not so much a carbon copy of Sherlock Holmes, but rather a young lady with all of Sherlock's best qualities who was also equipped with the vision of youth and feminine perspective.

There are a great many puzzles in Miss Holmes's life. Not in the least of these is the reason why her mother abandoned Miss Holmes on the morning of her fourteenth birthday. As much as that bothered and stymied young Miss Holmes, it also burdened me with curiosity and speculation.

But Miss Holmes's mother left many messages behind for her young daughter. They shared a passion for puzzles and curiosities. Miss Holmes's first name, Enola, is actually ALONE spelled backward. Once you understand that, you begin to worry at what prompted her mother to name her such. The name, though, offers hints as to how to solve the other mysteries her mother left her. The interpretations are so obvious when the solution is given.

After she discovers she's been abandoned, Miss Holmes puts the police to searching for her mother, but at the same time she knows that if her brothers find her alone and uncared for they'll ship her off to a young ladies' finishing school. That's not something Miss Holmes wants.

Before long, she figures out a way to escape the watchful eye of Mycroft as he stays there to set his mother's affairs right. Then she's on her way to London, the Greatest City in the world, on her trusty bicycle. Along the way I was treated to a great many descriptions of the time and land that were truly amazing.

It also doesn't take Enola long to come across a mystery that haunts her all the way to London. While at the estates of the Marquess of Tewksbury, Enola takes the case long enough to figure out what happened to the young boy. She doesn't dream that this endeavor will follow her all the way to her destination and place her squarely in the path of the worst danger she's ever known amid London's seedier alleys.

ENOLA HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS is a wonderful book for the 9-12 year old minds. It's small and compact, not overly long, and physically fits into small hands quite well. Not only that, but the cover art is outstanding. I also liked the fact that the cover is printed right on the hardcover under the dust jacket.

The second book is called ENOLA HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE LEFT-HANDED LADY, and is already out. ENOLA HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE BIZARRE BOUQUETS is coming in January 2008. The first two books would make excellent gifts for the upcoming Christmas season.

Fourteen-year-old Enola Holmes has always felt less important than her brothers - who are both more than twice her age. After all, Mycroft is quite the businessman, and Sherlock...well, he's the world-famous detective, who can solve any crime. Well, almost any crime. Enola, on the other hand, seems to possess nothing other than a strange name - it's the word ALONE spelled backwards - and a little more than average talent for drawing. So when Enola's mother disappears on the day of her birthday, Enola knows that something strange is going on. After all, while her mother has never paid much attention to her, she would never miss something as important as her own daughters fourteenth birthday. So, once the presents are opened - delivered to her by the servants - Enola sets out on a search for her eccentric mother. However, when she comes up empty-handed, she decides that it is time to contact the two older brothers, who have always tried to pretend that she didn't exist. But when they arrive, Mycroft, being the demanding man that he is, tries to send Enola off to a finishing school, where she will learn proper female trades, and manners. Enola is horrified by this thought. So, taking the money meant for her new school, Enola sets off into the wild blue yonder, in search of her mother, but encountering something much more sinister: the disappearance of a young marquess. Now, Enola, posing as a young widow, feels that it is up to her to find the runaway marquess; but she must evade kidnappers as she does so. Kidnappers who are thirsty for money, no matter what they must do to get it...

Nancy Springer is one of the most influential historical fiction writers out there. Her novels I AM MORGAN LE FAY and ROWAN HOOD: OUTLAW GIRL OF SHERWOOD FOREST, among others, were gems. However, it is her creation of Sherlock Holmes' younger sister, that makes her even more creative and talented than I ever thought. Being a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's SHERLOCK HOLMES' mysteries, I was beyond excited to discover THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS. Enola Holmes is the epitome of a girl detective. She's headstrong, stubborn, curious, adventurous, demanding, intelligent, and much more, all rolled up into one handful of a young lady. Her dry wit is enticing, as are her somewhat questionable manners. However, her entire personality creates one interesting, very appealing character, who will win fans over in a heartbeat. A very interesting start to a new Victorian mystery series, that will only improve with time - like a fine wine. A can't-miss novel, by a can't-miss author.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

I picked up The Case of the Missing Marquess in the library to read aloud to my daughter, who's seven now but has been enjoying mysteries since she was four, when we started reading Nancy Drew to her. On page 3, we read about a (live) prostitute with haggard eyes and another who "was recently found dead a few streets away, slit wide open." OK, so we stopped right there. I don't want that image even for myself -- not to mention to have to explain it to a kid and embed it in her very literal imagination. So while the book may be acclaimed by many of its readers and be advertised for kids 9-13, I would *definitely* put the lower limit on this book higher than age 9.

A new book series featuring a strong, female character I have enjoyed lately has been that starring Enola Holmes, much younger sister of the famous Sherlock Holmes. In her first installment, The Case of the Missing Marquess, Enola is stunned when her mother disappears without warning on Enola's birthday, leaving behind only a few gifts and no note. Her older brothers arrive to assist Enola is finding her mother and when they realize that may be more difficult than anticipated, her eldest brother arranges for Enola to be sent away to a boarding school. Extremely upset with the news, Enola decides to take the mystery of her mother's disappearance into her own hands, before she gets shipped off to school.

Though not as quirky as Gilda Joyce, Enola definitely is a strong character, with very quick wit.... nice for the time period this book takes place in. This is another great selection for middle readers that love mystery!

Women have always upset Sherlock Holmes's equilibrium (see Irene Adler from the original short stories or Mary Russell from Laurie R. King's fantastic mystery series). Holmes's family background is one aspect of his life that has received scant, if any, attention in the various Holmes pastiches that have appeared over the years. In the first Enola Holmes mystery, Nancy Springer dares to imagine a most unconventional mother and much-younger sister for the famed detective, both highly unconventional women well capable of throwing his order-loving world slightly off-kilter.

Fourteen-year-old Enola has never known her considerably older brothers. She's lived a relatively secluded life with her mother on the family estate, convinced her brothers want nothing to do with her because of the gossip surrounding the fact that she was an "unexpected" addition to the family. However, all of Enola's assumptions about her life and family change when her birthday arrives and her mother vanishes. When Sherlock and Mycroft descend on the estate in search of their wayward parent, Enola discovers the family dynamic is far more complicated than she'd ever surmised. And while she craves a relationship with her brothers, Enola quickly realizes that she has little desire to acquiesce to their plans for her future - and if their mother is to be found, she must be the one to do the finding. Armed with her mother's last gift - a cryptic book of ciphers - Enola sets out to make her way in the world and finds herself in more danger than she could've possibly imagined, needing all her untapped skill as a member of the Holmes clan in order to survive.

The character of Enola is an absolute gem. She's got spunk and gumption, and as a woman has a special set of skills and insight that her famous brother lacks, thanks to his rather dim view of the "fairer" sex (my favorite Sherlock quote is when he refers to Enola's "limited cranial capacity" - ouch!). Springer includes lots of interesting info about ciphers and the language of flowers, the knowledge of which helps set Enola apart from her family and make up her own special skill set. The Missing Marquess is an all-too quick, but thoroughly absorbing read. Springer packs a lot of atmosphere and detail into each chapter, resulting in one of the best YA reads I've come across. I cannot wait to discover the further adventures of the one and only Enola Holmes!

I'll readily admit that I bought this because I liked the idea of a mystery series with Sherlock Holmes' little sister as the protagonist. And I was not disappointed. Nancy Springer has taken on a fine Victorian voice for this series and Enola is intrepid, bright, curious, logical, and a lot of fun to follow around.

Granted, we run ahead of her a bit in catching some clues, which is really the only fault I give this. The pace is nice. The riddles to be solved are fun to work through. And knowing that Sherlock and Mycroft are there, secondarily, is part of the thrill.

In this, her first case, there are two disappearances for Enola Holmes to solves--her mother's and a young aristocrat's. The first is obviously quite personal and painful, but it's also mentally stimulating and well-motivated. We learn, through Enola's own actions and worries and woes, just how restricted life was for ladies of her time.

A very good start to a series that is not just for kids. Adults can enjoy this, too.

The Case of the Missing Marquess is a great book! I was browsing through the public library and picked it up, excited to read this interesting story. I hoped I wouldn't be disappointed with its plot and mystery after reading a few real Sherlock Holmes adventures. I wasn't disappointed at all! This story has a double plot in which Enola Holmes, Sherlock Holmes's younger sister, must locate her missing mother and return Lord Tewksberry to his home. She travels in disguise, deciphers secret ciphers left behind by her mother, and uses her skills to solve the mysteries set before her.
This exciting mystery is great, and I can't wait to get the next two books in the series: The Case of the Left-Handed Lady and (still not yet published) The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets. Although this is a mystery book with Sherlock Holmes, this book is definitely directed to girls. This book was marvelous, and I recommend it to all girls.

****1/2

When I picked up this book, it sounded like something that would be slightly flakey and formulaic. After all, the heroine is Sherlock Holmes's much younger sister! However I was gladly mistaken. The author's style of writing grabbed me from the first page and I zoomed through the book, hardly able to set it down!

When Mrs. Holmes disappears without a trace or even saying goodbye, it is up to daughter Enola to uncover the sultry clues her mother left her and piece them together using skills her "logical" brother Sherlock Holmes would never think of using. Her adventures eventually take her to London where she finally discovers where her place is in the world. The journey along the way is full of interesting characters, disguises and kidnapping. Fast-paced and well-written, the only thing I found disappointing in this book was the main character's belief in Science and chance rather than God.

Have you guys ever wondered about the family of your favorite fictional characters such as Sherlock Holmes, Kind Arthur, or Robin Hood? I know I have. Well, Nancy Springer is an author who likes to write stories about classical characters and their families. In The Case of the Missing Marquess she is telling about the adventure the younger sister of Sherlock Holmes, Enola.
When Enola's mother goes missing Enola must send a message to her brothers, whom she hasn't seen in over ten years. However, when her detective brother arrives Sherlock concludes that after their mother had gathered money from her richer son, Mycroft, she ran away leaving Enola alone with two servants. Both of Enola's brothers believe that she was not raised properly and that she should be sent away to a finishing school. Enola, though has different plans. When she finds out that her mother has not completely abandoned her and in secret left money hidden for her, she then devises a perfect scheme to leave her brothers behind and fool the famous detective. Along the way she encounters many of her own struggles and adventures. During her escape she finds a missing boy, solves a mystery or two, and she begins her own business.
This fiction book, written by Nancy Springer, is an excellent choice for anyone who loves mystery and adventure. Nancy Springer does a good job of not taking anything away from our favorite detective, and she does an even better job at adding a family and past to him. Plus you will love the new addition to the Holmes family. Overall this is a book that will capture the imagination of anyone who loves Sherlock Holmes or any other kinds of mystery.