Customer Reviews

The Case of the Missing Marquess

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

The first book in a wonderful series, The Case Of The Missing Marquess tells the story of Enola Holmes, younger sister of Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes. As the story opens, Enola is searching for her missing mother, whose disappearance brings Enola's famous older brothers back home from London. Mystery builds upon mystery, as things at the family estate are not what they appeared to be.

As the mother of three girls, I really appreciate a strong, intelligent female character, and Enola Holmes doesn't disappoint. There are also many facts snuck into the tale, which give a bit of historical perspective to the story -- they're also eye opening to the realities of how women were treated, as well as how the poor lived in London (and elsewhere) in the late 1800s.

I would recommend this series for older children, but also for adults who enjoy a fast paced, interesting mystery as well.

Now I think about it, most YA books (especially fantasies or action/adventure) do involve a mystery of sorts. That said, I can think of few YA books that are, actually, mysteries - complete with a missing person, a detective, and hidden clues. So, in that respect, I was very pleased to read this, and found it refreshing and unique.

I really enjoyed Springer's style (even though at times it was a bit too detailed/rambling, and I think some younger readers might not enjoy that style as much since the pace is thus slower. But, I was pleased that something like this can still be published today!) And, while some of the plot was predictable, some was still very surprising.

The book did feel a little disjointed, since the Marquess-mystery actually felt like the secondary mystery, but was the title of the book...

I'm not sure how I feel about the ending... I mean, overall I was satisfied, but I took issue with a few of the characters' choices (nothing severe, just, not quite perfect). Since this is a series though, I'm willing to see if these issues are addressed in later books.

Also, WHY did Springer have to add that prologue (that also shows up in a later chapter)!? The rest of the book was very PG, but unfortunately those few passages took the book to a much older audience and it didn't have to be there. I'm sure there's many young adults who would be fine with it, but I'm not anxious to recommend this to a pre-teen/tween when things like "women of the night" are mentioned in passing... sigh....

I did not read this, but listened to the audio book which I very much enjoyed! Narrated entirely by Katherine Kellgren who did a fine job (especially with our protagonist!). That said, some of her characters did start to sound the same, and I think it was do more to her lack of variation in inflection/pacing than the "sound" of her voice. But, overall since this was told in first person, I felt Kellgren was a fine choice!

I waiver between three and four stars for this, but will give it four since it was a unique book and style for this genre and age.