Customer Reviews

The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan

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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

I've read all the Enola Holmes books and loved them all, but The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fans is definitely my favorite one. They just keep getting better! I would reccomend these books for girls who are probably twelve and up. I'm fifteen myself and I know that I wouldn't have really enjoyed this series when I was younger. Of course, if differs for everyone, but that's what I would reccomend.

Enjoy!

When is a fan not really a fan but a way of speaking? Enola Holmes does not get herself involved in the ways of Victorian ladies, but she does know a few things about the language of fans. This comes in very handy for her one day when she encounters her old acquaintance, the Honorable Cecily Alistair, under most unusual circumstances. While resting in a ladies' lavatory (actually hiding from her pesky brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft), she sees Lady Cecily come in with two overpowering escorts. It doesn't take her long to figure out that something is terribly amiss. Sitting quietly, disguised as a lady scholar, she observes that Cecily seems to be under stress as the two matrons with her boss her around. When Cecily's eyes, peeking over her pink fan, meet Enola's, they begin an interesting communication.

Cecily opened the pink fan and began to ply it as if to cool her face. I noticed that she used her left hand --- significant: she chose to be her true self rather than obeying the demands of propriety. I noticed also that she positioned the fan as a frail sort of barrier between herself and her guardian. Behind its brief concealment her gaze caught mine, and in that moment the fan almost as if by accident tapped her on the forehead.

I understood her signal at once: Caution. We are being watched.

Before they part, Cecily manages to cleverly drop her fan near Enola. Her friend definitely seems to be in need of rescuing (yet again, because in another adventure she actually saved Cecily). Enola no sooner leaves the lavatory attempting to follow the trio than she literally bumps into Mycroft. While she manages to run from him, it has set her next adventure off rather badly. Those brothers of hers are always trying to reign her in and make her into a respectable "lady." Though she does adore them (especially Sherlock), she cannot risk getting under their powers and losing her freedom. Despite the fact that Sherlock has proven himself to be a magnificent detective, Enola continues to flee and do her own detective work in various clever disguises. It is just her way of being herself, which, if she lived with them, could never happen. But more pressing to her than anything at the moment is to figure out if there might be more information coming from the little pink fan.

Before this wonderful adventure is over, 14-year-old Enola will have encountered any number of odd, eccentric and colorful characters, such as her elderly landlady, Mrs. Tupper, "deaf as a cast-iron gatepost"; the fierce mastiff who protects a baron's wealthy estate; and Dawson, the overprotective maid who talks too much. Her propensity to find trouble, and her ability to know how to handle it, places her in one dangerous situation after another. This time she ends up at an orphanage --- up to her old tricks, outwitting the wealthy but sleazy baron of Merganser and his son, who are plotting to acquire Cecily's fortune. Even Sherlock gets involved in the mayhem.

Through all of this, Enola continues to search for the meaning behind her missing Suffragist mother's messages and, through veiled messages in the daily Pall Mall Gazette, tries to distantly stay in touch with her brothers. From one disguise after another, she dashes through a whirlwind of adventure.

THE CASE OF THE PECULIAR PINK FAN is Nancy Springer's fourth Enola Holmes mystery. These books, which can be read as stand-alones, are delightful studies in Victorian times and a clever girl who marches to her own beat.

--- Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts

I have totally enjoyed all six books in the Enola Holmes series. I think that the first two and last two move at a faster pace than the middle two, but what I like about this one is that, while all six books reveal a different aspect of the way girls and women were forced into a certain behavior pattern during Victorian times, this book deals with probably the harshest and most oppressive of such patterns: forcing a young woman to marry somebody she didn't love. Enola is a strong hero who, like her older brother Sherlock, finds a way to accomplish anything and everything. She's a master of disguise: so much so that her own brothers don't recognize her. And she's able to scale walls to break into prison towers -- a scene I particularly enjoyed. Read the whole series, from beginning to end.

Yet another entertaining installment in the Enola Holmes mystery series.

In this, the fourth installment, Enola finds herself once again having to rescue the Left-Handed Lady, from a terrible, constricting fate.

Since it had been over a year since I'd listened to the "Left-Handed Lady" I'm afraid some of the impact of her return was lost on me, and I had to rely on what was included in this book to refresh my memory. That said, I was thrilled that much of this book finally focused on Enola's relationship with her brothers (Sherlock mainly) and I shall, "Spare the gentle reader" from divulging any details, but it's something which I'd been anxious for Springer to delve into and had been, admittedly, a little annoyed that it hadn't been explored yet. So, I was thrilled this came at book four and I found the results fairly pleasing.

I admit that after four works I'm growing a tad bored with the constant references to and reliance on sexism in the era. I mean, I don't mind a little bit, but it's starting to feel a little over used here, and I'd like to see the plots branch out a little. Also, Springer's sub-characters can tend to be a little one dimensional (either all good or all bad) - it's nothing that's really bothered me before, but since this is the fourth book I'd love to see, not only growth in Enola, but also expanding depth in the story lines. And, some of Enola's musings about her relationship with her mother seem a little redundant as well. But, these are fairly nitpicky, and if you enjoyed the previous books in the series, you should enjoy this one just as much - if not a little more - just don't expect anything much different (aside from the sibling stuff).

On a pleasant note for me personally, there was really nothing "icky" in this book! Yay! I'm always hesitant to list these books as Middle Grade, because frankly some of the stuff mentioned is not what I would consider middle grade, and frankly even *I* find it a wee bit on the disturbing side. But there wasn't anything (that I can readily recall) that was as adult or gruesome as some of the stuff in previous books - a welcomed change for me :)

So, I'm still planning to read (or, listen to rather as I listen to the audio books which are wonderfully narrated by Katherine Kellgren!) the next book(s) in the series. This was definitely one of my favorites so far.

I specifically tracked down this book for my tween sister because it was supposed to have strong female characters as well as a good plot. I tried out the first chapter, just to make sure the vocabulary wouldn't be over my sister's head, and ended up reading through the whole book! It definitely is a page-turner, even with the PG content. However, I wouldn't exactly call this the most feminist book for young readers. Still, it's MUCH better than a lot of the stuff put out by Disney, etc. Overall, a good read for the tween in your life.

I picked this book out at the library for my kids and started reading it to make sure it was age-appropriate. I think it's best suited to 12 years and up.

I've now read all 4 books in the series and I've enjoyed them on many levels. Firstly, it's a great feminist read, but it's more complicated than a feminist manifesto. Enola's mother abandons her, which is certainly not in keeping with my feminist sensibilities. However, Enola learns quickly to fend for herself and live her life on her own terms.

She is scornful of the restrictions placed on women and children in 19th century England and uses her knowledge of social class, linguistics, disguises, codes and her own physical strength and determination to live in freedom. She sees injustice and poverty and does not turn away. She risks her own life to help others. She's a worthy role model for my daughter and son.

The relationship between Enola and her older brother Sherlock Holmes is one of the most interesting threads in this series. They don't know each other well because Sherlock is much older and had a rift with their mother. They have a growing respect and affection for each other as the series goes on and yet Enola must live her life in hiding (disguised) because she fears Sherlock will force her into boarding school so that she can become a proper, marriageable lady. As they get to know each other better over time, I sense they both long for a closer relationship.

I can hardly wait for book 5.

Okay, this series has really grown on me. I liked the first book, but each book has appealed to me more and more, until now I've reached the point where I definitely look forward to the next installment.

Nancy Springer's Enola Holmes is, of course, Sherlock's much younger sister. After her mother left town, her older brothers wanted to give Enola a horribly proper education and eventually marry her off. Having a fine mind and a willful streak, to boot, Enola instead ran away to London and has been making her own way ever since. Of course, one of her greatest challenges is evading the clutches of Sherlock and the even more uptight Mycroft, her other older brother.

It would be easier if Enola weren't so inclined to follow in the family business of investigation. She is especially drawn to finding missing persons, a career she calls being a Perditorian. In this book, however, she turns her attention to helping a lost girl she found in her last adventure: now Lady Cecily is being married against her will. To Enola's surprise, she discovers that her brother Sherlock has been hired by the girl's mother to help stop the marriage, too.

Yet budding suffragette Enola isn't willing to leave Cecily's fate in a man's hands, however capable they might be. She continues to work to solve the mystery of Cecily's current whereabouts and effect a daring rescue--rescuing Sherlock himself along the way. (Unlike Mycroft, Sherlock is slowly becoming impressed by Enola and her exploits.)

Enola also continues to search for her own missing mother by exchanging coded messages in the newspaper, only to find out that her code has been compromised.

There aren't very many good mystery series for 3rd-8th graders out there, but the Enola Holmes books are staking a very good claim for dominating the genre. Springer's portrayal of London in the late 1800s is simply an extra treat--it doesn't draw attention to itself, yet it handily supports the plot. I recommend every book in the series!

Nancy Springer has written yet another wonderful entry in the Enola Holmes series. Although Springer has been noted for her Rowen Hood series, among others, the Enola Holmes series is for a slightly more sophisticated reader who delights in solving puzzles and developing portrayals of interesting characters. Enola Holmes is Sherlock Holme's younger sister. Many of the Sherlock Holmes spin offs are tired and unimaginative but this is not true for this series. Enola is the younger sister of Sherlock who has been left to fend for herself by her mysterious mother. Her brothers want to send her off to finishing school to make her into a lady but she has other plans. Instead Enola takes the money and clues left for her from her mother (of course, Sherlock and Enola inherited their intelligence and imaginative gifts from somehwere) and has started her own investigative agency under an assumed name and disguise. The Case of the Pecular Pink Fan brings back a character from a previous novel (The Case of the Left Handed Woman) and brings her into new territory. Enola meets the "Left Handed Woman" in a woman's rest room and during this encounter the woman leaves a pink fan with a message of distress. Enola sets out to find and rescue the woman through creative and smart detective work that is mostly appropriate for a girl her age and position. In addition, she continues to develop her relationship with her brother Sherlock and earns his respect for her insightful ideas on how to find the missing woman. This is a terrific novel. My only regret is that it was not longer and that the plot and characters were not developed even more.

"The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan" continues Nancy Springer's mystery series featuring Enola Holmes, fourteen-year-old sister of Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes. Enola is still working as a scientific perditorian in London, and still on the run from her older brothers, who want to raise her as a "proper" lady. This time around, Enola runs into an old acquaintance - Lady Cecily, from "The Case of the Left-Handed Lady." Cecily is being held against her will, and Enola soon discovers that Cecily will be forced into an arranged marriage. Enola's attempts to save Cecily grow more complicated when she discovers that there's another detective already on the case - her brother Sherlock, who was hired by Cecily's mother.

Fans of this series won't be disappointed by this installment. Springer includes plenty of interesting historical details; the description of the "pink teas" is particularly fascinating (and garish). Enola is a relatively somber but engaging narrator, a smart girl who relies on hard work and perseverance to solve her cases. Still, the real heart of this series has always been the relationship between Enola and her family - her disapproving brothers and her absent mother. "The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan" is particularly gratifying because Enola actually spends some time with Sherlock. I really enjoyed seeing Sherlock's growing respect for his sister, and how much it means to her. Of course, the gaping plot hole in this book is why Sherlock would have ever agreed to work for Cecily's mother in the first place, since Cecily's father had every legal right to arrange the marriage...and isn't this what the Holmes brothers want to do to Enola? I imagine that Sherlock's decision was based on his recent experiences with Enola, but Springer should have clarified that so that he didn't come off as a bit of a hypocrite, really. Overall, though, this is a fun book and a worthy continuation of the series.