I do love being immersed in England, and Springer paints a vivid setting of live during the time period. Sadly, the mystery was a bit lackluster. I'm glad we finally find out what's going on with Lady Cecily, and there was a nice set-up for Sherlock to make an appearance in the next book. Some characters, such as Lady Lavinia, seemed to have no real purpose. And if you're hoping for a love interest, there isn't one. This was just "meh" overall.


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This was a very good mystery and rich in historical detail regarding women’s rights in Victorian England. I loved the character Enola and look forward to more of this series.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Enola Holmes, the much younger sister of well-known detective Sherlock Holmes, is currently living independently in London, studying and being a scientific perditorian (a finder of persons and things). But while Enola is able to have her independence, not all young women in Victorian England share the same liberties. Such is the case for Lady Cecily Alastair, who has already been rescued from her father, Sir Eustace Alastair, twice by Enola, but finds herself in need of rescuing yet again when she is confined to her bed chamber. Once Cecily has climbed down from her window in the middle of the night, Enola takes them both to her secret office to spend the night. However the next morning, Sherlock Holmes comes knocking, employed by Cecily's mother to find her, but both Sherlock and Enola instead find the room empty of occupants, and now there is a girl loose on her own in the unforgiving city of London.

Honestly, I really like Enola as a character. She knows exactly who she is and what she's capable of, even if other people find her strange or doubt / underestimate her abilities. It's also evident in this installment that she isn't against asking for help, turning to her brother, Sherlock, or a family friend, Lady Vienna, when she's reached a sort of dead end. Enola cares deeply for the ones she holds close, and that's why she is so adament against Lady Cecily returning to her family home under the "too watchful" eye of her father, who, in my eyes, is abusive toward her and her mother, using his position as patriarch to force the household into submission. Enola will do anything to keep her friend safe, even if that means allowing her to slip past her brother's grasp and return on her own to the streets of London. I think I would've liked this book more if I had been introduced to Lady Cecily earlier in the series - we do get her perspective in the prologue, and she does do a good job of recapping her involvement and establishing her history with Enola, so I think readers of the original six books will enjoy a callback to a previous character they know and love. I also wish that wish that we could have gotten additional chapters from Cecily's point of view - we do see her escape with Enola, we know she's stolen some of Enola's things from a secret message she's left, and while she does appear more towards the end, I think it could have been interesting to see her make her way on her own. Enola succeeds in her quest to collect information to help free her friend by using sneak tactics (that almost find her caught in a laundry chute), disguises, and a fake identity that add much-needed levity to an otherwise serious situation. These books are incredibly readable, and I will continue to pick them up to see what is next for our favorite perditorian.

I will admit I was a little concerned when I came across this line in the synopsis offered on retail sites: "Even worse, Lady Cecily has a secret that few know. She has dual personalities—one, which is left-handed, is independent and competent; the other, which is right-handed is meek and mild." I wasn't sure how these "dual personalities" were going to be handled throughout the story (and if it had been referenced in the previous installments). Enola is always concerned when Cecily's "right-handedness" takes charge, because "left-handed Cecily" doesn't remember what happens in those times, and she acts more mild and meek because that is how society (or perhaps more pertinent her father) would like her to behave. To be fair, Cecily isn't present for much of this novel, besides the prologue, epilogue, and some moments where she sends correspondence to Enola in between, so the main instances where it's mentioned is Enola's inner monologue, or her trying to explain it to Sherlock or Lady Vienna. It is definitely accurate that those around in this time peroid would not be familiar with dissociation, or even cases of multiple personality disorder (now better characterized as dissociative identity disorder). I did appreciate that when Cecily is having a moment upset at herself for not remembering something she did while her "right-handedness took over," there is a line where Sherlock says something like 'to be one's self is not misbehaving,' to assure Cecily that while they might not understand truly what is going on, it is not misbehavior. I'm still not sure how I feel about this aspect of Cecily's character, but there were moments where I found it was handled as well as it could be for the time period.

In conclusion, I'd say this was a nice read to pass the time, and I think readers of the original series will enjoy this more than the last for the inclusion of characters seen before. I'm glad there are character like Enola who show that while not everyone in Victorian England could be independent, there were surely those who strived to be against the norm and make society a better place. *Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Wednesday Books, for the e-copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

The charming Enola Holmes must once again save her best friend from her fiendish father.

Enola Holmes, younger sister of Sherlock and Mycroft, is now living independently in London. She is going to school with the goal of becoming a scientific perdition (a finder of persons and things). But not everyone is as lucky as Enola; her best friend Lady Cecily Alastair is trapped in her room without clothing or sustenance. Twice before Enola has rescued Lady Cecily from her father, Sir Eustace Alastair. Once again, Enola mounts a rescue of Lady Cecily and takers her to Enola's secret office. But that doesn't stop her brother Sherlock from being on top of the case; he has found both of them. But Enola has to prove the abuse Cecily has lived through and that her father needed to be put in his place. Can she get the lawful good Sherlock to bend a rule?

The story is engaging and fun. But I am tired of the stereotype that has popped up even here; the misused of multiple personalities. At least the person with dissociative identity disorder isn't killing or maiming anyone in this story. I liked when there was talk about how Cecily's personality and how it shifted by what hand she was writing with therefore using both sides of her brain. The right hand, her unnatural writing one, activates the part of her that bends down weekly to her family. When using her left hand, Cecily's creative and aggressive side. It is easy to have looked at these as her personality based on who she was with, how she was treated, and which side of her brain she was using instead of a mental illness.

What I loved about the novel, is how it encompassed the time period. Nancy Springer is the most dedicated writer to staying true to history than many other authors I've read. Even though this is the second Enola story I have read, I am impressed with all the words I don't that know because they are specific to the time period. I love looking them up and learning. I haven't read a modern author that includes not just the clothing for the period but the slang, transportation, and activities.

Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade is an easy read that brings you into Enola's world. While I'm not happy with certain aspects of the story, it was mostly enjoyable.

Delightful book! I really enjoy books based on Sherlock Holmes and his world and this was no different. I liked the twists and unexpected situations the characters found themselves in.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

What another great Enola Holmes novel! I enjoyed this one just like I did the first one! I think these are super fun, clever and they keep you on your toes! I can't wait to see what Enola has for us next.

Enola Holmes is living on her own as a finder of lost things. Her friend (who appeared in a few previous novels) is lost in London. Little do people know that she has a dual personality. Enola must find her before she's lost forever

This is the eighth in a series but even though I have only read one other is do not feel I was missing anything.

Enola is still a force to be reckoned with as she helps her friend, Lady Cecily, escape from a tyrannical father who has her locked in her room. There were some laugh out loud moments as Enola is trying to free her friend and the interactions with Sherlock were fun as she tries to impress her brother and he tries not to be impressed.

I would like to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital copy.

I loved and devoured this latest installment in the series. I value the continued focus on feminist issues of the day, even if it can feel a twitch heavy handed at times. I also adore Enola's buoyancy in the face of societies disbelief both about her, and in her. Her relationship with her brother Sherlock continues to be the star of the show. I wasn't sure about the dual-personality plot device, but I think it worked fine, and given the treatment of the mentally ill at that time, is an interesting historical counterpoint. I'm very hopeful that we'll continue to see Enola grow and change in future books. I am perishing for her to have a romance--at least one, if not several, and to find love with a young man who can meet her where she is and challenge her too. I love her brother's growing pride in her, and his constant self-aware surprise in her, and at himself for being surprised. Some of my favorite scenes involve seeing them rescue and assist one another in equal measure. The whole "back to back against the world" vibe with them is chef's kiss. Another great installment! I only wish Ms. Springer could put these out once a month like some kind of 21st century Charles Dickens, so I could gobble them up like the confections they are.

I enjoyed this historical mystery set in Victorian England starring Sherlock’s little sister, Enola Holmes.

Enola is such an interesting character with smarts and sleuthing skills to rival her famous brothers. She is independent, precocious, and very crafty. I like that Sherlock makes an appearance in the book; I like seeing him as a big brother.

In this book, Enola, with a little help from Sherlock, helps her friend escape from her overbearing and brutish father. The friend is Lady Cecily, who has featured in other books in this series. The Elegant Escapade was an interesting mystery; I thought I had it all figured out, but had most of it wrong!

I recommend this engaging and fun historical mystery to all mystery lovers.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I LOVE this series. In fact, I can hardly wait for the next one.

In Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade, we once again find a woman who is misunderstood and under the rule of men. I'm enjoying how the books highlight how women were treated during the Victorian era in England. It's still a relatable issue.

I was excited to see how Enola would figure out how to solve the problem. It was fun to see her interacting with other women as friends too. I'm always curious to see how Sherlock reacts to Enola and her escapades. I feel like this Sherlock is having a slow growing character arc where he comes to understand his sister and women better.

This is such an enjoyable read, I think everyone will love it.

Enola Holmes is the younger sister of famed detective Sherlock Holmes. The Elegant Escapade is the 7th installment of the series about the teen sleuth. Investigating a terrible situation involving one of her good friends, Enola teams up with Sherlock to make her friend's life easier - even if it means breaking stereotypes about women. I know this book is meant for a younger audience, and while I do feel is is absolutely age appropriate, it's completely enjoyable for an older reader (such as myself). This is my first Enola book, but I felt that it stood very well on it's own and I'm intrigued to read the others!

A marvelous, historical, mystery series for all ages.

Enola must help her friend, Lady Cecily, who has a left personality and a right personality. Sherlock does not understand his sister, Enola. The sibling banter is humorous as they try to solve the mystery.

Enola Holmes is Sherlock Holmes’ little sister, but she has a presence all her own. I read the first books in the series before it became a Netflix movie. Enola is impetuous and intelligent. She gets into a lot of dicey situations.
In the Elegant Escapade, Enola helps Lady Cecily, a young lady who always seems to be getting into trouble. The story makes statements about women’s rights or lack thereof in the time period.
This story gives us interactions with Sherlock. It is interesting to have him both caring and maintaining an aloof posture toward Enola.
I think young adults would enjoy this book and the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade is a wonderful addition to the series. It can be read as a standalone, as Nancy Springer supplies enough of the back story, so the reader is up to date.

This is the second book I have read in this series, and I enjoy them very much. Enola is wise beyond years, and I love how she stands up for herself and those around her. She is a quick thinker and has fun despite the constraints society imposes on her. She is a great role model for the YA audience.

I am looking forward to reading more of this series.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for my eArc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am obsessed with Enola Holmes and find myself wishing I was as clever as her. These books continue to amaze me. They are not so simple that I feel like I'm far too old to read them, and they are not overly complicated.. Springer has found that sweet spot to make this character and series enjoyable for people of all ages. I will forever recommend these books to all readers and happily pick up the next in the series when it comes out. These are brilliant.

Fun book, very much in keeping with the tone and feel of the Netflix show.

Characterization is fun, though the left handed plot device seems somewhat far fetched. Sherlock comes off as a bit mysognistic and a curmudgeon. (Not too far from the original lol)

Over all an enjoyable read.

The eighth Enola Holmes adventure has Enola coming to the rescue of her friend Lady Cecily Alistair who is being held captive by her father since she won't agree to marry the man of his choice.

Lady Cecily is an interesting character who was first introduced in The Case of the Left-Handed Lady. She has a split personality. When she is left-handed, she is bold and assertive. When she is right-handed, she is meek and submissive.

Enola has to fight against law and custom which sees a young woman as subject to her father's authority and without rights of her own to help her friend get the independence and medical help she needs to integrate her two personalities.

I like that Enola is no longer hiding from her older brothers and, in fact, is consulting with Sherlock about her and sometimes his cases. I like that she is independent and smart and willing to go the distance to help her friend.

I like the setting and the time period. I appreciate Enola's expansive vocabulary and her sense of adventure.

I received an ARC copy of this book from #Netgalley.

This was another enjoyable Enola Holmes book. While it helps to be familiar with the other books in the series, it's not necessary to have read all of them to know what's going on. All important info is quickly recapped when needed.

As always, the plot and storyline are engaging & move right along. The characters continue to grow and don't feel stagnant. I look forward to reading the next.

This is a series but can definitely be read as a standalone. A nice light-hearted read. I enjoy the character of Enola and her daring antics. She isn't afraid to go against the social norm while irritating her older brother Sherlock. This is a nice fast read.