Cover Image: Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade

Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade

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Member Reviews

Thank you to NetGalley, Nancy Springer, and St. Martin’s Press for providing this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely adore Enola Holmes! I grew up reading Sherlock Holmes, so anytime I get the chance to read Enola Holmes I am instantly transported back into my childhood. Nancy Springer does an amazing job of making you feel like you are in the time period with Enola. Enola is always super entertaining and funny because she will do things in the most obscure way instead of taking the easier route. I also enjoy the fact that you can read each Enola Holmes book as a stand alone. Didn’t read the 7 before the Elegant Escapade? No problem, you will know exactly what is going on and be able to follow along easily!

I will definitely be purchasing copies of this one to send to my teacher friends for their classrooms, so that their students can enjoy the great Enola Holmes!

This review will be posted to my Goodreads and Amazon accounts immediately and to my instagram account (@ginganinja333), and to my newly created bookstagram (@paulas.book.nook) upon publication on 9/6/2022.

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A great book in the Enola Holmes series. The story follows Enola as she tries to save a young woman who she suspects is being kept captive by her father - a character who we have encountered before. The character arcs were fantastic, and the exchanges were classic Sherlock. I greatly enjoyed this book and I think you will too if you have enjoyed previous issuances from this series. The story was mysterious and engaging, but not so much so that it caused massive anxiety! (Trust me, some thrillers and mysteries definitely do that to me, and this one was just enough to pique my interest but not freak me out!) I felt myself drawn into the scene over and over again and I really think if you enjoy mysteries or other Sherlock Holmes stories, try this one on for size. You do not need to have read the previous books either to pick it up - it stands alone well.

This ebook was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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More of a 3.5, but rounded up because plucky young heroines are always to be supported being one myself.

Enola has been a companion for me in my recent reading, along with a whole cadre of young ladies who solve crimes in other historical periods, and she's been a source of delight. Her books are quick reads that I would have devoured when I was younger, especially since I was also a fan of Sherlock Holmes.

In these newer additions to the series, we get to see Enola as she grows and matures, moving past the peril of her brothers to the point where she is forming a very charming relationship with Sherlock. (I also appreciate this softening of Sherlock, because it makes his character more human. I know some are all up in arms about it, but whatever. They can eat my deerstalker.) Enola, despite her insistence otherwise, is becoming less and less alone.

In fact, it was her constant reminder that she is alone, that her name spelled backwards is alone, and about her mother's words of 'You'll do better off on your own Enola' that were starting to feel stale to me in this book. Having read the entire series, I am well aware of all of this, and yet, in this book, she seems less alone than ever. She has a club of other ladies who she is acquainted with and where she forms a friendship with Lady Vienna, who is fantastic. Cecily returns for another encounter, and albeit she does not always have her own agency in the book, she is still an important part of Enola's social circle and the main impetus for this story. Most importantly of all, her relationship with Sherlock blossoms nicely with a potential hint as to what the next book in the series could be about.

I think Enola's refrain of being alone is becoming a bit tired. This books proves, if anything, that Enola is very far from alone.

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This is my first foray into the Enola Holmes books, but I was excited to read one after falling in love with the Netflix film. Though this is the 8th book in the series, I still thought I could jump in and follow the plot. This is WONDERFUL because I'm always on the lookout for series I can recommend to customers that don't necessarily have to be read in order.

In this novel, Enola must rescue her friend, Lady Cecily, who is a prisoner in her own house after refusing to marry her cousin. However, breaking into the estate is no easy task. There is also the greater issue, how to save Lady Cecily from her father's atrocious matchmaking.

I absolutely love the characters, especially Enola. This book featured a lot of Sherlock, and seeing the two of them interact was also really fun.

I am definitely going to be going back and reading more of these charming books as well as recommending them to readers of all ages!

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I'm so glad to see new Enola Holmes books are continuing to come out! This title will delight Enola's fans as she continues to outsmart her famous brother. I'm looking forward to the next installment!

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Enola’s adventures are always a delight! I love her wit and fighting spirit. She embodies so many positive characteristics - independence, loyalty, perseverance, and creativity - and teaches them to us with equal parts humor and grit. I’m always excited to see a new Enola installment. She’s slowly cracking Sherlock’s shell and he’s coming to respect her capabilities. I hope there’s more to come!

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This is the 8th book in the series and can be read as a standalone or as part of the series. What you will miss by not having read previous books is Lady Cecily's previous appearance in the series and the development of their friendship. You will also miss the slow development of trust and affection between Enola and Sherlock. However, the author does a great job of summarizing the important plot points so that even if you haven't read the previous books, you can still follow the story fairly well. Children who are fans of historical fiction and mystery would love this series.

The story takes place in the late 1880s and the author really draws you into that world. The world-building is very well done and even though visualization is not my strong suit, I could just picture streets, buildings, hansom cabs, and the varied people she came across. Enola is a master of disguise, much like her older brother, and it has been fun watching her put together different disguises over the course of the series. Enola is a girl outside her time and place, but she is a product of her mother and considering her brothers' massive intellect, it's not a surprise that she is just as clever and capable. Except she has to navigate the restrictions placed on women and girls at that time, something Sherlock never had to deal with. This story does a great job bringing to the forefront the struggles women and girls had to deal with, especially if the men in their lives were not good men. They had no rights, they could not own property, and if the father wanted to marry them off to the highest bidder, or if the husband or father beat their women/girls, they often had little recourse.

Lady Cecily is a very interesting character, and I found it interesting how left-handedness was considered bad/evil/wrong, especially in women. Watching her switch between her left-handed and right-handed personality was almost sad to watch, but I am really hoping that we continue to see her left-handed self in the future. Lady Vienna was a character new to me (unless I just don't remember her) and I love how Enola starts to find her as a kindred spirit. In some ways, I feel like Lady Vienna is a confirmation that Enola should be able to be who she is. I get the feeling that we are not finished with the two of them.

I have really loved watching Enola grow over these eight books and even more, I love how Sherlock has been forced to confront his own prejudices/beliefs about what is right and proper for a girl to do. Yet underlying all of this is the fact that he cares for her deeply and wants to keep her safe, even if she's the most aggravating female he's ever dealt with (besides his mother). I love the conversations they have with each other and I love that his respect for her continues to grow even as she is realizing that he has her best well-being at heart, even when it's misguided. I look forward to seeing more of this in future books.

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*Arc provided by Netgalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.*

Enola Holmes is at it again. After having helped Cecily Alastair twice prior from her father's designs, once again she needs Enola's help. Having moved back home with her mother Cecily is now locked in her room and separated from her family. With Enola's help she manages to escape and then disappears when Enola's brother Sherlock arrives asking for her whereabouts. It's a race to beat her brother at finding her friend and making sure she is safe. Nothing is ever easy though as Cecily harbors a secret, she is left handed and has a dual personality.

The thing about Enola Holmes is every story feels so ridiculous, but is somehow engaging and entertaining. I don't mean ridiculous in a bad way, it's just she seems to always have the most obscure way of doing things or getting herself into situations, and somehow things always work out. This is the third book to feature Cecily Alastair and her previous rescues are mentioned, but I didn't feel as though I missed anything by not reading those stories. Other characters from previous books are also mentioned, but again it didn't seem like I missed much by not knowing their full background. It's a fairly short read, but does have a lot of dark undertones without being graphic. I'd recommend this to anyone who's read the series so far or enjoyed the Netflix adaptation.

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First off, thanks NetGalley for the ARC of this book. It was one of my most anticipated reads this year. I started reading the Enola Holmes books a few years ago and I just adore them.

This series is one I plan to read to my nephews when they’re old enough. Enola is such an iconic character and I truly enjoy each book. She’s smart, mischievous, and kind.

That said, this book is easily a favorite. The way she interacts with Sherlock is always heartfelt or hilarious. Sometimes both. But you can tell he respects her and I feel like the ending of this one made that even more clear. Absolutely loved it.

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Thanks to Wednesday Books for the free book.
What I find to be fun about these books is how they start directly in the action and the plot is serious yet fun. Enola is such a smart, underestimated young woman. She does what she thinks is right when it comes to helping others. I liked this one and how she wasn't afraid to go to great lengths to help a friend. As Sherlocks younger sister, I enjoy their relationship and head-butting. It feels very sibling like. I'm also a fan of the length of these books. They're on the shorter side, which makes them very bingeable. I didn't want to stop until I knew how Enola would help Cecily. There is lot of action, mystery, and intrigue, and these books would be great for any pre-teen through adult. I know I enjoy my time in England when reading them.

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Enola is now living on her own but her friend Cecily who seems confused a lot is locked in her bedroom in her mean father’s house until she can be married off to a cousin she can’t stand. Enola trying to talk to her keeps getting turned away, so she goes in the middle of the night to see Cecily, only to have Cecily escape and now they are on the run.
This is another wonderful Enola Holmes book. It is a wonderful thing to see the younger sister give the popular big brother Sherlock a run for his money. I love the action that Enola find as well as the trouble but she always seems to find the right person around her for the proper help she needs. I like how she can relate to people of walks of life, but surrounds herself with the kind ones, like it is a sixth sense. This is another hit in a series of hits and I can’t wait for more.

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From the first paragraph, I knew this book would be a good one. I immersed myself into the book from the first chapter and I cannot say enough good things about this book! Honestly amazing! The writing is incredible and the plot is just one to die for. I am absolutely obsessed with this book. My favorite part would have to be the character development throughout the book. Character development is something I look forward to and this book did not disappoint.

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Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade is another fun entry in the series. A thoroughly enjoyable read, it's necessary to suspend disbelief and have a dictionary at hand -- the language can be tricky and I'm not sure the main plot point is realistic. That said, it's fun to watch Enola grow up and into her own abilities as part of the Holmes family.

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I love reading this Enola Holmes series. I received an Arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Before reading this book I bought the precious books and read those in case I needed to have the background from them.

They are such quick reads and I am always rooting Enola on when she is trying to figure out a solution to every problem she gets into. This book could be read as a stand-alone despite being eighth in the series.

When trying to visit her friend, Lady Cecily Alistair, Enola is told that neither her nor her mother is entertaining visitors. Enola thinks this is suspicious and assists her friend in escaping her house and finding somewhere safe to hide. After Enola's rescue, Lady Cecily, disappears and Enola must now beat Sherlock to find her.

These books are perfect for anyone wanting a strong, intelligent female main character and for fans of Sherlock Holmes retellings.

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We requested and received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley because my 17-year is a fan of this series. These are her thoughts on this book: Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade was another great book in the Enola Holmes series! While not my favorite in the series, the book did capture my attention through the further exploration of the storylines of characters from previous books in the series. The story was not much of a mystery; however, it was more of a mystery of how Enola would find evidence of things she already knew. Overall, it was an enjoyable story, however, it did not quite live up to my expectations because some of the previous books were much better.

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Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an egalley in exchange for an honest review

This is my first foray into the Enola Holmes series, but I really loved the Netflix film and am very excited for the second installment. The novel I read was the 8th book in the series and I felt it could have been read as a stand alone. The author provides enough information to help the rookie reader.


The baby sister of Mycroft and Sherlock is a bit of a sleuth herself and she certainly gets herself into quite a few scrapes as she comes to the aid of a friend who is being imprisoned by her father. It was entertaining, fast paced and I would certainly read another.




Goodreads review published 26/07/22
Expected Publication Date 06/09/22

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Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade by Nancy Springer is another welcome chapter in the Holmes family saga. The relationship between Enola and her brother Sherlock adds to the enjoyment of reading this series. It is good to have an intelligent female protagonist with many talents be the heroine of her own story.

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First of all, I want to thank Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read the book in exchange for an honest review. When I first saw that a new Enola Holmes book was out, I was dying to read it.

After reaching The Black Barouche, I found that I really enjoyed Enola’s witty and daring personality. I knew from the blurb that the book seemed to come up as a sequel to previous books with Lady Cecily, but I was honestly expecting to be more of a mystery. Or at least a stand-alone. There were many references to the previous books (that honestly sound more interesting than this one turned out).

There are many highlights, such as Enola’s relationship with her brother Sherlock and Enola’s ever-changing wardrobe. However, I feel the circumstances are a bit repetitive. They are constantly searching for Cecily because she has a personality disorder (left-handed vs. right-handed) that can render her utterly useless, but the plot advances so slowly. I think this is to cover up that there wasn’t much of a mystery to begin with—there was no twist at the end, no shocker, nothing. It was exactly as expected, with the angry father standing down and the resolution (conveniently) playing out behind the scenes. Both Cecily and her father appeared to be childlike to the point of annoying at times, so that really pulled back on the believability, especially when Cecily only went docile (right-handed) at the most inconvenient times.

I do look forward to the next installment in the Enola Holmes series; this one, however, is not a must-buy.

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Thanks for he review copy. I enjoy going on adventures with Enola and solving mysteries. Looking forward to more books in the series. I like the Netflix show, too.

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Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for providing me with a eARC of this book to read and review!

This is the 8th book in the series, and I have only read the first book in the series previously. After reading this, I would definitely say that you don’t have to have read all the previous books to enjoy it.

Enola Holmes, the younger sister of Sherlock Holmes. She is an extremely progressive and liberal woman for the time period (Victorian). She lives with other like minded ladies in the only woman’s club in London. She also attends school, and in her spare time investigates missing persons.

My favourite things about this book were 1) Enola is an extremely smart and likeable character with a great sense of humor 2) The contrast of Enolas life and that of other Victorian women who were controlled and suppressed by their fathers or husbands 3) The entertaining scenes and witty banter between Enola and Sherlock who are more alike that either would care to admit. 4) the details about womens fashion, and Victorian life in general.

Overall this book was an entertaining and quick read. I think it would be enjoyed by adults and children alike.

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