Cover Image: Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose

Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose

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Member Reviews

This is an interesting mystery. The story was well written and I enjoyed the moments Enola out witted Sherlock as well as seeing the moments they worked together. It was a fun balance between the two. The characters are interesting and it was fun seeing a take on a historical figure in the mix of things. I did find the ending a little lack luster since it was clear where things were headed and this was the only part of the story that felt like it dragged a bit right at the big moment. Some aspects of the story also felt a little repetitive. That said it's still great and I'd love to read more of the series.

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The Enola Holmes series is so much fun, very much continuing the tradition of the Holmes family of detectives. Enola is smart, funny, and engaging. I love that we learn more about her, her family, and the supporting characters with each book. Rudyard Kipling was a great addition to this mystery. Nancy Springer hits on plot, characters, and setting to bring together a great read. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose.

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'Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose' was reviewed in exchange for a free eARC from NetGalley, apologies that it took so long for me to do so and thank you for the read!

In this adventure Enola finds herself on the trail of the missing Wolcott Balestier, American best friend of Rudyard Kipling and brother to Caroline Balestier; after encountering and dismissing her help in favor of Sherlock Holmes, Enola is determined to prove herself as much a detective as her brother taking to the streets that very night in search of kidnappers.

We get a brief visit with Florence Nightingale where there's news on a new doctor at war with a incurable disease and a mad dog on the streets of London. A women of many names behind a brotherhood of street men bearing "the mark of the mongoose" leads Enola closer to a truth stranger than a fiction imagined by Kipling.

I really liked the women introduced in this book (Caroline, Maud and Mary Erasmus/Ethel Etheridge) all three of them being interesting. I don't know much on Kipling/his character beyond what I once read many years ago in The Jungle Book or Just So Stories and have picked up secondhand over the years so on his portrayal or the accuracy or it I can't guess, it was entertaining.

I enjoyed Enola's dressing up and disguises and her Women's Club, as always, and it was a special treat to see Watson play a part too.

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I love this series. With each book you get to know the characters in more depth. This is a wonderful series!

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If you're going to write a book set in London in 1890, you've got to include some of the famous authors of the time. Or at least, you should. This brilliant author included Rudyard Kipling! One of my favorite authors! '
Our heroine is searching for his best friend, an American publisher who is missing. A wonderful story full of suspense. We get to see Sherlock Holmes again, always a treat. And we get to learn about the streets of London in a way that makes the reader feel like they are there.
Ms. Springer is an amazing author who brings her characters to life perfectly!
P.S. Can we meet H.G. Wells next time? Or maybe Mark Twain?

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Best of the series so far, and I loved seeing Enola face off with Rudyard Kipling. However, I was disappointed that the case really didn't have much to do with intellectual piracy or international publishing machinations. I'm glad to see Enola keep growing up and forming a better relationship with her more famous brother.

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A wonderful installation in the series that propels Enola's new life forward. The introduction of new characters, and the strengthening of relationships with the old makes this one that I can see being strong in the series. I look forward to seeing the next book in the series, and waiting for the new movie.

Thank you to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and the author for allowing me to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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I really enjoy how Nancy Springer sets the scene for the Enola Holmes series. She gives wonderful descriptions of everything so you can feel as if you're there with the characters. It was fun going on another adventure with Enola and the mystery in this book wasn't too difficult to figure out, but it was interesting. Nancy continued to have Enola involved in some intrigue, danger, and suspense, but as always she throws some humor and snark into the book. I really hope they continue to make these books into movies.

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I have been provided with a review copy of Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose from NetGalley for an impartial review. Ahhhhh this was just such a great read. I just didn't want this book to end and I was sad to turn the last page. I'm so excited to see what's next from this author.

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Such a fun book! I'm a 40 year old lady and I really enjoy them. I think this one might be my favorite.

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Due to St. Martins Press refusal to address the remarks made by their employee regarding Palestine, I will not be reviewing this book.

This in no way has anything to do with the author. But I refuse to support anything from SMP because of their refusal to address a major issue at hand.

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Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this novel. Check it out! It is worth picking up and taking home for the weekend! Love Enola Holmes! Wonderful new addition!

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Nancy Springer's Enola Holmes series continues to shine! My teen readers love reading her latest exploits while waiting for the next movie.

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Enola Holmes is off on another adventure when she has her studies interrupted by a rude gentleman looking for Dr. Leslie Ragostin, Scientific Perditorian. Despite losing this job to her brother Sherlock, Enola persisted in the search for the missing Wocott Balestier. She goes undercover as a housemaid at the Balestier house, attends a ball to confront Rudyard Kipling at his fete, visit a kennel for rabid animals, and get kidnapped off the streets. But after all her adventures, Enola manages to be instrumental in reuniting Wolcott Balestier with his family and friends. A fun romp in 1890's London.

Thanks Netgalley for the chance to read this title.

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While this book has all the genius of enolas stories i felt it lacked more action and danger that the others usually had. As well as the subtle lesson each one has held of independence, feminism, and freedom. I assume it’s because the mystery in this book is solved quicker and less dangerous .I have read every enola holmes book so take that into account. Nonetheless I’m excited for the next one!

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Enola finds herself (though mostly she put herself there) embroiled in a missing person case, none other than Rudyard Kipling's best friend. But along the way, she finds mad dogs, secret societies, hidden scientific experiments, and dons a few disguises along the way.

This one felt different than the other books in the series. The rabies plotline was interesting, if somewhat odd, and the connection to Rudyard Kipling much the same.

There were some issues I had with the writing, a few simple mistakes or just annoyances that cropped up, like Enola being surprised by a motive for murder being money. She's smarter and more savvy than that!

I might be done with the Enola Holmes series. I've tried all nine, and while this one was more enjoyable than the last few, I feel like the characters are stagnant. I want more character growth and development for Enola and Sherlock (separately and together) and I'm not seeing enough of it to continue reading more books.

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Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this review copy. I’ve enjoyed this series but this was not my favorite

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i quite enjoy this series, though i don't have a whole lot to say about each individual book that doesn't sound like a repeat of the previous book. i like the characters, the writing, the story. it's a cute series and it brings me joy.

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Synopsis
It's 1890 and Enola Holmes is her own young woman now and no longer has to hide from Mycroft, who wanted to send her off to finishing school or some such nonsense. In this installment, she even teams up with her other older brother, Sherlock, to find a missing American. Okay, teams up might be a stretch. Enola inserts herself into Sherlock's case after she is passed over for the job in favor of the male detective. Now the race is on to see can solve the case first.
My Overall Thoughts
I have to admit that I miss the younger Enola's evasion tactics and the ever present danger of being located by Mycroft. It added a fun layer to the stories. That said, I have enjoyed watching her grow up through this series. Some writers would have kept her 14-years-old forever, but her character is more richly developed for letting her grow. To go through trials with her and see her come out the other end has added depth to Enola, whose name is "alone" spelled backwards. I can see a case for both approaches but I do truly enjoy the series as Nancy Springer has crafted it.

What I Didn't Love

The mystery itself might have been the weakest part of the novel, but it was not a huge weakness at all. It was written for a middle-grade audience, so there were not a lot of layers and it was light on nuance, but it still kept me reading.

Potentially Offensive Content

Violence (not graphic)

What I Loved
What I love about this volume is the battle of wits between Enola and Sherlock. She holds her own and is definitely a match for the great detective we all know and love. Her resources and experiences are so different from Sherlock's and the author uses this to showcase their contradistinctive approaches.
I also really enjoyed the attention to period detail in the book. Enola's first ride in an elevator is delightful.

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I enjoyed the historical setting. And of course…Sherlock Holmes. Enola is also a great character. She is not to be messed with. And I enjoyed how Sherlock tried to keep her contained. She was not having it. This is a good mystery but it has a good bit that is really not related to the story. But I am going to add this series to my tumbling tbr.

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