This was not one of the strongest installments of the Enola Holmes series. I kept finding myself getting confused about who was who, who was doing what, and what exactly was going on. I did like the fact that real people from history were included in the story, and I enjoyed Enola's interactions with Sherlock. But overall I found myself disappointed with the pacing and plot of this book. If you enjoy Enola, you will probably like this book, but I have enjoyed others in the series much more.

Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose by Nancy Springer is another story of Sherlock’s younger sister. This is a young adult book, entirely suitable for us older adults. It is rich in plot, uses higher level language, and is loaded with new and exciting vocabulary, not to mention multiple references to ancient history and the works of William Shakespeare. Perfect for a high schooler. There is violence and adventure as well as intriguing twists and turns. To cap it all off, it contains a prominent historical figure: Rudyard Kipling. It contains another as well: Dr. Joseph Lister who makes an appearance as the doctor giving experimental inoculations against rabies. Ground-breaking at the time. It was all exciting and very well done.

Of course, no one takes Enola seriously so when Kipling approaches her business for assistance in finding his friend, Wolcott, instead of hiring her, he laughs her off. His reaction makes her so furious that she is determined to crack the case and she starts immediately, albeit with a method so obvious that she is successful despite the chiding of her brother, Sherlock, who has ultimately been hired. It is from there that the whole situation becomes complicated, as situations involving people often do. Sherlock and Kipling both come around to her way of thinking and the case is ultimately solved, certainly not without some kidnappings, bribery, and violence. What a wonderful story!

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose by St Martin’s Press, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #NancySpringer #EnolaHolmesAndTheMarkOfTheMongoose

A fun addition to the world of Enola Holmes!
In this volume, we learn of a missing American, Wolcott Balestier. His sister Caroline is looking for him and after being denied the job by a man because she is a girl, Enola tries to help undercover. Of course, the case goes to Sherlock so he is in this one often which I always love. There is also another familiar name in this book, Rudyard Kipling.
Enola is such a brave and independent character and I always love getting lost in these books. It's great to have a character that really stands up for herself in a middle grade series. Her relationship with Sherlock has evolved since the first book by leaps and bounds and even from the last one. He is much more accepting of her chosen lifestyle and wants to live alongside her instead of trying to get her to do what he thinks is best for her.
This mystery was exciting and engaging with Enola getting into a lot of mischief while trying to find out what happened to Wolcott. True to form, Enola dons many disguises to get into places she may not be able to as a young girl or to sneak around to learn information.
This is definitely a fun series that any middle grade, mystery, or historical lover should check out!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books. All opinions are my own—I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Historical Mystery, Sherlock-Style Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Enola Holmes Mystery

I've adored this series—a fresh take on Sherlock and how his sister would solve mysteries is so much fun.

Enola is faced with a new dilemma. Where is the missing man? And should she bother to find him when she was so rudely dismissed by Ruddy—a misogynist? I'm right with her on being irked by the man. And irked again and again. That's an ongoing theme in the series, but seems so appropriate for our society who's becoming more aware of the discrepancy between the sexes.

In this one, I don't know if I missed why the antagonist was gathering these forces. But I wanted an explanation that didn't seem to be there. I hate to say too much because I don't want to spoil it for you! You've got to tell me if you feel the same after reading it.

I adore seeing London through Enola's eyes. Her ladies' club is a delight. And her disguises are the best!

This is another romping adventure through Victorian England, and I recommend it.

Happy (sleuthing) reading!

This is another romp through the streets of London with Enola. One morning a rather rude man shows up at the office of Dr. Ragostin wanting to enlist his help in finding his friend, Wolcott Ballestier, but upon realizing there is no Dr. Ragostin he leaves in a huff. Enola now feels challenged and she needs to find him just to prove she can. As she runs around London in various costumes and gets closer to the truth Sherlock is also on the case. This is such a fun series I would go ahead and recommend it even with the YA rating. The characters are well developed and likeable. London is alternately gritty, grimy and dirty or filled with new electric lights and parties. I love the descriptions of the outfits she comes up with. The end was a nail biter that had me trying to read faster and faster.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital copy.

The mystery started off intriguing with Balestier seeming to vanish into thin air on the streets of London. I did not however like the turn the plot made. I found it hard to stomach at times. When I first started this series Enola was depicted as clever, cunning, independent and a free spirit. In this story she seems almost common. While she’s still quirky her concerns of fashion and the latest styles seem out of place for her character. Her once action filled investigations seemed more demure. It takes her longer to sort out the clues and a lot of them she gets by chance. I preferred the older books where we see more competition between Enola and Sherlock. Unfortunately, I didn’t find Enola’s character as interesting. I was also a little taken back by how many times Enola mentions her name spelled backwards is Alone as her mother intended her to be independent but she seems to be less so now. While the mystery was okay I wasn’t as drawn into this story as in the previous books.

Enola Holmes is off on another adventure in The Mark of the Mongoose! This time Enola must help to find Walcott Balestier, the representative of an American publisher sent to London to create relationships with English authors. Enola finds an unlikely ally in Rudyard Kipling, Walcott’s best friend, to rescue him before it’s too late!

The Mark of the Mongoose is fast paced and fun. It is full of interesting historical facts and quirky characters. As they have in the past few books, Enola and her famous brother, Sherlock Holmes, have to work together on this case. I have enjoyed seeing their bond grow as he accepts her independence.

The Mark of the Mongoose is a fun and fast read that fans of Enola Holmes will be delighted with!

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I’ve been a fan of Enola Holmes since the beginning. As a reader of every sort of Sherlock Holmes pastiche, and as the mother of three girls, I was always looking for strong, independent young ladies in literature like Nancy Drew to introduce to my daughters. I found another one in Enola Holmes, younger sister to Sherlock.

Enola Holmes books are a treat to read or listen to. While her relationship with her older famous brother has been more adversarial in the past, in this volume, Enola actually works with Sherlock, both on their own ends of the same case.

Enola is trying to track down Rudyard Kipling’s missing American friend. Kipling underestimates Holmes’ abilities (can you say misogynist?), so she wants to prove to him that’s she’s just as able as any man, especially her brother, Sherlock.

There’s been a lot of growth of Enola from the first book to this volume, so this is one series that I do recommend you read in order to get a sense of development of the character and how Enola became as equipped at solving mysteries involving missing persons as Sherlock.

There’s plenty of action in the book that at times it reads like a movie; there is also a lot of focus on higher vocabulary (thank you Kindle dictionary for the help on some of the words even this 50-year-old was unfamiliar with). There’s also discussion of the historical treatment for rabies with an appearance of one Joseph Lister (the inspo for Listerine due to his research into cleanliness in surgeries). There’s a great scene where Enola rides a moving room that travels from one floor to another, something previously unseen in her time.

All in all, this is a great addition to a much-loved higher middle grade or young adult audience, and I daresay this grown up enjoyed the book, too.

This was hands down the best YA/Post original series Enola book yet. It was interested, it was fast paced, it wasn't obviously fan service because of the popularity of the Netflix special. I have yet to be as engaged with any of the new series as much as I was with the original though. Overall it was a great story and I love all the well known famous players in the book.

Thank you NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and Nancy Springer for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I’ve really enjoyed all of the books I’ve read in this series, and this one was no different. And, once again, the cover is GORGEOUS!

This book follows Enola on a new adventure that shows some famous people from history. Enola is one of my favorite characters and I love how brave, strong, and intelligent she is. The writing was unique and fun and the setting was too. This one featured Sherlock more, which I really enjoyed and I like seeing their sibling relationship.

These books are super quick to read and are always a good time. If you liked the previous books, the movies, or just YA/historical fiction novels, pick this one up!

I have enjoyed most of the Enola Holmes books, but this was one of my favourites. I especially liked with this one that she pulled in so many historical characters from the time, and the rabies science is well done and describes the advances that were happening at the time quite well. As a healthcare worker, and enjoyer of historical fiction I always appreciate when the two subjects meet and are told in a realistic way. This book managed to do that.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

I always find Enola Homes novels to be entertaining and fast-paced, but this latest novel in the series focused more heavily on history and science than mystery. I still really enjoyed learning about the evolution of the rabies vaccine and the secret societies that took place around the turn of the century. I also was fascinated to learn that the characters Caroline and Walcott Balistier were based on real people and the real Caroline Balistier married the real Rudyard Kipling (who was fictionalized for this story).

I enjoyed learning about the real Dr. Lister as well, and think the action and adventure made up for a real lack of mystery that there was to solve. This will appeal to Enola Holmes fans, as well as history buffs.

This honestly was my favorite Enola Homes books so far. It seemed more real to me. The dangers she faces and the consequences are more believable. I loved how they added American characters into this story line.\

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Nancy Springer for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC of Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose coming out September 5, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

In May of 1890, Enola Holmes is finally living on her own, no longer needing to hide from her older brothers Sherlock and Mycroft. She attends classes and occasionally pursues her chosen profession as a scientific perditorian, which is a finder of lost things and people.

Wolcott Balestier, the representative of an American book publisher, arrived in London to contract with English authors for their newest works. When Balestier disappears on the streets of London one day, his dear friend - Rudyard Kipling - bursts into Enola's office looking for help in finding him. He’s unwilling to hire a young woman and instead goes to Sherlock Holmes. Convinced that harm has befallen Balestier, at the hands of rival American publishers who pirate the works of English authors, he hires the elder Holmes. 

But Enola is not made to accept defeat, especially not to her brother, and goes off on her own. She is determined to find out why the young American vanished. Can book publishing truly be so cutthroat and deadly? Can the missing man be saved from harm and returned to his friends?

The rising perditorian Enola is determined to do just that, even if it means she’s forced to work with her brother Sherlock!

I love this series! Sherlock Holmes is one of my favorites and it’s fun to imagine if he had a younger sister solving her own mysteries. The movies are also fun. I loved the introduction of a famous author. It was fun for American characters to show up in the book. The only thing really missing for me was more of Mycroft. I would love to read more of this series.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Sherlock Holmes mysteries!

Thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the eARC!

It's always a good time when there's a new Enola Holmes book to read! This one features a man who was attacked by a possibly rabid dog and dragged off by mysterious baddies

Our hero, Enola is tasked by sexist blowhard, Rudyard Kipling to find him. Dagger firmly in corset, Enola meets a fascinating slew of characters and has some pretty spiffy costume changes!

The mystery is fun and the depiction of historical figures is a delight.

Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose was such an interesting story. It weaves into the storyline real people - Rudyard Kipling, his eventual wife Caroline, her broth Wolcott, Louis Pasteur and Joseph Lister.
Wolcott goes missing. Enola and Sherlock are investigating. Wolcott was bitten by a mad dog so rabies enters the storyline.
I found the story fascinating. I like Enola’s spunk and that her relationship with Sherlock has improved. There are some violent parts which would put this book into the older middle grade to early teen age range in my opinion.
I listened to the audiobook and had access to the ebook. Thanks to Netgalley MacMillan audio and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to enjoy another Enola Holmes adventure.

Fun series continuation
Not my favorite plot, but the sprinkling in of real people and events was cool.
She's working more with Sherlock and I hope they work more closely in the future. She's still chasing after his leads and I would enjoy more growth, but still very fun!

3.8 Stars
One Liner: A quick entertainer

May1890
Elona Holmes is leading a happy life, pursuing her education and investigation without hiding from Sherlock and Mycroft, her older brother. They have managed to find a common ground (where Elona will not be civilized into a gentle society lady).
One day, Rudyard Kipling (Ruddy) bursts into Enlona’s office only to find that the investigator is a young girl. He leaves in anger and hires Sherlock. Enola, of course, is determined to prove her worth by solving the case before her talented brother.
Wolcott Balestier, an American writer, vanishes one evening. His sister, Caroline, is distraught. What if the book pirates kidnapped Wolcott? Is the publishing industry ruthless enough to do anything, or is the something else that put him in danger? Where is Wolcott, and can Elona find him before it is too late?
The prologue and epilogue are in the third person, and the rest of the book is in Elona’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts:
I’ve read the previous two books in the series and enjoyed them. This is no exception, though I wouldn’t recommend beginning the series with this book. The story is more focused on mystery, and it can be hard to understand the dynamics between Enola and Sherlock without reading at least one of the earlier works.
As YA cozy mystery, the book has a lot of action, where Enola is coming up with innovative ways to investigate (and get into trouble). Of course, she also manages to save herself in most instances.
With the first-person narrative, Enola also tends to address readers (in parenthesis). Her voice is quirky and funny and suits her energizing personality. We also see glimpses of her vulnerability though she reminds herself that Enola is the inverse of alone (this is a recurring statement and appears at least twice in each book). I do like to see her bond with Sherlock, though given their personalities, we know why it is so hard.
The setting and the then practices, costumes, etc., are detailed and vivid. Enola is often under disguise and loves to provide information in detail. I love how her corset is a mini-thrift store and has just about everything from a dagger to twine and stationery. This is why our dresses need pockets!
The mystery, as such, is lighthearted, but enough drama, action, seriousness, and intrigue to keep the readers hooked. There are no last-minute twists or reveals. We can guess the events halfway through the book but still feel curious enough to see if we are right.
The book has real-life characters – Rudyard Kipling and the Balestier brother-sister duo. The author’s note at the end explains the fact from fiction and her inspiration for using the characters. Oscar Wilde also makes a guest entry, so look out for him. ;)
I did miss Enola’s other friends, though Harold, the loyal cabbie, is present whenever necessary. There aren’t enough scenes between Enola and Sherlock, though this time, she uses leads provided by him and others to progress in the case. Watson has a teeny role (just one scene).
The pacing is really good. Despite various descriptions, the book moves at a steady pace. There isn’t any character development, but I wasn’t looking for it, either.

To summarize, Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose is an interesting and fast-paced historical cozy mystery with a YA heroine. It may not be as engaging as a standalone but should work nevertheless.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s (Wednesday Books), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

This is the third Enola Holmes book I have read and as with the other two, I was not disappointed in the least. I found it to be an excellently crafted, evenly paced, and captivating book that kept me coming back for more.

The book opens with Enola being confronted by an aggravating man who is looking for Dr. Leslie Rogostin and he will accept no one else—not even when Enola explains that she has been entrusted with the job of investigations. In fact “Dr. Rogostin” was completely made up by Enola as a cover for her work. His friend Cottswold is missing and overdue for a meeting. When no Dr. Rogostin is forthcoming, the aggravating man departs.

Later, Enola is brought into a case through a woman she met on the road who is looking for her brother, Wolcott Balestier. We later learn that this is the same missing person that the “aggravating man” was searching for. “Cottswold” was a nickname that his good friend “Ruddy” had given him. The reader then learns that “Ruddy” is none other than Rudyard Kipling.

Kipling is not the only notable that makes an appearance in the story. We also meet Florence Nightingale and noted medical researcher Dr. Joseph Lister. I thought it fun that the author also added a touch of Rudyard Kipling’s noted misogyny into the story line, though it affected the overall drama of the book very little.

I loved this book and found it hard to put down. I greatly appreciated having an advance copy to give me a sneak peak into what Enola Holmes was up to!

Mark of the Mongoose follows Ebola on her newest cast of a missing man. And although she wasn’t technically hired because she us a woman she nonetheless is determined to find him. We see her work sling Sherlock in this book and I truly enjoyed the dynamic.

My only complaint is I wish Enoka had a higher self image of herself. Although she seems unbothered by what she thinks of his she looks. I found myself cringing as she routinely describes herself as dowdy, frumpy and big nosed. I guess it’s just me but I would hood all women can love themselves entropy feel beautiful if only to ourselves. However, the story itself is just fantastic and her quick mind and deductive reasoning as always is on point and she is remarkably well suited for sleuth work. And might I say she outshines her brother Sherlock this one hands down. I highly recommend it!