Cover Image: Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose

Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose

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Member Reviews

Wow this book was just so good and so easy to get lost in. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I just didn't want the story to end. I just couldn't get enough of these wonderful characters and I just loved getting to see their journey. I will most definitely be reading more stories from this wonderful author.

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A very fun Enola Holmes adventure. Enola is a great character. And she isn't running from her brothers anymore. I liked the mystery and the premise. I love that the author adds notes at the end of the story telling which elements are fact and which elements are fiction. I love the research that goes into these. If you are an Enola Holmes reader, pick this one up. If you are not, you may want to read some of the earlier entries before reading this one. Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this ARC.

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Another excellent YA read set in Victorian London. We are shown the customs, social issues, medical practices, and innovations so it is quite easy for us to slip into the setting.

I am not going to give away any spoilers other than to say, this time around, she and her famous brother, Sherlock will be working together! The repertoire between the two is thoroughly witty as Enola tries to outshine her famous brother making it not only an exciting read, but it is also a fast paced book! I love Sherlock but through this series, I cannot help but be team Enola!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this digital review copy!

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Another great book in the Enola Holmes series. I love the humor in these books mixed with the mystery and fast paced action. I love that the protagonist in this book is a smart, tough young lady. It is also a great series to enrich vocabulary in young adults. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book.

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Fans of Enola Holmes will be happy to see another episode in the life of the feisty detective. I didn't find this one as intriguing as the others I've read, but all the familiar elements are present. This one features Rudyard Kipling who is looking for a friend who is missing. As usual, he seeks out Sherlock, mistrusting that Enola can do the job. A fast paced adventure involving a rabid dog, Louis Pasteur, a mysterious flower seller, and more quirky characters. If you're a fan of the series, don't miss this one. If you haven't read any of the others, start with one of the earlier books.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

Another delightful installment in the series!

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I was super excited for this and let me tell you it did not disappoint. If you love murder mystery this is definitely the book for you! All the twists and turns yes please!

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Enola Holmes is such a great character. I cannot get enough of her adventures. I love staying caught up with each new adventure as Nancy Springer develops her as a character.

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Nancy Springer has once again outdone herself in this newest Enola adventure, which is both unapologetically feminist and, at the same time, a delightful romp through staid Victorian England. As always, I found Enola's relationship with her brother Sherlock delightful. I love the way she and her brother protect (or try to protect) one another--and now have begun to count on each other. Nothing is funnier than Sherlock's awe and disbelief at the lengths to which Enola will go, and nothing more rewarding that his chagrin and approval when she succeeds. Unless, perhaps, it is the way Enola wins over the other even more uptight and ridiculous men of the age. There are shenanigans aplenty, and while readers will feel right at home among the crazy costumes and heady etymologies, Springer somehow manages to include a menagerie of strange creatures as well as characters in the Mark of the Mongoose. I especially loved the developing involvement of Enola's women's club members in this latest, as they get to join in some of the fun sticking it to the man.

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Nancy Springer does it again in the Enola Holmes series, it does everything that worked with the other books in the series. I enjoyed how well it worked in the world and that the characters felt like the same people, it had what I enjoyed from the Sherlock Holmes elements but still be it’s own thing. I’m glad the series continued with this novel and look forward to more from the author.

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While this book didn't quite capture my attention as quickly as some of the others have, I still enjoyed the plot, especially after learning a couple of the characters were loosely based off of real people. The interactions between Enola and Sherlock never fail to make me smile (particularly when Enola outsmarts her older brother). All in all, I love this series, I love Enola and how her character continues to grow throughout the books and I am so excited to see where the series goes next.

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A wonderful addition to the Enola Holmes series, I especially enjoyed the addition of actual historical figures in the story! I’ve been reading these since the beginning of the series by @nancyspringer and they keep getting better and better. The television series is quite good also and I hope it brings people to the books. These can be read in any order without feeling out of sync. Thank you to #netgalley and #wednesdaybooks for this arc to read and review, all opinions are my own.

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Thanks to #NetGalley for a chance to read the ARC of the #EnolaHolmes by Nancy Springer.

Another great addition to the Enola Holmes story arc! 9th in the series (and while it's not absolutely necessary, I do recommend reading them in order) finds Enola searching for a missing man amid a number of rabid dog sightings and finding clues among the homeless community as well as the affluent. Through her search, she meets Rudyard Kipling as well as Dr. Lister - I enjoyed the way the author portrayed them both. The mystery gets a little convoluted, but ties up nicely at the end.

I'm already a fan of Sherlock Holmes - centric books, but what I love about this series, is that while it's perfect for children / young adults, Ms. Springer doesn't underestimate her readers. She uses language for the time and trusts that the reader can keep up.

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Love enola holmes and this is a solid entry into the canon! Pace is perfect, characters are wonderful, plot grabs you and doesn't let go. I can't wait to put this in the hands of young readers and see their faces light up. Just when you think you can't love Enola Holmes more, here comes the Mark of the Mongoose!

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This is the second Enola Holmes book I've read (having also read the one immediately preceding this). As I thoroughly enjoyed both of them, I expect to read more in the future.

The mystery here was quite different from in the previous novel. I found the scientific angle quite interesting, and I loved that the author used real people from history as some of the characters. Though overall Kipling wasn't very likeable, I appreciated the slight change in his demeanor at the end. I also enjoyed reading the author's note about him.

While I wouldn't exactly consider these standalone novels, the author does a good job of filling in relevant details that would have been missed by skipping the previous installments of the series.

I recommend this to fans of historical mysteries and/or Sherlock Holmes.

Thank you to NetGalley for the early read.

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One of the things I like about the Enola Holmes books (besides the enjoyable character of Enola) is that they are set in the late 19th century, a time of great changes, which are incorporated into the stories. This book features the newly opened opulent Savoy Hotel with electric lighting throughout, as well as rumors of electric “ascending rooms”, the meaning of which Enola cannot fathom. [Hint: “elevator”]

The story focuses on the disappearance of an American writer and editor, Wolcott Balestier. In the story, Enola meets, and assists, Rudyard Kipling, who had formed a close friendship with Wolcott and his sister, Caroline. I was pleased to learn that Wolcott and his sister were real people. In the story, Enola also meets Dr. Joseph Lister, who is working on an inoculation for rabies. Including these real individuals in the story was a nice touch.

Enola is often somewhat unsettled in these books, as she has deal with the attitudes, opinions and protectiveness of her older brothers, especially Sherlock Holmes, as well as being rather unconventional in her thoughts and behaviors compared to what is "expected" of women, especially higher status women, at this time in western society. However, in this book, Enola seemed even more discombobulated than usual, which adds to the humor. There is also a great supporting cast, with the women of the Professional Women's Club where Enola lives, Harold and Brownie, and Mary Erasmus, the walking thesaurus.

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These books are fantastic. Such a great way to incorporate different historical people and fiction we know with a new and wonderful spin on it! I simply adore this series and anxiously awaiting the next in the series.
I just reviewed Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose by Nancy Springer. #NetGalley
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Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose by Nancy Springer is a smart, funny, and fast-paced addition to the Enola Holmes series. Set in May of 1890, Enola is no longer hiding from her older brothers Sherlock and Mycroft and is pursuing her profession as a scientific perditorian, a finder of lost things and people. When Wolcott Balestier, an American book publisher representative, goes missing in London, his great friend Rudyard Kipling seeks her help in finding him. Kipling's initial reluctance to hire a young woman leads him to turn to Sherlock Holmes for assistance. However, Enola, determined to prove herself, sets off on her own to uncover the truth behind Balestier's disappearance.

One of the highlights of the book is the engaging and witty interactions between Enola and Sherlock. Their relationship is well-developed, and Nancy Springer skillfully captures the dynamic between the siblings. Enola's intelligence and resourcefulness shine through as she navigates the late Victorian world, and the author's attention to historical detail adds depth to the story. The incorporation of actual historical events and figures, such as Rudyard Kipling, adds an intriguing layer to the narrative.

The book maintains a fast pace, keeping readers engaged from beginning to end. Enola's problem-solving skills are both clever and entertaining, adding a sense of adventure to the story. The series as a whole offers good, clean fun and is suitable for a wide range of readers.

While the book is enjoyable overall, there are a couple of drawbacks. The mystery at the center of the story is not fully explained by the end, leaving some questions unanswered, particularly regarding the perpetrator's motivation. Additionally, while the relationship between Enola and Sherlock is a highlight, it would have been interesting to see Enola rely on her own capabilities more, rather than leaning on Sherlock for assistance.

In conclusion, Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose is a smart and entertaining addition to the Enola Holmes series. With its witty dialogue, historical backdrop, and engaging characters, it offers a delightful reading experience. Despite some minor shortcomings in the resolution of the mystery and Enola's reliance on Sherlock, the book remains an enjoyable and satisfying read for fans of the series and those looking for a fast-paced Victorian mystery.
4.3/5 rounded down to 4/5.

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Another awesome mystery with Enola Holmes!

Once again 17yo Enola becomes inadvertently involved in a mystery when a customer asks for help from the new false identity she’s using, Dr. Ragostin. This new London mystery is a missing man who was bitten by a rabid dog. His sister Caroline and best friend Rudyard Kipling ask for help in finding him. Enola throws herself into the search and comes across strange characters, a strong leader and an odd group with the mark of the mongoose. She’s determined to find the missing man no matter how much danger she puts herself in.

Likes/dislikes: I like how the author ties history into the fictional Enola Holmes’ stories. The author states what’s true history and what’s fictional in the ending notes. I enjoy Enola’s perseverance, bravery, and generosity.
Mature content: none
Language: PG for 6 swears and no f-bombs.
Violence: PG for fighting.
Ethnicity: Predominantly white.

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I've read and enjoyed the previous Enola Holmes books, and the Mark of the Mongoose moves the series in a positive direction.  Throughout the series, a recurring theme is that Enola is always alone, that her name spelled backwards is "alone," so she will always be alone.  This latest installment happily moves the story away from that theme.  She works the current case semi-cooperatively with her brother Sherlock and the dynamic between the two of them was excellent to read.  Additionally, Enola has also found a supportive environment at the women's club where she lives. The women there happily help her dress for her adventures, and the story reads much better now that she has a supportive environment around her.

Most of the Victorian mysteries that I read are murder mysteries, so Enola is a nice change of pace since she focuses on missing persons.  She's back in full swing in this volume, representing the pinnacle of what can be expected of a young lady of quality in 19th century England, including dressing up as a man, getting into knife fights, throwing a bucket of urine at someone, and riding a cow.  It's glorious.

I do have two points of criticism; the first is that the mystery isn't fully explained at the end of the book.  The perpetrator is discovered and the missing person found, but we don't learn anything about the perpetrator's motivation.  I'm the kind of reader who likes to have mysteries explained at the end of a story, so this was mildly disappointing.  The second is that I very much prefer the cover art featured for books 1-6.  Books 7-9 are overshadowed by a huge face that doesn't look at all like Enola is described in the books.  Overall, however, I enjoyed the book and plan to continue reading the series.

This review is based on an ARC received from St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley.

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