Enola Holmes by Nancy Springer

The Case of the Missing Marquess

A charismatic heroine searches for the truth behind her elusive mother while also taking on her first case.

I love the way Enola and her mysterious mother communicate through cyphers.

When her mother vanishes on her fourteenth birthday, Enola Holmes takes the case, uncovering a hidden trail of cyphers and clues. But her brothers have other ideas; those brothers being Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes, of course. While Sherlock shows some small interest in Enola, Mycroft plans to dispatch her to boarding school, corsets and all. Well, Enola’s having none of that. Armed with pluck, disguises, and a book of cyphers, she escapes and sets out to find not only her mother, but her own true calling.

“Enola, legally I hold complete charge over both your mother and you. I can, if I wish, lock you in your room until you become sensible, or take whatever other measures are necessary in order to achieve that desired result.” - Mycroft, p.54

Set in Victorian England, this is a thoroughly satisfying coming-of-age story with plenty of period details. Enola is an engaging and direct narrator, and I loved the way she and her mother communicate through cyphers. Sherlock’s presence provides some star power, but he never overshadows Enola. This is her story.

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