Original, Bold, Brilliant New Heroine

Any additional comments?

Nancy Springer deserves much credit. The concept of a 'Sherlock Holmes Younger Sister' young adult genre could have been as dull, vapid, and predictable as -- sorry -- the old 'Nancy Drew' serials.

But Ms. Springer has created a genuinely inspired character of depth, passion, emotion, and isn't afraid to make her fallible and and occasionally unlikeable -- in other words, a believable fourteen-year-old girl.Enola is fourteen, the daughter of gentry and living in the country in 1888. She is a late child, born when her mother was thought to be rather beyond child-bearing years. Her two older brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft, live in London, and are estranged from their mother and young sister since the death of their father about a decade before. The tale begins with the disappearance of Enola's mother, on Enola's fourteenth birthday. Sherlock and Mycroft come to the estate, and treat Enola with little more consideration than a housepet, being patronizing and condescending, and planning to pack her off to boarding school.Enola, who has a mind of her own that is quite the equal steel of the brothers' (although it takes them a while to grasp this), will have none of that, and is bent on finding her mother.

What follows is a tale of twists and surprises from the countryside to the lowest part of the docks and wharfs of London, and a retinue of characters that have authenticity and presence -- in fact, the closest to a stereotype and a narrow person in the book is Sherlock's Scotland Yard acquaintance Lestrade, and then only because of the limitations that Conan-Doyle put on him that Springer was quite faithful to follow, although the temptation to breathe a little more life into the ferret-like detective must have been strong.

While Enola can be a bit unlikeable at times, overall she is a magnificent, resonant character, easily as fascinating as her older brother, or brothers, to be precise, even if Mycroft doesn't appear all that often in Conan-Doyle's canonical tales.It's also impossible not to admire the detail and significant differences that a female point of view in Victorian England that Springer has decorated the tale with. It was such a male-dominate society that one forgets that females were little more than property of men, who generally had little regard for the distaff's intelligence, reasoning ability, or even sense of moral purpose. As we watch Enola, and -- vicariously -- her mother try to navigate these murky waters, I can't help but admire both female Holmes 'alternate' use of the imprisoning foundation garments of the day, the bustle, corset, and other various 'dress enhancers' to better, and frankly brilliant, purposes.

The performance by Katherine Kellgren is spot-on, as well. Her fine sense of timing, and of pitch, pacing and her excellent grasp of accents from Home Counties, to Eatonian, to East End Cockney was lovely, quite entertaining, and there was never any doubt as to whom was speaking. Brilliant!

While this novel may be directed towards a young adult market, it is so multilayered that adults will enjoy it as much as the teenaged reader. As I said at the beginning, Nancy Springer has a magnificent achievement in this book. She is an ornament to the writing profession.

Another book that gives insight into Victorian English society, and in fact compliments this one quite well, is Michael Crichton's 'The Great Train Robbery', which I also strongly recommend.

27 people found this helpful

Not just for children ....

Loved the story, the characters and the narration! Now to find the next book in this series. It would be great if Audible helped keep track and offered the next one as a reader works their way through a series.

9 people found this helpful

a marvelous new heroine

This series is a favorite in our family. when we discovered this book everyone in the house fell in love with it and fought over who would read it next. we all love Katherine Kelgren's narration.

6 people found this helpful

I love anything Sherlock Holmes

Would you consider the audio edition of Case of the Missing Marquess to be better than the print version?

Yes.

What did you like best about this story?

How the author keeps true to the characters of Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes.

What does Katherine Kellgren bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

The way she brings emotion into the voices of the characters. I have heard other books she has narrated and just adore her renditions.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not necessarily. I tend to listen as I do housework or while driving.

Any additional comments?

Can't wait to download more books in this series.

6 people found this helpful

This is an excellent young adult, childrens read

What did you like best about this story?

I love that the author gave us a twist to the traditional Sherlock Holmes. We still love him, in all his quirks but from another view point. He is still the great detective, and now he has a challenger that is worthwhile, but not evil. I feel that this will give kids an alternative view to how the world was from a womanly point of view, and will stretch their minds in ways that may not be expected. They will have fun with brain teasers, get interested in cyfers, reading, art, and much much more.

4 people found this helpful

Amazing story and great narration

Enola is a dream character, With strong views of life and happiness.
I just love the narration.Kathrine Kellgren has a great voice, and I have many great audio books from her.Also try the second story, also narrated by Kellgren. Love this sweet and bold story of Sherlock Holmeses much younger sister. Enola, “Alone”.

2 people found this helpful

Not just for kids Enola Holmes is a heroine

For all ages. Independence and willingness to separate from the misogynistic era of Sherlock Holmes is the central message of this story. While the vocabulary places it in the purvue of young adult fiction, the plot and storyline are appropriate and enjoyable for any age. Enola Holmes is the much younger sister of Sherlock and Mycroft, who both have minor roles in this story.

2 people found this helpful

Enjoyable YA Victorian female detective

Sherlock and Mycroft's neglected but feisty and clever little sister solves mysteries as she creates a life for herself that allows her freedoms unusual for a female. Very proper Victorian, no language (except the use of the term used then for Romani, gipsy, which is now knows as a slur) or sexual situations, some empathy driving descriptions of observed homelessness and poverty of the era.

1 person found this helpful

Best series I’ve ever listened to!!

Nancy Springer has outdone herself! Enola Holmes is a fabulous heroine. The story is brilliant and keeps you going all through to the end of the series and keeps you wanting more. It is a must listen to. I cannot say enough about the young lady who narrates. She does a marvelous job and makes it all come to life. Well done!

1 person found this helpful

lots of fun for adult listeners as well

Enola will be my go-to book to give grandnieces and grandnephews! she is clever and not too full of herself, unlike her brothers!