Shelly's Book Blog

The Case of the Missing Marquess, by Nancy Springer, is the first in the Enola Holmes mystery series. Enola is the much younger sister of the famous Sherlock Holmes, but it turns out they hardly know each other, because for the last ten of her fourteen years she has been living in the country with her mother, while he has been in London. Enola is a wonderfully smart, energetic, and irreverent heroine whom many young girls will like and admire. Also, the writing is top-notch: well paced and laced with wonderfully descriptive language.
I was intrigued with the story from the first chapter, and the ending satisfies by providing just enough suspense and excitement. I really like to read about strong, smart female characters who refuse to be outdone by their male counterparts. All the more fun, then to read about Enola in 1800's England, where her disregard for the strict gener/social rules of the time shocks and dismays her oh-so-proper older brothers. I will recommend this to middle schoolers who like a good mystery, but especially to young women who enjoy a story where "girl power" rules.