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A review by tessa_talks_books
Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose by Nancy Springer
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Enola Holmes is such a great character. She is a staunch suffragist and, as such, is modern for her times. She is also older than her years. This all comes together and creates some very entertaining, often laugh-out-loud, moments perfectly timed in an otherwise severe and even violent mystery. She is a gem in the YA cozy mystery world.
I found the historical elements very interesting. This story took on rabies in 1800’s England, and it’s another dark topic (often the focus in these mysteries is a darker element). I already knew some about how inoculations were created and delivered. Still, Springer makes it so real in her telling. Rabies is so scary, especially back then, and I felt that terror and tension reflected in the story.
I also loved the mystery. Sherlock and Enola working, not so much together, but in tandem, is amusing. The brother/sister relationship is fascinating as neither character is demonstrative about their feelings, which is actually a sentiment that is very true of the times, too. But they are also very similar, and this is where the fun comes into play. The mystery was focused and fast-paced, more so than in previous installments, and I greatly appreciated that. It also felt very authentic, as Enola gets into considerably dangerous scrapes, and her life is at stake.
Enola Holmes is a YA cozy mystery series that is authentic and entertaining for the adult or YA reader.
I found the historical elements very interesting. This story took on rabies in 1800’s England, and it’s another dark topic (often the focus in these mysteries is a darker element). I already knew some about how inoculations were created and delivered. Still, Springer makes it so real in her telling. Rabies is so scary, especially back then, and I felt that terror and tension reflected in the story.
I also loved the mystery. Sherlock and Enola working, not so much together, but in tandem, is amusing. The brother/sister relationship is fascinating as neither character is demonstrative about their feelings, which is actually a sentiment that is very true of the times, too. But they are also very similar, and this is where the fun comes into play. The mystery was focused and fast-paced, more so than in previous installments, and I greatly appreciated that. It also felt very authentic, as Enola gets into considerably dangerous scrapes, and her life is at stake.
Enola Holmes is a YA cozy mystery series that is authentic and entertaining for the adult or YA reader.