Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teen girl detective is a fun twist on famous family name.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In ENOLA HOLMES: THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS, young Enola discovers that her mildly eccentric mother has disappeared and the key to finding her is most likely in London. To get there, Enola has to sneak away from and outwit her older brothers, Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes, who want to send the wild, willful teen to a refined boarding school. During her escape, Enola gets ensnared in a kidnapping mystery and must outrun a band of murderers with a new companion in tow -- all while watching for clues from her mother and hiding from her brothers.
Is It Any Good?
Set in the days of corsets and horse carriages, this girl-centered mystery keeps readers on their toes with quick action, engaging characters, and fun riddles. Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess is a great twist on a well-known name; older brother Sherlock Holmes isn't the focus of the story, and Enola's adventurous, inquisitive attitude help her grow well outside the confines of her society. The language Enola uses fits the early 20th century setting, so it could take readers a few chapters to settle into the style, but it quickly seems like another character in the story. There's violence, tension, and anger throughout, but all of it mild -- and some even comical.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how society treats women in Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess. How does it change a society when adult women can't own property, make financial decisions, or decide where to live?
What would you do if you were in Enola's situation? Who would you turn to for help?
What other mysteries have you enjoyed?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : Adventures , Book Characters
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Philomel
- Publication date : November 8, 2007
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 240
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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