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Enola Holmes #5
The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline
A MISSING LANDLADY ... IT'S ANOTHER CASE FOR DETECTIVE ENOLA HOLMES!
Enola Holmes's lonely London days are shaken up when her dear landlady, Mrs. Tupper, is kidnapped! As Enola pursues clues in her search for Mrs. Tupper, she finds that Florence Nightingale and her own brother - Sherlock Holmes - are involved. Soon Enola finds herself jumping out of windows, deciphering a mysterious code, and putting her hidden dagger to use - and she won't rest until poor Mrs. Tupper is safe at home!
Enola Holmes's lonely London days are shaken up when her dear landlady, Mrs. Tupper, is kidnapped! As Enola pursues clues in her search for Mrs. Tupper, she finds that Florence Nightingale and her own brother - Sherlock Holmes - are involved. Soon Enola finds herself jumping out of windows, deciphering a mysterious code, and putting her hidden dagger to use - and she won't rest until poor Mrs. Tupper is safe at home!
176 pages, Hardcover
First published February 21, 2009
434 people are currently reading
8308 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Springer
193 books2,298 followersBIO -- NANCY SPRINGER
Nancy Springer has passed the fifty-book milestone, having written that many novels for adults, young adults and children, in genres including mythic fantasy, contemporary fiction, magical realism, horror, and mystery -- although she did not realize she wrote mystery until she won the Edgar Allan Poe Award from the Mystery Writers of America two years in succession. DARK LIE, recently released from NAL, is her first venture into mass-market psychological suspense.
Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Nancy Springer moved with her family to Gettysburg, of Civil War fame, when she was thirteen. She spent the next forty-six years in Pennsylvania, raising two children (Jonathan, now 38, and Nora, 34), writing, horseback riding, fishing, and birdwatching. In 2007 she surprised her friends and herself by moving with her second husband to an isolated area of the Florida panhandle, where the birdwatching is spectacular and where, when fishing, she occasionally catches an alligator.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,043 reviews
January 31, 2018
This series just gets better and better. Florence Nightingale calling Mycroft Holmes a misogynist is probably the best thing I've ever read in my life.
April 10, 2023
Enola meets Florence Nightingale.
This was a super-shorty, with the audiobook clocking in at 3 hours and 13 minutes. I have zero complaints as this remains a cute mystery series.
The mystery involves Enola rescuing her landlady from the nefarious clutches of...someone.
And as far as "mysteries" go, it's not that great. But it's Enola doing her thing while avoiding her brothers, pining over her missing mother, and giving the reader a bit of insight into some of the nonsense women had to put up with during the...late 1800s?
I'm not 100% sure, but she mentions Jack the Ripper in this one. So, we're going with that.
Then again, pick a time period and you will more than likely find some kind of funky nonsense that women had to put up with.
At the end of every book, Sherlock grows a little as a person. This time around he gets schooled by Ms. Nightengail and it causes him to perhaps think about Enola and what she might want out of life.
Maybe there's hope for him after all.
Recommended.
This was a super-shorty, with the audiobook clocking in at 3 hours and 13 minutes. I have zero complaints as this remains a cute mystery series.
The mystery involves Enola rescuing her landlady from the nefarious clutches of...someone.
And as far as "mysteries" go, it's not that great. But it's Enola doing her thing while avoiding her brothers, pining over her missing mother, and giving the reader a bit of insight into some of the nonsense women had to put up with during the...late 1800s?
I'm not 100% sure, but she mentions Jack the Ripper in this one. So, we're going with that.
Then again, pick a time period and you will more than likely find some kind of funky nonsense that women had to put up with.
At the end of every book, Sherlock grows a little as a person. This time around he gets schooled by Ms. Nightengail and it causes him to perhaps think about Enola and what she might want out of life.
Maybe there's hope for him after all.
Recommended.
July 16, 2025
Enola goes five for five as a successful "perditorian"!
Pitched at a reading level considerably higher than the justifiably famous Nancy Drew series, THE CASE OF THE CRYPTIC CRINOLINE continues the adventures of Enola Holmes, the hitherto unknown, late-arriving younger sister of Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes, who was introduced so capably in THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS.
A budding young feminist, intelligent far beyond her tender age of only fourteen years, Enola Holmes is living incognito in London, hiding from her brilliant brothers for fear that they would force her into the stultifying life of a Victorian boarding school for young ladies. Sherlock and Mycroft are portrayed as typical 19th century men in their attitude toward women and whatever intellect they may possess. That is to say, they are at least patronizing and chauvinist and perhaps, in Mycroft's case, downright misogynist.
Despite being of independent means with the financial resources that her mother provided in THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS, Enola has decided that she will live her life as a "perditorian", a "finder of lost things". In THE CASE OF THE CRYPTIC CRINOLINE, Enola tackles the disappearance of her own sweet landlady, the very deaf Mrs Tupper, when she is kidnapped after what modern readers would term a house invasion. The clues are sparse - a story about Mrs Tupper's history as a broken-hearted widow in the Crimean War and some old embroidery on a crinoline. But Enola is stubbornly determined to find her and repay the kindness that Mrs Tupper has shown her by acting, in effect, as a loving, thoughtful stand-in for the real mother that Enola hasn't seen since she left home so many months earlier. Of course, her sleuthing constantly places her in danger of being shipped off to that ever so repugnant boarding school for young ladies should her brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft, ever manage to penetrate her numerous disguises and lay hands on her.
Nancy Springer's wonderfully innovative and imaginative series is now maturing as it reaches its fifth title but it certainly isn't showing any signs of staleness or tiring. The portrayal of Crimean heroine and foresighted developer of the modern nursing profession, Florence Nightingale, adds a heightened verve and sense of possible reality to this mystery. Clearly the ideas, the atmosphere, the characterization and the plotting continue to flow and I'll be looking forward to the sixth title, THE CASE OF THE GYPSY GOODBYE. Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
Pitched at a reading level considerably higher than the justifiably famous Nancy Drew series, THE CASE OF THE CRYPTIC CRINOLINE continues the adventures of Enola Holmes, the hitherto unknown, late-arriving younger sister of Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes, who was introduced so capably in THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS.
A budding young feminist, intelligent far beyond her tender age of only fourteen years, Enola Holmes is living incognito in London, hiding from her brilliant brothers for fear that they would force her into the stultifying life of a Victorian boarding school for young ladies. Sherlock and Mycroft are portrayed as typical 19th century men in their attitude toward women and whatever intellect they may possess. That is to say, they are at least patronizing and chauvinist and perhaps, in Mycroft's case, downright misogynist.
Despite being of independent means with the financial resources that her mother provided in THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS, Enola has decided that she will live her life as a "perditorian", a "finder of lost things". In THE CASE OF THE CRYPTIC CRINOLINE, Enola tackles the disappearance of her own sweet landlady, the very deaf Mrs Tupper, when she is kidnapped after what modern readers would term a house invasion. The clues are sparse - a story about Mrs Tupper's history as a broken-hearted widow in the Crimean War and some old embroidery on a crinoline. But Enola is stubbornly determined to find her and repay the kindness that Mrs Tupper has shown her by acting, in effect, as a loving, thoughtful stand-in for the real mother that Enola hasn't seen since she left home so many months earlier. Of course, her sleuthing constantly places her in danger of being shipped off to that ever so repugnant boarding school for young ladies should her brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft, ever manage to penetrate her numerous disguises and lay hands on her.
Nancy Springer's wonderfully innovative and imaginative series is now maturing as it reaches its fifth title but it certainly isn't showing any signs of staleness or tiring. The portrayal of Crimean heroine and foresighted developer of the modern nursing profession, Florence Nightingale, adds a heightened verve and sense of possible reality to this mystery. Clearly the ideas, the atmosphere, the characterization and the plotting continue to flow and I'll be looking forward to the sixth title, THE CASE OF THE GYPSY GOODBYE. Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
November 8, 2020
Enola Holmes has certainly become one of my favorite characters ever. And maybe the book version even more than the movie version. (I think adding a love interest and possible love story to the movie may have ruined the Enola Holmes as she is in the books...) So, no matter what happens and no matter how many other books I have to read, I will make time every weekend for an Enola Holmes novel. (Well, I'll finish the last one next week...)
And this one was once again a truly nice story! The entire plot focusses on the case, mostly because this time the case hits very close to home, maybe even closer than the Watson case a few books back did. Enola's emotional investment really makes this case different from the other cases. She starts to make mistakes and she fails to make connections and in a way that's also really nice. It makes her human and very relatable. Especially because for once as a reader we can make some connections before Enola does.
Once more this book also shows ugly parts of society and especially the pressure it put on ladies. Although I don't really like the trope of invalids "faking it", I really understand where it comes from in this book and also why the character involved deemed it necessary. It says a lot about society, about the pressure on girls and the lengths they had to go to follow their dreams instead of being molded into perfect wives and mothers.
However, this case once more helped Sherlock Holmes to understand that what he thinks is best for his sister, might not actually be in her best interest. It took him five books to finally start to understand it, but we're getting there. And that's good for Enola, because can you imagine that a brilliant, free, creative and self reliant soul like Enola would not be able and allowed to use her talents anymore? Which, undoubtedly, was the story of a lot of girls in this time in history.
And this one was once again a truly nice story! The entire plot focusses on the case, mostly because this time the case hits very close to home, maybe even closer than the Watson case a few books back did. Enola's emotional investment really makes this case different from the other cases. She starts to make mistakes and she fails to make connections and in a way that's also really nice. It makes her human and very relatable. Especially because for once as a reader we can make some connections before Enola does.
Once more this book also shows ugly parts of society and especially the pressure it put on ladies. Although I don't really like the trope of invalids "faking it", I really understand where it comes from in this book and also why the character involved deemed it necessary. It says a lot about society, about the pressure on girls and the lengths they had to go to follow their dreams instead of being molded into perfect wives and mothers.
However, this case once more helped Sherlock Holmes to understand that what he thinks is best for his sister, might not actually be in her best interest. It took him five books to finally start to understand it, but we're getting there. And that's good for Enola, because can you imagine that a brilliant, free, creative and self reliant soul like Enola would not be able and allowed to use her talents anymore? Which, undoubtedly, was the story of a lot of girls in this time in history.
February 12, 2021
Why Sherlock persists in thinking he has to save Enola when Enola is showing plenty of sense, ability and intelligence in not only taking care of herself, but helping others, including her elder, detective brother on occasion.
This time, Enola must rescue her landlady when the poor woman is kidnapped for something she saw or had when she was in Turkey years earlier with her husband during the Crimean War. Enola gets to meet Florence Nightingale and outsmart Sherlock again, even while saving her kind landlady and continuing to miss her errant mother.
I’m almost done with this series, and I feel a little sad. Enola is a wonderful character, and I wish there were several more books in this excellent series.
This time, Enola must rescue her landlady when the poor woman is kidnapped for something she saw or had when she was in Turkey years earlier with her husband during the Crimean War. Enola gets to meet Florence Nightingale and outsmart Sherlock again, even while saving her kind landlady and continuing to miss her errant mother.
I’m almost done with this series, and I feel a little sad. Enola is a wonderful character, and I wish there were several more books in this excellent series.
November 23, 2024
Re-reading. 2024 - a few new books have been added to this series and I wanted to refresh my memory on some I had already read. I didn't think I needed to go all the way back to #1 so I started here - but it turns out there are things I have forgotten about how it all began, so I'm going back to #1 after all.
Still 5 stars and one of my favorites.
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Again, mystery solved via a detail that a woman would notice, but a man would be likely to overlook. I love how this keeps happening.
Incidentally, Florence Nightingale is a character in this one - in a conversation with Sherlock, she refers to Mycroft Holmes as both a misanthrope and a misogynist. In short, Nancy Springer writes books that I wish I could say I'd written.
Still 5 stars and one of my favorites.
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Again, mystery solved via a detail that a woman would notice, but a man would be likely to overlook. I love how this keeps happening.
Incidentally, Florence Nightingale is a character in this one - in a conversation with Sherlock, she refers to Mycroft Holmes as both a misanthrope and a misogynist. In short, Nancy Springer writes books that I wish I could say I'd written.
August 11, 2023
mega wciągnęłam się w zagadkę muszę przyznać i naprawdę dobrze się bawiłam, mimo że historyczne wątki nigdy nie były moją broszką.
Zostaje tu porwana gospodyni Enoli, czyli taka sherlockowa pani Hudson, ale dostajemy też retrospekcje z czasów wojny krymskiej i to wszystko zgrabnie nam się połączy. Akcja skupia się raczej na kombinowaniu, skradaniu, rozkminianiu, co komu można powiedzieć, niż na walkach i ucieczkach (chociaż i ich pod koniec nie zabraknie).
No i ej, coraz bardziej widać, jak Sherlockowi otwierają się oczy na to, że, być może, los panien w tych czasach nie jest taki usłany różami i nie ma co się dziwić Enoli, że zaczyna się buntować.
Zostaje tu porwana gospodyni Enoli, czyli taka sherlockowa pani Hudson, ale dostajemy też retrospekcje z czasów wojny krymskiej i to wszystko zgrabnie nam się połączy. Akcja skupia się raczej na kombinowaniu, skradaniu, rozkminianiu, co komu można powiedzieć, niż na walkach i ucieczkach (chociaż i ich pod koniec nie zabraknie).
No i ej, coraz bardziej widać, jak Sherlockowi otwierają się oczy na to, że, być może, los panien w tych czasach nie jest taki usłany różami i nie ma co się dziwić Enoli, że zaczyna się buntować.
August 31, 2021
Jack the Ripper has been mentioned briefly in more than one of these Enola Holmes mysteries. In this book, Florence Nightingale has a starring role. Enola's landlady, Mrs. Tupper has gone missing. As the book opened, we see when a young Mrs. Tupper became a widow. Thirty-four years have passed and after receiving a strange letter, Mrs. Tupper disappears.
Through powers of deduction, Enola realizes that Mrs. Tupper and Florence Nightingale made an acquaintance all of those years ago. Could Ms. Nightingale have anything to do with Mrs. Tupper's disappearance. As Enola starts searching for answers, she often has very sad feelings that her mother disappeared several months previously. Now another woman she cares for is gone.
As a reader I feel like I am championing Enola, especially since Mycroft is getting more and more determined to find her and send her away. I love the fact that someone else stood up for her and that was indeed Ms. Nightingale.
Enola is led to Ms. Nightingale based on clues she found when searching through Mrs. Tupper's wardrobe. I love this young mystery series, and bringing in real historical characters. I also love the cat-and-mouse game Enola is playing with Sherlock and Mycroft, although Sherlock is slowly coming around.
September 4, 2022
Chyba mój ulubieniec! Oczekiwanie wobec finału serii są chwilowo naprawdę wysokie (:
September 23, 2020
3.5
There was nothing wrong with it. I enjoyed it! I just think the mystery was too short. They didn’t set up the story enough. It was very fast. But still it was great! Sad to say there is only 1 book left! Good thing I can hopefully look forwards to more Enola Holmes movies :)
There was nothing wrong with it. I enjoyed it! I just think the mystery was too short. They didn’t set up the story enough. It was very fast. But still it was great! Sad to say there is only 1 book left! Good thing I can hopefully look forwards to more Enola Holmes movies :)
June 19, 2021
Ameno, pero falto de chispa. Como antesala de cara al final de la saga no está mal, pero lamenté que los hermanos de Enola, especialmente Sherlock, tuvieran una presencia casi nula. Aquí lo más interesante del caso es que sirve para que Enola reflexione sobre los lazos afectivos que ha creado con ciertos personajes y sobre lo que tal vez le faltó en su infancia. Eso y el hecho de que Sherlock se dé cuenta de algo es lo más importante de la novela. De resto, la novela aporta muy poco respecto a los libros anteriores.
En esta 5º parte, Enola se ve sumergida en una investigación que se le presenta por sorpresa: su casera, la señora Tupper, ha recibido una amenaza, la cual ni siquiera parece tener sentido. Lo que en un principio da la impresión de ser un mensaje estúpido, va derivando en algo más peligroso, y Enola deberá ahondar en el pasado de su casera para intentar entender lo que ocurre y salvarla. Lo que más me gustó fue conocer mejor a la señora Tupper, ver lo que vivió me hizo tenerle más cariño y me dio pena la soledad con la que tuvo que afrontar determinadas tragedias. La labor detectivesca de Enola está bien desarrollada, el problema es que, una vez resueltos los interrogantes, lo que no parece tener demasiado fundamento es la actitud de los malos… digamos que se zanja rápido el asunto y hay un cambio brusco de actitud que provoca que sea ilógico lo que uno de ellos hizo.
Como dije al principio, Mycroft y Sherlock apenas aparecen, y si a eso le sumamos que su madre también sigue sin dar señales de vida, pues no hay muchos avances respecto a la situación familiar de los Holmes. Eché en falta los típicos encuentros ocasionales de Enola y Sherlock, ya que aquí son escasos y demasiado fugaces. Lo único positivo es que una escena final sí que nos permite ver claramente a Sherlock valorando los hechos desde un punto de vista diferente al habitual.
A nivel de narración, el libro es menos descriptivo que su predecesor, lo cual permite que la lectura sea más entretenida y que no se pierda el tiempo con detalles superfluos. Enola sigue siendo un personaje entrañable que nos sigue ayudando a verle sentido a mensajes codificados, lo cual a mí me sigue generando admiración… en serio, a mí alguien me envía un mensaje como los que se ven en estos libros y no me enteraría de nada xD.
Respecto al tema educativo y reivindicativo, aquí se habla de Florence Nightingale, precursora de la enfermería tal y como la conocemos, pero me faltó que se explicara mejor su labor, ya que queda como un personaje más de la novela y no destaca. Recuerdo que en la novela gráfica sí que fue mejor descrita y se podía conocer más sobre ella. En lo que se refiere a la crítica social, aquí hay poca, y no es que eso esté mal, ya que no es algo imprescindible, pero me extrañó que fuera más suave que en otras ocasiones.
No negaré que esperaba un poco más de esta novela, pero quiero creer que la autora quiere reservar lo mejor para el final de la saga, la cual leeré de inmediato para ver cómo acaba todo (aunque sé que me dolerá despedirme de Enola y de Sherlock).
En esta 5º parte, Enola se ve sumergida en una investigación que se le presenta por sorpresa: su casera, la señora Tupper, ha recibido una amenaza, la cual ni siquiera parece tener sentido. Lo que en un principio da la impresión de ser un mensaje estúpido, va derivando en algo más peligroso, y Enola deberá ahondar en el pasado de su casera para intentar entender lo que ocurre y salvarla. Lo que más me gustó fue conocer mejor a la señora Tupper, ver lo que vivió me hizo tenerle más cariño y me dio pena la soledad con la que tuvo que afrontar determinadas tragedias. La labor detectivesca de Enola está bien desarrollada, el problema es que, una vez resueltos los interrogantes, lo que no parece tener demasiado fundamento es la actitud de los malos… digamos que se zanja rápido el asunto y hay un cambio brusco de actitud que provoca que sea ilógico lo que uno de ellos hizo.
Como dije al principio, Mycroft y Sherlock apenas aparecen, y si a eso le sumamos que su madre también sigue sin dar señales de vida, pues no hay muchos avances respecto a la situación familiar de los Holmes. Eché en falta los típicos encuentros ocasionales de Enola y Sherlock, ya que aquí son escasos y demasiado fugaces. Lo único positivo es que una escena final sí que nos permite ver claramente a Sherlock valorando los hechos desde un punto de vista diferente al habitual.
A nivel de narración, el libro es menos descriptivo que su predecesor, lo cual permite que la lectura sea más entretenida y que no se pierda el tiempo con detalles superfluos. Enola sigue siendo un personaje entrañable que nos sigue ayudando a verle sentido a mensajes codificados, lo cual a mí me sigue generando admiración… en serio, a mí alguien me envía un mensaje como los que se ven en estos libros y no me enteraría de nada xD.
Respecto al tema educativo y reivindicativo, aquí se habla de Florence Nightingale, precursora de la enfermería tal y como la conocemos, pero me faltó que se explicara mejor su labor, ya que queda como un personaje más de la novela y no destaca. Recuerdo que en la novela gráfica sí que fue mejor descrita y se podía conocer más sobre ella. En lo que se refiere a la crítica social, aquí hay poca, y no es que eso esté mal, ya que no es algo imprescindible, pero me extrañó que fuera más suave que en otras ocasiones.
No negaré que esperaba un poco más de esta novela, pero quiero creer que la autora quiere reservar lo mejor para el final de la saga, la cual leeré de inmediato para ver cómo acaba todo (aunque sé que me dolerá despedirme de Enola y de Sherlock).
February 18, 2022
Na podobnym poziomie jak każda poprzednia część. Świetnie i szybko się czyta. Coś idealnego dla fanów np. Agathy Christie. Ogromny plus za wątek feministyczny.
October 25, 2020
Watch the review on Youtube
Hear the review on my Podcast
Read the full review at my blog Digital Amrit
tl;dr: The ‘Enola Holmes’ books are an engaging, entertaining and empowering take on the Holmes mythos which will be a hit with girls in their tweens.
This series is a set of six short books set from the perspective of Sherlock Holmes’s younger sister, Enola Holmes. The series starts with their mother disappearing on Enola’s fourteenth birthday. Mycroft and Sherlock are not interested in pursuing their mother’s disappearance due to an old family quarrel and want to put Enola in boarding school. Enola has been bought up by her mother to be a free and independent thinker. She refuses to be part of the patriarchal and misogynistic system of the 1900s, runs away to London and tries to find her mother on her own. Her struggles to survive in London; her attempts to help others by using her powers of intelligence and deduction and her constant brushes with her brothers form the stories of the rest of the series.
Each of the books has a central mystery at its core that Enola has to solve. Typically, these are focused on women and their problems in the era. For example — women being forced to wear corsets, thrown into arranged marriages, being robbed etc. (the rest of the review is available at my blog or any of the links below)
Watch the review on Youtube
Hear the review on my Podcast
Read the full review at my blog Digital Amrit
Hear the review on my Podcast
Read the full review at my blog Digital Amrit
tl;dr: The ‘Enola Holmes’ books are an engaging, entertaining and empowering take on the Holmes mythos which will be a hit with girls in their tweens.
This series is a set of six short books set from the perspective of Sherlock Holmes’s younger sister, Enola Holmes. The series starts with their mother disappearing on Enola’s fourteenth birthday. Mycroft and Sherlock are not interested in pursuing their mother’s disappearance due to an old family quarrel and want to put Enola in boarding school. Enola has been bought up by her mother to be a free and independent thinker. She refuses to be part of the patriarchal and misogynistic system of the 1900s, runs away to London and tries to find her mother on her own. Her struggles to survive in London; her attempts to help others by using her powers of intelligence and deduction and her constant brushes with her brothers form the stories of the rest of the series.
Each of the books has a central mystery at its core that Enola has to solve. Typically, these are focused on women and their problems in the era. For example — women being forced to wear corsets, thrown into arranged marriages, being robbed etc. (the rest of the review is available at my blog or any of the links below)
Watch the review on Youtube
Hear the review on my Podcast
Read the full review at my blog Digital Amrit
February 7, 2012
This Enola Holmes mystery brings Enola's landlady, Mrs. Tupper, to life. Instead of just a deaf old lady who cooks cheap but creative meals, she becomes a real person with a history of a husband who died young, a miscarried baby, a sense of style, and memories of being nursed by Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War. In this book, Florence herself explains to Sherlock why his misguided desire to put his sister into a boarding school is incentive enough to keep Enola on the run from him. He almost seems to understand, and his respect for Enola's independence and intelligence grows.
Nancy Springer's descriptions of London and the conditions during the Crimean War make the filth and disease very real, and they help me to appreciate the cleanliness and ease that I now enjoy. But those descriptions are just the background to an intriguing mystery that keeps me reading from page to page and chapter to chapter until I finally finish the book with a great feeling of satisfaction that Enola has triumphed once again.
Besides learning a bit about life over 100 years ago, I also increase my vocabulary with fun and interesting words. It helps to have a dictionary handy, although you don't have to in order to follow the story line. I learned that a misogynist--which is one of the words that Florence uses to describe Sherlock's and Enola's older brother, Mycroft--is a woman hater. How's that for a new word to add to my vocabulary!
Nancy Springer's descriptions of London and the conditions during the Crimean War make the filth and disease very real, and they help me to appreciate the cleanliness and ease that I now enjoy. But those descriptions are just the background to an intriguing mystery that keeps me reading from page to page and chapter to chapter until I finally finish the book with a great feeling of satisfaction that Enola has triumphed once again.
Besides learning a bit about life over 100 years ago, I also increase my vocabulary with fun and interesting words. It helps to have a dictionary handy, although you don't have to in order to follow the story line. I learned that a misogynist--which is one of the words that Florence uses to describe Sherlock's and Enola's older brother, Mycroft--is a woman hater. How's that for a new word to add to my vocabulary!
March 16, 2024
This was another fun installment in this series, and as someone who used to do a fair bit of embroidery, I was even more interested (you have to read the book to know more) and I didn't even mind the appearance of a real historical person in this book, Florence Nightingale. Mrs. Tupper has been kidnapped, but Enola has no idea why at first. All I can say is that I'm happy that Springer resumed the series over 10 years after it was finished, although I haven't yet read the newer ones.
August 27, 2021
Love the character, Enola Holmes! She’s smart, witty, thinks fast on her feet, and can definitely hold her own in an adult world. The perfect compliment to Sherlock to Watson.
May 21, 2011
3.5 stars
Audio version - narrated by the incredible Katherine Kellgren!!!
In this, the fifth installment in the Enola Holmes mystery series, Enola must help solve a mystery entangling her dear old landlady, Mrs. Tuppper. And the start of the mystery dates all the way back, some several decades prior, to a secret message that the Mrs. Tupper was supposedly meant to be carrier for. But poor Mrs. Tupper doesn't seem to know/recall a single thing about it - but there are those who assume otherwise...
I see that I am in a huge minority here in my three star rating - and perhaps my lack of involvement/investment was because, in listening to the audio book, I was more apt to be distracted (not by any fault of the narration or story, but because I'd be working and listening at the same time). Or perhaps it was because I've been listening to so many Enola books lately and perhaps I need more time in between.
I just felt this story didn't really have the same detail as the previous books and while the overall story (series-wise) is advanced by the end, it seemed, to me, not as epic as it should have.
I also would like to see Springer look into other areas of growth for both Enola and her story lines - I find Enola's issues with her Mum haven't really grown much in the last three books, and I feel the stories would benefit from more diversity than relying so much on the down-trodden-ness of women in that era (thankfully this book dealt less with this than other books). I think it's a great issue to bring to light, and I think it's interesting that Enola, with her insight into women's lives, can solve mysteries that her brother, Sherlock Holmes, cannot - but I do think sometimes Springer makes too broad of statements regarding women of that era. Also, I'd like to see a little more depth from the supporting characters (the ones that are specific to one mystery, I mean. Those that appear in multiple books are nicely drawn).
These books seem to be geared for "middle grade" ages 9 or 10 and up. I would hesitate to suggest them for such a young audience. Certainly there's much of the books that are perfectly fine, but this book alone provoked more difficult and grim images in the first chapter alone than the entirety of the fourth book (which, the author does state that the delicate reader may skip the prologue or first chapter - whichever it is - and go right to the story, which if one does then the rest of the book isn't nearly as vivid as that initial war infirmary scene).
All this said, I do really like the books - and I do really like Enola. I will definitely be finishing out the series! I like that its a mystery for those that might not be ready for, say, Agatha Cristie. I like that you can solve the puzzles along with Enola (something I would have probably attempted when I was younger!) and I was surprised by quite a few turns in this book, and found myself wondering why I hadn't "seen that coming." I would recommend these to other readers/listeners (just not until they are Young Adult readers).
Audio version - narrated by the incredible Katherine Kellgren!!!
In this, the fifth installment in the Enola Holmes mystery series, Enola must help solve a mystery entangling her dear old landlady, Mrs. Tuppper. And the start of the mystery dates all the way back, some several decades prior, to a secret message that the Mrs. Tupper was supposedly meant to be carrier for. But poor Mrs. Tupper doesn't seem to know/recall a single thing about it - but there are those who assume otherwise...
I see that I am in a huge minority here in my three star rating - and perhaps my lack of involvement/investment was because, in listening to the audio book, I was more apt to be distracted (not by any fault of the narration or story, but because I'd be working and listening at the same time). Or perhaps it was because I've been listening to so many Enola books lately and perhaps I need more time in between.
I just felt this story didn't really have the same detail as the previous books and while the overall story (series-wise) is advanced by the end, it seemed, to me, not as epic as it should have.
I also would like to see Springer look into other areas of growth for both Enola and her story lines - I find Enola's issues with her Mum haven't really grown much in the last three books, and I feel the stories would benefit from more diversity than relying so much on the down-trodden-ness of women in that era (thankfully this book dealt less with this than other books). I think it's a great issue to bring to light, and I think it's interesting that Enola, with her insight into women's lives, can solve mysteries that her brother, Sherlock Holmes, cannot - but I do think sometimes Springer makes too broad of statements regarding women of that era. Also, I'd like to see a little more depth from the supporting characters (the ones that are specific to one mystery, I mean. Those that appear in multiple books are nicely drawn).
These books seem to be geared for "middle grade" ages 9 or 10 and up. I would hesitate to suggest them for such a young audience. Certainly there's much of the books that are perfectly fine, but this book alone provoked more difficult and grim images in the first chapter alone than the entirety of the fourth book (which, the author does state that the delicate reader may skip the prologue or first chapter - whichever it is - and go right to the story, which if one does then the rest of the book isn't nearly as vivid as that initial war infirmary scene).
All this said, I do really like the books - and I do really like Enola. I will definitely be finishing out the series! I like that its a mystery for those that might not be ready for, say, Agatha Cristie. I like that you can solve the puzzles along with Enola (something I would have probably attempted when I was younger!) and I was surprised by quite a few turns in this book, and found myself wondering why I hadn't "seen that coming." I would recommend these to other readers/listeners (just not until they are Young Adult readers).
January 14, 2015
The penultimate book in the series tones it down a bit, cutting back on the swinging from the roof fittings and other Errol Flynn style shenanigans. Instead Enola relies on her usual considerable talent for disguise, sketch making, cryptology and of course her endless supply of pluck.
In her hunt to recover her kidnapped landlady she is forced to consult Florence Nightingale, which, teachers take note, means the Crimean War is a part of the story. This series is fun for kids and if the spark of interest in history is fanned then so much the better. Barring casting Florence as a spy the author respects the historical accuracy of the historical figure.
One of the better additions to the series.
In her hunt to recover her kidnapped landlady she is forced to consult Florence Nightingale, which, teachers take note, means the Crimean War is a part of the story. This series is fun for kids and if the spark of interest in history is fanned then so much the better. Barring casting Florence as a spy the author respects the historical accuracy of the historical figure.
One of the better additions to the series.
October 10, 2021
Bringing Florence Nightingale in and having her put Sherlock (and by default, Mycroft) in his place was pure bliss. This one may well be my favorite of these mysteries. I also learned a thing or two about the Crimean War. And, I especially appreciated Enola Holmes' love for lilacs. I cannot wait to read further in the series as I am quite concerned for poor Enola now and I would like to know where she landed!
August 23, 2018
Sometimes an author throws historical characters into her series and it just feels awkward. However, I don't think that is the case here. Nancy Springer does a lovely job introducing historical characters like Florence Nightingale without bogging down the story.
April 29, 2021
Wieder ein spannender Ausflug ins historische London und ein verzwicktes Rätsel für Enola Holmes!
April 19, 2022
3,75
Piąta część przygód Enoli Holmes to sprawa niespodziewanego zaginięcia jej gospodyni, podstarzałej i przygłuchej pani Tupper.
Kobieta znika a młoda detektywka wyrusza jej śladem natrafiając na fascynujące historie z przeszłości.
Czy uda się jej odnaleźć panią Tupper żywą? Co z tym wszystkim ma wspólnego stara jak świat suknia?
Przyjemna i rozrywkowa książka dla starszych dzieci i młodzieży.
Piąta część przygód Enoli Holmes to sprawa niespodziewanego zaginięcia jej gospodyni, podstarzałej i przygłuchej pani Tupper.
Kobieta znika a młoda detektywka wyrusza jej śladem natrafiając na fascynujące historie z przeszłości.
Czy uda się jej odnaleźć panią Tupper żywą? Co z tym wszystkim ma wspólnego stara jak świat suknia?
Przyjemna i rozrywkowa książka dla starszych dzieci i młodzieży.
March 1, 2023
An interesting story this one Enola holmes case is to do with her missing landlady and results in Florence nightingale to aid her can she solve it?
June 6, 2023
ale to było fajne!!!
January 6, 2021
It's nice to see a woman teach Sherlock Holmes something he didn't know. This was my favorite of the series so far; it's a good sign when the books in a series just get better and better.
May 2, 2023
These books are positively delightful and only get better with each passing installment. While book one is, perhaps, unusual in its plot progression (and perhaps genre) the series really takes off as a fun tribute to both the cozy and the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, creating a delightful twist on the brilliant detective's family and career. Witty and thoroughly satisfying, I recommend the series to everyone who enjoys an intriguing, heartwarming read, a gutsy female lead, and a good laugh [at the expense of the patriarchy].
If you can get the audiobook, Katherine Kellgren's narration only accentuates all that is wonderful about these stories.
If you can get the audiobook, Katherine Kellgren's narration only accentuates all that is wonderful about these stories.
May 30, 2022
Updated review from 2nd read:
I loved this book originally when I first listened to it, but then again that was before I read the first four books in the series. While The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline was good, I would say it wasn't quite as great as the previous book. That said I'm glad that I reread this installment of the series since it was so long ago that I originally read it. I can't wait to see what's next for Enola and her brothers.
Original review:
I've been wanting to read the Enola Holmes Mysteries for quite a while now, so when I saw the audiobook of the The Cryptic Crinoline was made available for free through YA Sync I downloaded it immediately.
Enola Holmes is 14 years old, and that means she is 20 years younger than her brother Sherlock and 27 years younger than Mycroft. After her mother went missing, Enola's famous brothers have attempted to send her to boarding school, but in order to avoid this she went into hiding in London, and solves cases on the side. In his particular installment, Mrs. Tupper, her landlady is kidnapped and somehow Florence Nightingale is involved.
I really liked this homage to Conan Doyle's stories - we even get to see the great detective and his biographer! Enola is a very likeable, clever, and resourceful character. She loves her brothers but is afraid for her future if they manage to succeed in relieving her of her freedom, even if they believe it's the right thing to do she must disagree. I like that Springer has broached the topic of Holmes' views on women in direct comparison to Enola and what she learns of the women's suffrage movement.
I will definitely be returning to this series revolving around this delightfully brilliant, independent,and courageous heroine!
In my mind, I saw (and heard) Jeremy Brett's portrayal of Sherlock Holmes while reading The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline.
I loved this book originally when I first listened to it, but then again that was before I read the first four books in the series. While The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline was good, I would say it wasn't quite as great as the previous book. That said I'm glad that I reread this installment of the series since it was so long ago that I originally read it. I can't wait to see what's next for Enola and her brothers.
Original review:
I've been wanting to read the Enola Holmes Mysteries for quite a while now, so when I saw the audiobook of the The Cryptic Crinoline was made available for free through YA Sync I downloaded it immediately.
Enola Holmes is 14 years old, and that means she is 20 years younger than her brother Sherlock and 27 years younger than Mycroft. After her mother went missing, Enola's famous brothers have attempted to send her to boarding school, but in order to avoid this she went into hiding in London, and solves cases on the side. In his particular installment, Mrs. Tupper, her landlady is kidnapped and somehow Florence Nightingale is involved.
I really liked this homage to Conan Doyle's stories - we even get to see the great detective and his biographer! Enola is a very likeable, clever, and resourceful character. She loves her brothers but is afraid for her future if they manage to succeed in relieving her of her freedom, even if they believe it's the right thing to do she must disagree. I like that Springer has broached the topic of Holmes' views on women in direct comparison to Enola and what she learns of the women's suffrage movement.
I will definitely be returning to this series revolving around this delightfully brilliant, independent,and courageous heroine!
In my mind, I saw (and heard) Jeremy Brett's portrayal of Sherlock Holmes while reading The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline.
December 14, 2022
Oggi sono qui per parlarvi di un'altra bellissima opera arrivata nelle nostre librerie.
Come sapete sono una grande amante del genere, quindi potevo mai farmelo scappare?
Assolutamente no.
𝗟𝗔 𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗔 𝗗𝗜 𝗘𝗡𝗢𝗟𝗔 𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗥𝗔 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘:
• Enola Holmes e il caso del marchese scomparso
• Enola Holmes e il caso della dama sinistra
• Enola Holmes e il caso del bouquet misterioso
• Enola Holmes e il caso del ventaglio segreto
• Enola Holmes e il caso del messaggio perduto
• Enola Holmes e il caso della lettera in codice
Enola e Sherlock hanno collaborato insieme nel precedente caso e subito dopo si sono di nuovo divisi.
Una sera però, la padrona di casa di Enola le chiede consiglio su una strana lettera piena di minacce, mandata da chissà chi.
Chi ha mandato la lettera afferma che la donna abbia qualcosa che lei però non sa nemmeno cosa sia, quindi sarà compito di Enola occuparsi del caso, specialmente quando poi la signora Tupper scompare nel nulla.
" Piccione viaggiatore non ha alcun messaggio, non sa di alcun messaggio, non può consegnare nulla. "
Devo dire che se i primi tre mi avevano colpito poco (mentre cinematograficamente ho amato i due fatti sinora) questo volume mi è piaciuto molto di più, così come gli altri successivi.
Sherlock finalmente è messo sotto una luce più simile all'originale e Enola inizia a maturare tantissimo. Ho trovato la stessa cosa in tutti e tre gli ultimi romanzi usciti quindi dirò lo stesso per tutti e tre, posso già dire però, con certezza, che tra i nuovi, "Enola Holmes e il caso del ventaglio segreto " è stato il mio preferito.
Consiglio assolutamente la serie a tutti e spero continui a lungo proprio come la serie classica di Sherlock Holmes.
Come sapete sono una grande amante del genere, quindi potevo mai farmelo scappare?
Assolutamente no.
𝗟𝗔 𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗔 𝗗𝗜 𝗘𝗡𝗢𝗟𝗔 𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗥𝗔 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘:
• Enola Holmes e il caso del marchese scomparso
• Enola Holmes e il caso della dama sinistra
• Enola Holmes e il caso del bouquet misterioso
• Enola Holmes e il caso del ventaglio segreto
• Enola Holmes e il caso del messaggio perduto
• Enola Holmes e il caso della lettera in codice
Enola e Sherlock hanno collaborato insieme nel precedente caso e subito dopo si sono di nuovo divisi.
Una sera però, la padrona di casa di Enola le chiede consiglio su una strana lettera piena di minacce, mandata da chissà chi.
Chi ha mandato la lettera afferma che la donna abbia qualcosa che lei però non sa nemmeno cosa sia, quindi sarà compito di Enola occuparsi del caso, specialmente quando poi la signora Tupper scompare nel nulla.
" Piccione viaggiatore non ha alcun messaggio, non sa di alcun messaggio, non può consegnare nulla. "
Devo dire che se i primi tre mi avevano colpito poco (mentre cinematograficamente ho amato i due fatti sinora) questo volume mi è piaciuto molto di più, così come gli altri successivi.
Sherlock finalmente è messo sotto una luce più simile all'originale e Enola inizia a maturare tantissimo. Ho trovato la stessa cosa in tutti e tre gli ultimi romanzi usciti quindi dirò lo stesso per tutti e tre, posso già dire però, con certezza, che tra i nuovi, "Enola Holmes e il caso del ventaglio segreto " è stato il mio preferito.
Consiglio assolutamente la serie a tutti e spero continui a lungo proprio come la serie classica di Sherlock Holmes.
February 22, 2011
This, the fifth in the Enola Holmes series, has Enola tracking down her beloved landlady, deaf-as-a-post Mrs. Tupper. One day, after arriving home from her job as Dr. Ragostin's secretary, Enola is asked by Mrs. Tupper to help figure out a message that is sent to her regarding "information from the Bird". Mrs. Tupper has no idea what this is in reference too and is a bit frightened at the underlying threat if the "information" is not forthcoming. And with good reason, for the very next day, Mrs. Tupper is kidnapped from her home.
Enola manages to find a few clues as she searches through the ransacked home which eventually lead her to the bedside of Miss Florence Nightengale, "The Lady of the Lamp", the famous nurse and activist of the Crimean War. As it turns out, Mrs. Tupper was there in Scutari with her husband, as purveyors of goods that were sold to the army and camp followers on the Crimean penninsula. And that is where Mr. Tupper died, due to disease and neglect by the army doctors and orderlies. Miss Nightengale somehow managed to get Mrs. Tupper home to England, even providing her a dress and money to get there. Poor Mrs. Tupper, already deaf due to cannon-fire, arrive safely in England and proceeds to get her life back in order but never forgets Miss Nightengale, even saving the dress she was given. Thirty years later, this dress turns out to be the key to getting Mrs. Tupper home safely.
Very creative story in this one, loved meeting Florence Nightengale and reading more about the women suffragists movement. Enola also picks up news of her mother though is no closer to actually finding her.
Enola manages to find a few clues as she searches through the ransacked home which eventually lead her to the bedside of Miss Florence Nightengale, "The Lady of the Lamp", the famous nurse and activist of the Crimean War. As it turns out, Mrs. Tupper was there in Scutari with her husband, as purveyors of goods that were sold to the army and camp followers on the Crimean penninsula. And that is where Mr. Tupper died, due to disease and neglect by the army doctors and orderlies. Miss Nightengale somehow managed to get Mrs. Tupper home to England, even providing her a dress and money to get there. Poor Mrs. Tupper, already deaf due to cannon-fire, arrive safely in England and proceeds to get her life back in order but never forgets Miss Nightengale, even saving the dress she was given. Thirty years later, this dress turns out to be the key to getting Mrs. Tupper home safely.
Very creative story in this one, loved meeting Florence Nightengale and reading more about the women suffragists movement. Enola also picks up news of her mother though is no closer to actually finding her.
September 25, 2020
Reread in September 2020.
Content warning for description of the atrocities of war, slur used to describe the Romani people.
What a good book! It really did make me want to read about Florence Nightingale. Enola investigating her housekeeper's disappearance was also quite sweet. One more book!
-- Original review
This book is of such superior quality it's a wonder Nancy Springer isn't huge spot-her-in-the-street-and-beg-for-autograph kind of huge. Enola's path this time crosses that of Florence Nightingale in a gripping mystery that takes us back to the Crimean War. I love when Enola's story intertwines with that of famous historical figures. The description Springer makes of war is absolutely chilling and well worth a read. I also really enjoyed her eye for detail - it's lovely to be able to decode a message alongside Enola. She doesn't talk down to her readers, and I found that refreshing.
Enola still is the wonderful girl she's been from day one and it's a privilege to follow her for her social conscience is truly welcome.
Content warning for description of the atrocities of war, slur used to describe the Romani people.
What a good book! It really did make me want to read about Florence Nightingale. Enola investigating her housekeeper's disappearance was also quite sweet. One more book!
-- Original review
This book is of such superior quality it's a wonder Nancy Springer isn't huge spot-her-in-the-street-and-beg-for-autograph kind of huge. Enola's path this time crosses that of Florence Nightingale in a gripping mystery that takes us back to the Crimean War. I love when Enola's story intertwines with that of famous historical figures. The description Springer makes of war is absolutely chilling and well worth a read. I also really enjoyed her eye for detail - it's lovely to be able to decode a message alongside Enola. She doesn't talk down to her readers, and I found that refreshing.
Enola still is the wonderful girl she's been from day one and it's a privilege to follow her for her social conscience is truly welcome.
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