The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan
School Library Journal
Gr 5-8
Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes's 14-year-old sister takes on a new case, this one involving Lady Cecily Alistair, the champion of the poor and working classes of London. The Holmes brothers continue to be concerned about Enola's lack of a "proper" upbringing and she continues to evade them by disguising herself as Ivy Meshle, secretary to the nonexistent Dr. Leslie Ragostin. Enola finds that Lady Cecily is being held against her will, at her father's behest, by her two dragon-lady aunts to be married off to her foppish cousin. The girl employs numerous clever disguises, is found detecting by Sherlock, and narrowly escapes with her life. Springer's knowledge of the restraints placed on Victorian women, especially those of the upper classes, is used both for humorous entertainments (a pink tea) and to give authenticity to Enola's determination to remain an independent young lady. Her fans will welcome this latest adventure.-Kathryn Kosiorek, formerly at Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH