The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline
School Library Journal
Gr 5-9–From the riveting prologue to the satisfying conclusion, readers are hurled headlong into Enola Holmes’s latest case. Still eluding her brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft, who will, she fears, place her in a finishing school, Enola is horrified one day to find that her beloved landlady, Mrs. Tupper, has been kidnapped. Using her wealth of disguises, Enola sets out to solve the crime. Much to her astonishment, the trail leads to a meeting with Florence Nightingale, with whom Mrs. Tupper was acquainted. The atmospheric setting and the voice of the heroine are so compelling that even though readers may not know what a crinoline is, they will want to find out. Kids who enjoy the details of historical settings and solving mysterious ciphers will cheer this feisty heroine as she leaps out of windows, jumps onto the backs of coaches, and fights evil villains in the dark streets of London to rescue her dear landlady. Well done!–Tina Martin, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, IL