ARC Review: Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose

Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose
Author: Nancy Springer
Series: Enola Holmes
Publication: Wednesday Books (September 5, 2023)

Description: In May of 1890, Enola Holmes is finally fully on her own and, no longer hiding from her older brothers Sherlock and Mycroft, attending classes and occasionally pursuing her chosen profession as a scientific perditorian, a finder of lost things and people.

Wolcott Balestier, the representative of an American book publisher, arrived in London on a singular mission - to contract with English authors for their latest works. When Balestier disappears on the streets of London one day, his great friend - Rudyard Kipling - bursts into Enola's office looking for help in finding him. Brash and unwilling to hire a young woman, instead he turns to Sherlock Holmes. Convinced that evil has befallen Balestier, at the hands of rival American publishers who pirate the works of English authors, he sets the elder Holmes on the trail.

But Enola is not one to accept defeat, especially not to her brother, and sets off on her own - determined to learn the truth behind the disappearance of the young American. Can book publishing truly be so ruthless and deadly or can the missing man be rescued from his apparent fate and returned to his friends and loved ones?

The redoubtable Enola is determined to do just that, even if it means working with her brother Sherlock!

My Thoughts: Enola Holmes starts her newest case when a very upset Rudyard Kipling bursts into Dr. Ragostin's office in search of help finding his missing friend Wolcott Balestier. Unwilling to believe that Ragostin was a front Enola used to cover up the fact that she was a woman investigator, Kipling storms out leaving Enola very curious.

She begins her own search for the missing publisher. She needs lots of disguises and goes to lots of different parts of 1890 London. And she finds herself in competition with her brother Sherlock until the two decide to work together on the case.

She soon learns that Balestier disappeared after being bitten by a rabid dog which leads her to do some research on rabies which is not yet a treatable disease in 1890 although Louis Pasteur in France and Jacob Lister in London are working on the problem. Enola's tour of Lister's research facility was a good look into the medical experimentation of the day. 

This story was a great addition to the series. I like the historical detail and the way Enola investigates a complicated crime. 

Favorite Quote:

I felt, I must admit, a distinct glow. All was well between me and Sherlock. All was very good indeed. Despite the fact that I was going to spy on him.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.