Bizarre Bouquets: An Enola Holmes Mystery by Nancy Springer

After her recent run in with Sherlock and Dr. Watson Enola is in hiding while she tries to determine if they connected Enola to Ivy and Dr. Ragostin, While doing that she discovers that Dr. Watson has gone missing. Enola felt that Dr. Watson is a nice man and so she disguises herself to pay respect to Dr. Watson’s wife, Mary, and see what she might be able to learn. While there a strange bouquet of flowers arrives and Enola connects the meaning of the flowers delivered to be a veiled threat or taunt of who kidnapped Dr. Watson. Enola visits a woman who has helped her in previous cases and learns about make up and ways to add features to your face to hide something like a missing nose. However, this tips off the owner of the shop and Enola becomes suspicious of what she is hiding. After a near capture by the police, Enola has figured out who kidnapped Dr. Watson and why, and best off all a way to free him while she heals without revealing herself to her brothers. A firm believer of the book is better than the movie, the Enola Holmes books back this claim again and again. The third book in the series is highly recommended for mystery lovers, lovers of the Netflix movies, and fans of Sherlock Holmes.

Character List/Book Summary:

Enola Holmes – liked Dr. Watson and Sherlock, is torn about if she could trust them. While trying to pick a new identity for herself she realizes Dr. Watson has gone missing and Sherlock is too close to the case to find him. Realizes the message about the missing doctor came in the form of flowers. In a daring escape from the police and kidnapper Enola suffers cuts to her face and other injuries, preventing her from being there when Dr. Watson is freed and can only watch from a far as Watson is reunited with his wife.

Sherlock Holmes – continues to look for Enola but was not the brother who put the message in the newspaper. Finds a way to thank Enola for locating and arranging for Watson to be freed.

Dr. Watson – mysteriously disappeared

Mr. Kippersalt – the new lunatic patient, claims he is Dr. Watson. Enola discovered Dr. Watson placed his sister-in-law, Flora, in the Hatch Lunatic Asylum. After overhearing Mrs. Kippersalt talking with her sister Enola suspects the real Mr. Kippersalt was killed, and after some reflection suspects where he is burried.

Mrs. Pertelote – owner of the shop Enola visits to get another disguise. Her husband is in the hothouse behind their shop, and mentions to Enola that her real name is Kippersalt. Enola overheads her telling her sister that she will always take care of her sister, even picking her sister over her husband.

Mary Watson – Dr. Watson’s wife, unburdened herself to Viola Everseau (Enola in disguise) about her husband’s disappearance and how he was trying to help Sherlock locate his sister. In doing so Enola also learns that her alter ego of Ivy was not connected to Enola.

Mycroft Holmes – broke Enola’s code to her mom and in his response Enola realizes that it is not her mother replying. Enola sends a message using that code to tell her brother where Watson is being hidden.