Enola Holmes: The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan by Nancy Springer

Enola is back in her normal routine and while taking a break in a public bathroom she sees Lady Cecily Alistair (Enola rescued her in the Left-Handed Lady) who signals she is in trouble. Enola tries to follow Lady Cecily, but is thwarted when she literally runs into Mycroft and has to cause a scene on the street to run away. In doing her research Enola learns that Lady Cecily is to be wed to her cousin, her mother has fled to the country estate, and Sherlock is on the case to track down the missing Lady Cecily. In a moment of sibling affection, Enola helps Sherlock who has hurt his ankle while trying to find Lady Cecily at Viscountess of Inglethorpe’s estate.  Enola uses her resources and her wit to figure out who has Cecily, and where they are hiding Cecily. In sending a message to Sherlock (when and where Cecily will make an escape) Enola puts herself at risk of being harmed, or worse married. Mycroft ends up helping to save Cecily as Sherlock was helping reunite Cecily with her mother. The siblings are starting to come to an agreement in how to communicate, but Sherlock and Mycroft still think Enola should be sent to boarding school and introduced to polite society to find a husband. This series is highly entertaining to read and there will be more book reviews as this series seems to be continuing to expand.

Character List/Book Summary:

Enola Holmes – 14 years old, the last 8 months she has been on her own. Has several “identities” she goes by to help her investigate cases and hide from her two older brothers. In one of her disguises she is recognized by Lady Cecily Alistair and realizes she must help this lady. Through her resources Enola is able to figure out who the older ladies with Lady Cecily are, where they are hiding Cecily, and what will happen to Cecily (forced into marriage).

Sherlock Holmes – Enola’s brother, she finds him in the sunken fence at Viscountess of Inglethorpe’s estate, when both sneak in (without realizing the other one is doing the same) to see if Cecily is being hidden there. Enola learns that Cecily is not there, and then helps her brother out of his situation. Sherlock has hurt his ankle and promises that he will not force Enola to come with him and that he will not track her tonight if she helps help. Enola wants to help Sherlock, and enjoys talking to and helping Sherlock. Enola wishes for a better relationship with Sherlock.

Lady Cecily Alistair – 16 years old, sees Enola and recognizes her in disguise and signals she is in need of help by using the pink paper fan she has with her. Is accompanied by two older women (her aunts) and is forced to wear an outfit and shoes that make it hard for Cecily to walk (so that she cannot escape). Enola overhears the older women telling Cecily that she needs certain garments, Enola realizes these are what a bride wears under her wedding dress. Cecily pretends to faint when she sees that Enola has come to rescue her, in doing so she manages to have only Enola and her in the room she is to dress for her wedding. Enola dons the dress and hides Cecily as an orphan so that she can escape out the front door and into what should be Sherlock’s care.

Mycroft Holmes – Enola’s oldest brother. Worries that Enola will not be marriage material. Helps Sherlock rescue Lady Cecily so that he can make sure that Enola is safe too, and tries to “reason” with her as he exposes Enola as the fake bride.

Dr. Ragostin – Enola’s cover for her scientific perditorian business.

Ivy Meshle – Dr. Ragostin’s assistant and a cover for Enola.

Mrs. Ragostin – Dr. Ragostin’s wife, and a cover for Enola. Who Enola pretends to be when she meets with Cecily and her mother. Is how Enola learns that Lady Theodora is not living with her husband in London.

Mrs. Tupper – Ivy Meshle’s landlady, deaf. Treats Enola with kindness when she comes home injured one night. Enola realizes Mrs. Tupper did more mothering than her real mother ever did.

Otelia – Viscoutness, hosted a pink tea that had fans like the one Cecily left for Enola. Is holding Cecily captive.

Aqueilla Merganser – Baroness, sister to Otelia, her son is Bramwell and is engaged to Cecily.

Eustace Alistair – Cecily’s father and brother to Otelia and Aquella