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Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche
Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche
Nancy Springer | 2021 | History & Politics, Mystery, Thriller, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I am excited to present my first guest review, from my wonderful wife, Kate! Thanks, babe, for your review of this book, the seventh in Nancy Springer's Enola Holmes' series.

When I heard there was going to be another book in the Enola Holmes series, I jumped at the chance and promised my book-loving wife that I would write a guest review. So, here it is! Please accept my apologies ahead of time for the fact that I cannot (and would never dare try to) match the quality and skill that my wife demonstrates in her own book reviews.

Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche, by Nancy Springer, is another book in the growing series following Ms. Enola Holmes, the 15 year old sister of the famous Sherlock Holmes. This book is being released over 10 years after the last published novel, which came out in 2010. The earlier six novels covered the ongoing story of Enola’s (often contentious) relationship with her brothers (Sherlock and Mycroft), as well as brought the reader resolution about Enola’s missing/runaway mother. This new story starts with a Prologue written by none other than Sherlock himself, who provides a summary of these tales, and tells of his earlier encounters with Enola. His introduction even suggests his level of respect for her has improved dramatically. The new story finds the young detective (or Scientific Perditorian, as she has dubbed herself) seeking the whereabouts of Miss Leticia Glover’s twin sister, Flossie. Glover has been told that her sister has died, but the circumstances surrounding Flossie’s death are mysteriously vague. Initially, Glover seeks the assistance of Mr. Sherlock Holmes, but she ends up with the masterful pair of Enola and Sherlock, who are finally working together on a case. The two detectives set out, albeit in opposite directions, to ascertain the fate of the missing twin.

I think the allure of these books for me is the underlying message that Enola is as good as, if not better (or at least cleverer) than her notorious older brother. In the previous stories I enjoyed her ability to reach conclusions before him, even if she was getting there with only a slight edge. This particular story seamlessly continues the message that Enola’s keen mind works in ways that Sherlock’s doesn’t.

I thoroughly enjoyed this seventh book in the Enola Holmes series and hope that the author continues with her story. And, while I do enjoy that Enola and Sherlock have mended their relationship and are able to work together, I hope Enola can still find time to shine on her own. This particular book began with a Prologue from Sherlock, and ended with an Epilogue also penned from his perspective. As these stories are supposed to be Enola’s, it felt wrong for the final word to be coming from someone else. Beyond that, this was an excellent mystery and fun, quick read.
  
The Thief Taker - Book 1
The Thief Taker - Book 1
C.S. Quinn | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Cross between Sleepy Hollow and Sherlock Holmes
I enjoyed the Edgar Allen Poe-esque feel of this story, with a bit of macabre mixed with mystery. While it was quite a long read, and there were bits that dragged on, the twists at the end were enough for me to keep going. It would be good on the big screen.
  
The Hound of the Baskervilles
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Arthur Conan Doyle | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.1 (14 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was pretty good. I've always wanted to read Sherlock Holmes and this one sounded interesting and different so I thought, why not? It was a good mystery because I really had no clue who was behind everything although I did think the hound was more fantasy than reality. It's crazy the extremes people will go to when money us involved
  
The Other Guys (2010)
The Other Guys (2010)
2010 | Action, Comedy
8
7.3 (20 Ratings)
Movie Rating
It's a very unlikely pairing that works really well.
Ferrell is back to his funny self here which has been missing of late, I'm looking at you Sherlock Holmes...
Forced to work together they are hilarious and with Cameos from The Rock and Sam Jackson this was a comedy that somehow made it under the radar...I'm a peacock and I gotta fly..
  
Talons of Weng Chiang
Talons of Weng Chiang
1977 | Sci-Fi
10
6.9 (9 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
Tom baker (1 more)
Louise Jameson
Classic who probably my favourite 4th doctor story of all time it has everything the doctor dressed Sherlock Holmes Fu man Chu type villain part jack the ripper phantom of the opera what's not to love about this story. Only gripe white actors made up as Chinese characters in this day and age wouldn't happen classic all the way
  
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
2009 | Action, Drama, Mystery
Gorgeous Imagery (1 more)
A wonderful Portrayal of a Classic Character
Humorous And Absolutely Wonderful
I find that this movie tends to get a bad rap and I will admit based on the multiple portrayals we see of Sherlock Holmes in the modern area this is no match for Cumberbatch's portrayal. However, I love it all the same. Even if people hate on it no one can tell me that this film holds any less whimsy or joy that Sherlock Holmes offers. The since of mystery and adventure bring a me much joy as I watch him piece things together without giving a damn for how it may make him look or a care for other's opinions. Everyone's portrayal of Sherlock is different and even if it's not Cumberbatch I love this one all the same and enjoyed every last second of this film. From the gorgeous imagery and scenes painted on the screen to the hilarious banter passed back and forth between the characters, this is a film one could watch again and again.
  
The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
1986 | Action, Animation, Family
7
7.4 (21 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Vincent price (0 more)
My first movie on Disney + and won't be the last I liked bit to short at 75 mins long but it was a good idea having a mouse as Sherlock Holmes and it works Vincent notice as the villian a role made for him no one could have voiced him with such mence And humour anyway good start to my movie watch on Disney +
  
Elementary  - Season 2
Elementary - Season 2
2013 | Drama
Season 2 of the New-York set modern-day reimagining of Sherlock Holmes (and Dr Watson), with more of the same types of murder mysteries as in the first series.

Obviously.

That's the entire point!

Here, however, Joan is no longer Sherlock's sober companion but is now his protege, working alongside him to solve the cases they encounter whilst consulting with the NYPD.

For myself, the best episodes - I felt - where those with the always entertaining Sean Pertwee, although I wasn't so enamoured of those with Mycroft Holmes (Rhys Ifans) and the Dr Watson romance going on!
  
"Come at once if convenient. If not convenient, come at once all the same - SH"

The final entry in Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes canon, which - again - I experienced through a mixture of reading and listening to the Stephen Fry narrated Audible version, and which is also really once again a collection of short stories rather than a single over-arching narrative.

What is unique in this collection, though, is that some of the stories are presented as Holmes himself delivering the narrative, rather than Watson acting as the biographer.

I also noticed - perhaps reflecting the nature of the time in which they were written, and Doyle's own interests - that there are more of the, shall we say, supernatural elements in the case chosen ("The adventure of the Sussex Vampire" springs to mind, for example) although - in all cases - the supernatural elements are later debunked by Holmes himself.

As a whole? I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the company of Holmes and Watson.
  
The latest letters to Sherlock Holmes involve translating common nursery rhymes. Couple that with a kidnapping, and Reggie Heath is going to have to put on his detective hat again. The beginning could have been a little better, but once this book got going, it was a wild, fun ride.

My full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-baker-street-translation-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.