The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets

By Nancy Springer

Rating: 4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

This is book 3 in the Enola Holmes series, featuring the younger sister of Sherlock Holmes. Enola is in hiding after her last adventure which forced her to visit her brother Sherlock for help, and she is at loose ends, concerned about how much her brother knows and if he can find her. She is also feeling abandoned by her mother, who is off traveling with the gypsies. Then Enola discovers Sherlock's friend, Dr. Watson, has gone missing, and she is immediately on the case to help find him. Enola visits a shop in section of town where she can procure more complete disguises, including wigs, false noses, make up and the like, then she pays a visit to the distraught Mrs. Watson to find out details of the case. While at the Watsons, she notices someone has sent a bizarre bouquet to Mrs. Watson. Enola has a background steeped in herblore, and knows that the meaning of the flowers is sinister. Could it be from whoever snatched Dr. Watson? Soon Enola is off on her own line of inquiry to find the sender of the bouquet, which is a trail that leads her directly into the danger of dealing with insanity, kidnapping and murder. Is Enola in over her head? Readers are definitely better off having read the first 2 books to completely follow the continuing story lines. Still, this is another engaging, quick moving story in the series that will definitely reel in many who are fans of strong girl characters and mysteries. Thumbs up for this continuing series!