
Based on your book
by Springer, Nancy
When Enola Holmes awakens on her fourteenth birthday to find her mother has vanished, she discovers more than just an empty house. She finds a series of ciphers and a family legacy that her famous brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft, are ill-equipped to handle. Nancy Springer trades the traditional gritty Victorian detective noir for a lighter, sharper perspective, centering on a girl who is constantly underestimated by the men around her. The reading experience is brisk and playful, leaning heavily into Enola’s internal monologues as she navigates 1880s London using her own clever brand of intuition and disguise. It is an ideal pick for readers who appreciate a protagonist who treats societal expectations as mere suggestions and who enjoys watching a young woman piece together a mystery while building her own independent life.
If the clever defiance of Enola Holmes left you wanting more, our list focuses on other sharp-witted heroines who thrive in historical settings or mystery-solving roles. We have curated these selections to highlight the specific intersection of feminist rebellion and intellectual puzzle-solving. Whether you are looking for the forensic curiosity found in Stalking Jack the Ripper, the independent spirit of Veronica Speedwell, or the analytical rigor of A Study in Charlotte, these books mirror that satisfying feeling of a young woman carving out her own identity while outsmarting the world around her.
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This modern reimagining features the descendants of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, capturing the same clever, deduction-heavy mystery solving as Enola Holmes. It perfectly balances the intellectual challenge of a classic detective story with the complex, evolving relationship between two brilliant teenagers.
by Alan Bradley
Fans of Enola will adore Flavia de Luce, an 11-year-old aspiring chemist with a penchant for poisons and a brilliant, inquisitive mind. Like Enola, Flavia is an unconventional, highly intelligent girl navigating a world that underestimates her while solving dark mysteries.
Set in Victorian London, this book follows Audrey Rose Wadsworth, a lord's daughter who defies societal expectations to study forensic medicine. It shares Enola's blend of historical setting, feminist rebellion, and the gritty, suspenseful thrill of solving a high-stakes crime.
While set in a modern boarding school, this mystery features a protagonist obsessed with true crime who must solve a cold case from the past. Readers who enjoy Enola's analytical approach and her determination to prove herself will find a kindred spirit in Stevie Bell.

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by Y.S. Lee
Mary Quinn is a rescued orphan trained as a spy in a secret agency for women in Victorian London, making her a perfect peer to Enola Holmes. The book offers a fascinating look at gender roles in the 19th century combined with high-stakes espionage and undercover work.
Veronica Speedwell is a Victorian lepidopterist who is fiercely independent, unconventional, and constantly finding herself in dangerous situations. Readers who love Enola's wit and her struggle against the constraints of her time will find Veronica's adventures equally delightful and empowering.
Set in a grand department store in Edwardian London, this mystery follows Sophie Taylor as she becomes embroiled in a jewel heist. It captures the same charming, period-accurate atmosphere and resourceful, clever heroine dynamic that makes the Enola Holmes series so engaging.
by Aya de León
Though set in a different era, this story features a protagonist who must navigate complex social dynamics and deception to uncover the truth, much like Enola's work. It appeals to readers who appreciate a sharp, observant female lead who uses her wits to dismantle systems of power from the inside.
In this gender-bent retelling, Charlotte Holmes operates as a consulting detective while her sister plays the role of the public face. It is a sophisticated, deeply intellectual take on the Holmesian world that mirrors Enola's own journey of claiming her agency in a patriarchal society.
by Tarquin Hall
Vish Puri is India's 'Most Private Investigator,' and while he is quite different from Enola, his dedication to solving mysteries with a mix of humor and local knowledge is delightful. Fans of the procedural aspects of Enola Holmes will appreciate the careful, step-by-step unraveling of the case.

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