Status
Available
Series
Publication
Chronicle Books (2015), Edition: 01, 360 pages
Description
Mystery. Suspense. Historical Fiction. Young Adult Fiction. HTML:Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes never meant to get into the family business. But when you're the sister of Bram and the niece of Sherlock, vampire hunting and mystery solving are in your blood, so to speak. In this third installment of the Stoker and Holmes series, Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes have reluctantly agreed to act as social chaperones and undercover bodyguards for Princess Lurelia of Betrovia, who has arrived in London to deliver a letter that details the secret location of an ancient chess queen that's been missing for centuries. But when the letter�??which will heal a centuries-old rift between England and the Betrovians�??is stolen out from under Evaline and Mina's watchful eyes, the two girls are forced into a high-stakes race to ensure they find the chess queen before anyone else… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member vampiregirl76
Mina & Evaline are given the task of entertaining and keeping an eye on Princess Lurelia of Betrovia. With vampires around and the Ankh still on the loose the girls will definitely have a lot on their hands.
Ms. Gleason has written an excellent addition to this series. Mina Holmes was a bit more
Ms. Gleason has written an excellent addition to this series. Mina Holmes was a bit more
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likable in this one. The last two books I really didn't like her at all. But towards the end of book three here, I started to like her more. I loved all the Queen Elizabeth/history bits that were part of the story. The Chess Queen Enigma is full of mystery and intrigue. Had a sweet ending, not so much of a cliffhanger, but I look forward to their next case. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jaylia3
This is the third crime-solving adventure of Mina Holmes, the niece of Sherlock, and Evaline Stoker, the vampire-hunting sister of Bram, but their partnership is still uneasy to say the least. While petite Evaline is physically strong and highly impulsive, ready at a moment’s notice to barge in
In spite of their differences, Mina and Evaline are both intent on unmasking and capturing The Ankh, an evil villainess they’ve been chasing since the first book, but Irene Adler (boss to Mina and Evaline, and “The Woman” to Mina’s Uncle Sherlock) and Princess Alexandra have asked (ordered) them to spend their time chaperoning Princess Lurelia of Betrovia instead.The highly delicate diplomatic situation between Betrovia and Britain dates back to Elizabeth I and involves love, betrayal, secret treasure, and the mysterious missing piece of an elaborate chess set. It’s important that Princess Lurelia be coddled and protected at all costs lest the two countries have another falling out, but the Princess is attacked almost at once, at the ball in her honor of her visit.
This series is silly, suspenseful, occasionally moving, and a lot of fun. I love the sometimes irritated banter between Mina and Evaline, and I enjoy seeing the world through their very different perspectives. I really adore the setting. The the two young women inhabit a colorful, Victorian, steam-powered London that would make a great travel destination. It’s a city layered with multi-leveled walkways connected by coin-driven mechanical lifts that keep those who are short on funds down below. While the higher levels of this London are amazing, gleaming, and gorgeous, complete with clever clockwork devices, animated twinkling lights, and the opulent upper floors of skyscrapers so tall they have large balloons to act as air anchors, the lower levels of the city are dirty, dank and dark, and the haunt of criminals.
The Chess Queen Enigma doesn’t end in a cliffhanger, but several things are left unresolved, leading me to hope there will be a fourth book. I read an ebook advanced review copy of this book supplied by the publisher through LibraryThing. Review opinions are mine.
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bashing heads and staking hearts, ungainly Mina is instead methodical in temperament, analytical in thinking, and clumsy in movement. In spite of their differences, Mina and Evaline are both intent on unmasking and capturing The Ankh, an evil villainess they’ve been chasing since the first book, but Irene Adler (boss to Mina and Evaline, and “The Woman” to Mina’s Uncle Sherlock) and Princess Alexandra have asked (ordered) them to spend their time chaperoning Princess Lurelia of Betrovia instead.The highly delicate diplomatic situation between Betrovia and Britain dates back to Elizabeth I and involves love, betrayal, secret treasure, and the mysterious missing piece of an elaborate chess set. It’s important that Princess Lurelia be coddled and protected at all costs lest the two countries have another falling out, but the Princess is attacked almost at once, at the ball in her honor of her visit.
This series is silly, suspenseful, occasionally moving, and a lot of fun. I love the sometimes irritated banter between Mina and Evaline, and I enjoy seeing the world through their very different perspectives. I really adore the setting. The the two young women inhabit a colorful, Victorian, steam-powered London that would make a great travel destination. It’s a city layered with multi-leveled walkways connected by coin-driven mechanical lifts that keep those who are short on funds down below. While the higher levels of this London are amazing, gleaming, and gorgeous, complete with clever clockwork devices, animated twinkling lights, and the opulent upper floors of skyscrapers so tall they have large balloons to act as air anchors, the lower levels of the city are dirty, dank and dark, and the haunt of criminals.
The Chess Queen Enigma doesn’t end in a cliffhanger, but several things are left unresolved, leading me to hope there will be a fourth book. I read an ebook advanced review copy of this book supplied by the publisher through LibraryThing. Review opinions are mine.
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LibraryThing member ronincats
This is the third in a series. The first one was an ER book, and I got the second one to read from the library when I learned I had won this one as another ER book. The books feature two 17 year-old girls; one is the sister of Bram Stoker and the other the daughter of Mycroft Holmes. In a steampunk
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Victorian England where electricity is illegal, the girls have been involved in several mystery cases under the auspices of Irene Adler (Sherlock Holmes fans will need no introduction here). The girls have very different personalities and the conflicts between their points of view (the story is told in alternating first person between the two) as well as the introduction of some interesting young men add to the mystery and interest. I enjoy the interplay of personalities and the allusions to the world and literature we know as much as the mystery plot. Show Less
LibraryThing member kalky
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review as part of the LibraryThing Early Review program. In all honesty, I couldn't finish the book. The writing was off-putting, and I didn't find either main character engaging.
I made it about 1/3 of the way through, and then skipped
I made it about 1/3 of the way through, and then skipped
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through the rest of the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member tardis
The Chess Queen Enigma is the third Stoker and Holmes steampunk mystery by Colleen Gleason, and it's jolly good fun. More vampires, the villainous Ankh, and a visiting princess give Evaline Stoker and Alvermina (Mina) Holmes a run for their money.
My favourite part is the limited number of
My favourite part is the limited number of
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appearances of the boy from the future, who appears less than in previous books, and (spoiler!) leaves at the end. I hope he stays gone - the stories are quite interesting and exciting enough without him. Show Less
LibraryThing member mysterymax
The third in the Stoker and Holmes series get a full mark lower, from me, than the first two books for one reason. The story, as far as it goes, is like a chapter in the ongoing story, but there is no completion, even in the slightest sense. The case wasn't a case, the bad guys don't pay any
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penalty. Perhaps the book was just a way to get rid of two characters, but that's not reason for an entire book. If the whole episode is left unresolved so that we will be eager to read the next one - sorry, that doesn't work for me. Cheap trick. It was part of an ongoing story, but not complete in and of itself. Very unsatisfying. It is true that in real life things aren't always resolved, but this isn't real life, no one thinks it is or expects it to be, and in our world of novels perhaps we really long for a sense that there is completion to problems. Show Less
LibraryThing member arielfl
This is in the third book in the Homes and Stoker series. I first got into the series because of it's steampunk aspects. This is more a series geared for my daughter than myself but I still enjoy it.
LibraryThing member Cherylk
I am familiar with this author as I own all of the books in the Gardella Vampire Chronicles series. I have seen these books but have not read any of them yet. In fact, when I picked up a copy of this book I did not realize it was book three in this series until I opened the book up. Luckily for me
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I am not the type of person that has to read a series in chronological order. In fact there has been many times when I have started a book in the middle of a series and I find this the best test of the author's writing. I can tell if the rest of the books are worth reading in the series based on if the characters intrigued me instantly having not read the prior books as well as if I am able to jump into the story with little problems pertaining to prior events in the storyline of the prior books. What I can tell you about reading this book is that I found Evaline Stoker & Mina Holmes to share a good working relationship. Although, I did not find their skills to be as up to par as the original Sherlock and Holmes. However for the young adult reading audience they will find these two ladies engaging. Another thing that I found reading this book is that the pacing seemed off a little. At times it would go slow and then the next page it would speed up really fast. Although, I was able to follow along with the plot. My conclusion is that I would check out the prior two novels in this series. Show Less
LibraryThing member reb922
Vampires, mystery and steampunk. the third book in the series finds our two heroines in some more harrowing situations. Mina and Evaline are working better together and actually seem to be becoming friends and the villain Ankh is at large and causing trouble. I read the previous two books in the
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series when I found out I had won book three. This is an enjoyable series and they are getting more enjoyable as the backstory grows. Show Less
LibraryThing member ashleyk44
Another great addition to the series. This one didn't quite seem to have the same urgency about it - I didn't feel as propelled through the story as with the previous two. However, it was an enjoyable, light and fun YA read. I look forward to seeing where the rest of the series goes, as well as the
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relationships between the characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member PardaMustang
I loved the opening line of Gleason’s latest Stoker and Holmes novel.
“You killed him! You killed my brother!”
Even if this were my first foray into the series, I would be hooked from those first lines alone. Whose brother? Why were they killed?
The Chess Queen Enigma has Mina and Evaline
Princess Lurelia then asks Evaline and Mina to find the fabled chess queen, said to have been the very first of its kind. The missing chess piece is believed to hold the key to treasure hidden within the skillfully crafted chess table the set belongs to.
Meanwhile, the ladies must also deal with vampires, and the re-emergence of the mysterious mastermind known as the Ankh. Added to that, each of them must deal with their own conflicted, personal feelings regarding one another, their connection via Mina’s missing mom, and the exasperating males in their lives.
I must say, I greatly enjoyed this book over the previous one. The ladies are beginning to work better together, though there is still a measure of cattiness. Getting more background on each does help this make more sense. Each has been given ample opportunity to learn distrust of others. We get to learn more of Pix as well. He’s still my favourite character, and I hope he’ll be around for some time to come.
Dylan’s story resolves itself. Sort of. I'm guessing (hoping) there is more to the long game regarding his story,otherwise it seems quite coincidental to the adventures Mina and Evaline have. He had more of an active role in this story. I'd love a glimpse of him restored to his own future, to see what ripples his actions in the past have had. I get the feeling g, though, that not only did he shift times, but planes as well, leaving him a few planes removed from his ‘home’ time.
If you enjoy alternate history, steampunk, or Sherlock variants, be sure to check out The Chess Queen Enigma by Colleen Gleason.
“You killed him! You killed my brother!”
Even if this were my first foray into the series, I would be hooked from those first lines alone. Whose brother? Why were they killed?
The Chess Queen Enigma has Mina and Evaline
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ostensibly babysitting a visiting princess from Betrovia. This becomes complicated when said princess is first apparently attacked, after having wandered away from her two guardians, and then seemed to have been kidnapped. Mina figures out that the princess left on her own, and where she had gone.Princess Lurelia then asks Evaline and Mina to find the fabled chess queen, said to have been the very first of its kind. The missing chess piece is believed to hold the key to treasure hidden within the skillfully crafted chess table the set belongs to.
Meanwhile, the ladies must also deal with vampires, and the re-emergence of the mysterious mastermind known as the Ankh. Added to that, each of them must deal with their own conflicted, personal feelings regarding one another, their connection via Mina’s missing mom, and the exasperating males in their lives.
I must say, I greatly enjoyed this book over the previous one. The ladies are beginning to work better together, though there is still a measure of cattiness. Getting more background on each does help this make more sense. Each has been given ample opportunity to learn distrust of others. We get to learn more of Pix as well. He’s still my favourite character, and I hope he’ll be around for some time to come.
Dylan’s story resolves itself. Sort of. I'm guessing (hoping) there is more to the long game regarding his story,otherwise it seems quite coincidental to the adventures Mina and Evaline have. He had more of an active role in this story. I'd love a glimpse of him restored to his own future, to see what ripples his actions in the past have had. I get the feeling g, though, that not only did he shift times, but planes as well, leaving him a few planes removed from his ‘home’ time.
If you enjoy alternate history, steampunk, or Sherlock variants, be sure to check out The Chess Queen Enigma by Colleen Gleason.
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LibraryThing member mitchma
I got this book as a Library Thing Early Reviewer.
While this third book in the series may not have advanced the plot very far, it was enjoyable spending time with Mina, Evaline, Pix, Grayling and Dylan. We were involved with more interactions amongst them, and I felt they grew as characters. I
The mystery wasn't as chilling and/or spine-tingling as previous entries but did see the Ankh once more as well as more vampires. What dastardly scheme is the Ankh up to? Who's creating these vampires? Will Evaline decide she might be prevailed upon to marry at some point? Now that one side of Mina's triangle is gone, what does the future hold for her? Or will a certain someone return?
Can't wait to see.
While this third book in the series may not have advanced the plot very far, it was enjoyable spending time with Mina, Evaline, Pix, Grayling and Dylan. We were involved with more interactions amongst them, and I felt they grew as characters. I
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thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them and look forward to the next in the series.The mystery wasn't as chilling and/or spine-tingling as previous entries but did see the Ankh once more as well as more vampires. What dastardly scheme is the Ankh up to? Who's creating these vampires? Will Evaline decide she might be prevailed upon to marry at some point? Now that one side of Mina's triangle is gone, what does the future hold for her? Or will a certain someone return?
Can't wait to see.
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LibraryThing member sszkutak
ARG! This books was so frustrating, but in a good way. Stoker and Holmes have been after the Anka since book one in this series and in this installment she makes another appearance and the suspense was killing me! After the ending of book 2 I wanted to jump into book 3 immediately but had a few
Stoker and Holmes are both getting used to working together and you can tell as the point of view alternates that they both still have peeve with the other but are learning to adapt their styles to work well together. I really like their growing friendship.
I also really liked this story, the girls are tasked with keeping a princess safe but all the while trying to find the location of a long lost chess queen piece. It was highly entertaining and as the series progresses I like that the girls are developing relationships with other players in their mysterious locale.
Overall I really enjoyed the book, I plan to keep reading this series as it progresses and so I guess that is a win.
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other things to read, so when I was able to pick this one up I thought I would devour it. I have to say that these books have a lot of build up - if you are familiar with classic Holmes and mysteries they tend to drag a bit, then BOOM - all the answers appear almost immediately and this is the case with this series but there are also a few minor surprises throughout as well.Stoker and Holmes are both getting used to working together and you can tell as the point of view alternates that they both still have peeve with the other but are learning to adapt their styles to work well together. I really like their growing friendship.
I also really liked this story, the girls are tasked with keeping a princess safe but all the while trying to find the location of a long lost chess queen piece. It was highly entertaining and as the series progresses I like that the girls are developing relationships with other players in their mysterious locale.
Overall I really enjoyed the book, I plan to keep reading this series as it progresses and so I guess that is a win.
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LibraryThing member calmclam
I was underwhelmed by this one. The two main characters are a detective (Miss Holmes) and a vampire hunter (Miss Stoker). Together, they solve mysteries and hunt the undead, as expected. With steampunk, vampires, time travel, and court intrigue, this honestly felt overstuffed to me and I had a hard
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time liking any of the characters much. Show Less
LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
I can't believe I put off this series for so long after reading the first two books - it's a quick read, fun, well-developed, filled with lively characters and a fast-paced plot. The alternative historical world of its setting is better fleshed out than a lot of steampunk-ish YA I've read and, of
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course, there's the joy of imagining Sherlock Holmes' niece and Bram Stoker's sister interacting and solving mysteries together. A good, solid read and a reminder of just how fun this series is. Show Less
LibraryThing member yonitdm
The mystery and the excitement was great and there was definitely a lot of twists and turns. What I didn't really appreciate was how our main heroines were distracted from the mysteries under their very noses. It seemed very out of character.
Awards
Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Book (Junior — 2016)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2015-10-06
Physical description
8.5 inches
ISBN
145214317X / 9781452143170
UPC
884302309166