The Chess Queen Enigma

Stoker and Holmes Series, Book 3

By: Colleen Gleason

Narrated by: Jayne Entwistle

Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 does.The Stoker and Holmes series is suitable for ages 12 through adult, and the series should be listened to or read in order:

• The Clockwork Scarab
• The Spiritglass Charade
• The Chess Queen Enigma
• The Carnelian Crow

©2015 Avid Press (P)2017 Avid Press

Should be called.. Holmes & Spoiled Brat

I cannot stand the character Evelyn Stoker. There. I said it. This character has to be the most spoiled, petty and shallow main character I've come across. It wouldn't be so bad if she were a supporting character, but the fact that we have to listen to her incessant bragging about how SHE can kill vampires the best, her constant stream of mental insults towards her partner Mina, and her always present mooning over Pix for half of the novel makes me groan every time I realize a chapter is going to be centered on her.

In the first novel where she simply stood up and accused the Ank was the beginning of showing how utterly vapid and empty brained this woman is. I was hoping she'd change, but by the third book I've realized that she is just an awful character. I understand that Mina is supposed to be the smart one and Evelyn the strong one, but this character is written in such an empty headed way that I can simply no longer enjoy listening to the series. There's superficial growth of her personality when she finally stops acting like she's a heroine in a story killing monsters, but nothing else about her core personality matures.

The fact is that Evelyn is not only stupid, but petty and cruel. You can't get through one of her chapters without her mentally insulting Mina, even when Mina is being insulted for the fact that she's smart. Not only does Evelyn insult her for this, but she even internally insults her so called "partner" based on her looks!! Who would like a main character who insults her so called "friend" by pretty much calling her ugly!? Every time she comments on how big Mina's nose is, I wish I could punch this shallow brat in the face.

Anyway, I can't bring myself to continue the series due to half of it being centered around a horrible person. it's simply not enjoyable.

Excellent Series!

Loved it! Smart, exciting, romantic! Strong women, intelligent women, and very interesting characters in general!

Chess Queen Enigma does not disappoint

Gripping, hard to put down, this third book in the Stoker Holmes series is fantastic.
The strong characters are off into another mystery and the Ankh has returned. A centuries old mystery, a chess board and a race to the finish, or check mate!
The character, the writings s adventure, I loved it all!

Wickedly Good Story!

Worthy opponents challenge our heroines to the edge and beyond! The plot builds and twists, keeping me both surprised and delighted. I love this series!

Evaline is hot !!!

it was great and Mina is awesome bets read in years I've read them all several timed

Love the story

I love this series, however, the narrator was too monotone and used little emotion in her voice. I think this would have been a 10/10 had she used more emotion. The story itself is really enjoyable and a nice mix of steampunk and Victorian society.

Fabulous

Really enjoyed this book as well as the ones prior to it. Definitely recommend it.

Love this series

I love the Stoker and Holmes series, the story is plotted well and has some really great charcters. I really love how their friendship has blossomed over the series's and how they make a great team in their detective work, dispite their differences in background and personality's.

This book was just as gripping as the ones previous and just as many plot twists and surprises.

The book is aimed at teens and adults, which is perfect as I can listen to the book any where, at any time without worrying if my children are around me, which is a real bonus.

The narrator reads the book well, she is very clear in her speech and has a lovely soothing voice, which is a pleasure to listen to.

I would definitely recommend this audio book and the others audio books in the series to any one with a love for detectives and mystery solving, and as mentioned above is great for the whole family to enjoy, as there are no nastys to be found in the story.

Another Great Instalment

Loving this series! It's so great to see a different characterization of two great fictional individuals. Yes the originals pop up every now and then but to see the younger versions deal with growing into their characters is great fun.

Loving the story and looking forward to the next one.