For teens craving a thrilling historical mystery, join Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes as they navigate vampire threats and royal intrigue in Victorian London.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is looking for a smart, suspenseful read that goes beyond a typical mystery. For fans of historical fiction and paranormal fantasy, this book offers a perfect blend. The story follows Evaline Stoker (niece of Bram Stoker) and Mina Holmes (niece of Sherlock Holmes) as they investigate a mysterious drowning at the request of the Princess of Wales. Their case gets dangerously complicated by a resurgence of vampires in Victorian London. It explores themes of bravery, teamwork, and the clash between logic and the supernatural. Appropriate for older teens, it's a thrilling choice for a reader who enjoys clever heroines, atmospheric settings, and a touch of spooky adventure.
A character's death is the catalyst for the mystery, and other deaths occur off-page or in action scenes.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with death, both through the central mystery of a drowning and through violence perpetrated by vampires. The violence is action-oriented and fantastical, focusing on combat and survival rather than gore or intense suffering. The approach is secular. The resolution is hopeful in that the main characters succeed in their immediate goals, but it acknowledges that the overarching threat of evil remains, setting up future conflict.
Ideal Reader
A teen, aged 14-17, who loves genre-blending fiction. They enjoy historical settings but also crave action, fantasy, and mystery. They are likely fans of Sherlock Holmes or Dracula adaptations, and appreciate strong, intelligent female protagonists who take charge. This reader is not looking for a quiet, character-driven story but a fast-paced plot with supernatural stakes.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware of the vampire violence, which includes descriptions of attacks, biting, and staking. While not overly graphic, it is a central element of the plot. No specific context is needed to start the book, as it provides the necessary background on the characters and their unique world. It's part of a series, but works well as a starting point. A parent's teen has just finished a series like "Enola Holmes" or "Stalking Jack the Ripper" and says, "I want another book with a girl detective in the past, but with monsters or magic in it."
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-14) will be drawn to the action, the vampire lore, and the friendship between the girls. They will enjoy the fast-paced plot and the clear good-versus-evil dynamic. An older teen (15-18) will likely have a deeper appreciation for the historical details, the clever literary mashup of the Stoker and Holmes legacies, and the nuances of the mystery plot woven into the supernatural chaos.
What Makes It Special
This book's primary differentiator is its brilliant premise: uniting the legacies of literature's greatest detective and its most famous vampire creator in their respective nieces. Unlike many historical mysteries, it fully embraces both the supernatural and a science fiction element (time travel), creating a unique and compelling alternate Victorian London.
Read plot summary
In Victorian London, Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes are commissioned by the Princess of Wales to investigate the disappearance and possible drowning of a young man. As they use Mina's deductive skills and Evaline's vampire-hunting knowledge, they uncover a far more sinister plot. The reappearance of vampires in the city poses an immediate and deadly threat, forcing the girls and their time-traveling companion, Dylan, to fight for their lives while trying to solve the original case and protect London from the undead.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Evaline has inherited her family's fight against vampires, while Mina has inherited her family's gift for logic. Which character's skills do you think were more valuable in this specific mystery? Why?
2
The story is set in 1889 London. How does the Victorian setting, with its technology, social rules, and gaslit streets, make the vampire threat more dangerous or frightening?
3
Dylan, the time traveler, has knowledge from the future. Discuss a moment where his future perspective helped the group, and a moment where it might have caused complications or misunderstandings.
4
The girls are hired by the Princess of Wales. How did the pressure of working for royalty affect their choices and the risks they were willing to take?
