Chess Queen Enigma by Colleen Gleason-ADVISABLE

Gleason, Colleen, Chess Queen Enigma. Pgs. 360. Chronicle Books, 2015. $17.99. Language: G, Mature Content: PG, Violence: PG

Descendants from their infamous relatives, Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes never imagined they too would be a part of the family business. Evaline is an action-oriented, hereditary slayer of UnDead while Mina is a condescending person of deduction. In their last adventure, the duo solved the mystery of how a spiritglass was being used to manipulate one of Princess Alixandria’s friends. Now, as the princess hires them to protect a visiting royal, Princes Lurelia of Betrovia, the two end up being in the right place at the right time to inherit their next case. While keeping the princess company at a society function, a guard is murdered, an intended chess piece gift is stolen, and the princess is threatened by a mysterious figure. Suspecting the figure is Mina's nemesis, the Ankh, the two enlist the help of Mina’s love interest, Inspector Grayling as well as few other unusual friends (including a time traveler) to solve the case. Will the duo be able to keep the princess safe? Will they retrieve the chess piece? Is the Ankh really back?

Told through alternating points of view, readers easily step into the complex heads of Mina and Evaline. The plot is a little slower paced than its predecessors, but draws the reader in with its mystery. Readers who have read the other two books in the series will enjoy this steampunk-style mystery adventure with a little bit of romance. MS, HS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.