Adventures of Mary Darling [Mīkstie vāki]

"Mary Darling is a pretty wife whose boring husband is befuddled by her independent ways. But one fateful night, Mary becomes the distraught mother whose three children have gone missing from their beds. After her well-meaning uncle John Watson contacts the greatest detective of his era (but not that great), Mary is Sherlock Holmes's prime suspect in her children's disappearance. To save her family, Mary must escape an attempt to have her locked away as mad, and to travel halfway around the world. Along the way, her allies include a Solomon Islander whose village was destroyed by Western civilization; a Malagasy woman on an island that is run by women; Captain Hook and the crew of the Jolly Roger; and of course, Nana, the faithful dog and nursemaid"--

Who is Mary Darling? In this smartly subversive Victorian mash-up of the legendary literary novels Peter Pan and Sherlock Holmes, the intrepid mother of the Darling children is on the case—and always one step ahead of her inept husband and a famous detective.

[ STARRED REVIEW] “The wit, wisdom, and whimsy on offer here are sure to win fans.”
—Publishers Weekly

[ STARRED REVIEW] “Mary’s story is a dangerous and delightful adventure that turns the bigotry and misogyny of Victorian England on its head.”
—Library Journal

Mary Darling is a pretty wife whose boring husband is befuddled by her independent ways. But one fateful night, Mary becomes the distraught mother whose three children have gone missing from their beds. After her well-meaning uncle John Watson contacts the greatest detective of his era (but not that great), Mary is Sherlock Holmes’s prime suspect in her children’s disappearance.

To save her family, Mary must escape an attempt to have her locked away as mad, and to travel halfway around the world. Along the way, her allies include a Solomon Islander whose village was destroyed by Western civilization; a Malagasy woman on an island that is run by women; Captain Hook and the crew of the Jolly Roger; and of course, Nana, the faithful dog and nursemaid.

This witty and adventurous new novel from Pat Murphy (The City Not Long After) will delight fans of classic Victorian tales, as well as those who are looking for a radical new take on the British Empire.

What if Enola Holmes escaped Neverland, settled down with a respectable husband, had three adorable children—and then jumped ship to Madagascar to rescue them? Mary Darling is on the case, despite the meddling of both her inept husband and a clueless Sherlock Holmes.

Will appeal to fans of classic Victorian-era fantasy adventures, but also who are looking for a less sexist and colonial take on the British Empire.

National marketing plan to include endorsements from leading authors, reviewers, media, and general publications; online and print features; author events and book launch, Instagram and blog tour, Reddit AMA; ARC mailings and giveaways; and social media campaign