The Case of the Left-Handed Lady (2007)

Since there was no need for all the introductions and backstory, the second book with the _very_ resourceful [I was so impressed with the way she kitted herself out for her Sister mission walks] Enola Holmes flew right along from the very beginning of the book, and I had a hard time putting it down when my commute was done and I had to actually work. ;) ( )

Listened to Recorded Books audio narrated by Katherine Kellgren. Excellent again. On to the next in the series. ( )

Much better than debut novel with an interesting plot and a captivating teen detective and heroine. ( )

Enola Holmes, 14-year-old sister of famous detective Sherlock Holmes, has been abandoned by her mother and has run away from oldest brother Mycroft Holmes, who wanted to send her away to boarding school. With the money her mother has given her, Enola figures out how to live alone in London: renting office space and living quarters, and creating believable disguises to help her fool people around her. Like Sherlock, Enola is smart and talented. While she is busy hiding from her older brothers, she comes across a strange disappearance: the young Lady Cecily is missing. Her wealthy parents fear a scandal, and so Enola launches a quiet investigation into what happened to Cecily. Her charcoal drawings, odd diary entries (written backwards so you have to read them in a mirror), and assorted clues from the scene lead Enola through some of London's darkest and nastiest neighborhoods -- and all the while she has to keep one eye out for her brother! Great historical fiction and mystery, excellent characterization! 6th grade and up. ( )

I'm really loving this series-short and fun, takes just a few hours to read, and you get to crack codes and solve puzzles with Enola, the main character. ( )