The Case of the Left-Handed Lady

So I am taking back all of the Enola Holmes books to the library, making it necessary to finish up these reviews before doing so, just so I can check little things.  Mostly, I know the series pretty well, so I could probably talk out of a certain part of my body and have no problem with the general story, but to be fair to you, I don't want to do that.  This particular title resonates with me as I am left-handed.  Sometimes my brain works in mysterious ways, which I think may be a product of everything being made for a right-handed world.  Or I am just making that up in order to have a reason for my brain.  Either way, enjoy...

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The Case of the Left-Handed Lady
by Nancy Springer

Since she is rather pleased with how she was able to find the missing young marquess, Enola decides to put her skills to work by advertising herself as a Perditorian.  That would be someone who finds missing people or things for a living.  However, she cannot be a female Perditorian, as that would not be feasible in Victorian London, so she makes herself up as a secretary to Dr. Leslie T. Ragostin, Scientific Perditorian.  As Ivy Meshle, Enola has changed her appearance to that of a Victorian shopgirl, looking nothing like her former self.

Strangely, one of her first customers is Dr. John Watson, who wants Dr. Ragostin to help her find. . . herself?  And her mother?  Oh dear.  While Dr Watson is there, Enola gleams a case that her brother is working on, a missing daughter of baron, and is also worried to learn that Sherlock appears to be in a decline (though she also fears the entire visit may be a trap).

Enola keeps up correspondence with her mother via flower cipher in the magazines, goes out at night giving to the poor in the guise of a Nun, and now begins work on the case of the missing Lady Cecily Alistair.  New disguises abound, as do close calls and meetings with her dear brothers.  Enola won't be dismayed, even after a rather terrible run-in with a garrote.

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The overall mystery is great, with questions of dual identity with the left-handed drawings of Lady Cecily (something that wouldn't have been tolerated in that time).  I don't think I figured out the mystery the first time around, not until it became obvious to Enola.  There are plenty of scary scenes, especially when Enola gets garrotted, but I think the mature readers that would be involved can handle it.  After all, there is much worse stuff on television and movies.  The writing continues to impress.

I give book Two of Six: 9 out of 10 sonic screwdrivers, again.  I love this series.