The copper beeches

Miss Violet Hunter lost her last place as a governess when her former employer moved to Nova Scotia. Unemployed for several months, she is a very well paid job. She has to take care of a child, and that's all. There is only an additional request: she must satisfy certain whims, such as wearing a blue dress, reading before the window...

Gifted with a solid common sense, Miss Hunter understands that the offer is too generous not to be suspect. She has no other choice than accepting it, but before leaving for the place, located in the countryside and called "The copper beeches", she asks Sherlock Holmes advice. When things turn up to be really weird, Sherlock and John come to rescue her.

From this short summary, it is rather obvious that we have a substitution affair. The governess has been hired for her resemblance with another woman. 

The real good surprise comes from Miss Hunter: here we have a real female character! At last! Not a brainless girl, nor a insipid one. Irene Adler had nothing exceptional -she was just quicker to act than Sherlock, and even not alone but with some help. Mary Morstan is more interesting, but once married to John Watson, she sort of disappears from the stories. Violet Hunter is neither stupid nor weak. Beside, she shows good capacities for observation, and proves to be useful when it comes to improvising and taking initiatives.

The copper beeches deserves to be read for this very well done character.