'Scarlett Undercover' by Jennifer Latham,

'Trouble Is a Friend of Mine' 

by Stephanie Tromly,

'Under the Egg' by Laura Marx Fitzgerald

Yes, I was a Nancy Drew zealot, and I’m in pretty spectacular company with Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sandra Day O’Connor and Laura Bush, who was a librarian before she was first lady.  All of those women cited Nancy as important influences on their lives.

Here’s a Nancy trivia question before we get to the other girl sleuths: Nancy Drew wasn’t “Nancy Drew” in Sweden. What was her name?

Think about it while I introduce you to three other Nancy-worthy girl detectives.

Meet Scarlett, in Jennifer Latham’s “Scarlett Undercover.” She uses tradecraft, dons a disguise or two and even delves into some Middle Eastern mysticism to solve the mystery of a classmate’s death by suicide. L.A. Confidential crime writer James Ellroy is a fan of the novel.

Meet Zoe and Digby of Stephanie Tromly’s young detective "Trouble" series. High school drama, governor corruption and sassy dialogue. The series opens with “Trouble Is a Friend of Mine.”

And finally, for middle grade readers, meet Theodora Tenpenny from Laura Marx Fitzgerald’s “Under the Egg.” Theodora is 13, inquisitive and courageous. When she uncovers a clue to a buried treasure, she launches a quest through New York City and beyond.

So, my Thread Must Read three girl sleuths are: Zoe from Stephanie Tromly’s “Trouble” trilogy; Theodora Tenpenny from Laura Marx Fitzgerald’s “Under the Egg,” and Jennifer Latham’s Scarlett from “Scarlett Undercover.”

Oh! And the answer to the Nancy Drew trivia question? Nancy was “Kitty Drew” in Sweden, and — inexplicably — Susanne Langen in Germany.

—  Kerri Miller | MPR News