But I did read the Irene books up and including the one where she gets back to Bohemia. Haven't been able to find any later ones, which I was sorry for, since I liked them. IMO, C.N. Douglas avoids the trap Laurie King fell into with "The Beekeepers Apprentice" - Mary Sue'ing her heroine. Also, her Geoffrey (and your essay is perfect) is the decent guy in canon Irene is in love with. Mutual appreciation between her and Holmes notwithstanding.

Oh, and I like Nell.