Our second outing with Millie Bobby Brown's cinematic interpretation of Enola Holmes, the sister of famed detective Sherlock Holmes, was a long time coming. Although my wife and I were both eager to watch it, our children -- who thoroughly enjoyed the first film in the series -- seemed reluctant to watch the second. Even so, once we finally persuaded them to sit down and give it a try, they were thoroughly absorbed.

The movie picks up where the first film left off. Enola is now living in London, installed in her own fledgling detective agency specializing in finding missing persons. She has trouble attracting clients, however, and not just because she is a young woman in what is perceived as a man's occupation. She is on the verge of throwing in the towel when she takes the case of a missing girl and soon finds herself embroiled in a plot to conceal numerous deaths among workers at a match factory.

Unlike the first movie, which was based on the first book in the Enola Holmes Mysteries series by Nancy Springer, the script for this one is not adapted from one of Springer's books. Instead, it's based on a historical event, when striking factory workers were able to reveal a great wrong and, in the process, improve their working conditions.

This movie is every bit as good as its predecessor. Perhaps even better. In many ways, the mystery is far more mysterious, with many layers and red herrings to keep viewers entertained.

Henry Cavill, as big brother Sherlock, plays a larger role in this movie. Inevitably, the case that is vexing him ends up entwined with his younger sister's case, and his reluctant cooperation with Enola is a pleasure to watch. (Her eldest brother Mycroft -- played in the first movie by Sam Claflin -- does not return here, apparently because of the actor's unavailability.) Cavill carries Sherlock's Victorian reserve, mental acuity and personality quirks quite well.

But Brown carries the show, portraying a quickie and resourceful Enola with a great deal of verve and some enjoyable breaking of the fourth wall. Brown is very likable in the role, and her Enola -- while neither as unflappable nor as immensely brilliant as her brother -- makes some wonderful observations and intuitive leaps. She's quite resourceful in a pinch, and a whole lot of fun -- and she has inherited some of her mother's revolutionary ideals.

Besides Brown and Cavill, 2 features return performances by Helena Bonham Carter as Eudoria Holmes, Enola's decidedly odd mother; Louis Partridge as Lord Tewkesbury, whom Enola saved in the first movie and now serves as her ally and eventual romantic partner; and Adeel Akhtar as Inspector Lestrade.

Newcomers to the cast include David Thewlis as Superintendent Grail, Serrana Su-Ling Bliss as Enola's young client Bessie Chapman, Hannah Dodd as the missing Sarah Chapman and Sharon Duncan-Brewster as Mira Troy.

Enola Holmes 2 is a treat. I am thrilled to see that 3 is already in the works.