SOLVED. 80s/90s Middle Grade Book/Series Teen Sleuths

[T.K.]

I remember reading the first few chapters one summer but never got to finish it because school started and had to return it to the library.

The story was about two sisters... I don't remember if they were biological or step siblings. One sister was a pretty blonde, and the other was a brunette who felt frumpy around her beautiful sister, especially with her short, curly, brown hair.

I remember some things from the book... both sisters had a penchant for solving mysteries and the brunette sister got jealous of the blonde sister for figuring out a suspect was right/left-handed by noticing her lipstick placement.

Another scene I remember is in Chapter 1, the family was vacationing and the brunette was on an inner tube fuming about her perfect sister when she realized she had gone out too far in the lake. She hated deep water.

I hope someone knows which book this is! I don't remember too much because it's been so long! I hate to leave books unfinished! Thanks!

[bookel]

Early or late 1990s, specific year?

[bookel]

Eliminated.
Something's Fishy at Ash Lake (An Amber and Elliot Mystery)
by Susan Brown
https://www.librarything.com/work/107...

[T.K.]

Early 90s.

[Rainbowheart]

Do you remember if the girls were in middle school or high school?

[T.K.]

I think they were elementary/middle school age.

[bookel]

It doesn't seem to be the Something Queer series by Elizabeth Levy ... a girl and her friend. https://www.librarything.com/nseries/...

[bookel]

Case of the Vanishing Villain
Carol Farley
https://www.librarything.com/work/476610
https://www.librarything.com/nseries/...

[bookel]

The Case of the Lost Lookalike
by Carol J. Farley

Series: Flee Jay and Clarice (3)

While spending part of the summer at picturesque Magic Lake, twelve-year-old Flee Jay and her competitive bright younger sister become involved with a hermit, vandalism, and a forty-year-old mystery concerning a kidnapped child.
https://www.librarything.com/work/103...
Google Books has snippet view. Mentions an inner tube.

[T.K.]

Yes! It was The Case of the Lost Lookalike! I remember the bookcover! Thank you!!!

[Ayesha]

The Case of the Lost Look-Alike for the link :)