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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Well written, with a strong sense of place-- but I just couldn't get past the hump of Sherlock Holmes being dumb and Mrs. Hudson having all the good ideas.
adventurous
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
An interesting take on Sherlock Holmes, where Holmes isn’t the stunning genius he seems, and many of his insights are either off, or arrived at through the gentle prodding of the formidable Mrs. Hudson. A woman of many talents, including running a household, Mrs. Hudson has contacts in many of the gentries’ homes, as well as amongst shopkeepers and the poor.
After rescuing young Flotsam “Flottie” from a terrible situation, Mrs. Hudson raises the girl as a housemaid, but knows the girl needs more, so ensures she has a wide-ranging education delivered through Mrs. Hudson’s various contacts.
After the two move to Baker Street to maintain Sherlock Holmes’ home, the two women become involved in his cases, with Mrs. Hudson’s contacts providing legwork and information, all unbeknownst to the consulting detective, and delivered quietly by Mrs. Hudson in such a way that it becomes obvious that she’s brilliant and highly observant. Young Flottie becomes increasingly Mrs. Hudson’s eyes on cases, as Sherlock, after initially condescending to Mrs. Hudson’s female brain and supposed lack of knowledge beyond her kitchen, begins soliciting the women’s advice and opinions, and occasionally bringing Flottie with him or Watson, after Mrs. Hudson, and occasionally Flottie, arrive at conclusions that actually move the cases forward, unlike Sherlock’s tangential and sometimes irrelevant conclusions.
It’s a fun take on a character and mystery series that proves terrifically malleable and ripe for an inventive reinterpretation like this.
After rescuing young Flotsam “Flottie” from a terrible situation, Mrs. Hudson raises the girl as a housemaid, but knows the girl needs more, so ensures she has a wide-ranging education delivered through Mrs. Hudson’s various contacts.
After the two move to Baker Street to maintain Sherlock Holmes’ home, the two women become involved in his cases, with Mrs. Hudson’s contacts providing legwork and information, all unbeknownst to the consulting detective, and delivered quietly by Mrs. Hudson in such a way that it becomes obvious that she’s brilliant and highly observant. Young Flottie becomes increasingly Mrs. Hudson’s eyes on cases, as Sherlock, after initially condescending to Mrs. Hudson’s female brain and supposed lack of knowledge beyond her kitchen, begins soliciting the women’s advice and opinions, and occasionally bringing Flottie with him or Watson, after Mrs. Hudson, and occasionally Flottie, arrive at conclusions that actually move the cases forward, unlike Sherlock’s tangential and sometimes irrelevant conclusions.
It’s a fun take on a character and mystery series that proves terrifically malleable and ripe for an inventive reinterpretation like this.
Helping Holmes…
When her employer dies, housekeeper Mrs Hudson has to look for a new position. A friend tells her of a pair of young men intending to set up rooms together and on the lookout for a housekeeper, so Mrs Hudson and her young protegee, Flotsam, take up residence with Mr Sherlock Holmes, Consulting Detective, and his friend and sometimes colleague, Dr Watson. They are no sooner settled when Holmes’ first client turns up. Mr Moran tells a terrifying tale of how he and his partners had offended the spirits in colonial Sumatra, and even though they have fled back to London, it appears that the spirits are still set on revenge! Holmes and Watson set to, but they’re not very good at detection, though they both believe Holmes is a genius. Fortunately for them, Mrs Hudson has great intuition, excellent deductive skills and lots of contacts with useful people made during her long life in service…
I read the second book in this series, [b:Mrs Hudson and the Malabar Rose|27257657|Mrs Hudson and the Malabar Rose (A Sherlock Holmes & Mrs Hudson Mystery #2)|Martin Davies|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1445547935l/27257657._SX50_.jpg|210506], several years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it despite my general antipathy to Holmes pastiches. The humour was well done and kept the book on the cosy side. Flottie acts as Watson to Mrs Hudson, so she’s the narrator, and hers is an entertaining voice, the hard experiences of her orphaned childhood having given her a rather more adult outlook on life than might be usual for a fourteen-year-old. The plot was also fun.
This one is the first in the series, and doesn’t work quite so well, confirming again my view that it’s often wise to jump in to a series later on, when the author has had time to hone his style and technique. Again it’s fairly enjoyable, but there’s not so much humour, or at least it doesn’t work quite so well. By the second book, Holmes and Watson are so caricatured as bumbling fools that oddly they’ve passed beyond being annoying to purist fans – this one, at least. In this book, that characterisation isn’t so well developed, so I found their reliance on Mrs Hudson and Flottie harder to accept.
A good pastiche has to make the characters and their world reflect the original even if they’re being distorted for humorous effect, and Davies does that well for the most part. In this case, because the narrator is different, it’s fine that Flottie’s style doesn’t have the wonderful vocabulary and flow of a Watson narrative – in fact, it would feel wrong if it did. But when the characters of Holmes and Watson speak, they should sound like the originals – they should use vocabulary suited to their station in life, etc. In this one, Watson occasionally slips into Wodehouse silly-ass style, and that jars as not only wrong for the character, but wrong for the time.
It seems redundant to say that a pastiche is derivative, since that’s rather the point. But the plot in this one took too many elements from the original stories. I didn’t notice that in the second book, where the plot seemed more original, and therefore more interesting. I found this story only moderately interesting, and I felt it all took too long – one of the joys of the original Holmes stories is their brevity. I skimmed several chapters in the middle since it seemed reasonably clear where we were heading, and I didn’t feel I missed much. The mention in one of the original Holmes stories of an unwritten adventure concerning the Giant Rat of Sumatra has inspired many pastiches from many authors over the years, and I’m not sure another one was needed, nor that this one really comes up to the expectations aroused by that wonderfully tempting title.
I realise this review sounds very negative, but in fact the book was enjoyable enough – it just wasn’t as enjoyable as the second book, and the pastiche elements grated more on my personal antipathies this time. It’s an entertaining idea to have Mrs Hudson as the real detective in the household, though! I see Davies is up to book six in the series now. I’m not sure that I’m enthusiastic enough to stick with it, though I happily recommend the series as something a bit different if Holmes pastiches are your kind of thing.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
When her employer dies, housekeeper Mrs Hudson has to look for a new position. A friend tells her of a pair of young men intending to set up rooms together and on the lookout for a housekeeper, so Mrs Hudson and her young protegee, Flotsam, take up residence with Mr Sherlock Holmes, Consulting Detective, and his friend and sometimes colleague, Dr Watson. They are no sooner settled when Holmes’ first client turns up. Mr Moran tells a terrifying tale of how he and his partners had offended the spirits in colonial Sumatra, and even though they have fled back to London, it appears that the spirits are still set on revenge! Holmes and Watson set to, but they’re not very good at detection, though they both believe Holmes is a genius. Fortunately for them, Mrs Hudson has great intuition, excellent deductive skills and lots of contacts with useful people made during her long life in service…
I read the second book in this series, [b:Mrs Hudson and the Malabar Rose|27257657|Mrs Hudson and the Malabar Rose (A Sherlock Holmes & Mrs Hudson Mystery #2)|Martin Davies|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1445547935l/27257657._SX50_.jpg|210506], several years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it despite my general antipathy to Holmes pastiches. The humour was well done and kept the book on the cosy side. Flottie acts as Watson to Mrs Hudson, so she’s the narrator, and hers is an entertaining voice, the hard experiences of her orphaned childhood having given her a rather more adult outlook on life than might be usual for a fourteen-year-old. The plot was also fun.
This one is the first in the series, and doesn’t work quite so well, confirming again my view that it’s often wise to jump in to a series later on, when the author has had time to hone his style and technique. Again it’s fairly enjoyable, but there’s not so much humour, or at least it doesn’t work quite so well. By the second book, Holmes and Watson are so caricatured as bumbling fools that oddly they’ve passed beyond being annoying to purist fans – this one, at least. In this book, that characterisation isn’t so well developed, so I found their reliance on Mrs Hudson and Flottie harder to accept.
A good pastiche has to make the characters and their world reflect the original even if they’re being distorted for humorous effect, and Davies does that well for the most part. In this case, because the narrator is different, it’s fine that Flottie’s style doesn’t have the wonderful vocabulary and flow of a Watson narrative – in fact, it would feel wrong if it did. But when the characters of Holmes and Watson speak, they should sound like the originals – they should use vocabulary suited to their station in life, etc. In this one, Watson occasionally slips into Wodehouse silly-ass style, and that jars as not only wrong for the character, but wrong for the time.
It seems redundant to say that a pastiche is derivative, since that’s rather the point. But the plot in this one took too many elements from the original stories. I didn’t notice that in the second book, where the plot seemed more original, and therefore more interesting. I found this story only moderately interesting, and I felt it all took too long – one of the joys of the original Holmes stories is their brevity. I skimmed several chapters in the middle since it seemed reasonably clear where we were heading, and I didn’t feel I missed much. The mention in one of the original Holmes stories of an unwritten adventure concerning the Giant Rat of Sumatra has inspired many pastiches from many authors over the years, and I’m not sure another one was needed, nor that this one really comes up to the expectations aroused by that wonderfully tempting title.
I realise this review sounds very negative, but in fact the book was enjoyable enough – it just wasn’t as enjoyable as the second book, and the pastiche elements grated more on my personal antipathies this time. It’s an entertaining idea to have Mrs Hudson as the real detective in the household, though! I see Davies is up to book six in the series now. I’m not sure that I’m enthusiastic enough to stick with it, though I happily recommend the series as something a bit different if Holmes pastiches are your kind of thing.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
A disappointing British cozy. I will post my review soon! Happy Reading!
I just finished reading Mrs. Hudson and the Spirits’ Curse by Martin Davies. Mrs. Hudson is looking for a new employer (her last one committed suicide). Mrs. Hudson has an excellent reputation (as well as helping several wealthy people out of pickles) and can have her choice of housekeeping positions. However, she is looking to spice things up and wants to work for Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. They have taken rooms on Baker Street. Mrs. Hudson thinks this position will be just the one for her and Flotsam (Flottie for short). Flottie was brought to Mrs. Hudson two years earlier in need of assistance. Mrs. Hudson took her in and gave her a position. She is making sure Flottie gets an education.
Mrs. Hudson is given the position and they move to their new accommodations immediately. Despite the boxes with unusual contents, the two settle in quite nicely with their new employers. Then one night just after 8 p.m. and unusual (and supposedly mysterious) man arrives with a letter and a dagger for Mr. Holmes. The letter is from Nathaniel Moran who wishes to meet with Holmes and Watson. Mr. Moran has just returned from Sumatra Islands where he and some friends established a business (Sumatra and Nassau Trading Company). They were not welcomed by the natives and were threatened. They were told they had offended the spirits and had to leave. After several deaths (including one of their own) the men fled the island. Mr. Moran had to wait to travel (in other words, the others left him behind) because he was ill (and just arrived in England). Mr. Moran claims the threat has followed him home, and he is afraid for his life (as well as his colleagues). While Sherlock and Dr. Watson start their inquiries, Mrs. Hudson (along with Flotsam) make some of their own. Who is threatening Mr. Moran and his business associates? Why did the curse follow them home? Will more people die before the mystery can be solved?
Mrs. Hudson and the Spirits’ Curse did not meet my expectations. The book makes Mrs. Hudson out to the mastermind behind Sherlock Holmes. The Sherlock makes wrong assumptions (scientific based) but wrong. Mrs. Hudson uses her common sense as well as intellect and network of friends to solve crimes. Dr. Watson’s role was reduced to errand boy (for the most part). There are many scientific terms (as well as what my father calls $10 words) used and long-winded speeches (deductions that were incorrect). The book is a cute idea, but the writer was not able to pull it off. The novel is told from Flotsam’s perspective (I would rather have had it from Mrs. Hudson’s point-of-view). This is a British novel so some of the word spellings and terms are different from those that we use in America. The mystery was very simple and a cinch to figure out. Therefore, I give Mrs. Hudson and the Spirits’ Curse 3 out of 5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of Mrs. Hudson and the Spirits’ Curse from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.
Mrs. Hudson is given the position and they move to their new accommodations immediately. Despite the boxes with unusual contents, the two settle in quite nicely with their new employers. Then one night just after 8 p.m. and unusual (and supposedly mysterious) man arrives with a letter and a dagger for Mr. Holmes. The letter is from Nathaniel Moran who wishes to meet with Holmes and Watson. Mr. Moran has just returned from Sumatra Islands where he and some friends established a business (Sumatra and Nassau Trading Company). They were not welcomed by the natives and were threatened. They were told they had offended the spirits and had to leave. After several deaths (including one of their own) the men fled the island. Mr. Moran had to wait to travel (in other words, the others left him behind) because he was ill (and just arrived in England). Mr. Moran claims the threat has followed him home, and he is afraid for his life (as well as his colleagues). While Sherlock and Dr. Watson start their inquiries, Mrs. Hudson (along with Flotsam) make some of their own. Who is threatening Mr. Moran and his business associates? Why did the curse follow them home? Will more people die before the mystery can be solved?
Mrs. Hudson and the Spirits’ Curse did not meet my expectations. The book makes Mrs. Hudson out to the mastermind behind Sherlock Holmes. The Sherlock makes wrong assumptions (scientific based) but wrong. Mrs. Hudson uses her common sense as well as intellect and network of friends to solve crimes. Dr. Watson’s role was reduced to errand boy (for the most part). There are many scientific terms (as well as what my father calls $10 words) used and long-winded speeches (deductions that were incorrect). The book is a cute idea, but the writer was not able to pull it off. The novel is told from Flotsam’s perspective (I would rather have had it from Mrs. Hudson’s point-of-view). This is a British novel so some of the word spellings and terms are different from those that we use in America. The mystery was very simple and a cinch to figure out. Therefore, I give Mrs. Hudson and the Spirits’ Curse 3 out of 5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of Mrs. Hudson and the Spirits’ Curse from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
