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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
It was an interesting read, but I must say that I prefer the second book in the series.
Dr. Watson in this book felt as if he were only here as extra manpower, comedic relief and someone who could diagnose that someone else is dead. He was more in the way than he actually had things to do.
Sherlock Holmes seemed to make mistake after mistake and he didn’t seem as the genius that he normally portrayed at. But at least his relationship with mrs. Hudson was amazing.
Mrs. Hudson is the brain and operations, but she kept important information behind because she didn’t have any proof yet, but this led to the dead of others. I can understand this on one hand, because who would have believed her without proof, but she should have mentioned something. Yet by not doing this, we as the readers are kept in the dark until the very conclusion.
Then we get to our MC: Flotsam, because even though the book is called Mrs. Hudson and the case is the spirit’s curse, the whole book is written from Flotsam’s point of view. First things first, I feel sorry for her with that name. Really, who ever cam up with that name? Second, Flotsam was written dubiously, one moment she was a complete helpless young girl the other she was really smart and went off on her own to get important evidence without telling anyone. She is difficult to pinpoint, but she does absolutely adore Mrs. Hudson and would do everything for her.
Inspector Gregory makes a few appearances in the book and in those appearances you wonder how he became an inspector.
The case itself was interesting and well thought out. There were some details that you couldn’t have figured out without the characters telling you, but that made it even more interesting. Especially to see a case like this from a ‘household view’, whatever that means.
Dr. Watson in this book felt as if he were only here as extra manpower, comedic relief and someone who could diagnose that someone else is dead. He was more in the way than he actually had things to do.
Sherlock Holmes seemed to make mistake after mistake and he didn’t seem as the genius that he normally portrayed at. But at least his relationship with mrs. Hudson was amazing.
Mrs. Hudson is the brain and operations, but she kept important information behind because she didn’t have any proof yet, but this led to the dead of others. I can understand this on one hand, because who would have believed her without proof, but she should have mentioned something. Yet by not doing this, we as the readers are kept in the dark until the very conclusion.
Then we get to our MC: Flotsam, because even though the book is called Mrs. Hudson and the case is the spirit’s curse, the whole book is written from Flotsam’s point of view. First things first, I feel sorry for her with that name. Really, who ever cam up with that name? Second, Flotsam was written dubiously, one moment she was a complete helpless young girl the other she was really smart and went off on her own to get important evidence without telling anyone. She is difficult to pinpoint, but she does absolutely adore Mrs. Hudson and would do everything for her.
Inspector Gregory makes a few appearances in the book and in those appearances you wonder how he became an inspector.
The case itself was interesting and well thought out. There were some details that you couldn’t have figured out without the characters telling you, but that made it even more interesting. Especially to see a case like this from a ‘household view’, whatever that means.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Colonisation
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Locations of Sherlock's London right here
Sherlock Holmes London through the eyes of Mrs Hudson the faithful housekeeper. Would this be any good I asked myself. I thought it an interesting twist and wanted to read something a little different set in cosy, dark and historical London crime fiction.
I was not disappointed in the slightest! Turns out Mrs Hudson is not only wonderfully clever but a very witty and steadfast character. Guess she's got to have something about her to deal with Sherlock and Holmes and all their carry on. She's there, seen it all and actually done most of it as well! Oh I wanted to hug her, cheer her and dance around that lovely warm kitchen of hers all at once.
She's rescued a girl called Flotsam from the streets and together they are quite the formidable team. They bounce off each other well, and the banter between them as the relationship grows is a joy to read. When Sherlock and Holmes do appear, they are often just off out on a adventure and I found myself feeling lucky I got to stay with Hudson and Flotsam ...but then whoosh, I was soon in a hansom cab with them off on another adventure..
It's actually really clever and not all that implausible - Mrs Hudson would have had a good network of contacts as chief housemaid and knows a whole host of people from those on the streets to the lords and ladies of homes she has worked in. Servants know everything about you so imagine what she knows and then uses to her advantage. There's lots of little snippets of how Mrs H has been of use in solving or resolving mysteries which have stumped Sherlock which was genius.
It was a joy to meet Mrs Hudson and have her come out of the shadows. The warmth of her kitchen and the glow of that fire! The food! The asides at Sherlock! The kindness she shows to Flotsam! All a joy to read. She's not one for show or pomp however and is always keen to tell Holmes not to include her when he writes up a case. You can hear her grinning with satisfaction from behind the door as he writes however.
Whether you are familiar with/love Sherlock or not, this is a unique spin on the life behind the closed doors of that famous Baker Street address . There are some great in-jokes for Holmes fans which are also in turn, a little salute to Conan Doyle. You can be assured that it was probably Mrs Hudson standing beside the author Martin Davies who arranged all that ;)
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I’ve loved the Sherlock Holmes stories for a long time and the idea of an alternative view on them - that of the housekeeper and the maid - is delightful.
This isn’t the best written story ever but I enjoyed it and it proved to be easy engaging reading at a time when that was exactly what I needed. I’ve eagerly downloaded the next in the series.
An interesting observation was that every time Dr Watson spoke I heard Nigel Bruce’s voice. Mrs Hudson had hints of Una Stubbs’ voice. And there was no definitive Sherlock voice. So I’ve mixed up films and tv adaptions from different eras!
This was a recommendation from my hairdresser whose recommendations are usually to be trusted.
This isn’t the best written story ever but I enjoyed it and it proved to be easy engaging reading at a time when that was exactly what I needed. I’ve eagerly downloaded the next in the series.
An interesting observation was that every time Dr Watson spoke I heard Nigel Bruce’s voice. Mrs Hudson had hints of Una Stubbs’ voice. And there was no definitive Sherlock voice. So I’ve mixed up films and tv adaptions from different eras!
This was a recommendation from my hairdresser whose recommendations are usually to be trusted.
One evening Nathaniel Moran visits Holmes and Watson with a tale of malignant curses, vindictive spirits, and murders starting in Sumatra but now they have followed him to London and he needs their help.
But while Holmes investigates the bizarre, it is the housekeeper Mrs Hudson and the maid Flotsam, while studying the commonplace, who solve the mystery.
An interesting story which kept me entertained.
But while Holmes investigates the bizarre, it is the housekeeper Mrs Hudson and the maid Flotsam, while studying the commonplace, who solve the mystery.
An interesting story which kept me entertained.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Clever, fun mystery. I loved the recasting of the well-known Holmes characters. Like all too many books published these days, this one needed a sharper copyedit/proofread.