I loved this.! This is book 2 of the Baker Street Mystery series. The series is cozy historical with a bit of the gothic to round it out.
I have been a Sherlock Holmes fan for most of my life and the premise of the series caught my attention, but I stayed for the writing, the characters and the mystery! Harry is a a strong female character, she's clever and independent, but also kind and empathetic. She's everything a strong female character should be.
Hepburn's writing is so immersive, witty and has an easy to follow pace. These series of books is a must read for anyone who loves Sherlock Holmes and cozy mysteries.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the advanced readers copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This novel has the reader following loveable and fierce
Harry White. Harry is a "Secretary for Sherlock Holmes" and answers letters to those who believe the fictional detective is very much real. For the most part, she answers all of these letters the same... until a very intriguing telegraph comes across her desk.

I loved Harry. As someone who very much loves Sherlock Holmes, I thoroughly enjoyed this installment of the Baker Street Mysteries. I find that in some mystery novels, I find myself so frustrated with the characters. That wasn't the case in this one. We had someone with a maybe delusional dream in believing Holmes was real, but who can hate him for that-- we are all a little delusional at times, yeah?

For those in the mood for a somewhat cozy mystery written in a similar way to our beloved Sir Arthur Conan Doyle novels, watch out for this one hitting the shelves in October 2024!

I really enjoyed Hepburn's The Missing Maid, which introduced our intrepid heroine, Harry White, who returns in The Cursed Writer. White works at 221 Baker Street where she answers letter addressed to Sherlock Holmes and the first novel shares what happens when she steps into the master detective's shoes. The Cursed Writer picks up right after the events of The Missing Maid and, once again, White tries her hand at amateur sleuthing. Just like the first book, the sequel is a classic cozy mystery and Hepburn does right by her characters as White (aided by the ever-smitten Oliver) solves the case of a reclusive author who seems to have gone mad. Very much enjoyed and the ending promises another fun installment!

The Cursed Writer is the second book in the Baker Street Mysteries. I've read book 1.

Events start immediately after the end of book 1, with our detective Harry returning to her poky office after the thrilling ending to her first mystery. She could be forgiven for being a little glum when she finds herself typing the same reply to every message she receives, but never fear—an urgent telegram soon lifts her from her melancholy. It has her adopting her detecting hat once more.

This time, we're taken to the Fens in Cambridgeshire to investigate a strange mystery surrounding the sudden change in author Philip St John's demeanour. His nephew desperately seeks the aid of celebrated detective Sherlock Holmes at 221B Baker Street. So desperately, he's prepared to spend the money to send a telegram and not just a letter. And not just one, but two! While Harry tries to determine how she can uncover more about the telegram without revealing that Holmes is, of course, a fictional character, she is also embroiled in a few other little mysteries, which, for some time, appear irrelevant but offer excellent continuity from book one until they become increasingly relevant.

Harry's two trips to the Fens are very Holmesesque, providing us with an eerie atmosphere in the depths of winter, and it felt very true to form.

The mystery elements themselves are very well strung together, and while I might have guessed part of the solution, the eventual conclusion was even better than I could have hoped.

This was a thrilling continuation of the Baker Street Mysteries. I was entirely hooked and devoured the story in a few sittings.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.

#boldwoodblogger

This was another fun read featuring Harry White on her second investigation courtesy of her link to Sherlock Holmes. This time amongst all the post addressed to Sherlock Holmes that she must reply to she receives a telegram which intrigues her and so she decides to find out more. I liked the simplicity of this with the investigation taking place in a secluded manor with only five residents, there was plenty of intrigue and an excellent mystery which was part solved by an unrelated encounter. I enjoyed seeing her in her minor investigations at the bank too and am looking forward to discovering if this links to the ending which was certainly a bit of a teaser. This was great escapism and I do love Harry’s character and intrepidness.

Book 2 in the Baker Street Mysteries and Harry is back on the case.
Harry receives a telegram to Baker Street, unable to ignore it or send the standard reply back she to the home of author Philip St John. He is having hallucinations and the staff believe he is cursed. Harriet starts to investigate, is he cursed or is someone poisoning him.
A great cozy mystery read.