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Sherlock Holmes and the Black Widower
In the year 1908 Holmes believed himself to be in retirement. Watson was once again in private practice and unwed. Mrs. Hudson had gone to Sussex to act as Holmes's housekeeper. But the fates had agreed that Martha Hudson and John Watson should be together. Or had they? When Dr. Watson proposes to Martha Hudson it sets off a series of events that only Sherlock Holmes can deal with. Watson has already had three wives, all have died under unfortunate circumstances. Colm Campbell, Martha Hudson's nephew, thinks there is more here than meets the eye. Is Watson just unlucky or are the deaths suspicious? Holmes must come to his best friends defence.
- GenresMystery
204 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2013
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 20, 2025
As a longtime Sherlock Holmes fan, I have to say this book was such an unexpected treat! Kieran McMullen does a fantastic job capturing the essence of Holmes and Watson while weaving in fresh twists that kept me turning the pages.
The mystery is cleverly constructed, the pacing is spot-on, and the dynamic between Holmes, Watson, and Martha Hudson adds a whole new layer I didn’t know I needed. The way Kieran blends classic Holmes vibes with original storytelling is brilliant, it feels nostalgic yet refreshing at the same time.
If you're a fan of clever deductions, tangled motives, and a touch of suspense, this book absolutely delivers. It deserves way more attention and reviews than it currently has, and I’m definitely keeping an eye out for more from this author. Highly recommended!
The mystery is cleverly constructed, the pacing is spot-on, and the dynamic between Holmes, Watson, and Martha Hudson adds a whole new layer I didn’t know I needed. The way Kieran blends classic Holmes vibes with original storytelling is brilliant, it feels nostalgic yet refreshing at the same time.
If you're a fan of clever deductions, tangled motives, and a touch of suspense, this book absolutely delivers. It deserves way more attention and reviews than it currently has, and I’m definitely keeping an eye out for more from this author. Highly recommended!
December 6, 2024
Sherlock Holmes is asked to investigate the deaths of the wives of Doctor Watson. It is brought about by a relative of his third wife who is concerned with money. An in depth look at all the deaths and unable to to find major inconsistency, he digs on.
January 25, 2016
Sherlock Holmes and the Black Widower by Keiran McCullen
This book seems destined to cause more controversy than any Sherlock Holmes story I have ever read.
In the start of the story, Watson has fallen in love with Mrs. Martha Hudson. she feels the same, having been secretly in love with Doctor Watson all along. Watson proposes marriage, which Martha gladly accepts.
Mrs. Hudson’s nephew, Colm Campbell, has an accusation against Watson. He states flatly that Watson is a wife-murderer. He states that Watson marries women with money who conveniently die a short time later, leaving Watson with a bit of a windfall. He has asked the Yard to investigate Watson, and Police Commissioner Sir Melville agrees.
Lestrade comes to Holmes and tells him that Watson is under suspicion of murder. Holmes consults with Mycroft, and hires Mercer, who worked with him on CREE. All begin to investigate Watson’s past and present.
*** Spoiler Alert ***
Devotees of Williams S Baring-Gould will realize that these are not the names of Watson’s wives given in Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street.
The first woman Watson is suspected of having done away with is an Afghan girl named Malalai. Watson found a treasure in Afghanistan, which he shared with the girl, who married a Sergeant in the British Army. She disappeared the day Watson’s caravan left Dakka.
Then there was Watson’s first wife, revealed to be Lucy Ferrier. Lucy died in an accidental fall from a horse during a fox hunt with Watson. The date was November 24, 1887.
Mary Morstan, Watson’s second wife, died of her weak heart in the flower garden behind their house. Watson was gone on his rounds at the time. This happened while Holmes was believed to be dead.
Lady Francis Carfax became Watson’s third wife. Weakened in mind and body from the terror of being stuffed into a coffin with a dead woman and almost buried alive by “Holy” Peters, Lady Francis never really recovered. Going with Watson to a race track in Belgium, the Watson’s carriage was hit by a tram. Lady Francis had a cut that required stitches. She caught tetanus and died from in Switzerland, where according to her wishes, she was cremated and her ashes scattered on her favorite lake.
One woman vanished, one dead of an accident, one dead of natural causes, and one dead from a deadly illness—theses women and their death or disappearance have only one common denominator—Doctor John H Watson.
This one really needs to be read to appreciate the tangled twists of the web. The volume of work that the investigators have to do as they sort out exactly where Watson was, what Watson done, and who could bear witness is amazing.
I give Mr. Keiran McCullen four stars.
Quoth the Raven…
This book seems destined to cause more controversy than any Sherlock Holmes story I have ever read.
In the start of the story, Watson has fallen in love with Mrs. Martha Hudson. she feels the same, having been secretly in love with Doctor Watson all along. Watson proposes marriage, which Martha gladly accepts.
Mrs. Hudson’s nephew, Colm Campbell, has an accusation against Watson. He states flatly that Watson is a wife-murderer. He states that Watson marries women with money who conveniently die a short time later, leaving Watson with a bit of a windfall. He has asked the Yard to investigate Watson, and Police Commissioner Sir Melville agrees.
Lestrade comes to Holmes and tells him that Watson is under suspicion of murder. Holmes consults with Mycroft, and hires Mercer, who worked with him on CREE. All begin to investigate Watson’s past and present.
*** Spoiler Alert ***
Devotees of Williams S Baring-Gould will realize that these are not the names of Watson’s wives given in Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street.
The first woman Watson is suspected of having done away with is an Afghan girl named Malalai. Watson found a treasure in Afghanistan, which he shared with the girl, who married a Sergeant in the British Army. She disappeared the day Watson’s caravan left Dakka.
Then there was Watson’s first wife, revealed to be Lucy Ferrier. Lucy died in an accidental fall from a horse during a fox hunt with Watson. The date was November 24, 1887.
Mary Morstan, Watson’s second wife, died of her weak heart in the flower garden behind their house. Watson was gone on his rounds at the time. This happened while Holmes was believed to be dead.
Lady Francis Carfax became Watson’s third wife. Weakened in mind and body from the terror of being stuffed into a coffin with a dead woman and almost buried alive by “Holy” Peters, Lady Francis never really recovered. Going with Watson to a race track in Belgium, the Watson’s carriage was hit by a tram. Lady Francis had a cut that required stitches. She caught tetanus and died from in Switzerland, where according to her wishes, she was cremated and her ashes scattered on her favorite lake.
One woman vanished, one dead of an accident, one dead of natural causes, and one dead from a deadly illness—theses women and their death or disappearance have only one common denominator—Doctor John H Watson.
This one really needs to be read to appreciate the tangled twists of the web. The volume of work that the investigators have to do as they sort out exactly where Watson was, what Watson done, and who could bear witness is amazing.
I give Mr. Keiran McCullen four stars.
Quoth the Raven…
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews