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A House of Mirrors: A twisty Sherlock Holmes historical mystery
Can a widow's hidden past unlock the secrets of 221B Baker Street?
In the late 19th century, Nell Villiers, now Mrs. Hudson, grapples with a new identity while assisting Sherlock Holmes in his detective work. Her journey is interwoven with personal loss and the pursuit of truth, as she navigates the challenges of a Victorian-era mystery.
Will Mrs. Hudson overcome her inner struggles and embrace her new life as a detective's ally? Can she uncover the truth behind her husband's mysterious disappearance without losing herself?
This historical fiction mystery immerses the reader in a Victorian world where Mrs. Hudson's courage and wit are tested, with the implications of her success or failure affecting her newfound role and personal redemption.
In the late 19th century, Nell Villiers, now Mrs. Hudson, grapples with a new identity while assisting Sherlock Holmes in his detective work. Her journey is interwoven with personal loss and the pursuit of truth, as she navigates the challenges of a Victorian-era mystery.
Will Mrs. Hudson overcome her inner struggles and embrace her new life as a detective's ally? Can she uncover the truth behind her husband's mysterious disappearance without losing herself?
This historical fiction mystery immerses the reader in a Victorian world where Mrs. Hudson's courage and wit are tested, with the implications of her success or failure affecting her newfound role and personal redemption.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 14, 2024
36 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Liz Hedgecock
96 books180 followersI grew up in south London, did an English degree, and then took forever to start writing. The stories started to grow longer...and then the murders began!
I tend to write Victorian mysteries of a not-too-scary nature. I've somehow managed to have 3 separate Sherlock Holmes-themed series (why make things easy?). I also co-wrote the Caster & Fleet mystery series with Paula Harmon, and my Maisie Frobisher Mysteries series is a spinoff from that.
I write a modern cozy mystery series, Pippa Parker Mysteries, and my newest series, The Magical Bookshop, is a cozy mystery series with a touch of fantasy and magic.
Visit my website for book info, links to stories, and my blog, in which I ramble on about all sorts of things. Hope to see you soon.
I tend to write Victorian mysteries of a not-too-scary nature. I've somehow managed to have 3 separate Sherlock Holmes-themed series (why make things easy?). I also co-wrote the Caster & Fleet mystery series with Paula Harmon, and my Maisie Frobisher Mysteries series is a spinoff from that.
I write a modern cozy mystery series, Pippa Parker Mysteries, and my newest series, The Magical Bookshop, is a cozy mystery series with a touch of fantasy and magic.
Visit my website for book info, links to stories, and my blog, in which I ramble on about all sorts of things. Hope to see you soon.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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March 2, 2025I quite enjoy Holmes-inspired variations, so I was curious about this one (first of a trilogy) by a new-to-me author.
A House of Mirrors comes across as an introduction to a rather different version of “Mrs Hudson” than most. Nell is in fact young. Presenting herself as a widow serves to cover up at least one mystery from her past. Unsurprisingly, given that her husband was a policeman, her investigations intertwine with Holmes’ work. In parallel, their relationship develops.
I found the plot quite interesting, though perhaps implausibly convoluted. There’s a dual timeline between the present and a few years previously, so we learn about Nell’s previous life.
Although I’m not a big Holmes purist, the personalities/behaviour of named characters differed from canon to such an extent that I felt the book might have worked better without the Holmes connection, and simply as a “Victorian mystery”.
Perhaps because the characters were so different, I didn’t find myself especially invested in them, other than shaking my head at just how much Nell was gaslit or didn’t notice oddities - especially as she was working as a sort of police analyst. The story ends on a hopeful note, and clearly there is more to come.
Overall, an entertaining historical mystery to start off a series.
A House of Mirrors comes across as an introduction to a rather different version of “Mrs Hudson” than most. Nell is in fact young. Presenting herself as a widow serves to cover up at least one mystery from her past. Unsurprisingly, given that her husband was a policeman, her investigations intertwine with Holmes’ work. In parallel, their relationship develops.
I found the plot quite interesting, though perhaps implausibly convoluted. There’s a dual timeline between the present and a few years previously, so we learn about Nell’s previous life.
Although I’m not a big Holmes purist, the personalities/behaviour of named characters differed from canon to such an extent that I felt the book might have worked better without the Holmes connection, and simply as a “Victorian mystery”.
Perhaps because the characters were so different, I didn’t find myself especially invested in them, other than shaking my head at just how much Nell was gaslit or didn’t notice oddities - especially as she was working as a sort of police analyst. The story ends on a hopeful note, and clearly there is more to come.
Overall, an entertaining historical mystery to start off a series.
April 19, 2025
This is the story of Mrs. Hudson, Sherlock Holmes's landlady. Not everything is at it seems and even Mrs. Hudson has secrets and struggles. When Sherlock learns what's happening, he and Mrs. Hudson work to solve the mystery together.
A really interesting and compelling story, however, I never felt like the character of Sherlock Holmes connected on that level. It didn't bother me too much though as it wasn't his story, it was hers. Overall it was well written and the mystery had a lot of depth to it.
A really interesting and compelling story, however, I never felt like the character of Sherlock Holmes connected on that level. It didn't bother me too much though as it wasn't his story, it was hers. Overall it was well written and the mystery had a lot of depth to it.
July 27, 2025
It was a good book. The beginning of the story starts here. It tells how Watson , Sherlock and Mrs. Hudson first meet and get started in the sleuthing business. It was a good start to Sherlock's career.
October 12, 2025
Kept me guessing
An excellent effort and a beautiful addition to the Sherlockian Family. Enough twists to keep me guessing and I had a hard time putting it down. Well done. I look forward to the next book.
An excellent effort and a beautiful addition to the Sherlockian Family. Enough twists to keep me guessing and I had a hard time putting it down. Well done. I look forward to the next book.
February 24, 2025
Great book
A truly original take on Mrs Hudson and 221B Baker Street . I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to the next one.
A truly original take on Mrs Hudson and 221B Baker Street . I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to the next one.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews