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The Last Telegram of Mrs Hudson: The funny, fast-paced and feminist Sherlock Holmes-reimagining mystery that will have you gripped
Not yet published
Expected 3 Sep 26The first in a new mystery series that reimagines Sherlock Holmes's mother and her lady's-maid-turned-investigative-partner.
'Some problems simply merit solving, Mrs Hudson'
Heart-broken, widowed, and penniless, Katherine Hudson never wished to become a lady's maid to the eccentric Violet Holmes, mother of a precocious seven-year-old Sherlock. To keep her beloved family out of the poorhouse, Hudson trades her telegraphic career for a job in service, just like the one that cost her father his life. She quickly discovers, though, that working for the recently widowed Lady Holmes demands far more than learning the latest hairstyles. Instead, she engages in a most scandalous and unladylike investigations.
With a talent for spotting lies and a heart as big as her mouth, Hudson despises everything Lady Holmes stands for, but a village boy is missing and the clock's ticking. And when someone forges the signature of Hudson's deceased husband and a body shows up on the Holmes estate, the police try to pin it all on her.
To stay out of jail, save the missing boy, and protect her family, Hudson will need to dodge her budding feelings for Lady Holmes and survive long enough to unravel the secret her father may have died to protect.
The Last Telegram of Mrs Hudson is the first in a fun, fast-paced and feminist historical crime series, perfect for fans of the The Mitford Murders by Jessica Fellowes, the Miss Clara Vale Mysteries by Fiona Veitch Smith and Miss Austen Investigates by Jessica Bull.
'Some problems simply merit solving, Mrs Hudson'
Heart-broken, widowed, and penniless, Katherine Hudson never wished to become a lady's maid to the eccentric Violet Holmes, mother of a precocious seven-year-old Sherlock. To keep her beloved family out of the poorhouse, Hudson trades her telegraphic career for a job in service, just like the one that cost her father his life. She quickly discovers, though, that working for the recently widowed Lady Holmes demands far more than learning the latest hairstyles. Instead, she engages in a most scandalous and unladylike investigations.
With a talent for spotting lies and a heart as big as her mouth, Hudson despises everything Lady Holmes stands for, but a village boy is missing and the clock's ticking. And when someone forges the signature of Hudson's deceased husband and a body shows up on the Holmes estate, the police try to pin it all on her.
To stay out of jail, save the missing boy, and protect her family, Hudson will need to dodge her budding feelings for Lady Holmes and survive long enough to unravel the secret her father may have died to protect.
The Last Telegram of Mrs Hudson is the first in a fun, fast-paced and feminist historical crime series, perfect for fans of the The Mitford Murders by Jessica Fellowes, the Miss Clara Vale Mysteries by Fiona Veitch Smith and Miss Austen Investigates by Jessica Bull.
- GenresMystery
Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The prose is gorgeous, the characters are compelling, and the mystery had me hooked!
I don't often find books from a widow's POV, and the author does a wonderful job of showing women navigate a world that's condescending towards those who have experienced extreme loss. Feminist themes were thoughtfully woven throughout!
I also really enjoyed the glimpse of what a young Sherlock Holmes might look and act like, and this side character did not disappoint!
The mystery is complex, building from what at first feels like smaller cases and escalates to a web of lies and secrets that kept me guessing. I was reading at a park with my e-reader and audibly groaned when my device died unexpectedly around the 82% mark. I immediately went home to charge it so I could keep reading and get to the bottom of the case.
The romantic tension between Lady Holmes and Mrs. Hudson was really well done, and it was so easy to ship these two. I'm excited to see what this author writes next!
I don't often find books from a widow's POV, and the author does a wonderful job of showing women navigate a world that's condescending towards those who have experienced extreme loss. Feminist themes were thoughtfully woven throughout!
I also really enjoyed the glimpse of what a young Sherlock Holmes might look and act like, and this side character did not disappoint!
The mystery is complex, building from what at first feels like smaller cases and escalates to a web of lies and secrets that kept me guessing. I was reading at a park with my e-reader and audibly groaned when my device died unexpectedly around the 82% mark. I immediately went home to charge it so I could keep reading and get to the bottom of the case.
The romantic tension between Lady Holmes and Mrs. Hudson was really well done, and it was so easy to ship these two. I'm excited to see what this author writes next!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Katherine Hudson, newly widowed and penniless, returns home to help her mother with providing income for the family and caring for her younger siblings. She never wanted to be a lady's maid, especially not to the eccentric Mrs. Holmes (mother to Sherlock) but the pay is more than she could possibly earn doing any other work that is available to her. Mrs. Holmes, whom Katy comes to know as Violet, wants Katy's help in looking into the disappearance of a local boy. Their investigation gets them into some difficult situations, and Katy doesn't know whether or not she can trust Violet.
Katy and her family are likeable characters, but Violet Holmes got on my nerves. She could not seem to give a straight answer to any question, and her talking in riddles grew tiresome after a while. Too many convenient circumstances led to an improbable conclusion of the mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Katy and her family are likeable characters, but Violet Holmes got on my nerves. She could not seem to give a straight answer to any question, and her talking in riddles grew tiresome after a while. Too many convenient circumstances led to an improbable conclusion of the mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars rounded down.⭐
An interesting and fun perspective on Mrs. Hudson and the Holmes family. The Last Telegram of Mrs Hudson tied in nicely with the grown-up version of Sherlock Holmes we have come to know and love. The writing was in times beautifully poetic and transported me back in time.
The mystery itself was fast-paced and took place over a couple of days, but was unfortunately slowed down quite a bit by the repetitive thoughts and musings of Mrs. Hudson. Too often it felt more like reading a romance novel than a (historical) mystery novel.
An interesting and fun perspective on Mrs. Hudson and the Holmes family. The Last Telegram of Mrs Hudson tied in nicely with the grown-up version of Sherlock Holmes we have come to know and love. The writing was in times beautifully poetic and transported me back in time.
The mystery itself was fast-paced and took place over a couple of days, but was unfortunately slowed down quite a bit by the repetitive thoughts and musings of Mrs. Hudson. Too often it felt more like reading a romance novel than a (historical) mystery novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
WOW. This was SOOOO good!!! I started last night and had to spend my entire afternoon finishing because I was just that hooked. This story is so beautifully written, so well told, SO engaging…I genuinely loved it. And I can’t wait for the next one!!
Thank you tremendously to Head of Zeus and NetGalley for the early access!
Thank you tremendously to Head of Zeus and NetGalley for the early access!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews