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The Missing Mr Moonstone
What happens after the famous private detective Sherlock Holmes dies fighting evil Professor Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls? It takes time for the news to reach the general public, so desperate people still come to seek his help at 221b Baker Street. Holmes’ landlady, the invincible Mrs. Hudson, and her Cockney maid Fanny-Annie Grubbins, take over his work to become The Detective Ladies of Baker Street.
In their first case, an over sensitive Mrs. Moonstone calls to say her husband is missing. And later her jewellery. And finally her children’s beautiful governess. An obvious case of marital deception. However Mrs Hudson and Fanny-Annie soon discover nothing is so simple in the world of private detectives, especially female ones in a Victorian male-dominated society. But with genuine compassion for those in need and a bloody-minded dedication to duty, they crack on regardless. And encounter mystery and murder and possibly a budding romance before they eventually triumph. In the novel we are introduced to regulars in the starchy Miss Prim from next door at 221a Baker Street, and stern but fair Inspector Trengrove of Scotland Yard.
In their first case, an over sensitive Mrs. Moonstone calls to say her husband is missing. And later her jewellery. And finally her children’s beautiful governess. An obvious case of marital deception. However Mrs Hudson and Fanny-Annie soon discover nothing is so simple in the world of private detectives, especially female ones in a Victorian male-dominated society. But with genuine compassion for those in need and a bloody-minded dedication to duty, they crack on regardless. And encounter mystery and murder and possibly a budding romance before they eventually triumph. In the novel we are introduced to regulars in the starchy Miss Prim from next door at 221a Baker Street, and stern but fair Inspector Trengrove of Scotland Yard.
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Published August 11, 2017
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About the author
Peter Tong
15 books1 followerCurrently, I am promoting my new Victorian crime novella series. This first is The Detective Ladies of Baker Street and out now as an ebook. The second and third will be out by summer 2013.
Island of Steel, the WWII heroic adventure, has been out since Oct 2012 and selling very well. I have also adapted a screenplay, which is on its way to Hollywood. And a sequel, Beaches of Blood, is moving along nicely in the background.
I recently visited Guernsey in the Channel Islands where my WWII action novel is set. I was interviewed on Guernsey Radio in a 20 minute slot on the Euan Mahy show. It went extremely well. Good rapport. A colleague recorded it for me to listen to and I haven't cringed once. Busy but blissful!
I suffer from a split personality: I write adventure thrillers and crime fiction - and lightweight satirical comedies. But they have a common link: they are always upbeat. When I write 'serious' stuff it becomes boring or inappropriately funny.
My birthplace is the famous Lancashire seaside place called Blackpool well noted for its glorious Victorian tower and ballroom. But aged seven we moved inland to Bolton, centre of the Industrial Revolution, and where the veteran Bolton Wanderers football (soccer) club is based. Bolton has been the family home town for many generations. I have since moved around and live in both Normandy and England. With time in America and Canada.
As a child I wanted to be an artist, but writing weekly 'compositions' at school inspired me to become a writer, and encouraged by reading hundreds of library books. At ten I matured with writing sci-fi. I got my first commission from a schoolmate to write him a story about a haunted space station. I still wake up sweating from ghostly galactic nightmares. At around 13, I branched out with a couple of surreal comedy stories based on the curious life of a pal's family
My first adult inspiration came from the theatre, and my first performed play was a Christmas pantomime, Ali the Barber and the 39 Thieves. I have written professionally for most outlets, starting with magazine travel articles after trekking to Australia and back, but fiction is my true calling with plays and serials for radio, scripts for screen and television, and stage plays. I worked in theatre, from set building to writing and producing. I also ran a ghost-writing agency. With little money and less experience, but with an obsessive passion and total belief in myself, I made the comic feature, Gobsmacked!. And what a vertical learning curve that was. But great fun. On advice from America, I'll be writing an inspirational book about how I made the movie, to show that we can all fulfil our desires despite the difficulties by being honest and truthful to oneself.
Currently, I am promoting my new Victorian crime novella series. This first is The Detective Ladies of Baker Street and out now as an ebook. The second and third will be out by summer 2013.
Island of Steel, the WWII heroic adventure, has been out since Oct 2012 and selling very well. I have also adapted a screenplay, which is on its way to Hollywood. And a sequel, Beaches of Blood, is moving along nicely in the background.
I recently visited Guernsey in the Channel Islands where my WWII action novel is set. I was interviewed on Guernsey Radio in a 20 minute slot on the Euan Mahy show. It went extremely well. Good rapport. A colleague recorded it for me to listen to and I haven't cringed once. Busy but blissful!
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 9, 2019
Sherlock Holmes is dead.
Mrs Hudson, his long time landlady, has gone into deep mourning. Fanny-Annie Grubbins, her maid of all work is worried. If Mrs Hudson closes up 221B Baker St., Fanny-Annie will be back in the streets making her way as best she can.
Then things completely change.
Holmes death has not been announced publicly. People in need of his help are still arriving at the house. Mrs Hudson has a brilliant idea. She will become the first woman detective in London. She lived with Holmes and Watson for a long time, she has learned things.
The first case for these two detectives concerns a woman who faints at the drop of a hat. Mrs Moonstone is looking for her husband. He got up, went to work yesterday morning, but he has never come home.
Mrs Hudson uses deductive reasoning as well as her own innate intelligence to find clues and make use of information.
She leads Fanny-Annie back and forth across London following in the footsteps of the missing man. We are along for the ride.
I liked Mrs Hudson. She is a charitable woman who believes it is her duty to help her fellow man. Fanny-Annie's job as a maid is the result of Mrs Hudson taking her in and trying to teach her how to become a valued member of society. Mrs Hudson has an uphill battle ahead.
At times I felt that Fanny-Annie was a little over the top. But, if Mr Tong wants people to see her true character it is all in full view here.
The plot is well developed. Just when the reader has everything figured out, there are surprises. The action moves along at a good pace.
The atmosphere is filled with Victorian London. The carriages, the trains, the alleys are filled with darkness and danger. As the two lady detectives work together each of them learn from the other.
Since this is the first in a series, the reader is introduced to Mrs Hudson, Fanny-Annie as well as a policeman who will be a possible regular character in the future. It is evident that these female detectives will have obstacles to overcome. It is also evident they will be able to easily do that. Both of these women have their own intelligence as they also learn from one another.
I received this book from the author. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.
Mrs Hudson, his long time landlady, has gone into deep mourning. Fanny-Annie Grubbins, her maid of all work is worried. If Mrs Hudson closes up 221B Baker St., Fanny-Annie will be back in the streets making her way as best she can.
Then things completely change.
Holmes death has not been announced publicly. People in need of his help are still arriving at the house. Mrs Hudson has a brilliant idea. She will become the first woman detective in London. She lived with Holmes and Watson for a long time, she has learned things.
The first case for these two detectives concerns a woman who faints at the drop of a hat. Mrs Moonstone is looking for her husband. He got up, went to work yesterday morning, but he has never come home.
Mrs Hudson uses deductive reasoning as well as her own innate intelligence to find clues and make use of information.
She leads Fanny-Annie back and forth across London following in the footsteps of the missing man. We are along for the ride.
I liked Mrs Hudson. She is a charitable woman who believes it is her duty to help her fellow man. Fanny-Annie's job as a maid is the result of Mrs Hudson taking her in and trying to teach her how to become a valued member of society. Mrs Hudson has an uphill battle ahead.
At times I felt that Fanny-Annie was a little over the top. But, if Mr Tong wants people to see her true character it is all in full view here.
The plot is well developed. Just when the reader has everything figured out, there are surprises. The action moves along at a good pace.
The atmosphere is filled with Victorian London. The carriages, the trains, the alleys are filled with darkness and danger. As the two lady detectives work together each of them learn from the other.
Since this is the first in a series, the reader is introduced to Mrs Hudson, Fanny-Annie as well as a policeman who will be a possible regular character in the future. It is evident that these female detectives will have obstacles to overcome. It is also evident they will be able to easily do that. Both of these women have their own intelligence as they also learn from one another.
I received this book from the author. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.
Displaying 1 of 1 review