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Mrs. Hudson #5
Mrs Hudson and the Blue Daisy Affair
September in London, and the city basks in a glorious Indian summer. Sherlock Holmes has more work than he can handle, and when the Home Office asks him to sniff out a plot by Russian assassins on radical politician George Dashing , Holmes and Watson find themselves distracted by more pressing cases. Meanwhile, there is scandal at the home of Dashing’s great political rival, Sir Henry Catanache . When Sir Henry’s housemaid goes missing, leaving only a pool of blood behind, his son is the prime suspect. Can Sherlock discover the truth? Or will the Catanache family be rescued by Laurence Martin , a detective newly arrived in London who is dazzling society with some remarkable triumphs? Martin proves a surprising and enigmatic figure, and Mrs Hudson and Flotsam , her intrepid helper, soon find themselves as intrigued by the detective as they are by the crime... A thrilling cosy crime thriller based in the legend of Sherlock Holmes, perfect for fans of M. R. C. Kasasian, Oscar de Muriel and Elly Griffiths.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2021
44 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Martin Davies
42 books91 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Martin Davies is a British author. He has written four novels about Sherlock Holmes' housekeeper and four other novels, including one about Joseph Banks and the Mysterious Bird of Ulieta, entitled The Conjuror's Bird, all of which have been published.
Martin Davies grew up in North West England. All his writing is done in cafes, on buses or on tube trains, and an aversion to laptops means that he always works in longhand. He has travelled widely, including in the Middle East and India, and substantial parts of THE UNICORN ROAD were written while travelling through Sicily. He works as a consultant in the broadcasting industry.
Martin Davies is a British author. He has written four novels about Sherlock Holmes' housekeeper and four other novels, including one about Joseph Banks and the Mysterious Bird of Ulieta, entitled The Conjuror's Bird, all of which have been published.
Martin Davies grew up in North West England. All his writing is done in cafes, on buses or on tube trains, and an aversion to laptops means that he always works in longhand. He has travelled widely, including in the Middle East and India, and substantial parts of THE UNICORN ROAD were written while travelling through Sicily. He works as a consultant in the broadcasting industry.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 10, 2021
This is the latest in Martin Davies fun and entertaining series featuring the wonderful Mrs Hudson, housekeeper to the great Victorian detective, Sherlock Holmes, aided by Dr John Watson. The story is narrated by Flotsam, aka Flottie, the young, bright and inquisitive maid, well read and continuing her education with the likes of Rupert Spencer, the Earl of Brabham's nephew, where she is chaperoned by Hetty Peters. Mrs Hudson and Flottie now have an established reputation when it comes to sleuthing, a crack downstairs women's version of the upstairs Holmes and Watson team. The esteem with which Flottie is held by Holmes is apparent when he expects Flottie to regularly contribute to their cases, an unusual occurence in a time where women are having to fight hard for suffrage, facing great opposition from society and men.
Holmes is finding himself in great demand, and is in a position to pick and choose the cases that come to him, when he is visited by two visitors simultaneously. The elderly Lady Hastings is a big supporter of suffrage, and she wants him to protect the popular, good looking, charming and radical George Dashing, a thorn in the government's side, who has returned and expected to now deliver a critical political address, instead of the far more conservative and anti-women's rights Sir Henry Catanache. Coincidently, Holmes other visitor is from the Home Office, Sir Joseph Croxton, has the same request, but for different reasons, Dashing had made public criticisms of Russia, which Croxton believes will have the Russians wanting to assassinate him, which he cannot allow to happen. Dashing, however, is unwilling to co-operate in his protection. Emerging to compete with Holmes in London, is a new consulting detective, the popular Laurence Martin.
When Sir Henry Catanache's son, Oscar, is arrested for murder, facing the hangman's noose, Holmes is replaced as their detective by Martin. Flottie finds herself at the heart of the case and, to her surprise, working with Laurence, who dazzles her. At the same time, Flottie finds herself getting close to and charmed with the man of the moment, George Dashing, playing a central role in countering the threats he refuses to take seriously, but is he really all that he appears? Taking an instrumental interest in all this is Mrs Hudson, a steadfast support to Flottie, a guiding hand, demonstrating her helpful wide ranging connections, her experience and her great wisdom. This is a wonderful addition to this series, a light hearted yet engaging crime read, providing a welcome break from often other heavier and darker reads. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
Holmes is finding himself in great demand, and is in a position to pick and choose the cases that come to him, when he is visited by two visitors simultaneously. The elderly Lady Hastings is a big supporter of suffrage, and she wants him to protect the popular, good looking, charming and radical George Dashing, a thorn in the government's side, who has returned and expected to now deliver a critical political address, instead of the far more conservative and anti-women's rights Sir Henry Catanache. Coincidently, Holmes other visitor is from the Home Office, Sir Joseph Croxton, has the same request, but for different reasons, Dashing had made public criticisms of Russia, which Croxton believes will have the Russians wanting to assassinate him, which he cannot allow to happen. Dashing, however, is unwilling to co-operate in his protection. Emerging to compete with Holmes in London, is a new consulting detective, the popular Laurence Martin.
When Sir Henry Catanache's son, Oscar, is arrested for murder, facing the hangman's noose, Holmes is replaced as their detective by Martin. Flottie finds herself at the heart of the case and, to her surprise, working with Laurence, who dazzles her. At the same time, Flottie finds herself getting close to and charmed with the man of the moment, George Dashing, playing a central role in countering the threats he refuses to take seriously, but is he really all that he appears? Taking an instrumental interest in all this is Mrs Hudson, a steadfast support to Flottie, a guiding hand, demonstrating her helpful wide ranging connections, her experience and her great wisdom. This is a wonderful addition to this series, a light hearted yet engaging crime read, providing a welcome break from often other heavier and darker reads. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
November 4, 2021
Holmes and Hudson Mystery #5
September in London, and the city basks in a glorious Indian summer. Sherlock Holmes has more work than he can handle, and when the Home Office ask him to sniff out a plot by Russian Assassins on radical politician George Dashing, Holmes and Watson find themselves distracted by more pressing cases. Meanwhile, there is scandal at the home of Dashing's great political rival, Sir Henry Catanache. When Sir Henry's maid goes missing, his son is the prime suspect.
This is the first book in the series that I've read. Mrs Hudson is Sherlock Holmes' housekeeper. Floatsam is seventeen and she was rescued from the streets when she was quite young. The story is told from Flosam's perspective. Sir Henry Catanache's son, Oscar, has been arrested, charged with murder and could end up being hung for the crime. Sherlock Holmes has more work than he can cope with, and he can now pick and choose who he works for. There's a lot going on in this book but it's still an easy book to follow. This book does read well as a standalone.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Canelo and the author #MartinDavies for my ARC of #MrsHudsonAndTheBlueDaisyAffair in exchane for an honest review.
September in London, and the city basks in a glorious Indian summer. Sherlock Holmes has more work than he can handle, and when the Home Office ask him to sniff out a plot by Russian Assassins on radical politician George Dashing, Holmes and Watson find themselves distracted by more pressing cases. Meanwhile, there is scandal at the home of Dashing's great political rival, Sir Henry Catanache. When Sir Henry's maid goes missing, his son is the prime suspect.
This is the first book in the series that I've read. Mrs Hudson is Sherlock Holmes' housekeeper. Floatsam is seventeen and she was rescued from the streets when she was quite young. The story is told from Flosam's perspective. Sir Henry Catanache's son, Oscar, has been arrested, charged with murder and could end up being hung for the crime. Sherlock Holmes has more work than he can cope with, and he can now pick and choose who he works for. There's a lot going on in this book but it's still an easy book to follow. This book does read well as a standalone.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Canelo and the author #MartinDavies for my ARC of #MrsHudsonAndTheBlueDaisyAffair in exchane for an honest review.
October 13, 2022
Finished the fifth in the series and I can say I'm not disappointed! These books are true comfort reads with characters that develop with great ease which is no doubt due to the authors skill. I did guess the twist to this tale very early on but this didn't diminish the urge to finish this book. I guess that there is quite alot of foreshadowing in this novel.
November 2, 2021
I’m returning to this entertaining series to find Flotsam is now seventeen years old, and is regularly engaged by Sherlock and Watson to help with their investigations by providing her analyses and observations, or to help with interviews under stairs. Mrs. Hudson has done a terrific job with Flotsam’s education, so while still a housemaid, she can converse well with Lords and Ladies.
This case opens with two different parties asking Sherlock to ensure a dashing young gentleman, coincidentally sporting the name George Dasher, be safeguarded till he can deliver an important speech supporting women’s suffrage. But Sherlock is already engaged on two other time-consuming cases, when yet another one falls into his lap thanks to Watson and Flotsam getting pulled into an investigation of a missing and possibly murdered former housemaid of a Lord with opposing views to Dasher, whose son is thought to be her murderer.
Both cases intersect, and Flotsam gets to ask questions, and assist when the parents of the accused man engage another up-and-coming detective making waves in London.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Though Mrs. Hudson was less prominent in this case, her brilliant brain was still sorting through details, and her expressive eyebrow twitched when aspects of the murder investigation did not make sense. Flotsam’s learning to navigate different levels of Society, and her flamboyant friend Hetty Peters had me in stitches when the two young women had to break into an exclusive location.
The mysteries were fun to figure out, and though I had solved certain parts of the cases before Flotsam did, I had fun watching her get there herself, and sadly, learn firsthand about the duplicitousness of others she had previously held in esteem.
I am going to have to catch up on previous instalments of this series, as this was such fun to read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for this ARC in exchange for my review.
This case opens with two different parties asking Sherlock to ensure a dashing young gentleman, coincidentally sporting the name George Dasher, be safeguarded till he can deliver an important speech supporting women’s suffrage. But Sherlock is already engaged on two other time-consuming cases, when yet another one falls into his lap thanks to Watson and Flotsam getting pulled into an investigation of a missing and possibly murdered former housemaid of a Lord with opposing views to Dasher, whose son is thought to be her murderer.
Both cases intersect, and Flotsam gets to ask questions, and assist when the parents of the accused man engage another up-and-coming detective making waves in London.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Though Mrs. Hudson was less prominent in this case, her brilliant brain was still sorting through details, and her expressive eyebrow twitched when aspects of the murder investigation did not make sense. Flotsam’s learning to navigate different levels of Society, and her flamboyant friend Hetty Peters had me in stitches when the two young women had to break into an exclusive location.
The mysteries were fun to figure out, and though I had solved certain parts of the cases before Flotsam did, I had fun watching her get there herself, and sadly, learn firsthand about the duplicitousness of others she had previously held in esteem.
I am going to have to catch up on previous instalments of this series, as this was such fun to read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for this ARC in exchange for my review.
October 8, 2021
I hadn't realised when I picked this up it was part of a series.
It reads well as a stand alone though.
Enough familiar characters to make you feel comfortable straight away.
An enjoyable read, that makes me think I should probably look for the first four books.
It reads well as a stand alone though.
Enough familiar characters to make you feel comfortable straight away.
An enjoyable read, that makes me think I should probably look for the first four books.
February 7, 2024
Hetty Peters is a better detective than Laurence Martin ever was.
January 5, 2022
It seems like every character from the Sherlock Holmes stories has been given their own series and, you know what, I’m good with that. And, in Mrs Hudson and the Blue Daisy Affair (A Holmes & Hudson Mstery Book 5),Mrs Hudson gets to show her own rather prodigious detecting skills with the aid of her own Dr Watson, Flotsum who is an extremely likable character. This is a fun addition to the Holmes iconography. It’s the first book I have read of the series but it won’t be my last.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review
December 29, 2021
Digital ARC provided by Netgalley
This was the first book in the series that I have read. I did not have amazing expectations from it. I mostly liked the connection with Sherlock Holmes. The entire action was interesting; however, I had the impression that the length was too much. The entire story could have been told without all those extra pages.
I did not like the character of Flottie. I get the idea that it was difficult for the women in that era but Flottie with all that extra attention given to her as a housekeeper, and all the courtesy she receives is a bit too much to be believed and make it real. Victorian London description was something very well shaped. The feminine character that I loved most was the one of Mrs. Hudson.
I enjoyed the fact that the book can be read perfectly as a standalone, and you have no trouble keeping up with the plot.
This was the first book in the series that I have read. I did not have amazing expectations from it. I mostly liked the connection with Sherlock Holmes. The entire action was interesting; however, I had the impression that the length was too much. The entire story could have been told without all those extra pages.
I did not like the character of Flottie. I get the idea that it was difficult for the women in that era but Flottie with all that extra attention given to her as a housekeeper, and all the courtesy she receives is a bit too much to be believed and make it real. Victorian London description was something very well shaped. The feminine character that I loved most was the one of Mrs. Hudson.
I enjoyed the fact that the book can be read perfectly as a standalone, and you have no trouble keeping up with the plot.
December 28, 2021
I have the deepest of affection for the Mrs. Hudson and Flottie series. It gently weaves parallel plots through the Holmesian canon and, in no uncertain terms, it reaffirms what women know: a steady hand on the tiller of housekeeping is the true key to solving mysteries. While the plot doesn't break new ground, it presents a worthy mystery and it moves the characters and their relationships forward against a fine Victorian backdrop. I was so excited that there was a new one to read for the holidays, and I was not disappointed.
January 15, 2025
It would seem that Holmes is busy at the moment, including the safety of George Dashing and the arrest of Oscar Catanache for the murder of a parlour maid. But the denizens of London are saved by the appearance of a new successful private detective, Laurence Martin. Can Mrs Hudson and Flotsam solve all the mysteries
An entertaining historical mystery
An entertaining historical mystery
August 1, 2022
I’m genuinely pleased that the Mrs Hudson mysteries are still so good after five instalments. You know how some mystery series lose their steam after a while? I never have that fear when picking up one of Davies’ books.
Every character is so well-written, they feel like people not mere plot devices or background fodder. Flottie is a wonderful heroine with a little aid from Mrs Hudson.
I’d recommend starting the series from the beginning, but if you happen upon this book on its own - I’d still recommend giving it a read. You will soon discover Flotsam is a young girl originally from the streets, now living with Sherlock Holmes as a domestic. Mrs Hudson is not a doddering housekeeper, but a surprisingly insightful and wise woman. Holmes and Watson still exist in this world and usually have their own mystery or two.
These books are day one buys for me.
Every character is so well-written, they feel like people not mere plot devices or background fodder. Flottie is a wonderful heroine with a little aid from Mrs Hudson.
I’d recommend starting the series from the beginning, but if you happen upon this book on its own - I’d still recommend giving it a read. You will soon discover Flotsam is a young girl originally from the streets, now living with Sherlock Holmes as a domestic. Mrs Hudson is not a doddering housekeeper, but a surprisingly insightful and wise woman. Holmes and Watson still exist in this world and usually have their own mystery or two.
These books are day one buys for me.
November 3, 2021
What a fun, fun book…
The Sherlock Holmes stories were some of the first mysteries I graduated to after Encyclopedia Brown and Nancy Drew, and I loved them. But I’ve always felt that a lot of Holmes pastiches (Laurie R King’s Mary Russell series aside) fall a little flat. So I was very pleasantly surprised by Mrs Hudson and the Blue Daisy Affair, which is the fifth in the Holmes & Hudson series by Martin Davies. It is simply a thoroughly enjoyable book!
Davies speculates on what might happen in the Holmes universe “if the real brains of Baker Street weren’t Sherlock’s” – but actually were Mrs. Hudson’s. In the process, he breathes life into two delightful characters, Mrs. Hudson herself, and Mrs. Hudson’s orphaned protégé, Flotsam. The story itself revolves around a gruesome murder scene – the blood-spattered room in which a former housemaid has apparently been murdered by the scion of the house she used to work in. The case seems to be perfect for Holmes, so imagine the shock when the Catanaches hire the trendy new detective in town, Laurence Martin, to establish their son’s innocence, rather than Sherlock himself. Holmes and Dr Watson are pretty busy anyway with a couple of other cases, including a Home Office “special request” that weaves in and out around the main storyline. But Mrs. Hudson and Flotsam have no intentions of ceding the field to some upstart detective – so they investigate and all turns out well.
I enjoyed pretty much every minute of Blue Daisy, which I read far too late into the night. The story is told from Flotsam’s point of view, and she’s a smart, funny, and engaging narrator. I enjoyed watching her investigate, do a bit of code-switching, and grow up some along the way too. I very much hope there will be more books in the series – inquiring minds want to know how Scraggs’ new enterprise works out – and more about his relationship with Flotsam too! And I have now also added the first four Holmes & Hudson books to my “To Be Read” list, which is already far too long – sigh. Finally, please note that I received an advance review copy of Mrs Hudson and the Blue Daisy Affair from the publisher, Canelo, and from NetGalley.
The Sherlock Holmes stories were some of the first mysteries I graduated to after Encyclopedia Brown and Nancy Drew, and I loved them. But I’ve always felt that a lot of Holmes pastiches (Laurie R King’s Mary Russell series aside) fall a little flat. So I was very pleasantly surprised by Mrs Hudson and the Blue Daisy Affair, which is the fifth in the Holmes & Hudson series by Martin Davies. It is simply a thoroughly enjoyable book!
Davies speculates on what might happen in the Holmes universe “if the real brains of Baker Street weren’t Sherlock’s” – but actually were Mrs. Hudson’s. In the process, he breathes life into two delightful characters, Mrs. Hudson herself, and Mrs. Hudson’s orphaned protégé, Flotsam. The story itself revolves around a gruesome murder scene – the blood-spattered room in which a former housemaid has apparently been murdered by the scion of the house she used to work in. The case seems to be perfect for Holmes, so imagine the shock when the Catanaches hire the trendy new detective in town, Laurence Martin, to establish their son’s innocence, rather than Sherlock himself. Holmes and Dr Watson are pretty busy anyway with a couple of other cases, including a Home Office “special request” that weaves in and out around the main storyline. But Mrs. Hudson and Flotsam have no intentions of ceding the field to some upstart detective – so they investigate and all turns out well.
I enjoyed pretty much every minute of Blue Daisy, which I read far too late into the night. The story is told from Flotsam’s point of view, and she’s a smart, funny, and engaging narrator. I enjoyed watching her investigate, do a bit of code-switching, and grow up some along the way too. I very much hope there will be more books in the series – inquiring minds want to know how Scraggs’ new enterprise works out – and more about his relationship with Flotsam too! And I have now also added the first four Holmes & Hudson books to my “To Be Read” list, which is already far too long – sigh. Finally, please note that I received an advance review copy of Mrs Hudson and the Blue Daisy Affair from the publisher, Canelo, and from NetGalley.
November 7, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Mrs Hudson and the Blue Daisy Affair is the fifth book in the cozy English mystery series by Martin Davies. Released 4th Nov 2021 by Canelo, it's 305 pages and is available in ebook format. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is on the surface a nice tie-in series starring the redoubtable Mrs. Hudson (of 221B Baker St. fame), and featuring lots of nice Holmes and Watson cameos. As always, this installment also features Mrs. Hudson's assistant Flotsam who has blossomed into a capable, honourable, intelligent, and fearless protagonist in her own right.
There are several disparate plot threads - Russian spies, assassination plots, women's suffrage, rigid social class divisions - and they all twine ever more tightly together to reach a satisfying climax and denouement. The author weaves fictional characters and events so skillfully around real historical characters that it's not always easy to figure out where fact shades into fiction.
Despite being the 5th book in the series, it works perfectly well as a standalone, and I had no trouble keeping up with the plot.
Four stars. This would be a good choice for public library acquisition as well as for fans of historical British cozies. It would also make a good choice for bookclub discussion or a buddy-read for online cozy enthusiasts.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Mrs Hudson and the Blue Daisy Affair is the fifth book in the cozy English mystery series by Martin Davies. Released 4th Nov 2021 by Canelo, it's 305 pages and is available in ebook format. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is on the surface a nice tie-in series starring the redoubtable Mrs. Hudson (of 221B Baker St. fame), and featuring lots of nice Holmes and Watson cameos. As always, this installment also features Mrs. Hudson's assistant Flotsam who has blossomed into a capable, honourable, intelligent, and fearless protagonist in her own right.
There are several disparate plot threads - Russian spies, assassination plots, women's suffrage, rigid social class divisions - and they all twine ever more tightly together to reach a satisfying climax and denouement. The author weaves fictional characters and events so skillfully around real historical characters that it's not always easy to figure out where fact shades into fiction.
Despite being the 5th book in the series, it works perfectly well as a standalone, and I had no trouble keeping up with the plot.
Four stars. This would be a good choice for public library acquisition as well as for fans of historical British cozies. It would also make a good choice for bookclub discussion or a buddy-read for online cozy enthusiasts.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
October 26, 2021
I am enjoying this series more and more with each book I read. I think I have slowly accepted the alterations to the classic personalities of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson that allow them to be so much more personable and accommodating for Mrs. Hudson and Flotsam to deal with. This specific story has Flotsam taking a much larger part of the active investigation and it is written in such a way that I believed her capable of the things she tried to do. Mrs. Hudson has bits and pieces she is involved in looking into but the majority of the clues are left to Flotsam. If you like to read mysteries, but don't want to suffer through details and descriptions of murders, you will be glad to know that this is definitely a reader friendly series.
In case this is your first time reading a book from this series you need to know that Mrs. Hudson is the housekeeper for Sherlock Holmes and his friend Dr. Watson. Flotsam is (now) a seventeen year old girl who was rescued from the London streets when she was quite young and eventually landed in Baker Street as the kitchen maid learning her job from Mrs. Hudson. At this point in the lives of these characters Holmes is working on solving several cases at once, Mr. George Dashing has returned to England and immediately begins to stir the pot of controversy and a new detective begins to show on the horizon with the possibility of taking away cases from Holmes. It's a beautiful beginning of fall in London and there are exciting and dangerous things swirling above and below the surface of that great city.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for an e-galley of this novel.
In case this is your first time reading a book from this series you need to know that Mrs. Hudson is the housekeeper for Sherlock Holmes and his friend Dr. Watson. Flotsam is (now) a seventeen year old girl who was rescued from the London streets when she was quite young and eventually landed in Baker Street as the kitchen maid learning her job from Mrs. Hudson. At this point in the lives of these characters Holmes is working on solving several cases at once, Mr. George Dashing has returned to England and immediately begins to stir the pot of controversy and a new detective begins to show on the horizon with the possibility of taking away cases from Holmes. It's a beautiful beginning of fall in London and there are exciting and dangerous things swirling above and below the surface of that great city.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for an e-galley of this novel.
December 13, 2021
As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot (there are others like that out there if that's what you are looking for!)
I've always loved stories involving Sherlock Holmes (having read the original Conan Doyle novels in my teens), so was delighted to find this title. I did not realise when I requested this book that it is part of a series - however there is enough background detail to make it work just fine as a standalone read.
I loved the premise of this novel - that Mrs Hudson is also a detective in her own way as approriate to her station in life (alongside Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson of course) and is developing her protege "Flotsam" to follow in her footsteps - in both household and detective work
There are several strands to the plot, and the whole "feel" of the book has a great period authenticity. I did eventually guess what was going on in the main plot strand, but still found the whole book very enjoyable.
I will now be seeking out the previous novels in this series, and look forward to reading the next!
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.
I've always loved stories involving Sherlock Holmes (having read the original Conan Doyle novels in my teens), so was delighted to find this title. I did not realise when I requested this book that it is part of a series - however there is enough background detail to make it work just fine as a standalone read.
I loved the premise of this novel - that Mrs Hudson is also a detective in her own way as approriate to her station in life (alongside Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson of course) and is developing her protege "Flotsam" to follow in her footsteps - in both household and detective work
There are several strands to the plot, and the whole "feel" of the book has a great period authenticity. I did eventually guess what was going on in the main plot strand, but still found the whole book very enjoyable.
I will now be seeking out the previous novels in this series, and look forward to reading the next!
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.
December 25, 2021
Martin Davies’ fifth book in the Mrs Hudson series is another complex puzzle to be solved by the team of Mrs Hudson, the housekeeper of Sherlock Holmes and her colleague Flotsam, the housemaid.
An apparent murder without a body and the threat of Russian assassins in London are the central elements of the story, presenting Mrs Hudson and Flotsam with challenges. As ever, Mrs Hudson’s skills are evident and we see Flotsam developing her skills in investigation. The solutions when they come are interesting and satisfying ends to the two cases.
Davies has been clever in using the Sherlock Holmes context to create a new scenario involving the clever and resourceful Mrs Hudson and Flotsam, a girl with real talents and strength. We see Flotsam’s development as a character in each of the novels as she is allowed more room to exploit her skills.
An apparent murder without a body and the threat of Russian assassins in London are the central elements of the story, presenting Mrs Hudson and Flotsam with challenges. As ever, Mrs Hudson’s skills are evident and we see Flotsam developing her skills in investigation. The solutions when they come are interesting and satisfying ends to the two cases.
Davies has been clever in using the Sherlock Holmes context to create a new scenario involving the clever and resourceful Mrs Hudson and Flotsam, a girl with real talents and strength. We see Flotsam’s development as a character in each of the novels as she is allowed more room to exploit her skills.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2023
When a young woman seeks help from the famed detective of Baker Street, she changes her mind upon being greeted by his maid. In the excitement of Holmes being asked to protect a dashing young man with political aspirations, Flotsam forgets the frightened woman. Despite being on the trail of another yet another culprit, Holmes gives into entreaties to help a young man accused of murder though no body has been found. Then an up and coming detective lures away one of his clients? Does this new detective really have the seductive powers to rival Holmes? Will the right answers be found in time?
Another enjoyable read though I had suspicions about many of the outcomes that proved true.
Another enjoyable read though I had suspicions about many of the outcomes that proved true.
November 5, 2021
So it turns out that Mrs Hudson is busy helping out Sherlock Holmes's cases as well as running the household of 22B Baker Street. Luckily, she has Flotsam on hand to help. I've not read any of the Hudson & Holmes series of books by Martin Davies before but after reading "Mrs Hudson and the Blue Daisy Affair", I'd be up for reading more. I'd always struggled with reading Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes books; overly complicated and wordy. These are quite refreshing and demonstrate that women can investigate crime too. A fun read.
June 17, 2022
This is probably one of my favourite books I have read in a long time! It was such an easy read that I sped through it and it was easy to keep track of all the happenings!
I loved how Flotsam was the main character and it focused on her and Mrs Hudson. It is definitely a good read, definitely recommend and I will be in search of more books by this author!
I was hoping for more about Mr Dashing and Flotsam after them parting ways in the park and was a little disappointed when the book ended quite abruptly! Also this book made me chuckle many times, and I loved that it wasn't all serious!
I loved how Flotsam was the main character and it focused on her and Mrs Hudson. It is definitely a good read, definitely recommend and I will be in search of more books by this author!
I was hoping for more about Mr Dashing and Flotsam after them parting ways in the park and was a little disappointed when the book ended quite abruptly! Also this book made me chuckle many times, and I loved that it wasn't all serious!
December 24, 2021
Stumbled across this on Netgalley and as a big fan of Sherlock Holmes and M.R.C. Kasasian thought it would be right up my street, and it definitely didn't disappoint! Some really well written characters that seem to have been established in previous books, as well as intertwining the great man himself who manages to contribute without overshadowing. The story becomes a little predictable, but then that may be due to my excellent deductive reasoning ;-) worth reading and time flew by!
January 5, 2022
The main focus has very much shifted away from Holmes, or even the eponymous Mrs Hudson, this is very much about Flotsam. It’s also veering into ‘cosy’ territory as not very much happens and there’s never any sense of any real threat to anyone. I get the sense that the author was either very distracted or in a bit of rush towards the end as there were three rather glaring typos in the final fifty pages or so.
October 26, 2022
Not at all my usual type of book , read for Bookclub .
Extremely easy read , easy to follow with a simple but intriguing plot. Kept me reading (I don’t always finish a book if it doesn’t hold my attention ) . This was well written , and light . It didn’t seem to matter that it was part of a series it worked well as a standalone . Probably won’t read another in the series but cannot fault it for that type of genre book .
Extremely easy read , easy to follow with a simple but intriguing plot. Kept me reading (I don’t always finish a book if it doesn’t hold my attention ) . This was well written , and light . It didn’t seem to matter that it was part of a series it worked well as a standalone . Probably won’t read another in the series but cannot fault it for that type of genre book .
October 9, 2024
After 2 years on my shelves, I finally got around to reading this book. I was really happy that the reviews were fair and that I had not been duped as I so often am. The plot was interesting, some mid-book reveals were good and I was satisfied overall. The reason this isn't a favorite is the convenience of it all. I felt like we spent so much time on the red herrings that the secondary characters faded and blended into one another.
November 12, 2021
This 5th installment in the series is just as entertaining as the previous ones. It is a fun spin-off for Holmes fans. I love that Holmes and Watson treat Mrs Hudson and Miss Flotsam with respect and acknowledge their cleverness. Miss Flotsam shines as the unlikely heroine. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
February 27, 2022
Really enjoying this series. Flotsam, or Flottie is Sherlock Holmes' housemaid under the supervision of the great Mrs Hudson and gets caught up in many of the exciting adventures and misadventures in and around 221b Baker Street. Well written, very entertaining and well worth a read by any fan of the great detective. More please.
July 6, 2024
I've never read any books by Martin Davies before. I found this copy of Mrs Hudson and the Blue Daisy Affair in a charity shop and bought it as I'm a fan of Sherlock Holmes. It was a great fast paced read and the main character, Flotsam, Sherlock's maid who works alongside Mrs Hudson is a great character. I will be looking for the first four Sherlock and Mrs Hudson books now. 10/10
November 2, 2021
I like this series and how Mrs. Hudson and her assistant are the primary ones solving the mystery, with the assistant, Flottie, taking the lead in this book. The mystery kept me guessing.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2021
Another great addition to the Mrs Hudson series, a warm cosy winter read with lots of plot twists, cups of tea, cake and a better role for Flotsam, who is really coming into her own. Thoroughly enjoyable, and could I see a few local place names in the names of the characters I wonder?!
January 22, 2022
Another excellent addition to this entertaining series, I was glad to catch up with the characters and appreciated the fast paced and gripping plot.
Can't wait to read the next story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Can't wait to read the next story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
March 5, 2024
Another good book
This is again a great read in the series of books with Mrs Hudson and Flottie. With Flotsam now being given a bigger part and solving part of the crime in her own, well worth a read.
This is again a great read in the series of books with Mrs Hudson and Flottie. With Flotsam now being given a bigger part and solving part of the crime in her own, well worth a read.
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