Michelle Birkby

Behind every detective stands a great woman . . . When Sherlock Holmes turns down the case of persecuted Laura Shirley, Mrs Hudson - the landlady of Baker Street - and Mary Watson - the wife of Dr Watson - resolve to take on the investigation themselves. From the kitchen of 221b, the two women begin their inquiries and enlist the assistance of the Baker Street Irregulars and the infamous Irene Adler. A trail of clues leads them to the darkest corners of Whitechapel, where the fearsome Ripper supposedly still stalks. They soon discover Laura Shirley is not the only woman at risk - the lives of many others are in danger too.As Mrs Hudson and Mary Watson put together the pieces of an increasingly complex puzzle, the investigation becomes bigger than either of them could ever have imagined. Can they solve the case or are they just pawns in a much larger game?It is time for Mrs Hudson and Mary Watson to emerge from the shadows and stand in the spotlight . . .

The House at Baker Street

All Roads Lead to Whitechapel

Moriarty meets Longbourn in this enthralling debut novel featuring the adventures of Mrs. Hudson and Mary Watson, perfect for fans of the Laurie R. King's Mary Russell series. Mrs. Hudson was always more than a landlady, and Sherlock Homes wasn't the only Baker Street resident with detective skill… After years of watching his habits, cleaning up his mess, and eavesdropping on interviews through a grate in the kitchen, Mrs. Hudson has learned a thing or two. So when Sherlock turns away the case of persecuted Mrs. Laura Shirley, she and Mary Watson resolve to help a fellow woman in need and take on the investigation themselves. Blackmail, libel, extortion, murder—Mary and Mrs. Hudson quickly discover that Mrs. Shirley is not the only woman at risk, and as they put together the pieces of an increasingly complicated and dangerous puzzle, the investigation becomes far bigger than either of them could have ever imagined. Enlisting the help of the Baker Street Irregulars and the infamous Irene Adler, she and Mary follow a trail of clues leading to the darkest corners of Whitechapel, where the feared Ripper is still rumored to stalk. But can Mrs. Hudson solve the case before it claims another life? Wildly compelling and told in Mrs. Hudson's intelligent, compassionate voice, The House at Baker Street is an extraordinary debut. Michelle Birkby brings to life a cast of strong, complex female characters every bit as captivating as Conan Doyle's protagonist. If it's true that behind every great man is a great woman, it is time for one of literature's finest to step into the spotlight.

A Mrs. Hudson and Mary Watson Investigation

Sherlock's landlady and Dr. Watson's wife help a blackmailed woman only to find themselves in a murder case in this mystery series debut. The women in Sherlock Holmes's life have grown tired of toiling in his shadow. Matters come to a head when the Great Man declines to help a desperate young bride, prompting Mrs. Hudson (Holmes's housekeeper) and Mary Watson (wife to the good Doctor) to set up a sleuthing shop of their own, operating out of the kitchen at 221B Baker Street. Every clue they untangle leads to, yes, the grim slums of Whitechapel, where Jack the Ripper appears still to be busy with his carving knives. With so many women in terrible danger, it seems only appropriate that it's women who will set things right. "Appealing characters, gruesome homicides, and a detailed period setting in a blend as balanced as a perfect cup of tea. Enjoyable fare for both die-hard Sherlock-ians and newcomers to the canon." — Kirkus Reviews "Fun. . . . Mrs. Hudson and Mary make an appealing pair, sure to win the hearts of some Holmes fans." — Publishers Weekly

As Sherlock and Watson return from the famous Hound of the Baskervilles case, Mrs Hudson and Mary must face their own Hound, in the swirling fog of Victorian London . . . When Mrs Hudson falls ill, she is taken into a private ward at St Barts hospital. Perhaps it is her over-active imagination, or her penchant for sniffing out secrets, but as she lies in her bed, slowly recovering, she finds herself surrounded by patients who all seem to have some skeletons in their closets. A higher number of deaths than usual seem to occur on this ward. On her very first night, Mrs Hudson believes she witnesses a murder. But was it real, or just smoke and mirrors? Mary Watson meanwhile has heard about young boys disappearing across London, and is determined to find them and reunite them with their families. As the women's investigations collide in unexpected ways, a gruesome discovery in Regent's Park leads them on to a new, terrifying case.

The Women of Baker Street: Book 2

Behind every great detective, stands a great woman . . . When Sherlock Holmes turns down the case of persecuted Laura Shirley, Mrs Hudson, the landlady of Baker Street, and Mary Watson resolve to take on the investigation themselves. From the kitchen of 221b, the two women begin their inquiries and enlist the assistance of the Baker Street Irregulars and the infamous Irene Adler. A trail of clues leads them to the darkest corners of Whitechapel, where the feared Ripper supposedly still stalks. They discover Laura Shirley is not the only woman at risk as it rapidly becomes apparent that the lives of many others are in danger too. As Mrs Hudson and Mary Watson put together the pieces of an increasingly complicated puzzle, the investigation becomes bigger than either of them could ever have imagined. Can they solve the case or are they just pawns in a much larger game? It is time for Mrs Hudson and Mary Watson to emerge from the shadows and stand in the spotlight. Readers will discover that these two women are resourceful, intelligent and fearless, with a determination to help those in need . . . PRAISE FOR THE HOUSE AT BAKER STREET "This is the perfect post-Sherlock book: warm, compassionate, intelligent, with plot and language crafted in the style of the Master Conan Doyle himself." Manda Scott, author of the Rome and Boudica series

The House at Baker Street: Book 1

Anna Bentinck

When Sherlock Holmes turns down the case of persecuted Laura Shirley, Mrs Hudson, the landlady of Baker Street, and Mary Watson resolve to take on the investigation themselves. From the kitchen of 221b, the two women begin their inquiries and enlist the assistance of the Baker Street Irregulars and the infamous Irene Adler. A trail of clues leads them to the darkest corners of Whitechapel, where the feared Ripper supposedly still stalks. They discover Laura Shirley is not the only woman at risk as it rapidly becomes apparent that the lives of many others are in danger too. As Mrs Hudson and Mary Watson put together the pieces of an increasingly complicated puzzle, the investigation becomes bigger than either of them could ever have imagined. Can they solve the case or are they just pawns in a much larger game? It is time for Mrs Hudson and Mary Watson to emerge from the shadows and stand in the spotlight. Readers will discover that these two women are resourceful, intelligent and fearless, with a determination to help those in need.

"The women in Sherlock Holmes's circle-Mrs. Hudson and Mary Watson-step in when Holmes himself declines to help a terrified young bride"--

Michelle Birkby

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