by Liz Hedgecock (Author)

A Book review by Jackie Houchin

  Everyone knows that Mrs. Hudson is Sherlock Holmes’ landlady, the woman he rents his rooms from at 221B Baker Street.  But who is she really? Liz Hedgecock writes one possibility, and it is mysterious, scary, and a lot of fun.

We discover Mrs. Hudson (Nell) is the wife (or widow?) of a London police sergeant. In an every-other-chapter style we travel from before 1878 to 1881 to learn of her marriage and sometimes help with the police department, and then to her current situation as a landlady.

The dividing line is one dreadful night in 1878, when everything changes, and I do mean EVERYTHING! It’s terrifying and it lasts for two years. But when a tall, keen-eyed gentleman with his doctor partner takes rooms in her house, a light begins to shine at the end of the tunnel. Things turn hopeful, brighter, and yes, FUN!

I totally enjoyed British Liz Hedgecock’s story, but especially her WRITING. You know how some books just flow, putting you in the story without being aware of the words and pages you turn? It’s like that with her writing. It is engaging, clean (in both ways), attention-holding and easy. She tells a story, sets a scene, describes people, places, and things with few but evocative words, and makes you care about them all.

I highly recommend this book, and others by this amazing author!

FIVE Stars