I chose to read this book as a member of Rosie Amber’s Book Review Team and received a copy from the author, but that doesn’t alter my review in any way.
Timothy Badger and Benjamin Watson are partners in a detecting agency along the lines of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. They live in Dean Street, where Mrs. Kelly is the equivalent of Holmes’ Mrs. Hudson. Miss Katie Murphy is their maid and the apple of Ben Watson’s eye. Miss Ellsie Littleton is a reporter for a local paper and Badger’s girl, despite coming from nobility.
A distraught Mrs. Hudson arrives at the Dean Street home of Badger and Watson to inform them that, in Holmes’ absence abroad, Dr. Watson has been snatched and a blackmail note received from the kidnapper.
Sherlock Holmes still supports the pair, and they are duty bound to investigate despite receiving a separate note warning them not to.
What follows is a thorough investigation of the clues as they attempt to rescue Dr. Watson. Miss Littleton makes herself an integral part of their team, but they also use Mrs. Kelly and Miss Murphy as well as a band of street urchins called the Dean Street Irregulars.
This is an extremely well-written and entertaining novel. It is part of a series, but I haven’t read any of the others, and this one worked perfectly as a standalone.
Although I am no expert on the period, it felt totally authentic from the setting to the characters to the storyline.
Recommended to all who enjoy unravelling a good mystery alongside a strong cast of characters.
Thank you Georgia, so pleased that you enjoyed this book.
And I’m glad it was submitted to the group as I may not have read it otherwise! 🙂