The Cursed Writer by Holly Hepburn
When a man writes to Sherlock Holmes for help, Harry White investigates on his behalf. Because Holmes isn't real. But Harry White is.
Sherlock Holmes is real. That's what the people who write to him at 221B Baker Street, asking for his help, believe.
How do the actual occupants of the famous address deal with these requests? Well, they employ someone to reply to them.
That's the truth that kick-started the fictional Baker Street Mysteries.
Harry White is the inquisitive lady whose job is to reply to all the correspondence to Holmes. But she's intrigued by one telegram and decides to investigate on his behalf.
There's a strong Holmesian feel to the novel as the story echoes The Hound of the Baskervilles*. But with a strong, independent female lead, it will also appeal to fans of Enola Holmes*.
This is a superb book that blends the links to Holmes with a fresh approach to detection.
Harry White is an impressive character who knows her mind and can take care of herself in even the most dangerous situations. The dynamic between Harry and Oliver Fortescue helps guide the story and provides Harry with a useful assistant.
The writing is excellent, with realistic dialogue and a cast of characters you'd expect in one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novels. In fact, the whole book is leagues ahead of many crime fiction books by big-name authors.
The Cursed Writer is the second in the series, but the first one I've read. While the story is standalone, it has many references to the previous book. In my view, there are a few too many of these, but that's only a minor quibble.
And in fact, I've already reserved the first in the series, The Missing Maid, through my local library.
It's a clear five-star story, and I hope the author creates many more stories for Harry White. This series deserves a much wider audience.
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