Martin DaviesMrs. Hudson and the Spirits' Curse (Holmes & Hudson Mystery)

This is probably a premature review of this book as I haven't finished it yet, but so far it's a plus. I have to give the writer credit for giving some depth to the character of Mrs. Hudson. Usually in the Sherlock Holmes books and even television series episodes her appearances are rare and short lived consisting of answering the door and complaining of the violin noise or the messiness of the occupants. Who knew that she had some detecting skills of her own?In this book, which is the first in the series Mrs. Hudson has left a previous employment and has in tow a young orphan by the name of Flotsam, or Flottie. Flottie has her own sad history which is enfolding as well and it's one of the sub plots that's keeping me interested in this book. There are a lot of smarmy characters out to harm this young woman, but they won't succeed as long as Mrs. Hudson is around!The other mystery here has Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson on the case and involves some supernatural goings on and the unexplained deaths of various men who have sought business prospects in dark deep continents. The survivor that appears at their doorstep comes with an interesting story, but is he to be believed? Who knows? Mrs. Hudson is suspicious and she has her own ways of analyzing the clues----not so far removed from Sherlock Holmes methods!All in all this is a good read and keeps me a bit on the edge to see how all these characters fit together, who the culprits are, and how this all will end! Stay tuned!

I just received this, and I'm already gritting my teeth. I avoided buying books from a different Mrs. Hudson set as they plainly stated that they were making Mrs. Hudson the real brains of Baker Street and Holmes a fool. This book isn't quite as bad, but so far, hints at the same.Real fans of Holmes/Watson/Hudson, especially those of us who loved the Brett series on Granada, won't be happy with this.If the author wanted to elevate Mrs. Hudson's character, perhaps in a nod to feminism, why in Heaven's name did he make her their paid housekeeper, an employee of the duo who came to the apartment when they did? How could this person not know that she was not their employee, but their landlady, who could have thrown them out into the street after the first smelly experiment gone wrong? It was her affection and respect for the guys that gave her patience. That's an important part of her character for us.In another part of the book, and remember, I'm not even half-way through yet, she seems to be the one directing the Irregulars, not Holmes, and she is heard saying, while directing them, "Not a word to Wiggins--he's going to the bad". Poor Wiggins! All this time we admired this plucky street elf, and with one line, the author ruins his reputation. Many Granada fans liked Wiggins too!If an author wants to expand a character, fine, but he should stick with the story line. We all loved Mrs. Hudson and wanted to see more of her, but not like this. You don't elevate one beloved character by tearing down another.If while reading this, you pretend that it's not about the Holmes/Watson/Hudson you know and love, but three complete strangers, then the book so far isn't bad. The story is interesting so far--it's what he's done to the characters that I dislike, and I find I can't continue reading unless I pretend it's about strangers. I regret buying it, and seeing as I bought the Malabar Rose one as well, will probably be gritting my teeth through that one as well, unless I run into something so unforgivable later on in this one that I get rid of them both.

I actually purchased this novel with a certain amount of trepidation-because I have one Mrs. Hudson novel (not by this author!) on my shelves, and try as I may, I just can't seem to get into it. But I liked the write-up on this novel, and as this was Mr. Davies first attempt, I felt I should at least give him a chance. I'm glad I did.The story is told through the narration of a young girl named the unusual sobriquet of "Flotsam", called tenderly "Flottie". She has came along with Mrs. Hudson to keep house for two unusual gentlemen: Sherlock Holmes & Dr. John H. Watson. Flottie has a past with a rather disreputable man, alias for the moment, Maurice Orlando Fogarty, AKA, Melmoth. He seems eager to have the young girl let him know how Holmes is doing in his latest case, which seems to involve a Sumatra Curse. (My only ding: Sorry, Martin, but the Giant Rat Story IS getting old. The one in Resurrected Holmes, by Paula Volsky will always be my favorite. On the plus side, this is a new twist that I will guarantee is original, and not bad. )But Mrs. Hudson has her own ideas about the case, and they don't exactly square with The Great Detective's own. One thing is certain-murders are being committed by strange devices, and SOMEBODY is not what they seem. Is the client lying? If so, why? Why is Fogarty so mixed up in this that he tries to bribe Flottie by telling her he has found her long-lost brother, but he's a dope addict and will die if she doesn't cooperate? And does Mrs. Hudson REALLY beat Holmes at his own game?Tell you what. Are you looking for a really good reading experience? Then buy the book, read it, and find out! This is one book that The Raven has very little bad to say about. Martin Davies, my hat's off to you. Quoth the Raven...

I have to admit this book stretched the limits of believability at times but it was an entertaining lightweight read. Like his better known "The Conjuror's Bird", this is an historical detective novel, not demanding but certainly enjoyable. Based on the characters of Sherlock Holmes and his side-kick Dr Watson, this version introduces the house keeper as the brains behind the two men and Holmes in fact makes many errors of judgment.Holmes is called upon to solve the mystery of a curse brought down on five colleagues who have invested their life savings into an endeavour in Sumatra in the Far East. When things start to go wrong one of the members of the group enlists the help of Sherlock Holmes, but things are not as they may seem!Originally written by Mr Davies as a gift to his septogenarian father, this book was presumably not originally intended for publication. Because of this I was quite happy to forgive its flaws and just take it at face value. I shall now be on the look-out for the sequell - 'Mrs Hudson and the Malabar Rose".

Interesting and easy to read take on the Sherlock Holmes franchise. Mrs Hudson, and her feisty sidekick, bring a Miss Marplesque touch to the genius' household whilst taking care not to take the credit. Thoroughly enjoyable romp - wish there were more like this!