Mrs. Hudson and the Spirits' Curse [Paperback]

Martin Davies (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 7, 2004

Entering into service as housekeeper for the distinguished investigator Sherlock Holmes and his associate Dr. Watson, Mrs. Hudson expands her duties beyond keeping things tidy.

The great detective's latest client is a traveler recently returned from the Far East-and nearly killed under mysterious circumstances. He says he's under a Sumatran curse that will end his life.

While Holmes and Watson seek a less superstitious solution to the man's dilemma, Mrs. Hudson and Flottie, the orphan girl in her care, take it upon themselves to investigate the case. They are determined to solve the mystery-even if it entails pointing Mrs. Hudson's employers in the right direction.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

BBC producer Davies draws many details from Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes adventures for his first novel, a lightweight pastiche narrated by Flotsam (aka Flottie), a 12-year-old orphan girl, and starring Mrs. Hudson, housekeeper extraordinaire, who becomes an unlikely crime solver after rescuing Flottie from the streets. Highly agitated Nathaniel Moran appears at 221b Baker Street seeking protection from unknown assassins who have pursued him from Sumatra, where he and his partners ran a trading business until five members of the firm were mysteriously slain. Despite their bankruptcy, Moran and his fellow survivors are able to afford fine London hotels and apartments. Holmes, Dr. Watson, Scotland Yard, Mrs. Hudson and Flottie all look into the possibility that the Pagi, or spirits' curse imposed by tribal priests, is the cause of these misfortunes. Soon associates of Moran are found dead of such causes as bites from exotic poisonous snakes and tarantulas, and Watson goes on "a tramp across the moors" to interview Moran's father. Some confusing shifts of speaker and repetitive descriptions of foggy London may disturb some readers, but most should be won over by this affectionate homage.
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About the Author

Martin Davies lives in London and works for the BBC as a producer ad editor. Mrs. Hudson and the Case of the Spirit's Curse is his first novel. It was written as a birthday present for his father, who had often wondered "what life must have been like for Sherlock Holmes' housekeeper."

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (December 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425198456
• ISBN-13: 978-0425198452
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #893,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars And Whatever Is Left, However Unlikely, Will Be Dinner..., July 11, 2005

By 

Darkendale "Raven" (VA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Mrs. Hudson and the Spirits' Curse (Paperback)

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...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For fans of the Mrs. Jeffries mysteries, October 31, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mrs. Hudson and the Spirits' Curse (Paperback)

Homeless and hungry Flotsam tries to steal a rotting cabbage but the grocer's son Scraggs catches her. He turns her over to housekeeper Mrs. Hudson, who sees something in the orphan and takes her into service as a maid. Mrs. Hudson insures that Flotsam is educated in the domestic arts and the three R's. When her employer commits suicide Mrs. Hudson takes a job as housekeeper to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson; she brings Flotsam along to keep her safe and secure.

One night a man with one eye and a scar on his face and wearing a cowl, comes calling with a note saying his master wants to meet with Mr. Holmes. The next day Nathaniel Moran asks the famous detective for his help. He is clearly frightened because he believes he is under a Sumatran curse caused when he and his two business partners disrespected their gods. Several people connected with their enterprise in Sumatra are dead and Nathaniel hopes Holmes can break the curse. Holmes believes a human is killing people but before he can solve the case, Moran's partners die. It takes Mrs. Hudson to help the great detective solve the spirit's curse.

Readers who are fans of the Mrs. Jeffries mysteries will want to read MRS. HUDSON AND THE SPIRITS' CURSE. Although Sherlock Holmes gets the glory, it is Mrs. Hudson working behind the scenes who solves the case. Her relationship with Flotsam is more like mother-daughter than upper and lower servant. The protagonist has a heart of gold beneath her gruff exterior and readers will take her into their hearts. Martin Davies take on Sherlock Holmes will shake up die hard fans of the master detective.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Mrs. Hudson Who Upstages the Great Holmes, September 25, 2005

By 

F. W. Quillen "fquil16059" (Kingsport, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mrs. Hudson and the Spirits' Curse (Paperback)

I hope this book will become the first of a series. Martin Davies gives us a fresh and innovative look at the housekeeper of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. She is an extraordinary character, kind and caring, but at the same time, shrewd, perceptive, and capable of brilliant deductive thinking. She never becomes a rival to Holmes, but in her own subtle way she provides many of the insights and clues that lead the great detective to his solution to the puzzle at hand.

Davies is adept at creating endearing characterizations and evoking the atmosphere of Edwardian London with its fog-shrowded cobblestone streets, gaslights and sinister alleyways. This is an irresistable treat for all fans of Sherlockiana.