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1800s: Sherlock Holmes’ Mrs Watson gets her own case of a valuable ruby about to be stolen
Mrs Hudson and the Malabar Rose
What you need to know before your trail
As snow falls on Baker Street, the wintry city is abuzz with excitement: the Malabar Rose – a fabled and enormous ruby – has been sent as a gift to Queen Victoria by the Marharajah of Marjoudh. An extraordinary condition is attached: the gem must be displayed at London’s sumptuous Blenheim Hotel. How can the safety of this priceless jewel be assured? The authorities wisely enlist the help of Sherlock Holmes and his colleague Dr Watson… but fortunately for them, they are also on the receiving end of help from Holmes’s redoubtable housekeeper Mrs Hudson and her able assistant, Flotsam the housemaid.
The Malabar Rose isn’t the only exotic attraction stirring up excitement in the city, however. World famous magician the Great Salmanazar will be amazing the lucky few who can secure tickets at a once-in-a-lifetime spectacular. But the safety of the Malabar Ruby is about to be compromised..
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BookTrail Travel to Sherlock Holmes’s London
A cosy mystery set in the iconic Baker Street but with Mrs Hudson at its heart. A representative of the Home Office is concerned for the safety of the Malabar Rose, a priceless ruby gifted to the Queen. It is to be put on public display at the luxury (and fictional) Bleinhem Hotel. There is also a dancer by the name of Lola del Fuego.
This is a mystery centered around the theatres and hotels of London. Although fictional, there are plenty of hotels and theatres around the Piccadilly area to explore with this book.
The reader is lead by the gloved hand into the world of theatre with conjurers, exotic dancers, and elaborate trickery providing a stunning sumptious backdrop to the plot. It takes place at Christmas so watch out for the mouthwatering descriptions of the food and decorations Mrs Hudson whips up for her lodgers when she’s not out detecting.
Booktrailer Review
Susan: @thebooktrailer
What would the world of cosy crime fiction be like if it turned out that Mrs Watson was just as much a sleuth as the man she worked for? Whilst Sherlock Holmes was out solving crime, so too was Mrs Hudson with her maid Flotsam. This is the second in a three book mystery series and to me, the best one of the lot.
Although light and entertaining reading, this is packed to the rafters with mystery, intrigue, dark shadows on cobbled streets and dubious figures hiding beside lampposts. There is also one very expensive ruby to be displayed in town, those intent on getting to it, and magicians and a circus nearby..ooh a strange disappearance.
The Victorian world as seen through the eyes of Flottie and Mrs Hudson is really well depicted. There’s a slightly cosier feel to this London than the one the original Holmes inhabited, but this is from a different point of view and it works well with the commentary of young Flotsam as she learns from Mrs Hudson.
It’s a great, jam-packed and exciting story with twists and turns galore. The mystery of the ruby is unique and I really enjoyed going on this adventure with two wonderful travel companions.
BookTrail Boarding Pass: Mrs Hudson and the Malabar Rose
Destination: London Author/guide: Martin Davies Departure Time: 1800s
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