When I started the missing maid I was enchanted with Harry. Harry is trying not to be a product of the generation she is born in.

Sometimes I wonder that how hard it must have been in that era to prove yourself as more useful than just a wife, someone who brings children into the world and looks after the house. And then when I read about women like Harry, I know how they were trying to make a difference. I can't stop myself from admiring them.

Harry is working in a bank on Baker Street and under certain circumstances, she is asked to move to the basement where she has to answer the letters that are addressed to famous detective Mr Sherlock Holmes. The whole premise was interesting but the main mystery was not so much. I wasn't interested much in why the maid had gone missing. I wasn't intrigued enough or didn't care enough for that mystery as it wasn't really shocking or surprising.

It was so easy to figure it out, that even when it started I was sure how it will turn out in the end. I don't know if it was just me but that made the whole book except Harry's own story quite boring.

I liked Harry a lot. Other characters too well written, I just wish that there was a complexity to the case discussed which would have made the book a 4/5 star read for me. Nevertheless I enjoyed reading it and it made me even more happy that it is going to be a series because I'm definitely interested in reading more of Harry.

Btw, Harry is not a man.

Thanks Netgalley and boldwood books for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

This one was interesting but fell a little flat for me. I thought the premise was interesting but overall the story dragged in parts and felt a little all over the place. I enjoyed the main character working with the lawyer friend, but I thought she was a bit annoying at times. I’d probably read the next one by this author because I do have hope for the series!

In 1930s London, Harriet, "Harry", White rejects the advances of her boss and is punished by being sent to a job in the mail room. She is given the assignment to answer letters written to Sherlock Holmes. Why? Because the building where she works just happens to have the address 221 Baker Street. What starts out to be a boring job writing letters to people with crimes to solve, ends up being an adventure when Harry decides to solve a case on her own.
This is an interesting way to experience the world of Sherlock Holmes but through the wit and intelligence of a young woman. This was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it. I received this book through Net Galley.

I was on the blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources

http://ramblingmads.uk/2024/03/29/blog-tour-the-missing-maid-holly-herpburn/

In this charming historical mystery, readers follow Harry, a young woman in the twentieth century who was just hired as Sherlock Holmes’s (yes, the fictional one) secretary to answer letters fans sent to the iconic detective. One letter, from Esme about her sister Mildred who was wrongly accused of stealing and has since gone missing, catches Harry’s eye, and she takes on the case as Holmes’ secretary RK Moss. Harry travels all around London to solve the case, from employment agencies and the houses of the upper crust of society to gang territory, and readers will follow her on the investigation as the plot thickens and she finds Mildred in prison. Hepburn’s characters are charming, witty, complex, and amusing, and readers will enjoy Harry’s growth as an investigator and the changes in her relationships with other characters in the novel. The mystery itself is very enjoyable and involves several moving pieces, and following Harry along on the case is really enjoyable and immerses the readers in the story. A unique take on the Sherlock Holmes mystery and historical fiction genres with great characters and an unique plot, readers of both genres are sure to enjoy Hepburn’s latest historical mystery and investigator Holly.

In “The Missing Maid” by Holly Hepburn, readers are transported to the bustling streets of 1930s London, where Harriet White, demoted to a peculiar position in the depths of the Baker Street building society, unexpectedly finds herself embroiled in a mysterious case straight out of the pages of a Sherlock Holmes novel.

Harriet’s journey begins when she stumbles upon a letter among the countless correspondences addressed to the fictional detective. Despite the lack of belief in Holmes’ existence, her curiosity is piqued by a plea for help regarding a missing maid from a nearby village. Against all odds, Harriet decides to venture into the investigation, uncovering secrets and unraveling mysteries that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages.

Hepburn expertly captures the essence of 1930s London, painting a vivid backdrop against which the story unfolds. From the bustling streets to the quaint countryside, the setting comes alive, immersing readers in a bygone era filled with charm and intrigue.

The character of Harriet White is a delightful protagonist, with her wit, determination, and unwavering sense of justice. As she navigates the twists and turns of the investigation, readers will find themselves rooting for her every step of the way.

While the premise may seem fantastical, Hepburn skillfully weaves together elements of mystery, humor, and historical fiction to create a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged until the very end. However, some readers may find themselves wishing for a bit more depth in certain aspects of the story, particularly regarding character development and pacing.

Overall, “The Missing Maid” is a charming and entertaining read that offers a refreshing twist on the classic detective tale. With its captivating storyline and endearing characters, it is sure to delight fans of historical fiction and mystery alike.

I love a cozy mystery and this certainly fits the bill. It is the first in what looks to be a very promising series.

Set in the early 30s, Harry is a modern woman from a decent middle class background. When she rejects the advances of her creepy bank manager boss, she is demoted to a job in the basement of the bank, answering letters sent to Sherlock Holmes at the bank address on Baker Street. One of the letters pleading for help to find a missing relative who was a maid at a house near to her family home, curiosity gets the better of her and she decides to do her own detective work.

Harry’s mother is also constantly trying to play matchmaker for her daughter and Harry is very firm in her stance to stay single.

There is a hint of romance in this book in the form of a childhood friend of Harry’s brother, who is now a very dashing young man.

I really enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading more about Harry’s adventures and the relationship between her family and friends.

Thanks must go to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book to read and review.

4.5 stars

After dealing summarily with an unwanted sexual advance by her boss, Simeon Pemberton, Harriet “Harry” White is reassigned to the mailroom at the London bank she works at. The manager of the mailroom, Mr. Babbage, thinks it is no place for a woman so he finds her a quiet office and sets her on her new assignment: answer the ever-incoming letters that arrive at the bank, which are addressed to Mr. Sherlock Holmes. The bank occupies a large enough portion of Baker street to encompass multiple addresses, including 221, and people's letters requesting assistance from Sherlock Holmes arrive at the bank, , where Mr. Babbage has let them pile up.

Harry begins reading, and crafts a standard reply, indicating Mr Holmes can not help them as he is retired. Most of the inquiries are inconsequential, but one strikes Harry as more important and urgent. A young woman, Esme Longstaff, is seeking Holmes’ help locating her older sister Miriam, who went to London for work, then was dismissed for theft (which she vehemently denied) from her maid position, then she disappeared.

Harry decides to visit the Longstaffs, who live in the village near her wealthy family’s estate. Pretending to be Sherlock’s secretary R.K. Moss, Harry gets relevant details, then tries to find Miriam; she instead stumbles upon a violent female shoplifting gang, with whom she thinks Miriam has thrown in. Except it turns out there is much more going on with the situation. Though not a detective, Harry she digs up more than she or her sort of crush Oliver (lawyer and her older brother’s friend) ever expected. Her eyes are opened to the very different lives of those less fortunate than herself, and she’s determined to deal, more conclusively, eventually, with her former boss. And, to keep on helping others.

This was so much more entertaining than I expected. Harry is smart, resourceful, and not willing to while away her days in idle pursuits, or give in to her mother's relentless matchmaking. Harry willingness to transform what her awful boss thought would cow her into an interesting and challenging activity shows a great attitude, intelligence, and determination.

Her first case sees her assuming disguises, trying on accents, and running around London neighbourhoods that would terrify and shock her family, occasionally making mistakes, but finding a way to take charge of her life and help others. Harry's a lot of fun, and I hope there are more mysteries in store for this plucky protagonist.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

The Missing Maid by Holly Hepburn is a lovely historical mystery.

I really enjoyed this book. It was so interesting, the story is well told. It kept me guessing, the plot was well developed and we could follow the clues along with the amateur sleuth.
I also liked S.H references even though I am not really the fan. I found it both silly and smartly used.
The main character is smart, capable and realistic young woman. She is very bright, usually thinks things through and is very down to earth. She is also strong and level-headed but not afraid to stand up for herself or take risks. I would love her for a friend.
I hope that there will be more books to come, I would love to continue reading about this heroine.

I highly recommend this book to those who love well told stories, smart and capable heroine and going back in time.

Harry White takes on the role of RK Moss to respond to Sherlock Holmes’ correspondence…till she gets involved in solving a compelling case. The setting is wonderful and I enjoyed the historical background that the author provided at the end of the book. It definitely made me think that it would be likely that someone did exactly what Harry chose to.

I enjoyed the partnership between Harry and her friend, especially as he started developing a healthy respect for her skills over the course of the case. I didn’t find the final story/case quite as compelling but I was intrigued enough by the premise to keep reading through the end. I’d be very interested to know what Harry gets up to in book #2!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

“The game is most definitely afoot.” I was totally immersed in the world of Harry White. I loved her investigative skills mixed with her whimsical personality. The mystery along with Harry’s wit made the story enjoyable, entertaining, and intriguing. Even though I am a fan of Sherlock Holmes, that is not required to love this cleverly written original, character-driven mystery. I look forward to future installments of the Baker Street Mysteries. Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my copy.

Holly Hepburn- The Missing Maid.

Holly Hepburn is well known for writing charming and uplifting stories.
The Missing Maid is a bold step into the relms of cosy crime and mystery.

Step back in time to 1932. Harry (Harriet) has been effectively demoted after rejecting the advances of her boss.
Now working in the post room, which is effectively a cupboard in the basement,
she is tasked with the job of replying to mail addressed to a certain S. Holmes (that’ll make sense when you read the book) Harry finds herself drawn into a world that she never expected to be a part of, but equally she couldn't resist the opportunity to get involved.

#TheMissingMaid is a delightful book. I loved Harry. She’s warm, funny, sassy and brave.
The story moved along at a good place and kept me gripped to the very end.

#TheMissingMaid is well written and engaging. I’m very much looking forward to reading what Holly brings us next in this series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

BLOG TOUR REVIEW


Review for 'The Missing Maid' by Holly Hepburn

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Holly Hepburn, Boldwood Books, Bold Book Club, Book And Tonic and Rachel's Random resources Tours.

Publication date 27th March 2024.

This is the first book I have read by this author but it wont be my last!. It is also the first book in Holly's 'The Baker Street Mysteries' series.

This novel consists of 15 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO HOLLY HEPBURN ON AN ABSOLUTELY ADDICTIVELY PAGE TURNING FANTASTIC READ.

AN absolutely successful unputdownable historical cosy mystery by the very talented Holly Hepburn. I'm always a bit dubious with books based historically as I worry about not being able to 'deal' with the language used but I absolutely love how Holly has written her book. The language used is perfectly suited to the era whilst being easy to read. The atmosphere and descriptions were perfect. The synopsis and cover also suit the storyline.

This book is an absolutely fantastic, addictive and gripping historical cosy mystery that grips your attention from the first sentence all the way to the fantastic end!! I must admit that this is not my usual type of book but when I seen it I thought I would give it a try and I am extremely glad that I did as I absolutely LOVED IT!!! If this isn't the sort of book you would pick up then don't let that out you off, expand your literature genres and you will not regret it!!! This book had me hooked from the first page to the last. There was so much going on that I just couldn't stop turning the pages and as soon as I said just this last chapter and then bed something happened that meant I just had to read another one. In this brilliant page turner we turn back time to 1932, travel to London and meet Harriet White, more commonly known as Harry White. After Harry turns down the advances of her boss at the building society she works in on Baker Street the boss decides to put her in a different role as "punishment". However, she finds herself in a job where she has to go through the mail sent to Mr Sherlock Holmes himself!!! Instead of being put off by the fact that Sherlock Holmes doesn't actually exist she ends up finding herself intrigued and taken in by the correspondence sent to him asking to solve mystery after mystery. Harry replies to each of the letters explaining that Mr Holmes has actually retired from his detective work to take up beekeeping in Sussex. However, one of the letters sent from just 5 miles from where Harry's family estate is catches her eye. It tells Mr Holmes that a young woman who went to London to find work disappeared shortly after under strange circumstances. Well, Harry cannot resist taking this case on herself and is determined to solve the mystery of the missing maid! Has Harry put herself in danger? Will she find the maid before it is too late? Well, grab a cup of tea, get comfy and grab your copy of this fantastic cosy mystery to find out yourself!! This book is extremely well and smoothly written and it captivated my attention straight away. I also love the fact that I really liked Harry immediately and she very quickly became like a friend where I was rooting for her to solve the mystery throughout. Needless to say, I am extremely pleased this is just the first book in a series as I cannot wait to meet her again and again!!! It really is a fantastic beginning to what really does promise to be an absolutely fantastic series!! thanks to Holly's exceptional evocative writing skills it felt like I had jumped into a time machine and ended up in London myself seeing the sights, smelling the city, hearing the noises and feeling my heart beat faster as I raced along with Harry!! Harry also came to life in front of my eyes and it felt like I was right next to her trying to solve the mystery together with her. The fact that Holly has clearly done her research absolutely shines through the book so a huge well done Holly!! There is not much worse than when an author does little or even no research into their chosen topic as it then litters the story with unnecessary mistakes and can destroy what could otherwise be an excellent read but Holly has avoided this by doing plenty of research. It saddens, sickens and annoys me how women were treated during this era but it also goes to show how much society has come along, evolved and progressed when it comes to women and their rights! It is also clear that Holly cares about her characters ensuring that Harry is realistic, determined, fiery, strong and extremely likeable. Harry really is a fantastic female lead and being female myself I am a huge fan of strong female protagonists and Harry is one of the best I have come across and I just cannot wait to meet her again and again!! This book is absolutely rammed with history, crime, mystery and everything you could want in a gorgeous cosy historical page turner. There were so many times I was so absorbed that when I looked up from the book it took me a few moments to realise where I actually was! I don't read an awful lot of historical books but after reading this one I cannot wait to get stuck into more books in what promises to be a fantastic series!! The characters were all larger than life and realistic. Holly's fantastic writing skills brings each and every one of them to life. They all had a part to play and they all played their parts perfectly. There were characters that angered me, others that made me laugh and some that I loved. I won't say any more about the characters as I don't want to give anything away. However, regardless of whether you love them or hate them they all worked perfectly to make this such an explosive start to a promising series I cannot wait to meet Harry again and see what she gets up to in the next "episode".

If you are looking for an absolutely fantastic, cosy and addictive page turner then your in the right place!!

Welcome to my favourite historical cosy mystery author Club Holly!! A page turning and unputdownable success! A fantastic start to a promising new series and here's to your next success 🥂!!

Overall an easy to read, addictive and cosy page turning mystery that will keep you up late at night.

222 pages.

This book is just 99p, to purchase on kindle, free with Kindle Unlimited and £9.99 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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This is the start of a new series from an author that is also new to me. I found Harriet interesting and likeable. The idea behind the series is also a little bit different to the normal Sherlock linked mysteries. The story has both humour and has a well researched historical background. A well plotted mystery and hints of romance add to the story. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I'm a huge fan of Hepburn's books and this was a huge genre change to what I'm used to reading from her.

The Missing Maid is the first in an exciting new cozy mystery series with links to the infamous Sherlock Holmes, with Harriet being tasked to respond to the letters that pour into 221b Baker Street asking Holmes to solve their mysteries.

A highly entertaining, fun read, with great characters, an enjoyable plot and was the perfect way to spend a couple of hours over the Easter break.

Firstly thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Holly Hepburn for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
Now I've read some books by Holly Hepburn before and loved them but this was a new kind of book from her so while I knew the writing would be brilliant I was interested to see how she would do going from romance to cosy crime. And the answer to that is brilliantly. I can't believe this is her first cosy crime book she got the pacing spot on we had little points of worry for Harry's safety, brilliant Sherlock Holmes-inspired detective work from her and just a tiny hint of romance which I'm hoping we get more of in the next book.
I really loved Harry from the first point she stepped onto the page, She is such a strong-minded female character and you can't help but cheer her on when she stands up to creeps like her boss or shrugs off society's norms for a woman of her station to go do detective work and help someone of a lower station. She is an absolutely brilliantly written character and I'm so glad there are more books planned in this series because I'm really excited to see what she gets up to next and what the next intriguing letter for Mr.Holmes holds.
As I said Holly Hepburn's writing style is fantastic and love reading books by her because it's so easy to immerse yourself in them because of how she writes. I am so looking forward to book two and I hope it's hitting the shelves soon.

This is the start of an original historical cozy series featuring Harriet, an energetic and clever heroine. She’s a high-class woman who choose to be independent and is being demoted because she rebuffed her boss’ advances.
The new office is a very original one as the post address of the office is the same of Sherlock Holmes and people is writing to the mythical detective asking him to help with their problems.
Most of the letters do not require a complex answer but one attract Harriet’s attention and she decides to investigate.
This is the start of an enjoyable and well plotted story. I liked Harriet and liked the idea behind the series as it is based on Sherlock Holmes’ myth but it’s not another pastiche featuring Doyle’s detective.
Harriet is a kick ass heroine who’s not afraid to visit the darker and seedier side of London, avoid the suitors who are forced on her by her mother. There’s the promise of romance that never send the mystery on the back side, there’s humour, and a vivid and well researched historical background.
The mystery is well developed, and I enjoyed it.
I had fun and look forward to reading the next mystery.
Recommended.
Many thanks Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I have a little confession to make. Yes yet another one. Although I have several of Holly's books on my ever increasing 'to be read' mountain, I haven't read one for quite a while...until now that is. In a departure from her usual genre Holly has turned her hand to 'cozy crime'. 'The Missing Maid' is the first book in 'The Baker Street Mystery' series and is being billed as perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes. I couldn't wait to dive in and so without further ado, I grabbed my Kindle, grabbed a cup if tea and settled down for an interesting afternoon of reading. I really enjoyed reading 'The Missing Maid' but more about that in a bit.

It took me next to no time to get into 'The Missing Maid. In fact as soon as I started reading, I realised that I was reading something special and that I would struggle to put the book down for any length of time. I was spot on too. I loved the main character of Harry (Harriet) White and it didn't take me long to feel as though she had become a friend of mine and I felt all protective of her. I kept wanting to jump inside the book to sort out those who were upsetting her. I loved the idea of Harry being a fan of mysteries and that she ended up 'assisting' Sherlock Holmes with certain cases. This was one of those books that grabbed me and didn't let me go until long after I had read the very last word on the very last page. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. I was so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the different characters that I didn't realise just how quickly the time was passing and how quickly I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of 'The Missing Maid' and I had to say goodbye to Harry. I found 'The Missing Maid' to be a gripping cozy mystery which certainly kept me guessing.

'The Missing Maid' is extremely well written and then some. Holly has an easy going writing style which grabs the reader's attention from the start and entices the reader into the story. Holly's love for her characters shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. Harry ended up feeling more like a friend than a character in a book. 'The Missing Maid' is set in London in 1932 and the story is written in such a way that you really do feel as though you have been transported back to that era. Personally I love stories that are set during the interwar years especially when the language of that time period is used. I love the way in which the author makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Missing Maid' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers and particularly to those who love cozy mysteries. I look forward to reading much more of Holly's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is the first book in the Baker Street Mysteries series, set in 1930s London. For a cosy mystery reader, this book was my ideal flavour. The author brought the characters and the story to life in a pleasant, lighthearted way. I find that with this type of mystery, the characters often come across as quirky and eccentric, and I felt this was the case here too.

The protagonist was Harriet White. I liked her as a character, and I identified with her a little bit. The story was entertaining and fun, and easy to read in one sitting. I enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes references throughout, as I'm a fan of the original stories and am always interested to read new stories inspired by the original Sherlock Holmes.

If you like cosy historical mysteries, I would recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I love how the author created, within the plot (as opposed to just telling me stuff or assuming that a FMC is simply going to naturally be able to do whatever the story throws at her), all the plausible details for our heroine’s pluckiness, strengths, cleverness, and wit. I liked her very much and I am looking forward to more adventures with Sherlock’s “secretary.”