The premise of this one is quite unique, people writing to the Baker Street address of the great Sherlock Holmes. 
This was my first exposure to the author Holly Hepburn and it won’t be my last . I really liked her characters and look forward to more of these adventures.

What a lovely book. Based around a building society located where Sherlock Holmes ‘lived’. They get a lot of post addressed to him and after a contra temp with her boss Harry is seconded to the post room to answer the letters. One sticks out as it’s from a village not far from her family estate. Harry decides to investigate. The maid in question was sacked from her job for stealing some jewellery. However she didn’t do it but still ends up in prison. Harry puts on disguises to help the maid. It’s an intriguing story not like anything else I’ve read. I loved it.

Favorite Quotes:

At twenty-two, their youngest brother had yet to develop a sense of responsibility, relying instead on impish charm and a smile that was hard to resist. His siblings had long ago learned not to lend him anything they wanted to see again.

Yellowish china pump handles stood tall above the polished wood of the bar itself, presided over by a burly man who looked to Harry as though he was one impertinent comment away from a good brawl.

A word of warning, though. That toffee-nosed accent of yours creeps through every now and then. You should work on that before you do any more snooping.


My Review:

This was a fun and clever start to a new historical cozy series, and I do loves a good cozy. The premise of this one is quite appealing and unique, desperate people writing to the Baker Street address of the great Sherlock Holmes, begging the infamous detective to help them with various problems. A major problem being that while Sherlock Holmes didn’t exist beyond print, his address was real, although it happened to be belong to a bank.

It fell upon a wily and independent minded young woman, laboring away in a small windowless broom closet, to type out individual responses to each correspondent. How many of us remember using carbon paper?

This was my first exposure to the agile and creative scribblings of Holly Hepburn and I found her writing style to be smooth, immersive, and easy to follow, with issues and scenarios true to the period. I adored her conjured characters and look forward to more of these adventures.

The first book in a new cosy mystery series. It is a short book and can be read in one sitting.

I really liked the protagonist Harry, who works at a bank that has it's offices in buildings including 221b Baker Street. Due to standing up for herself, Harry is demoted to a small office and now has to answer letters sent to Sherlock Holmes that the bank has been accumulating for quite some time. Not wanting to give her tormentor the satisfaction of quitting or slacking Harry invents Mr Holmes' assistant and upon encountering a letter sent from her home village sets out to find Mildred, the missing maid. She finds the maid and uncovers far more than she originally thought she'd find.

In future novels I would like to see more of Oliver and hopefully more of a romantic relationship between him and Harriet.

A great cozy mystery set in 1932. I enjoyed all the twists and dead ends which kept me guessing. The characters were very good and this book was a great read. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A thoroughly delightful read!
An extension upon the work of Sherlock Holmes, a heroine worth much more than she's given and a mystery involving quite a few players. All that and more in this tale by Holly Hepburn.

This first installment of a new series and from what I gather, a new genre of writing for the author, that I hope to read more of.

The characters are very much larger than life and realistic for the time frame. The writing flowed seamlessly and kept you guessing up to the end. The reality of the day, inserted right across the pages of the book.

The only flaw that I found was a few occurrences of the main character, Harry, using much more modern slang and wording than the times of the day. I also didn't appreciate the quite sudden ending which left a bit unsaid about how big a crime was actually solved.

I hope in future books to see the come uppance of Harry's tormentor at the bank as well as a love interest progression with Harry and Oliver.

Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Oh this is such a glorious new direction for Holly and I absolutely loved it. Don't get me wrong I love her other romantic books too. But this was so fresh and hollies writing style really suited this kind of book. I thought enjoyed it and hope there is more to come .

The Missing Maid by Holly Hepburn is an intriguing and entertaining cosy mystery, set in London in the early 1930s. This Sherlock Holmes-inspired story is the first book in The Baker Street Mysteries series.
The character of Harry is well-drawn and likeable. Conan Doyle would have approved of Sherlock Holmes' "secretary".
The Missing Maid is a cracking mystery, with a strong female protagonist, and deft plotting. It is a finely-balanced mix of historical detail and cosy crime fiction.

Review is part of the blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

3 Stars
One Liner: A fluffy read

1932, London
When Harry (Harriet White) rebuffs the advances of her superior, she is demoted to the postal department beneath the bank (where she worked in a clerical position). Turns out, she has to respond to the endless letters people have written to Sherlock Holmes (221B Baker Street, where the offices are located).
Harry sends a standard response to each letter until one grabs her attention. What if she can solve the case or at least try? After all, she is now Holmes’ secretary, managing his correspondence as he enjoys a quiet country life.
And thus begins Harry’s new journey. But can she solve the case?
The story comes in Harry’s third-person POV.

My Thoughts:
The premise is interesting and immediately got my attention. It’s not surprising that people thought Holmes was real and continued to write him letters, requesting him to take up a case.
The book is short (220 pages or so) and a fairly fast read. It is a light cozy mystery with abundant touches of family drama and some humor. Still, the book manages to touch upon a few issues like workplace harassment, class differences, privilege, etc.
Harry is easy to like. She is a friendly person and a little too curious. From the blurb, you can guess that she has a strong spine and is no pushover. She has traces of Enola Holmes, though she is used to a comfortable life with her family. Her relationship with her brothers is cute to read.
The mystery starts out well but fizzles out despite the promising elements. The execution leaves a lot to be desired. Missing information and patchy resolution will not help. Things are too easy even for a cozy. Don’t want to say more, as it’ll be a spoiler.
We have a love interest who doesn’t appear until around 40%. The chemistry isn’t there yet, but it could get better in the coming books. The situation suits the backstory, so that’s not a complaint. I’ll read book #2 to see how it develops.

To summarize, The Missing Maid is a decent start to a new series, even if it doesn’t set high expectations. It will work well as a palate cleanser after an intense read and can be finished in a single sitting.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I am definitely a Sherlock Holmes fan, so the premise of this story got my attention immediately, but it was the writing, characters and the new story perspective that firmly held it.

This is not strictly speaking a Sherlockian story at all, as the book takes the same premise as reality – that the great detective is fictional – but elaborates on the idea that some people might be confused enough or desperate enough to believe him real and appeal to him for help. And that’s where Harry White steps in, relegated to gently rejecting such appeals but curious enough to start poking around when one catches her eye.

It is quite a female-centric story really, as Harry (Harriet) is the main character and investigator (with just a little help from family friend and potential romantic interest Oliver) and the case features a missing maid, letters from said maid’s sister and a link to the rise in women crime gangs across the city.

I was totally caught up in the case and Harry’s attempts to investigate and solve it, using the fictional detective as inspiration and motivation but her own natural skills and familial connections. I did think it was a bit of a shame that after a dramatic climax, Harry was locked out of the big finale, leaving Scotland Yard to wrap things up off-page, but that does mirror Conan Doyle’s detective, who lives for the puzzle and the chase rather than the glory, and it also handily preserves her anonymity for future escapades.

And there were a few questions left hanging tantalisingly open, ready for said future escapades, so I will be keeping my eyes out for more in this series. If nothing else, I am dying to see Mr Simeon Pemberton’s face when he finally realises who he has actually been messing with!

This book engaged me right from the start when a 1930s secretary working at the Building Society whose location includes 221B Baker Street is demoted after refusing her boss' inappropriate advances to deal with the legion of letters written to Sherlock Holmes (although he was a fictional character). Harry eventually came across a letter near from where she was from that begged for help to find a family member who took up work as a maid in upper-crust house in London and was now missing. Bored with the routine nature of her repeated responses, Harry apprehensively decided to try her hand at finding out what happened to this maid.

So began a new series that had a strong female lead but basically in sync with the mores of the time. She was hesitant to engage in activities that were not considered proper for a woman of her class, i.e. drinking in a lower-class pub, and other things. I'm glad she was smart enough to ask for help when she went to confront her suspect. That did not make her weak, instead that made her intelligent. Even police go in usually with at least 2 people when confronting a suspect. Harry was not perfect as a detective right from the beginning. She came across dead ends and became frustrated at times. Harry made some mistakes; that made me like her all the more.

The historical details were good and there moments of action that would satisfy anyone looking for that. I think it was a very good start of a new historical mystery series with a perfect premise that was based on the real fact of the Building Society actually responding to all the letters sent to them for Sherlock Holmes.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest opinion.

*3.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

"Like them kind of books, do you? Detective stories and that?

"Yes, I do."

"That must be why they give you this here job."

I like them too and reading the historical fiction, The Missing Maid, the first of a planned series, by new to cozy mysteries author Holly Hepburn was a delight.

Harriet "Harry" White is determined to live her own life despite coming from a well-to-do family. Working at a bank on Baker Street in London is part of her independence but, when she declines the advances of her evil bank manager, she finds herself relegated to the basement answering letters addressed to the fictional Sherlock Holmes.

It seems in the 1930s many think his adventures were real accounts of his detective skills. Harry politely writes back that the famed detective is now retired living a life of leisure as a beekeeper. One letter from her home town catches Harry's attention about a beloved sister and daughter who started work as a maid for a wealthy family, known to Harry, and after being accused of stealing has disappeared from London. Posing as the retired detective's secretary Harry investigates on her own time.

The writer has fun detailing the naive trials and tribulations of Harry trying to disguise herself as a man, a maid and honestly, a detective. The missing maid mystery isn't that intricate and easily resolved. It's Harry's determination that fuels the story.

A bit reminiscent of @masterpiecepbs Miss Scarlett and The Duke, Harry's story is enjoyed as a woman trying to make it in a man's world where the right to vote for women is only a few years old. There's also a tease with a lawyer friend Oliver, who has potential as a romantic interest.

The Missing Maid cleans up as an easy to read cozy mystery.

I received a free copy of this book from Boldwood Books via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

What a delightful cozy mystery that kept me awake well past my bedtime. I enjoyed reading it and going back to my childhood when I first read the series about Sherlock Holmes and fell in love with the stories. Harry White is a smart, funny and I must add brave heroine, and is well developed and the story is well written. I recommend it to all cozy mystery readers and especially to those who like to read stories when Sherlock Holmes is mentioned. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance review copy.

I had no idea about what Sherlock Holmes mysteries would be like. The title gripped mw and the synopsis made me curious. The story was fast and well detailed. It's short, but the words are well-chosen and the attention to detail is very good. Harry is someone to root for, and she certainly fights for what she wants.

Overall, it was enjoyable and a good cozy mystery.

Thanks to Holly Hepburn and publisher for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4 stars

I loved everything about this historical cozy. The link to Sherlock Holmes intrigued me as I didn't know that this was based on the fact that someone was actually employed at the Building Society to answer letters sent to Sherlock Holmes. I love history so this little tidbit fascinated me and it sets up Harry nicely for many more investigations.
Harry is a wonderful character. She's clever, independent and kind. She has a secret tendre for Oliver, the family friend and I'm sure he feels the same way. However, it doesn't stop the flirty banter between her and the occasional eligible bachelor that her match-making mother sends her way.
The mystery of the missing maid kept me entertained throughout. The pacey drama and easy-to-read style meant that I devoured this book in one day
I loved this mystery and I'll be excited to read the next book when it is published.

I like the historical inspiration for this story. Harry is an intelligent and vibrant character who fits well into the role of the historical amateur sleuth. The author convincingly evokes 1930s society, and the cast of characters is believable. However, I expected the story to have more of the unexpected twists and menacing ethos that define Sherlock Holmes' style mysteries. It's an interesting first story.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Saying no to the unwanted and lecherous advances of her boss leads Harriet White into a whole new direction in her life and career. As a punishment he banishes her to the bowels of the bank and a small office, where she is expected to answer some very unusual mail. Mail addressed to the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. Despite being entirely fictional, people still believe that Holmes exists and continue to ask for his help in important and not so important matters. Harry writes back with a standard reply - he has retired and now keeps bees in Sussex. But one letter gives her pause for thought. Could she really help a family in dire need?  Could she find their missing daughter? The case of the missing made thus begins….

I found Harry to be an intriguing character, with a strength of purpose. She was determined to make her own way in the world and would not be cowed. She put herself in danger and took chances to help others. I loved the idea that people believed in Sherlock Holmes and put their faith in him. Little did they know who really was helping them. 

The story was compelling and very well written. I could imagine London in 1932, and the disparity between the rich and poor. Poor young women were treated badly as Harry soon found out. The rich in society still clung on to  their money and status, but things were changing and before long their gilded lifestyles would change. 

I really like Harry White and would love to join her in further adventures.

I am a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes and love to read or watch anything that is Sherlock-related. I enjoyed this book very much. I can't wait to see more in this new series. Holly Hepburn is a new author to me but I thought she did a wonderful job of leading me on this adventure. I found the idea that people would write to a fictional person asking for help very interesting and wondered if this was based on truth. I love that Holly gives facts about this at the end of the book.
I liked Harry from the very beginning. I loved the interaction between Harry and Oliver and can see this unfolding in future books.
I want to thank Netgally, Holly Hepburn, and Boldwood Books for the ARC. This review is mine and mine alone.

Quite an ingenious and intriguing concept for a story. Our heroine is banished to a cupboard where she reviews all the letters addressed to Sherlock Holmes. A good read.

Quite a different book from what we are used to from Holly. However, this is certainly as enjoyable as all her others.