The 2nd book in the Baker street mysteries - Sherlock Holmes impersonator Harry gets involved in the case of a writer suffering severe hallucinations. This is largerly inspired by the 'Hound of Baskerville'.
Though this can be read as a stand alone, there are several references and charactrs from the first book.

Very much caught the spirit of The Hound of the Baskervilles.

The clues are not very obscure. I caught most of them withou much effort. Harry is a pleasant and resourcefull heroine.

Harriet 'Harry' White continues her work replying to Sherlock Holmes' correspondence. Mostly she sends a polite letter to decline further involvement but the arrival of a telegram sparks the whole bank's interest. A writer is suffering from bizarre symptoms, possibly driven mad by a curse...
The Cursed Writer is the second book in The Baker Street Mysteries. I have previously read and reviewed the first book The Missing Maid. There is enough information to catch up on Harry's situation and no spoilers about the criminal plot although some personal plot strands do lead on from those in the initial story.
This book has the feel of The Hound of the Baskervilles, as confirmed in the author's note at the end. The desolate fens and the fears of the supernatural are effectively evoked. Plus the book features a large dog!
The style of writing is easy to read and I liked the twists of Harry's investigation. There is a classical feel to the plot and I was kept guessing. I like the personality of Harry; she is a fab lead character full of compassion and gumption. Her caring side comes through clearly in this book as she sees the adversity faced by others. There are also lighthearted moments and the overall tone of the book is warm.
The Cursed Writer is an enjoyable historical cosy mystery.

This is an absolutely exciting book! This fast-paced work kept me on the tip of my toes! Recommended read!

The new headquarters of the Abbey Road Building Society have been built on 221B Baker St well known as the residence of the world’s most famous but definitely fictional detective. Harriet ‘Harry’ White works as a secretary there but after an unfortunate encounter between an overly amorous boss’ groin and her knee, she has been relegated to the basement to answer letters that arrive daily seeking the detective’s help. She replies with a stock answer explaining that Holmes has retired and is no longer available for consultations. However, when a telegram arrives seeking urgent aid for celebrated author, Philip St John, her interest is piqued and soon, she finds herself, with the reluctant help of her friend, Oliver, in Cambridge at the isolated Thurmwell Manor where St John suffers a mysterious illness, one caused, according to his servants, by the ferryman, a local legend who is said to curse anyone who has the misfortune of seeing him.

The Cursed Writer is the second historical cozy mystery in the Baker Street Mysteries by Holly Hepburn and it is an entertaining and atmospheric tale with a strong. Intelligent female protagonist, an interesting mystery, a touch of the gothic, a hint of the supernatural and, of course, a nod to the great detective himself. The story brings together several different plot lines, all of which are concluded satisfactorily and ends with a hint to future adventures for Harry and Oliver acting as Sherlock Holmes’ assistants. Definitely a fun read for Sherlock Holmes’ fans or anyone who enjoys a compelling historical cozy with interesting characters and plots.

I received an e-arc of the book from Netgalley and Boldwood Books in exchange for an honest review

Just finished The Cursed Writer by Holly Hepburn, and wow 👀📖! A spooky old typewriter, writer’s block, and some serious twists—this book had me hooked. If you love gothic vibes with a modern edge, check it out! 🖤✨

The Cursed Writer
by Holly Hepburn
Pub DateOct 17 2024
Boldwood Books
General Fiction \(Adult\)| Historical Fiction| Mystery & Thrillers


Boldwood Books and Netgalley provided me with a copy of The Cursed Writer for the purpose of this review.


When did you realize there was something wrong?


When the screaming began…


Harriet White is not new to odd correspondence. Ensconced in the basement of the Baker Street building society, her job is to reply to the mail they receive on behalf of Sherlock Holmes.


In spite of the abundance of letters to the fictional sleuth, telegrams are rare. Therefore, when she receives one describing the grave condition of celebrated author Philip St John, she is intrigued. The writer describes St John as being consumed by terror, seeing ghostly apparitions on the fens, and only at ease in the company of his loyal wolfhound.

Harry soon finds herself in Cambridgeshire as Holmes' assistant. Thurmwell Manor residents believe their master is cursed. Harry is sure there must be a logical explanation, but inside the echoey halls of the grand gothic house, her confidence in science and reason begin to crumble.


Will Harry be able to solve the mystery before the fens claim their next victim?


I give The Cursed Writer five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

In The Cursed Writer, Holly Hepburn weaves a delightful blend of mystery, suspense, and Gothic atmosphere with a dash of Sherlockian charm. Harriet “Harry” White, a modest and intelligent woman working in the basement of the Baker Street building society, has spent her days answering letters addressed to the great detective Sherlock Holmes. But when a rare telegram arrives, detailing the desperate plight of celebrated author Philip St John, Harry’s curiosity is piqued, and she finds herself drawn into a case far more peculiar than anything Holmes himself might have tackled.

The telegram describes St John as a man haunted by ghostly visions on the fens, driven to terror by apparitions he can neither explain nor escape. With little more than her wits and the cover of being Holmes' assistant, Harry travels to the remote Thurmwell Manor in Cambridgeshire, where the author is said to be consumed by a curse. The residents of the grand, eerie manor are convinced that the curse is real, but Harry—true to her logical and scientific nature—believes that there must be a rational explanation behind the strange occurrences. However, as she digs deeper into the mystery, the boundaries between reason and the supernatural begin to blur, and Harry’s skepticism is put to the test.

Hepburn excels at crafting a perfectly atmospheric setting. The towering, echoey halls of Thurmwell Manor, the desolate fens, and the lurking sense of dread are vividly brought to life, creating an immersive, chilling experience for the reader. Harry herself is an endearing protagonist, sharp-witted and self-assured, though she slowly finds herself questioning her rational worldview as the eerie events unfold. The interplay between logic and superstition is a key theme of the novel, and Hepburn cleverly balances Harry’s scientific background with the undeniable sense that something more sinister may be at play.

The Cursed Writer is a wonderfully engaging mystery, brimming with tension and Gothic intrigue. Fans of classic detective stories, particularly those featuring Sherlock Holmes, will appreciate the homage to the iconic detective as Harry channels his legendary deductive reasoning.

This is the second book in this series, one I was excited to read as I loved the first. Whilst it doesn’t quite capture the first it is still a fantastic, well written novel. I hope there’s more!

This series is getting interesting for my taste.

Harry (Harriet) is a fantastic main character, driven by a strong determination to do the right thing and help others. I appreciate her partnership with Oliver, which is free from any romantic tension; she values her independence while still recognizing the support he provides. It’s refreshing to see two characters unite for a shared goal without entering a romantic relationship.

The mysteries are cleverly crafted, with storylines from the first book flowing seamlessly into the third. While I managed to predict a few twists, most caught me off guard, and I enjoyed the pacing of the reveals. I admire how Harry respects those who have faith in Sherlock Holmes and genuinely collaborates with them.

I wholeheartedly recommend this series and can’t wait for the third book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Holly Hepburn, and Boldwood Books for the ARC.

The Cursed Writer by Holly Hepburn
4 Stars

Harriet White, Harry works at the Abbey Road Building Society and has the job of replying to people's letters addressed to Sherlock Holmes, as his secretary. But this one particular telegram catches her attention. An unusual case involving a famous writer in desperate need of help.
A curse, a psychological disorder or something else at play??? The adventure with Harry is epic...

I loved the vibes and setting of the whole book. It felt like a cozy mystery. And our main character, Harry is so cool. The way she ties together cues to get to the bottom of her cases, i really loved it!
The plot is evenly paced which makes to quick to read through. Though it seems predictable at times, it took me by surprise at the end and indeed the ending was satisfactory

Also the fact that this book is tied to the first one in the series is great. Even though I haven't read the first one, this book is still easy to follow. Now really looking forward to the next book.

Thank you publishers and Netgalley for an advanced copy

This is the second book in the series. I did not read the first and found this a little slow. I loved the idea of Sherlock Holmes but was disappointed with it. The story was a nice cozy mystery but just did not grab me. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.

I really like this series and am so glad I took a chance on it.

Harry [Harriet] is a great MC and I like her determination, and the pull to always do the right thing, and to right the wrongs that have happened to others. I love how she works with Oliver, yet, as of right now, there is no romance [and her swooning around over him] as she is very content to be her own person and on her own, but recognizes how Oliver can help her [she IS a woman in the 1920's after all and they weren't allowed to have TOO much independence], that she [mostly LOL] enjoys his help AND his company/friendship. It is really lovely to have two people who can work together for the betterment of others without swooning all over each other.

The mysteries were good [I really like how there is some carry over from Bk. 1 and that it seems that will continue in Bk.3], and while I did guess a couple of things, most of it was a HUGE surprise, and that was awesome, as was the non-rushed reveal [OH how I LOVE that]. I love how Harry never shames anyone for believing that Sherlock Holmes is real and just works with them within her own capacity. It is just so refreshing. I highly recommend this series and am very much looking forward to book 3!

Thank you to NetGalley, Holly Hepburn, and Boldwood Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in the Baker Street Mysteries and the first that I read by the author. Written in the style of Sherlock Holmes' mysteries, Holly Hepburn brings to us a sassy female main character whose skills of observation help her to solve the mysteries that come her way. Relegated to a back room and tasked with writing replies to mail that comes in addressed to Sherlock Holmes, Harry finds herself in situations that pique her curiosity and lead her towards solving a mystery.

The style of writing is unique and interesting, bringing an air of mystique that keeps the reader hooked. Though the characters were interesting, I found that some depth was missing to them. This made the mystery a little more predictable and easier to figure out as a reader. However, the story was engaging enough with smaller plot lines brought in to add to the character development of Harry. I really liked Harry and how she handled herself and approached the investigation.

The premise of the book intrigued me and drew my attention towards Harry who despite the odds and expectations of the time (set in the 1930s in London) forged her own path. Overall I enjoyed this book and it was a quick read for me. I loved reading Sherlock Holmes mysteries while growing up and it is wonderful to read books in a similar direction. This is a good series to start for fans of Sherlock Holmes and his style of solving mysteries.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ebook copy.

Harriet White, tasked with replying to Sherlock Holmes’s fan mail, receives an unusual telegram about author Philip St John, who is haunted by ghostly apparitions on the fens. Intrigued, she travels to Cambridgeshire, posing as Holmes’s assistant, to investigate the eerie events at Thurmwell Manor. Amid the gothic halls and chilling atmosphere, Harry’s faith in reason falters as she races to solve the mystery before another tragedy strikes.

Harry is back and ready to solve another mystery! The fact that someone has sent a telegram is intriguing. With the help of her friend Oliver, she dives right in. I love these two working together! Despite his disapproval, Oliver admits to enjoying it.

I especially like how the author has woven the events of the first book into this one, where there are still consequences for what Harry did. And this book leads into the third book (which I can’t wait to read!). Even when I guessed part of the solution, I was eager to see how Harry and Oliver would put it together.

Definitely one of my favorite books of the year! Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries will enjoy this one.

An extremely enjoyable ‘cosy crime’ mystery.

The story is set in the 1930’s. Hollie works in the basement of the Abbey Road Building Society, whose offices just happen to span the fictional address of Sherlock Holmes. Hollie’s job is to reply to all the letters received addressed to Sherlock Holmes, under the guise of his secretary, advising Mr Holmes has now retired. 

However, an urgent telegram piques her interest and her inner detective cannot be held back. With the help of her friend Oliver, she sets out to investigate.

The investigation takes her to a mansion on the fens, complete with wolfhound and a big nod to the most famous Holmes story, The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Harry is a very capable young lady with an excellent mystery solving skillset. She is wasted working in a building society!

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the setting and the story which played out just like an actual Sherlock Holmes mystery! The addition of the myth of the ferryman added a hint of supernatural to the story.

Brilliantly written it had me absolutely enthralled and I read it over two sittings.

I am absolutely going to be reading the next in this series as well as reading the first book in the series too.

Many thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the blog tour.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily. I love reading Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock-adjacent mysteries, and somehow, I missed the first book in this series. I promptly borrowed it from my library and loved it, so I was happy to continue this series. However, just because you might not have read the first volume does not mean you cannot enjoy this book; it holds up a standalone novel as well.

It’s the 1930s in London, and Harriet is working for the company that happens to inhabit the buildings along Baker Street, which includes the infamous 221B. It seems many people think Sherlock Holmes is real and write to him at the address. Harry’s job is to read the letters and respond with the company line–that Sherlock Holmes has retired to the Sussex Downs and is no longer accepting cases. However, for now the second time, a particular correspondence (this time a telegram) leads Harry to believe she should try to solve the mystery herself.

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical cozy mystery that added a touch of the supernatural to the story without abandoning science and fact to get to the bottom of the problem. It keeps the spirit of the Sherlock stories alive through the capable hands of a woman. What would Holmes think of that?

I can’t wait to read more volumes in The Baker Street Mystery series!

Another absolute cracker in the series. I loved this book. Mystery, suspense, a touch of the supernatural and hopefully the seeds of more to come. Really enjoyable and completely engrossing, this book (and series) are a joy to read. I really hope there are future books planned as Harry feels she has much more to give!

Thank you Netgalley

I would like to thank Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the first book in this series, but this one seemed to drag.

A manor amidst the wilderness where a man sees things unknown and signs of folktales come to life. An office on Baker Street with a department for answering letters to the famous fictional detective - but every so often, a case will come along that Harry White can't refuse.
Although this is the second in a series, it reads perfectly as a standalone, much like most mystery series. The tale itself unfolds in such a way that the reader can put together its clues just as the characters do, and moves fast enough that you are never bored yet not so fast that you cannot take in what is happening. Our main character Harry and her associates had me engrossed; with their tenacity, dedication and curiosity, they made me stick this one out till the end. All in all, I really enjoyed this, and it makes an ideal cozy mystery especially for fans of Agatha Christie.