Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Harry responds to letters that come into 110 Downing Street.

She receives a letter about someone who isn’t well and has fits in a Manor House that doesn’t have good surroundings.

She goes off with another person to investigate before something serious happens.

I recommend this book.

This is a delightful mystery I thoroughly enjoyed. What a clever idea to create mysteries in the style of Sherlock Holmes. Letters written to the fictitious Holmes generate real mysteries needing solving. Along with Harry (Harriet), we get to wonder how Holmes would go about solving the mystery. While Harry does not have all of the finer tools Doyle gave Holmes, she does have a curious and adventurous spirit and the help of her friend Oliver.

I like the complicated mystery. It initially seems almost beyond figuring out. Clues become evident and Harry thinks each one through. We are taken to a remote manor where there are tales of ghosts wandering the fens. But Harry is convinced the culprit is real flesh and bone and is determined to uncover him or her. There is only a little bit of suspense so this is a great cozy mystery.

It is the second in a series. While there are some references to the adventures in the previous book, I have not read it and feel this one reads very well on its own.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I read the first in the series earlier this year and loved it, so jumped at the chance to get stuck into this one. Harry is still in her office answering letters that arrive at the bank for Sherlock Holmes - the Abbey building society’s offices take in his address, so fans and people with cases to be solved write to him and Harry gets to sort through them and respond. Occasionally something catches her eye, and a telegram inviting a meeting about a serious crime is the eyecatcher in this novel.

There’s a couple of stories in this one, she’s being followed and having her office tampered with, and a famous novelist is cursed - well, according to local superstition anyway. Off Harry goes to the country estate to see for herself what is going on. The story takes a turn once she’s there, and she must try to get to the bottom of it before Philip St John passes.

I really enjoyed this book, the writing flows so well and it’s such an engrossing read. I can’t wait to find out if there’s more in the future, fingers crossed!

This mystery was so well done, I loved The Missing Maid so I knew I was in for a great story. Overall I thought it was a great addition to the series, full of fun and twists,

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Holly Hepburn for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Cursed Writer coming out October 17, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I need to read the first book in the series. I really enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes story. I love the old, dark house trope. I think this book had more telling than showing. I would’ve liked a little more action throughout. Overall, I really enjoyed it though. I would definitely check out other books by this author!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Sherlock Holmes mysteries!

Set in the 1930’s this is the second in the Baker Street Series. Harriet ‘Harry’ White works in the basement of a bank in Baker Street, London answering correspondence sent to Sherlock Holmes. However, when her interest is piqued she replies to a telegram introducing herself as Sherlock’s assistant and arranges to go and meet the sender. The additional threads following on from events in book one were also really good. Whilst this reads well as a standalone I would recommend reading book one for the ongoing storylines. Written in a classic golden age detective style this was a compelling read.

Briefly, travelling to Thurmwell Manor in Cambridgeshire, the remote home of author Philip St John, Harry sees at first hand the situation with St John. He seems to be possessed and in terror of something that nobody else can see. His nephew, the housekeeper, the Cook and the chauffeur/groundsman are the only other people that live in the manor house. There is something strange going on on the fens and Harry doesn’t believe it’s ’the ferryman’! Harry is convinced that someone in the house is responsible for St John’s condition, but which one, how and why?

The notes at the end do confirm that this was written as an homage to Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles and it certainly gives a similar vibe. Harry is a great character, kind and thoughtful as well as being clever and resourceful but I also really like her sidekick Oliver. A very enjoyable and entertaining cosy mystery and I’m looking forward to book 3.

This is the second in the Baker Street Mysteries series and is another fun adventure with Harry and Oliver. I do feel this series is getting better and better and while I enjoyed the first mystery this one feels a tad better. Perhaps because this is set away from London and the house and surrounding fens added just the perfect amount of atmosphere to the puzzle and you can see things developing between Harry and Oliver looking forward to more. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I haven't read the first book in the series but the author makes sure that doesn't matter and I followed along. I enjoyed it and will go back and read the first one!

The Plot

Harriet White answers correspondence addressed to Sherlock Holmes from her post room at a bank on Baker Street. When she receives a telegram stating that the famous author Phillip St John is in danger, she doesn’t hesitate to investigate. Could the reason for his illness be connected to a supernatural force inhabiting the local fens?

The Review

I had not read the first story, but I soon caught up on most of it. The introduction of the detective in the story as working for a fictional Holmes was a bit implausible, although now, having read the author’s note, I understand the reasoning behind it a little better.

The main part of the story with bringing in the theme of the supernatural, was obviously inspired by the Sherlock Holmes stories. I could tell the author was as much of a fan as I was. The gothic theme could have been woven more into the house’s description and main plot.

The subplot was interesting and did tie in with the main plot, although it veered off in its own direction. I also guessed the source of the poison much earlier than the detective. However, overall, the main storyline held my interest with trying to guess the Ferryman’s identity. I also liked the fact that the ending led into the next novel. 3.5 stars

This is the second book I've read in this serious and it did not disappoint. Harry, the real life unofficial secretary of fictional Sherlock Holmes answers letters sent to 110 Downing Street which is now a bank. Most of the letters she writes inform requests for detective work that Sherlock is retired, but every now and then she gets a case she can't ignore. This time it's a writer who has fits of insanity in a creepy manor house surrounded by a murky, muddy landscape. So Sherlock! The author sends plucky young Harry (short for Harriet) into the mystery, along with Oliver, a friend of her brothers. This book has a strong mystery to solve, as well as a subplot to empower women. I loved it. It also ends with a cliffhanger that will lead you to want to read the next book!

Book 2 in Baker Street Mysteries and it’s another great one. Harry has been ‘demoted’ to the basement of the building society after she punished a male manager who tried it on with her. She now answers mail addressed to Sherlock Holmes. She receives a telegram asking for help for an author who seems to be at deaths door deep in the Fens. Of course she takes it on in fine style also finding another ex employee who was sacked from the building society and changing her life.
It’s a wonderful read and I hope there are many more to come

4 Stars
One Liner: I like this!

1930s London
Harriet White decides to stick to her job as Holmes’ secretary, sending the same standard reply to the countless letters received by the Baker Street building society. However, curiosity gets the better of her when she receives a cryptic telegram about the famous writer St John.
Turns out, Philip St John has been seeing ghostly apparitions and is inching closer to his demise. Some of the residents at the Thurmwell Manor believe it’s the curse. Harry (Harriet) takes up the case on behalf of the famous fictional detective. With Oliver helping her, she needs to save Philip before it’s too late. However, danger lurks everywhere!
The story comes in Harry’s third-person POV.

My Thoughts:
I like this better than the previous one!
The book should work as a standalone but it would help to read the first in the series since there’s a definite improvement overall. However, the little snippets (some repetition, which is necessary for new readers) provided whenever necessary do the job.
The story starts almost immediately after the previous case ends (maybe a few days later). The beginning (~10%) is a little slow but soon, we get into a steady pace.
The mystery doesn’t start right away, though we get some information about it. I like that the culprit is not immediately obvious but is easy to guess once you get some clues. It is well-handled for the genre and there’s no info dump.
There are two side tracks. Both take the lead from the previous book. While one is easier to follow, the other can cause a few questions if you haven’t read the book. I like the developments here. More will come (I hope), and we get what we’ve been waiting for!
The arcs of both characters (Harry and Oliver) are getting better, so my expectations from the series have climbed up a couple of inches. Romance hasn’t occurred yet. It will, so just have to wait and watch.
The book ends with a teeny yet strong lead for the next one. I am excited! After all… nope. Won’t reveal anything. ;)

To summarize, The Cursed Writer is a solid second entry in the series and feels much better than the previous one. Can’t wait for book three!
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Tasked with replying to letters addressed to the fictional Sherlock Holmes, Harriet investigates a cryptic telegram about an author terrified by strange apparitions. Posing as Holmes’ assistant, she travels to a gothic manor on the fens, where she must solve a supernatural mystery before another victim falls prey to the house’s secrets.

This homage to “The Hound of the Baskervilles” is a fun read with an intriguing mystery. I love the characters and the author’s writing style. While this book can be read as a standalone, the series is best read in order.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The Cursed Writer is the second in the Baker Street Mysteries from Holly Hepburn, and is another fun adventure with Harry and Oliver.
Holly has written another clever mystery and I loved how Harry and Oliver were drawn into the intrigue.
The house and surrounding fens added just the perfect amount of atmosphere to the puzzle and I loved seeing Harry begin to work through the clues, just as Mr Holmes would have done.
A brilliant follow-up to The Missing Maid where ‘the game is once again afoot’.

"The Cursed Writer" by Holly Hepburn is a British historical mystery with a hint of cosiness that will surely appeal to fans of Sherlock Holmes and anyone who loves a thoughtfully crafted whodunit. Set in the 1930s in England, the second novel in the series follows Harriet White, a clever young woman relegated to working in the basement of a Baker Street building society, where she answers letters addressed to the famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. Her curiosity is sparked when she receives an urgent telegram concerning the troubles of the celebrated author Philip St John, leading her to the mysterious Thurmwell Manor in Cambridgeshire.

Hepburn's writing is so enjoyable. She refines the essence of classic detective fiction with a gently modern touch, crafting a story that feels both nostalgic and modern. The atmospheric backdrop of the foggy fens and the gothic manor house adds a wonderfully eerie element and reminds me of a Sherlock Holmes tale (a la Hound of the Baskervilles). The central mystery is cleverly plotted, filled with twists and surprises that will keep you guessing. Hepburn adeptly weaves together various plot threads, including nods to earlier cases and hints at exciting future escapades. She also includes a compelling personal journey for the main character, full of its own twists.

The heart of the book is Harry herself. She is clever, independent, and ahead of her time - but not out of place. Her determination to solve the case, despite the societal norms of her time (without unrealistically disrespecting them), shows a clever mind indeed. The supporting characters are also well-developed, especially Oliver who is a great partner in justice (Do I ship her and Oliver? Absolutely I do, even though there is no actual romance indicated).

"The Cursed Writer" is a wonderful choice for fans of cosy and historical mysteries, and Sherlock Holmes or Agatha Christie fans. It is a delightful mix of period details, engaging characters, and a classic mystery that will attract readers who appreciate a thoughtful challenge with a hint of the supernatural. Whether you're jumping into the series for the first time or coming back for another adventure, this book is for you.

Thank you to Boldwood Books & Net Galley for a eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is book two in this series and it picks up right after the previous one ends. Harry once again finds herself caught up in a new mystery.
I thought this was a well written mystery. It felt very much like a Sherlock Holmes story. I like Harry and found myself turning the pages quickly to see what happened next. I’m already looking forward to the next book. In fact it can’t come out soon enough.

Very well written, with relatable characters and well-constructed dialogue resulting in a very disturbing — but also satisfying — storyline ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A rattling good tale with twists and turns aplenty.

A Most Unsettling Debacle..
The second of the Baker Street Mysteries and a revisit to Harriet White as she sits in the basement of a Baker Street building dealing with correspondence for the great Sherlock Holmes. Is another mystery about to come her way and, if so, can she solve it? When Harriet receives a telegram, rather than a letter, so begins a most unsettling debacle. Edgy, smart and compelling, intricately researched, atmospheric and with a delightful protagonist this is a worthy addition to this new series.

Hepburn has crafted a protagonist worthy of standing alongside the great Sherlock Holmes himself. Harry White is a compelling blend of intelligence, keen observation skills, and an insatiable curiosity that drives her to unravel the mysteries that land on her doorstep. The author's attention to detail in maintaining the atmosphere and style of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original works is commendable, seamlessly integrating Harry into the rich tapestry of Holmes' London.

What sets this series apart is its ability to honor the source material while carving out its own unique identity. Readers familiar with Conan Doyle's stories will appreciate the familiar beats and tones, yet find themselves drawn into fresh adventures guided by Harry's capable hands.

As the series progresses, it's clear that Hepburn has struck a delicate balance between nostalgia and innovation. "The Cursed Writer" not only satisfies fans of classic detective fiction but also introduces the genre to a new generation of readers through its fresh perspective and engaging protagonist.

With each book, the series gains momentum, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. If "The Cursed Writer" is any indication, Harry White's future adventures promise to be a treat for mystery lovers and Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts alike.

This is an excellent follow up to The Missing Maid. This was definitely a spookier story, and the mystery was clever and a lot of fun. I enjoyed this even more than the first one, the characters were more developed, the plot was more intriguing and it felt like Hepburn is more confident in her writing. I liked how this built on story lines from the first book while also giving enough backstory and context to allow for it to be read as a standalone. I also enjoyed Harry's side missions and I'm keen to see how these will play out in the next installment. Overall, this is a perfect cosy mystery.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this eArc in exchange for an honest review.