Surrounding an irresistible supernatural phenomenon, that prompts our main character to act again as Sherlock Holmes' assistant, in this second instalment of 'The Baker Street Mysteries', it has, in my opinion, all of the elements to make a cozy mystery with a tinge of nostalgia for those who enjoyed Sir Arthur Conan Doyle' Sherlock Holmes and not only.

A perfect book to read during fall - for my mood reader heart, at least, with an eerie setting and a gothic like isolated manor.

I really enjoyed the writing as well as the pacing, and the plot was well constructed with a satisfying ending, or rather a suspenseful one - now I can't wait for the third book :)

Many thanks #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

4 Stars - An Enjoyable Mystery with a Holmesian Twist

As a huge Sherlock Holmes fan, The Cursed Writer by Holly Hepburn immediately caught my attention with its intriguing blurb, and I knew I had to dive in. The story delivered a solid mystery, but I found that some of the answers were a bit too obvious, which took away some of the suspense for me. I also wish the Ferryman character had been scarier to add a bit more tension to the plot.

That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the book from start to finish. It was a fun read that kept me engaged, and I would recommend it to any fellow fan of Holmes. Hepburn does a great job capturing the essence of a good mystery, and I’m looking forward to checking out more of her work.

This is book 2 but can work as a standalone but you should read the 1st book because that is also good.
The book is set in the 1930s.
Really enjoyed it.

This was an enjoyable romp of a read. It’s a gentle mystery that stopped short of murder but pays homage to Sherlock Homes. It’s based on a fact, the Abbey Road Building Society moved into 221b Baker Street in 1932. The society still got correspondence to Sherlock. The author takes that premise and makes Harriet, or Harry the person who deals with this mail and when she finds an intriguing mystery, investigates. In this case, she investigates a well known author is acting very strangely as if they are going insane. The novel weaves several strands into the story, one highlights the problem of sexual abuse in the workplace and how a woman is often ostracised and left to fend for herself while the man faces no consequences. The one thing I found difficult was that this novel assumes considerable knowledge of her previous book in the same series. However, this was still a worthwhile read.

I had not read the first book in this series but was intrigued by the description & excited to be offered the chance to read the ARC by Boldwood Books in exchange for an honest review. I had a really good time with this book! It was not your typical cozy mystery in the best way & I really liked the protagonist, Harry. I think you will enjoy the book more if you have read the first one as there are several references to it and characters from it make appearances, but it is still very good as a standalone. I will be reading the first one to get the full lay of the land in anticipation of the next book in the series. The one thing that bothered me, which is an issue in more books than I'd like it to be not just this one, is the lack of attention to basic math in figuring out the ages of characters. This was particularly glaring for me with the character of John Archer, who was supposed to be in his mid-thirties in 1932 yet was also supposedly a child when his uncle was slaving away over his first novel that published in 1920. That is just not mathematically possible. I also couldn't figure out how old Harry & Oliver were supposed to be, so that didn't help either. However, neither of those things will keep me from reading the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend this book if you love an English cozy mystery with a strong female lead as much as I do!

Thanks again to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for a review.

I've been a big fan of author Holly Hepburn for her romance novels, and when the first book of The Baker Street Mysteries was released, I immediately bought it, read it, and absolutely loved it to the bones. To my delight, the sequel is available to read and review and I INHALED this book in a day.

The game is once again afoot for Harry and Oliver, this time with Barrymore the wolfhound, and this is when I knew it's a homage to the Hound of Baskerville. Another brilliantly written book, the plot was excellent and without any loopholes. The writing is of course, a favorite of mine. The plot twist of the main mystery will definitely keep you guessing, this time though, I didn't get to deduce the answer quickly. (I need to re-read more Holmes and Christie hehe) And besides the main mystery, The Cursed Writer, I also love how Harry helped Mr St John ease up some of his old burdens. I also loved Cecily's story, I'm definitely looking forward to what Harry would do with Mr Pemberton, ugh I hate him to the guts. I've also been wondering about Mildred's story and what happened to her, and I am now looking forward to having Beth on the team!

Another five star read! Definitely looking forward to the next book, Professor James Moriarty, we're coming for you.

Thank you author Holly Hepburn and Netgalley for the copy of this book, I'd definitely buy mine still hehe.

Book 2 in the series, I liked it better than the first. Harry (Harriet) White jumps straight into her next mystery to solve. There are several side mysteries throughout this story for Harry to solve like “who has been breaking into her office” and “what happened to the girl she replaced at Baker Street” but the main mystery is trying to figure out what is causing a famed writer to descend into madness. To do this, she travels to the writer’s house in the country and works with his family and staff (and dog) to unravel the past while trying not to drown in the fens. Harry must enlist the aid of former crush Oliver, who quickly joins her and helps hide the fact that she is not working for Sherlock Holmes. Some characters from the previous book pop up again and Harry must decide whether to work with them. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book

Another well constructed mystery for Harry White in her unexpected work persona as "Sherlock Holmes' secretary".

I think the period setting is very nicely done and Harry's a really great character, I loved the setting for this and Hepburn's style and tone work effectively for a book in this genre - a pleasant light read with enough of a puzzle to keep the pages turning, and development of the returning characters is fun.

Very entertaining - I'm already looking forward to the next one. :)

This was an "okay" read for me - I did not read the first entry in the series, but I did not feel it was necessary to understand the story and pick up where this begins. I found it all a little too convenient and, ironically, found it hard to suspend my disbelief that people ... didn't wonder why Holmes never once showed up to work on the case? I kept falling asleep which usually isn't the case for me with books like this, but even when I dozed off I didn't feel like I missed anything. I found this cute but kind of forgettable, and probably won't read the rest of the series.

Loved this cozy mystery series! Both can be read as a standalone but highly recommend reading The Missing Maid first.
A good, quick read with a great ending and fun plot.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Baker Street Mysteries, Book 2

Harriet Baker is no stranger 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. But while letters to the fictional sleuth may be plentiful, telegrams are rare, and so when she receives one describing the grave situation of celebrated author Philip /st John as being consumed by terror, seeing ghostly apparitions on the fens, and only at ease in the company of his loyal wolfhound. Before long, Harry finds herself in Cambridge under the guise of being Holmes' assistant.

Set in the 1930s, at the Fens in Cambridgeshire.: Harriet White receives an appeal for help. A supernatural phenomenon presents itself to a well-known author. His nephew asks for Holmes' help. What has caused the author Philip St John change of behavior? Harry (Harriet) tries to find out.

I have not read the first book in this series, but it did read well as a standalone. There are references to the first book The Missing Maid. Harry is a likeable character. I really enjoyed this well-written book.

Published 17th October 2024

I would like to thank #NetGAlley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #HollyHepburn for my arc of #TheCursedWriter in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for the ARC!

I wanted to start this short review by stating I DNF this book at 30%, after realizing it was not the right moment for me to read it.

This book focuses on Harry, who works at Bake Street basement answering the fictional character Sherlock Holmes’ correspondence. Eventhough her job is to give generic responses, one day she receives a telegram that catches her attention. Given that curiosity killed the cat, she decides to go out of her usual path and ask for more details. And without realizing she becomes involved in the investigation of, what seems at first glanced, a supernatural mystery.

If you enjoy Sherlock Holmes’ stories, this is the book for you. Harry is a lovable character, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t care leaving her story half read. I think sometimes book don’t arrive to your life at the right moment, and that’s what happened with this book. However, I will consider giving it a second chance in the future, whenever I’m the hunt for a slow paced detective story, settle in a small village in England.

Oh my, what a cute cozy story. I love that it starts with a letter addressed to Sherlock Holmes. When the person hired to review and respond to the numerous letters that are sent to his fictional address, that is a real location, hits upon one that she just can't ignore, the game is afoot. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of these.

Joining Harriet White in 1930s London for a Sherlock Holmes-inspired mystery was fun! I liked the premise of The Cursed Writer. Harry's job is to respond to letters sent to 221B Baker Street in London, begging "Sherlock Holmes" to help them. She informs the writers that Sherlock Holmes has retired. (It's now the address for the bank where Harry works.) She tells 99% of the people that Sherlock Holmes has retired ... but every once in a while, she is moved to take on one of the cases, herself, as the assistant to Mr. Holmes.

I liked Harry a lot. She is not only clever but also kind. And I loved the wolfhound!! There seems to be a bit of chemistry between Harry and Oliver. We'll see what happens in the next book...

I do wish I had read The Missing Maid first, as there were references to that case in The Cursed Writer that left me feeling a bit lost.

I'm looking forward to book 3!!

Big thanks to both #BoldwoodBooks and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Cursed Writer. This book is #2 in the Baker Street Mysteries series and it has an expected publication date of October 17, 2024.

#HollyHepburn #SherlockHolmes #Mystery #StrongFemaleProtagonist

Another exciting case worthy of Sherlock Holmes himself. This is the second adventure of Ms Harry white, whose job is to be secretary who responds to all the letters that arrive at the bank she works at that are addressed to Sherlock Holmes. She mostly replies in the way the bank wants her to but sometimes the case involved is too interesting for her to ignore and she begins to investigate herself.
I loved the case of The Missing Majd but found this one to be even more intriguing - it really reminding me of classic Sherlock. Harry is a great character- caring, determined and very smart. I imagine Holmes would definitely approve of her skills. Even more exciting is that the ending teases a third adventure for Harry. Can’t wait!

This is the second book in this series and another brilliant read. Harry’s sleuthing adventures are not to be missed and kept me entertained from start to finish. These books are ‘cozy crime’ at their best.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Very enjoyable - even though I hadn't read the first in the series, it worked fine as a standalone.

Harry White works in the basement of a building society in Baker Street, replying to the mail sent to Sherlock Holmes. But she's intrigued by the case of author Philip St John, who sees terrible apparitions and only his loyal wolfhound seems to calm him. Harry, as Holmes' "assistant", visits him and tries to find the logical explanation - and enlists the help of barrister Oliver, her childhood friend (though I do hope she realises he's perfect for her!).

Good mystery, lovely characters, and a good read.

The Cursed Writer is book two in the Baker Street Mysteries. I have read book one The Missing Maid (loved it). The Cursed Writer starts in the morning after The Missing Maid has been solved. We have Harry White arriving at Abby Road Building Society and opening the mail addressed to Sherlock Holmes. I liked this as we are all caught up and get right down to the next story without any interruptions. Yet if you have not read The Missing Maid you just start at the beginning of the new story.
Harry White is not looking for a new case but she receives a telegram that is too interesting to just let pass by. So the game is afoot yet again with Harry and Oliver acting as Sherlock Holmes employees.
I found many Britishisms in this book that I needed to Google and I love that too.
Do you love Sherlock Holmes? Do you like a good fun mystery? Then you need to give this series a look. I am so happy I have found it and look forward to the next book.
I was given an ARC of this book and would like to thank Holly Hepburn, Netgalley, and Boldwood books. This is my personal opinion.

Enjoyed being back in Harry and Oliver’s world again as they investigate more mysteries on behalf of Sherlock Holmes.

Harry is a great character who is determined to help others.

'The Cursed Writer' by Holly Hepburn.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I enjoyed this book. I haven't read the first one in the series but it didn't really matter. I was able to follow it well enough. I did guess part of the ending early on but it didn't ruin it for me.
If you're a fan of Sherlock Holmes then give this book a go, it's got mystery, suspense and a little bit of spooky goings on.

'When did you become aware something was wrong?’
‘When the screaming began…’
Harriet White is no stranger 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.
But while letters to the fictional sleuth may be plentiful, telegrams are rare, and so when she receives one describing the grave situation of celebrated author Philip St John, her interest is piqued. 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.
Before long, Harry finds herself in Cambridgeshire under the guise of being Holmes’ assistant. The residents of Thurmwell Manor 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…
Can Harry solve the mystery before the fens claim their next victim?

Thanks to NetGallery UK, the publishers and the author for letting me read this in return for a honest review.