The She-Wolf of Baker Street by Narrelle M. Harris

‘What the hell are you doing? Are you cutting those plants?’

It has been over half a century since I first made the acquaintance of Sherlock Holmes. I’ve followed his adventures through Arthur Conan Doyle’s books, watched various portrayals on film and television and, naturally, have formed my own views about different characters, including Mrs Hudson.  But I have never, ever, envisaged Mrs Hudson as a postmenopausal werewolf.

Enter Ms Harris, who clearly has, and brings Audrey Hudson to life. In this imaginative, entertaining and fast-paced novel, Mrs Hudson and Sherlock Holmes cross paths when he rescues her from a kidnapper. Sherlock Holmes needs somewhere to live and fortuitously Mrs Hudson had spare rooms in her Baker Street home. John Watson also moves in, and his friend Nicola ‘Nick’ Murray also has a part to play in the events that follow.

So here we have the beginnings of a terrific story. There’s Mrs Hudson, with a backstory full of tragedy and mystery, seen as fair game by collectors of cryptid artefacts. There’s Sherlock Holmes, full of deductive brilliance but totally unaware of the existence of werewolves. Not so John Watson or Nick Murray. There are a couple of mysteries to solve, and Sherlock Holmes’s sister Myca has an important role to play.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Brava, Ms Harris! I want more.

Note: My thanks to Lindy Cameron and Clan Destine Press for providing me with a copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

PS The plants referenced in the quote are important, but you’ll need to read the story to find out why.