Mrs Hudson Investigates: Mrs Hudson Investigates, #1

By Karen J. Carlisle

We all know the stories.

A mystery. A brilliant detective. Mystery solved.

But what if he went missing? Who would solve them?

A secret communique from the the French government has been stolen. Holmes has been engaged to find the thief to prevent the message falling into the wrong hands, but he's nowhere to be found and Dr Watson is off to find him. So, it's up to Mrs Hudson to investigate. With the help of Mary Watson, Mrs Hudson proves she is just as canny as the Great Detective. I mean, what can't a woman do if she puts her mind to it?

'Mrs Hudson Investigates' is Karen's first short Holmesian mystery in the series of the same name. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kraken Publishing
• Release date: Jul 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201988586

Karen J. Carlisle

Karen J Carlisle is a writer and illustrator of speculative fiction - steampunk, Victorian mystery and fantasy. She graduated in 1986, from Queensland Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Optometry and lives in Adelaide with her family and the ghost of her ancient Devon Rex cat. Karen first fell in love with science fiction when she saw Doctor Who as a four-year old (she can’t remember if she hid behind the couch). This was reinforced when, at the age of twelve, she saw her first Star Destroyer. She started various other long-term affairs with fantasy fiction, (tabletop) role-playing, gardening, historical re-creation and steampunk – in that order. Her first book, Doctor Jack and Other Tales, was published in 2015. She has had articles published in Australian Realms Roleplaying Magazine and Cockatrice (Arts and Sciences magazine). Her short story, An Eye for Detail, was short-listed by the Australian Literature Review in their 2013 Murder/Mystery Short Story Competition. Karen's short story, Hunted, is featured in the Trail of Tales exhibition in the Adelaide Fringe, 2016. She currently writes full-time and can often be found plotting fantastical, piratical or airship adventures. Karen has always loved chocolate - dark preferred - and rarely refuses a cup of tea. She is not keen on the South Australian summers. 

Book preview

MRS HUDSON INVESTIGATES

To the untrained observer , the living room appeared to be in perfect order - a typical bachelor's residence, crammed with mementos of past adventures and victories and necessary comforts. Mrs Hudson knew better; after years of caring for the great Sherlock Holmes, her eye had been honed to his peculiarities.

Her gaze flicked toward the dark fireplace. She sighed, lamenting the lack of its comforting crackle. On an average day, flames would be licking the hearth. Half-spent coal lay cold in the grate. This was no usual day.

Only the tick of the wall clock marked her footsteps as she crossed to the sealed bow window. The heavy curtains rattled on their rail as they slid open. A pair of binoculars lay on an armchair. She picked up the discarded violin case and snapped the latch shut.

The acrid smell of cigarettes hung in the still air. Empty chairs sat either side of the fireplace. A stack of reference books leaned precariously next to Mr Holmes' chair. The pipe rack was bare. His violin lay abandoned on the breakfast table, next to a still cocked pistol.

Mrs Hudson raised an eyebrow and curled her hand around the gun's metal grip. It was not unlike her lodger to keep irregular hours at great inconvenience to cook. Lord knows I am patient, putting up with foul smells and unscheduled visits. But this...?

She released the hammer, wrapped the weapon in a piece of muslin and tucked it into her pocket.

There must have been more to yesterday's gentleman visitor than first appeared. Mr Holmes, what have you gotten mixed up in this time?

The clock clicked. Its clear chimes filled the room.

Ten o'clock. Mrs Hudson frowned.

Where are you, Mr Holmes?

Mrs Hudson scanned the mahogany desk near the back window. An ink pen sat in an open pot, next to his