I actually purchased this novel with a certain amount of trepidation-because I have one Mrs. Hudson novel (not by this author!) on my shelves, and try as I may, I just can't seem to get into it. But I liked the write-up on this novel, and as this was Mr. Davies first attempt, I felt I should at least give him a chance. I'm glad I did.
The story is told through the narration of a young girl named the unusual sobriquet of "Flotsam", called tenderly "Flottie". She has came along with Mrs. Hudson to keep house for two unusual gentlemen: Sherlock Holmes & Dr. John H. Watson. Flottie has a past with a rather disreputable man, alias for the moment, Maurice Orlando Fogarty, AKA, Melmoth. He seems eager to have the young girl let him know how Holmes is doing in his latest case, which seems to involve a Sumatra Curse. (My only ding: Sorry, Martin, but the Giant Rat Story IS getting old. The one in Resurrected Holmes, by Paula Volsky will always be my favorite. On the plus side, this is a new twist that I will guarantee is original, and not bad. )
But Mrs. Hudson has her own ideas about the case, and they don't exactly square with The Great Detective's own. One thing is certain-murders are being committed by strange devices, and SOMEBODY is not what they seem. Is the client lying? If so, why? Why is Fogarty so mixed up in this that he tries to bribe Flottie by telling her he has found her long-lost brother, but he's a dope addict and will die if she doesn't cooperate? And does Mrs. Hudson REALLY beat Holmes at his own game?
Tell you what. Are you looking for a really good reading experience? Then buy the book, read it, and find out! This is one book that The Raven has very little bad to say about. Martin Davies, my hat's off to you. Quoth the Raven...
