Read time; 3 minutes
📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 217 pages
⏱ ~4 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Boldwood Books
📅 Release Date: January 20, 2026
✨ ARC provided by NetGalley
Book Blurb:
Back in 1930s London, Harriet White thinks she’s done with danger after her close call on the Cambridgeshire Fens. But when a letter appears in The Times—signed by none other than Professor Moriarty—challenging Sherlock Holmes to solve an “impossible mystery,” Harry can’t ignore it. What starts as a curious puzzle becomes darker when a jewel theft turns into murder. Holmes may be fiction, but Harry’s about to find out how real danger can be.
Let’s talk… murder!
Harriet White is back, and so, technically, is Sherlock Holmes. Still working in her modest Baker Street office, answering letters meant for the world’s most famous detective, Harry once again stumbles into a mystery she absolutely cannot ignore. This time, though, the stakes feel sharper. Moriarty is writing to her. Moriarty. And suddenly the lines between fiction, legacy, and very real danger begin to blur in the most delicious way.
Holly Hepburn nails the historical cozy mystery feel. 1930s London comes alive with foggy streets, clever disguises, and that ever-present sense of Baker Street magic. Harry’s growth shines; she’s sharper, more conflicted about her double life, and the Moriarty correspondence adds delicious psychological tension. The locked-room setup is clever (no easy answers), and the shift from theft to murder ramps up the drama without losing the cozy charm. Fans of Sherlock Holmes pastiches will love the respectful nods to canon while Hepburn carves her own path. It’s twisty, atmospheric, and just twisty enough to feel fresh.
What I appreciated most is how confidently this book inhabits its literary inheritance. Hepburn doesn’t just reference Conan Doyle; she understands the appeal for the atmosphere, intellect, psychological sparring, and translates it for a modern historical mystery reader. This series just keeps deepening the emotional undercurrent of Harry’s loyalty to Holmes, her self-doubt, and her dogged intelligence make her feel like someone you’d happily follow through every cobbled street and hidden alley London has to offer.
Would I recommend it?
Absolutely. Hepburn’s The Locked Room is a confident, clever, and deeply satisfying addition to the Baker Street Mysteries. It scratches that Sherlock itch while carving its own distinct mark.
If You Liked This, Try These Next
- The Appeal by Janice Hallett
For readers who loved the clever, puzzle-first structure and Holmes-style logic. - The Maid by Nita Prose
If Harriet White’s quiet intelligence and sharp observation were your favorite part. - A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas
A must-read if you enjoy Sherlock Holmes retellings with a fresh, feminist twist. - The Clockwork Girl by Anna Mazzola
For fans of historical mysteries with tension, atmosphere, and emotional depth. - Murder on the Christmas Express by Alexandra Benedict
Perfect if you want classic mystery vibes with modern pacing and accessibility.
Book Links
Want to purchase this or any of your favorite books while supporting a local bookstore? Consider purchasing using the sites below. These sites work with independent local bookstore owners to fulfill your book orders.
#SupportLocal
- Indiebookstores.ca
- Bookshop.org
- Goodreads | Storybound | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover
- Check out more books from Boldwood Books
Discover more from Views She Writes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
It’s nice to see you back! 💗Lovely review, as always.
Thank you so much. Got overwhelmed by reading and writing, so took mental health time off 😉
That is so relatable. You take care of yourself. Here and eager to read reviews and know what’s happening, not going anywhere. :)
You’re so kind. Thank you so much 💗 💓