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The Locked Room
Paperback
Mystery & ThrillerHistorical Fiction
ISBN13: 9781835337639
Publisher: Boldwood Books Ltd
Published: Jan 20 2026
Pages: 226
Weight: 0.45
Height: 0.57 Width: 5.06 Depth: 7.81
Language: English
Join Harriet White in 1930's London for another glorious Sherlock Holmes-inspired mystery, for fans of Nita Prose and Janice Hallett.
After a very close call on the Cambridgeshire Fens, Harriet White is about ready to hang up her deerstalker and settle back into her normal life, working in a bank on Baker Street. Until she discovers a letter in The Times newspaper challenging Sherlock Holmes to prove his status as the world s greatest detective, by solving an impossible mystery. The letter, signed Professor James Moriarty, advises Holmes that the crime will be committed within the following seven days. There will be no further clues Holmes himself must deduce which crime is the correct one to investigate.
Dismissing the letter as a prank, Harry goes about her business until news breaks of the theft of valuable jewel collection from a safe in an apparently locked room in a Mayfair townhouse.
Intrigued in spite of her misgivings, Harry dons a disguise and investigates. But as she begins to unpick the puzzle, a body is found. And now, a stranger, and far more deadly mystery begins to unfold around her...
Praise for Holly Hepburn:
Honestly I couldn t find one bad thing to say about this book! I m a new fan for sure! Goodreads review
The Missing Maid is a delightful book. I loved Harry. She s warm, funny, sassy and brave. I m very much looking forward to reading what Holly brings us next in this series. Goodreads review
This is such a clever idea for a cozy mystery series! I love Harry and the twisty plot of this book. Can t wait for the next book! Goodreads review
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery because it is at the intersection between cozy mystery and historical fiction and it is simply brilliant. Hepburn weaves a strong plotline and Harry shines throughout. A real pleasure to read. Goodreads review
I am definitely a Sherlock Holmes fan, so the premise of this story got my attention immediately, but it was the writing, characters and the new story perspective that firmly held it. Goodreads review
I loved everything about this historical cozy. Harry is a wonderful character. She's clever, independent and kind. The mystery of the missing maid kept me entertained throughout. The pacey drama and easy-to-read style meant that I devoured this book in one day. Goodreads review
This was my first exposure to the agile and creative scribblings of Holly Hepburn and I found her writing style to be smooth, immersive, and easy to follow, with issues and scenarios true to the period. I adored her conjured characters and look forward to more of these adventures. Goodreads review
The witty and whip-smart novel is refreshing and fabulous. Talk about an excellent start to a new series, one I genuinely look forward to. Holmes' fans especially ought to enjoy this. Loved the story and the characters with a few unexpected bumps along the way. Loved this book and can t wait for the next one! Goodreads review
I absolutely loved this exciting and entertaining debut into cozy crime from a favourite author. I hope this is the start of a series and can t wait to see what Harry gets up to next! Goodreads review
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