The Mrs. Hudson of Baker Street Series in Order
Barry S. Brown’s cozy historical mystery series turns the traditional Holmesian canon on its head. In this universe, Sherlock Holmes is merely a charismatic frontman recruited to project a respectable male face to Victorian society. The true mastermind solving the cases is none other than Mrs. Hudson. The books follow a straightforward timeline, meaning publication order and chronological order align perfectly. To fully appreciate the evolving relationship between the Baker Street triumvirate (Mrs. Hudson, Holmes, and Watson), reading them in order of release is highly recommended.
Mrs. Hudson of Baker Street Publication Order
- The Unpleasantness at Parkerton Manor (2010) – Mrs. Hudson recruits a young, pompous Sherlock Holmes to serve as the figurehead for her new private inquiry agency. She quietly solves a poisoning case at a grand manor while letting Holmes take the credit.
- Mrs. Hudson and the Irish Invincibles (2011) – The team plunges into the murky waters of Victorian politics, dealing with Irish revolutionaries, religious zealots, and real-life political figure Charles Stewart Parnell.
- Mrs. Hudson in the Ring (2013) – When Sherlock Holmes participates in a boxing match that ends with his opponent's suspicious death, Mrs. Hudson must step in to uncover the truth behind the murder.
- Mrs. Hudson in New York (2015) – The Baker Street trio travels across the Atlantic to the bustling streets of New York, where Mrs. Hudson investigates a sports-related mystery to clear the name of a professional baseball player.
- Mrs. Hudson's Olympic Triumph (2017) – Sent to Greece at the behest of Mycroft Holmes, the trio finds themselves entangled in mystery and espionage during the historic 1896 modern Olympic Games in Athens.
- Mrs. Hudson Takes the Stage (2020) – Set in 1901, the team visits London’s Lyceum Theater to watch William Gillette's theatrical production of Sherlock Holmes. When the show's wardrobe mistress is murdered backstage, Mrs. Hudson conducts a theatrical investigation.
- Mrs. Hudson and the Wild West (2022) – Legendary showman Buffalo Bill Cody seeks help after his prized horse is stolen. While Mrs. Hudson quickly locates the horse, she is pulled into a deeper murder investigation that highlights the era's social tensions and prejudices.
- Mrs. Hudson for the Defense (2024) – In the eighth book, Holmes is pulled from his Sussex retirement after Dr. Watson is wrongfully accused of murder. Before Mrs. Hudson can crack the case, Holmes must first secure her release from a jail cell where she was held for demonstrating for women's suffrage.
What to Know Before You Start
Barry S. Brown’s series is a cozy mystery lover's dream, heavily inspired by both the deductive puzzles of Arthur Conan Doyle and the lighthearted, witty banter of P.G. Wodehouse. Rather than the dark, gritty streets of classic Victorian London, readers will find a playful, tongue-in-cheek atmosphere. Dr. Watson is portrayed not as a brilliant chronicler, but as a slightly dense narrator whose published accounts Mrs. Hudson constantly has to 'correct' behind the scenes.
A major highlight of the series is its use of historical guest stars. Throughout their travels, Mrs. Hudson and her associates interact with famous real-world figures, including Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), Lillie Langtry, Buffalo Bill Cody, and William Gillette. Brown, a former clinical psychologist and criminologist, utilizes his deep research background to paint these settings with historical accuracy, from London's East End to turn-of-the-century Athens.
Can the Books Be Read as Standalones?
Yes. Each installment features a self-contained mystery that is resolved by the final page, making it possible to pick up any book in the series and follow the plot. However, you will miss out on the broader, humorous character development if you skip around. Over the course of the novels, Mrs. Hudson's methods become increasingly sophisticated, Watson's bafflement deepens, and Scotland Yard's Lestrade undergoes a fascinating evolution from an antagonist to a reluctant ally. Reading from the beginning—starting with The Unpleasantness at Parkerton Manor—provides the most satisfying experience.