Mrs Hudson's Diaries

Book excerpt: One frosty winter morning, deep in the vaults of Cox & Co. at Charing Cross, a battered biscuit tin is discovered... Inside are the diaries of that longsuffering resident of 221b Baker Street, Sherlock Holmes' landlady, the unflappable Mrs Hudson. She presents her portrait of life with the great detective and his ever-faithful companion with relish, mustard and no small amount of dropped eaves. Mysterious visitors, disappearances, shouts and bangs - life below stairs at 221b is often silly, slapstick and sentimental in equal measure. These diaries offer an affectionate and hilarious sketch of a remarkably enterprising Victorian female, whose humorous musings encompass talking to the spirit world, dancing with government officials and nights at the music hall. Interspersed with Mrs Hudson's fascinating keepsakes - letters, recipes, calling cards and photos - this is a must-have addition for any Sherlock Holmes aficionado. Behind every great man is an even greater woman ... demanding rent.