Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Brash Blonde

Book excerpt: From New York Times, USA Today and #1 Kindle bestselling author Gemma Halliday comes a new take on the legend of Sherlock Holmes... Martha "Marty" Hudson has it all...almost. While her best friend, Irene Adler, is a dot-com millionaire many times over, Marty's days are filled with working as a barista at a Stanford University coffee bar, crashing various courses and lectures, and dodging the rent collector at her crummy apartment. But when Marty suddenly finds out that a long-lost aunt has left her a Victorian home at 221 Baker Street in the heart of San Francisco, she's hopeful her luck is about to turn around! Okay, so the Victorian is run down and probably in need of more repairs than Marty could ever afford, but at least it's a link to family. However when Marty starts sifting through the contents of the dilapidated home, she realizes her aunt's death may not have been natural...and might have been a case of murder! Taking her suspicions to the grumpy Detective Lastrade and the uber-hot medical examiner, Dr. John Watson, only gets her a pair of doors slammed in her face. But Marty and Irene don't give up that easily. Instead, they invent fictitious private investigator, Sherlock Holmes, to open those doors for them! Between Marty's eclectic class-crashing knowledge and Irene's tech know-how, "Sherlock Holmes" investigates an over-the-hill yoga teacher, mob shops in Chinatown, pot dispensaries in the East Bay, and a slew of suspicious characters. But when the killer returns—this time with Marty in sight!—even the great Holmes may not be able to save her...at least not without a little help from the girls. The Marty Hudson Mysteries: Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Brash Blonde – book #1 Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Disappearing Diva – book #2 What critics are saying about Gemma Halliday's books: "A saucy combination of romance and suspense that is simply irresistible." —Chicago Tribune "Stylish...nonstop action...guaranteed to keep chick lit and mystery fans happy!" —Publishers' Weekly, starred review "Smart, funny and snappy...the perfect beach read!" —Fresh Fiction "A roller coaster ride full of fun and excitement!" —Romance Reviews Today