The Isolated Séance by Jeri Westerson

Irregular Detective Mysteries #1

287 pages

Publisher: Severn House

Release Date: June 6^th, 2023

 

Blurb

Watch out, Sherlock! Introducing one-time Baker Street Irregular Timothy Badger and his partner-in-crime Benjamin Watson, two exciting and unconventional young consulting detectives, mentored by the great man himself, tackling intriguing and unusual cases in Victorian London with endearing verve and wit.

Sherlock Holmes's protégés Tim Badger and Benjamin Watson are catapulted into a tricky first case when a man is brutally murdered during a séance.

London, 1895. Former Baker Street Irregular Tim Badger is determined to follow in the footsteps of his great mentor, Sherlock Holmes, by opening his own consulting detective agency with his partner, Benjamin Watson. The intrepid duo are ready to make a name for themselves . . . if only they had clients!

Their luck changes when Sherlock recommends his protégés to Thomas Brent. Brent is eager to find out who killed his master, Horace Quinn, during a séance at Quinn's house. What was Quinn desperately trying to find out from his deceased business partner, Stephen Latimer, before he was stabbed through the heart?

It seems that everyone in Quinn's household had a reason to want him dead. Can Tim and Benjamin step out of Sherlock's shadow to navigate dark secrets and unexpected dangers in their pursuit of a cold-blooded killer?

 

Review

I adore the Sherlock Holmes stories so when I had the opportunity to read a spin-off story featuring former Baker Street Irregular Tim Badger and his friend Benjamin Watson, how could I possibly resist?

Badger and Watson are struggling to get their detection business off the ground. The fact that they are both from the lower classes does not help matters. When they’re approached by Thomas Brent and asked to find proof that Thomas didn’t murder his master Horace Quinn during a séance is an opportunity too good to reject.

Initially, their investigation is riddled with obstacles and even puts Badger in jail. But, not to worry because Holmes comes to the rescue. He gets Badger out of prison and sets the two youngsters up in more respectable quarters and a small budget. Their improved circumstances provide them with a better opportunity to conduct their investigation into what turns out to be a baffling mystery.

As for the actual crime, it is a classic case of a small and closed circle of suspects, none of whom appear to have an obvious motive at first sight. The investigation goes back and forth, the focus shifting as they move along until, eventually, they reach the surprising yet satisfying conclusion.

This story is filled with well-portrayed and interesting characters. Badger and Watson are great fun. Their friendship runs deep, and their interactions are at times laugh-out-loud funny. I loved Watson’s struggle with his improved circumstances and how to conduct himself in this new situation. I appreciate that he is black. It’s not a main thread in the plot but it does, of course, play a role in how he moves around London.

Sherlock Holmes appears in the story enough to maintain his connection with the story and its protagonists while never really imposing himself on the investigation. I love the idea of Holmes as a mentor to two ambitious young men. And enjoyed his appearances on the page whenever they happened.

I had my reservations about Ellsie Littleton, newspaper reporter, but once she stopped being insufferable and thoughtless about what she reported, I warmed to her a little. Having said that, I agree with Benjamin Watson when he has his reservations both about Badger’s infatuation with the young, upper-class woman. I also agree with him that allowing her a role in future investigations may cause issues. Let’s just say the jury is still out when it comes to Ellsie.

To summarise The Isolated Séance is a delightful mystery! Badger and Watson are adorable in their ambition to emulate Sherlock Holmes and his methods of detection and great fun in their interactions with each other and the rest of the world. The actual mystery was baffling enough to keep me on my toes and the solution was both satisfying and fair.