Moran has just returned from Sumatra where he was in the trading business and where five members of his firm where murdered. Moran is certain the deaths were caused by some sort of tribal curse that has now followed the survivors back to London. Sensible Mrs. Hudson gives no credence to curses and knows that there is usually one thing that kills men: other men.

Upon their return to London, the mysterious deaths continue, causes attributed to exotic poisonous fauna, things that could only have been found in the jungle. Mrs. Hudson has no doubt that something has followed the men back to London, but she is certain it is not a curse. Frustrated with Watson’s long, elaborate investigation, Mrs. Hudson takes matters into her own hands and easily uncovers a killer with an elaborate agenda.

The use of Flottie as a narrator is puzzling as is the long description of how Flottie came to be in Mrs. Hudson’s charge and how the two came to work for Holmes and Watson. Some of the observations Flottie makes are very sophisticated given her background, even with the great strides she has made under the tutelage of Mrs. Hudson. The narrative shifts awkwardly from time to time, confusing the reader from whose point of view the story is being related. The plot is clever, but very obvious and readers will wonder why the foppish Mr. Holmes did not see through the façade early on.

A foggy London is an important plot in any Holmes tale, but it is a bit overdone in this story as the characters slog through the fog never seeing the light of day it seems. Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson must be very laid back employers to allow Mrs. Hudson the familiarities she is allowed. Some die hard Holmes fans may be disturbed by the insinuation that someone other than the great detective solved his cases while others will be delighted to have a new series featuring their favorite detecting duo.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry