The Misplaced Physician

Irregular Detective Mysteries #3

by Jeri Westerson

When Doctor John H. Watson is kidnapped while Sherlock Holmes is out of the country, private investigators Timothy Badger and Benjamin Watson must find the missing physician . . .

London, 1895. Former Baker Street Irregular Timothy Badger and his partner in detection Benjamin Watson are in a the eminent Dr John H. Watson has been kidnapped! The physician was enjoying a glass of sherry at his Baker Street residence before being bundled away in a barouche coach wearing only one slipper. Did Dr Watson know his captor, and where is he now? Could the mysterious ransom notes arriving in the post hold the answer?

With their mentor Sherlock Holmes out of the country, recovering the missing doctor could well be the biggest case the intrepid duo is ever likely to face . . . and if they don't do so quickly, it could be their last!

An intriguing Victorian mystery full of shenanigans, humor, and twists featuring a cast of eccentric characters led by two exciting, unconventional detectives mentored by Sherlock Holmes - perfect for fans of Charles Finch and Anne Perry.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical

224 pages, Hardcover

Published July 1, 2025

About the author

Los Angeles native JERI WESTERSON currently writes two new series: a Tudor mystery series, the King’s Fool Mysteries, with Henry VIII’s real court jester Will Somers as the sleuth and a Sherlockian pastiche series called An Irregular Detective Mystery, with one of Holmes’ former Baker Street Irregulars opening his own detective agency. She’s also written fifteen Crispin Guest Medieval Noir Mysteries, a series nominated for thirteen awards from the Agatha, to the Macavity, to the Shamus. She’s written several paranormal series (including a gaslamp-steampunk fantasy series), standalone historical novels, and had stories in several anthologies, the latest of which was included in SOUTH CENTRAL NOIR, an Akashic Noir anthology. She has served as president of the SoCal Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, president and vice president for two chapters of Sisters in Crime (Orange County and Los Angeles), and is also a founding member of the SoCal chapter of the Historical Novel Society. See JeriWesterson.com for discussion guides, book trailers, and more.

Reviews

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 3 of the Irregular Detective series continues to flesh out the lives, loves and cases of Timothy Badger an Benjamin Watson during Victorian Era London. A knock on the door, frantic footsteps pounding up the stairs and Sherlock Holmes housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson, barges in on Badger & Watson that Dr. Watson is missing and most likely kidnapped. Badger, as a child, was part of Holmes Baker Street Irregulars, and when he got older he began his own Detective Agency. Since Holmes was out of the country it was up to Badger and Watson to try and solve the mystery and rescue Dr. Watson.
And so begins an almost weeklong quest to find clues (a slipper left behind when Watson was taken, along with a cigar ash), and crisscross London along with their ever present journalist/companion Ellsie LIttleton. And as was begun in Book 2 more people are called upon the help out, from the newly formed Dean Street Irregulars, to Ben Watson's mother, and more. Jeri Westerson blends historical accuracy, with cases from the canon of Sherlock Holmes to take us on an exciting case in the Irregular Detective series.
Another fine effort!! 4.5****

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been enjoying the Irregular Detective Mystery series and seeing Timothy Badger and his partner Benjamin Watson grow as detectives, thanks in part from assistance from Sherlock Holmes who set them in their current resident and offered his former Baker Street Irregular some sage advice and financial help.

Sherlock Holmes is out of the country when a ransom note appears stating Doctor Watson has been kidnapped and not to alert the police. Not knowing what to do, the missive is sent to Timothy and Benjamin. The tale that unfolds quickly pulled me in as the two draw on what they learned, make keen observations and seek help from trusted allies.

The tale that follows is delightful and delivered from both Timothy and Benjamin’s point of view. Both men have grown confident in their skills with several successful cases under their belts. The author mixes suspense, humor and sleuthing, which I found wholly entertaining. The reason and outcome of the kidnapping felt genuine, and I enjoyed the ride.

Noah James Butler continues to narrate the series and captures both the voices and accents of the period. He provides both female and male voices in a wide range that sounds authentic. I highly recommend the series on audio. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Georgia Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read this book as a member of Rosie Amber’s Book Review Team and received a copy from the author, but that doesn’t alter my review in any way.

Timothy Badger and Benjamin Watson are partners in a detecting agency along the lines of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. They live in Dean Street, where Mrs. Kelly is the equivalent of Holmes’ Mrs. Hudson. Miss Katie Murphy is their maid and the apple of Ben Watson’s eye. Miss Ellsie Littleton is a reporter for a local paper and Badger’s girl, despite coming from nobility.

A distraught Mrs. Hudson arrives at the Dean Street home of Badger and Watson to inform them that, in Holmes’ absence abroad, Dr. Watson has been snatched and a blackmail note received from the kidnapper.

Sherlock Holmes still supports the pair, and they are duty bound to investigate despite receiving a separate note warning them not to.

What follows is a thorough investigation of the clues as they attempt to rescue Dr. Watson. Miss Littleton makes herself an integral part of their team, but they also use Mrs. Kelly and Miss Murphy as well as a band of street urchins called the Dean Street Irregulars.

This is an extremely well-written and entertaining novel. It is part of a series, but I haven’t read any of the others, and this one worked perfectly as a standalone.

Although I am no expert on the period, it felt totally authentic from the setting to the characters to the storyline.

Recommended to all who enjoy unravelling a good mystery alongside a strong cast of characters.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This series has gotten better with each book!

This outing finds Tim training young street boys to be the "spies" he needs [the Dean Street Irregulars], much like he was when he was young and worked for Sherlock Holmes, and Ben is doing is science thing, but mostly, they are at loose ends. That is, until Mrs. Hudson shows up, hysterical, with some awful news. With the great detective out of the country, it's up to the Badger and Watson Detective Agency [along with Mrs. Kelly, Murphy, the Dean Street Irregulars and the indomitable Miss Littleton] to look at the well-placed clues and solve the case before it is too late.

This was really interesting [I love how the author keeps most of the Sherlock stuff as close to canon as possible, and her research into this time frame is also top-notch] as well as being a really fun read. The mystery was good, there is quite a bit of humor and there might even be a clandestine train robbery as well. ;-)

A really excellent read; I am so glad I took a chance on this series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jeri Westerson, and Severn House for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Misplaced Physician opens with Tim forming his own crew of Irregulars to help the Badger and Watson Detecting Agency when Mrs. Hudson arrives with dire news: Dr. John Watson has been kidnapped and Sherlock Holmes is out of the country. Tim and Ben start their investigation immediately, knowing if they don’t find Dr. Watson, their own careers will be over.

After successfully solving some higher profile cases and gaining notoriety via Ms. Littleton’s accounts of their cases, Ben and Tim have developed confidence in their ability to solve a mystery. I like that it is not bravado but a genuine trust in their capabilities, knowing when to ask for help and admit mistakes. I really enjoyed the intricacy of the case and how Ben and Tim kept trying and persevering despite several close misses. Ben and Tim recognize they are a team and work hard to keep each other going.

Narration: the story is shared via the alternating POV’s of Tim Badger and Ben Watson. The narrator uses a mid-class accent for the narrator and changes dialogue for all characters. Butler does a fairly good job for raising the pitch for females, and has a solid grasp of accents based on socioeconomic class and place of origin. He also successfully alters based on age.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Misplaced Physician. I felt like the boys have really come into their own as far as investigating and maneuvering society. They’ve built allies and friends, and I like that they put trust their friends for help. There were a couple of outlandish moments that went a bit overboard, but overall it is a fun mystery and enjoyable story.

Ratings:
Story: B+
Narration: B+

Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by publisher

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sherlock Holmes’ investment in his experiment pays surprising dividends for the ‘Great Detective’ in this third book in the Irregular Detective series. The physician who has been misplaced is Holmes’ own friend and chronicler, Dr. John H. Watson, while Holmes is out of town and out of reach on some mysterious errand of his own – or more likely at the behest of his brother Mycroft.

So, when Mrs. Hudson receives a ransom demand for the good doctor, she’s at sixes and sevens about who to call on. Of course, the note demands that she NOT involve the police, leaving her in a bit of a quandary. But Mrs. Hudson does not dither about the problem. If she were a ditherer, she wouldn’t have survived as Sherlock Holmes’ landlady for these many years.

If she can’t reach the master, she’ll get the apprentice, leading her straight to the Dean Street door of Badger and Watson, the young detectives that Holmes has taken under his wing. Or, in the case of Timothy Badger, kept there as Badger was once one of Holmes’ own Baker Street Irregulars.

The game that is afoot in Badger and HIS Watson’s third outing is both WAY over their heads and too close to home to allow them to refer the case to the police – even if Dr. Watson’s kidnappers hadn’t completely ruled out that possibility. Timothy Badger and Ben Watson OWE Sherlock Holmes after he bankrolled their start. His continued support has kept them afloat AND sent them cases to grow their agency.

They NEED to get this right. And for that, they need help. Specifically, they need the help of intrepid reporter Ellsie Littleton to help them navigate the trail from the familiar confines of London to places and situations where two young men from the rough side of that town have never had to tread.

And they need eyes and ears in places they never thought to go, meaning that the young detectives need to develop some ‘irregulars’ of their own – to be where they cannot. Just as Badger did when he was a lad.

It’s going to take the combined efforts of every single one of those resources – as well as the odd assortment of skills that Ben Watson has learned along his way – to figure out the who, what, when, where and why of a case that may not make much sense but has the potential to scupper their futures AND take away a mentor that they both respect.

Escape Rating A-: This series has been pure historical mystery fun from Badger and Watson’s first outing in The Isolated Seance, and this third book is no exception – although it is a bit different from both Seance and the second book, The Mummy of Mayfair.

It did seem as if the young detectives were taking on cases that their mentor probably wouldn’t have touched with someone else’s barge-pole due to the supposed ‘paranormal’ vibes. (The author left hints that their fourth case will head back in that direction.)

But this third outing is a bit less outré and a bit more conventional than their earlier cases, as at its heart this is a kidnapping and ransom case where it’s up to our detectives to rescue the victim before their kidnapper is done with them – and does away with Dr. John H. Watson.

While the stakes of this case are high, it is still fun to see Badger and Watson grow into it, both as people and as detectives. They have to expand their horizons, both literally and figuratively, as they have no one to rely on but each other and the ‘irregulars’ they have already gathered around them.

They’ve never been outside of London, they’ve never had a case with so few clues, and they’ve never had to solve a case where the costs will be both so personal and so catastrophic if they fail.

Which is where, really, really surprisingly, romance enters the picture for both Badger and Watson. As much as Ben Watson doesn’t want to include reporter Ellsie Littleton in their investigation, they need her for the skills they both lack. At the same time, Tim and Ben are both wary of Ellsie’s involvement in their cases AND especially in Tim’s life, as she is an aristocrat whose family fortune is gone. There’s plenty of suspicion to go around – as there should be.

Meanwhile, the case itself is fascinating, because so little of it makes sense. It absolutely does hang together well in all the ways that a mystery should, but everything feels askew. Dr. Watson either left in a hurry OR he left really obscure clues behind. The case might relate to one of Holmes’ old cases, or it might be a way of getting at Holmes himself by kidnapping his friend.

And the ransom demand is WAY too low and the instructions for delivery are way too strange. The kidnapping might not be about the ransom at all. But then, what is it about? They have a lot to work through but seemingly a flexible amount of time to do it. Which is also, well, not exactly typical in a kidnapping case.

That, in the end, this case, like one of Holmes’ other old cases, comes down to the ‘curious incident of the dog in the nighttime’ weaves the whole thing back into the Holmes’ canon without pulling a thread of it out of place made The Misplaced Physician an excellent addition to both the Irregular Detective series and the library of stories that ensure that the game is always afoot.

Originally published at Reading Reality

[S.J. Higbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entertaining series features one of the homeless lads who had previously worked on the streets for Sherlock Holmes as one of his Baker Street Irregulars. Tim Badger was part of the team who were tasked with following suspects – after all, who pays attention to some scruffy street kid? However, Tim was determined to become a detective just like Holmes, who once he was aware of Tim’s drive and intelligence, took him under his wing and has helped him get established. One of Tim’s smartest moves was to team up with Ben Watson, whose family moved to London from Jamaica. His wide experience of jobs and interest in all things scientific has helped in their cases so far.

This time, they have a major case to deal with while Sherlock Holmes is out of the country on a mission for the Government. For John Watson is kidnapped from 221 Baker Street and a distraught Mrs Hudson rushes over to Badger and Watson’s flat to plead for their help in finding Dr Watson and bringing him home unharmed.

It’s a big ask. The kidnappers have sent a notice making it very clear that if the police become involved, Dr Watson will be at serious risk – so Badger and Watson have to try to work out if some of the objects scattered about the flat might be clues left behind by John Watson. I like the fact these two young men are frequently unsure of what they’re doing, though they’re keen to follow The Method, as recommended by Sherlock Holmes.

The adventure takes them outside London where they’d be completely adrift if they didn’t have Miss Ellsie Littleton along to help these two young men from the wrong part of London negotiate buying a train ticket. I would say that there’s several instances with this adventure where it does get a tad daft, but I was never tempted to abandon the story. It’s written with plenty of verve and although I’ve got serious misgivings about Tim Badger’s romance – I’m unsure if an attraction between this couple would overcome the huge gulf in their social classes – it is tempered by Ellsie’s declaration that she doesn’t want to consider marriage. This was an increasing trend by young women of the time who ardently wanted the Vote and more freedom to earn their own wage. All that would abruptly stop if they got married.

All in all, this adventure is great fun. The pages flew by as I wanted to see if the two Irregulars were correct in their theories and this adventure is recommended for fans of historical mysteries, especially those who enjoy Holmes and Watson retellings. While I obtained an arc of The Misplaced Physician from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10

[Elizabeth Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

These fast moving, authentic detective adventures set in Victorian England were new to me but The Misplaced Physician soon captured my imagination. Tim Badger’s background as a poor street lad sponsored by Sherlock Holmes has given him the knowledge and experience to be a skilled investigator and his partner Ben Watson is a self-taught scientist who uses new tools such as finger prints to aid their work. I was a little confused at first that Ben Watson would be looking for a kidnapped Dr Watson but soon realised that they are not related but are both assistants to a detective.

In addition to these main characters we meet two young women; Miss Katie Murphy, their maid and Miss Ellsie Littleton a journalist. Both of them participate in the hunt for Dr Watson but as a baronet’s daughter, Ellsie is able to act independently, with confidence. She shows Tim and Ben how to purchase first class tickets at Euston station in order to make their first journey on the railway. From clues left by Dr Watson and research in old newspapers by Miss Littleton they suspect that Watson has been captured as a consequence of one of the previous cases solved by Sherlock Holmes. However things do not go smoothly and the detectives find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

I enjoyed this lively story which is competently set in the formal tiers of Victorian society but also reflects the unfairness of the treatment of women.

This novel works well as read alone story, but you may prefer to start with the first book in the series.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - 4 out of 5
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC
This is the 3rd book in the Irregular Detective series, and it's just as much fun as the first two. These books riff on what might happen to some of Sherlock Holmes' Baker Street irregulars when they grow up, so we do get to glimpse 'canon' characters as well.
I like the relationship between Badger (the imaginative and impulsive character) and (Ben) Watson (the rational thinker and scientist). Added in to the mix is Miss Littleton, an aspiring journalist and independent woman.
In this instalment, the friends must find the original Dr. Watson, who seems to have been kidnapped from Baker Street. Holmes is always in the background, part instigator and part mentor.
Well-written, and the late Victorian setting is handled deftly, providing a sound background for quite a few 'capers' as the mystery progresses.
Recommend to fans of light historical mystery and classical spin-offs.

[Viccy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tim Badger and Ben Watson are the Irregular Detectives. Tim grew up as a Baker Street Irregular, working with Sherlock Holmes and now that he has aged out of that group, he has started his own detective agency, quietly supported by the great Holmes himself. Holmes is out of the country when Mrs. Hudson sends word to Badger and Watson that Dr. John Watson has been kidnapped from 221B Baker Street. When they arrive, they discover the room in disorder with a few clues scattered here and there. Badger goes to his contact at the newspaper, Miss Ellsie Littleton, who shows him how to do research in a newspaper archive. That first clue lays out the trail of crumbs for the detectives to follow, involving an old case, a wrongfully imprisoned man and a dog who barked in the nighttime. An enjoyable pastiche paying attention to The Canon.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a Holmes stories and victorian London fan, so I was so excited for this book! It did not disappoint one bit! Dr. Watson is suddenly kidnapped right out of his own home, and from there it’s a race against time as Timothy Badger and Benjamin Watson try to piece together what happened. I loved the way the book mixes that classic foggy London atmosphere that I loved in the OG Holmes books with lots of quirky characters and clever twists—you get shady clubs, strange clues, and plenty of danger as they chase leads across the city. Great pace, great characters, and the humor sprinkled in kept it from being too heavy. I was unaware its though it’s part of a series, and I can't wait to read more about Badger and Watson in the future! Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book to review. Really enjoyed it!

[Laura Ruetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did not disappoint! Dr Watson is kidnapped and Badger and Watson ( no relation) are on the case! This may be my favorite in the series yet. Badger and Watson continue to grow as characters, which is one of the reasons why I love this author so much. There are no static characters, every character, major and minor, continues to grow and evolve, always something new about them for the reader to discover.

And here, we get a lot of smaller characters involved, and the Badger and Watson detective agency now includes the Dean Street Irregulars, led by Ned. A character I look forward to seeing his character evolve.

The writing is detailed, and a myriad of small details brings the settings, and the characters to life. This was a fun and enjoyable read. If you love a mystery, you'll love Badger and Watson.

[Sarah-Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been following this series from the start, but just haven't felt that it's realized the potential that underlies it. The idea of an adult Baker Street Irregular setting up shop as a consulting detective along with a friend is a wonderful one. The novels themselves are good(ish), but just haven't really captured my enthusiasm. Too many problems are solved by force instead of wit and the characters and dialog just feel a bit expected. I haven't been surprised in a way that delights. I would still pick one of these titles up if I needed distraction reading, but I won't being seeking out each new volume as it appears.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doctor Watson is kidnapped and Sherlock Holmes is out of the country. So Mrs. Hudson goes to Badger and Watson for help. Tim Badger, once Baker Street Irregular, and his friend Ben Watson, have set up their own detective agency, with help from Holmes himself. Tim even recruits his own team of irregulars. In addition, journalist Ellsie Littleton helps by reporting their cases in the newspaper. But this time she demands to be part of the investigation from the beginning, and helps uncover vital clues. Unlike Holmes, both young men have their love interests. This is a thoroughly enjoyable series.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 in Jeri Westerson's Irregular Detective series does not disappoint. When Dr. John Watson is roughly abducted while Holmes is out of the country, Mrs. Hudson enlists the aid of Badger and Watson, the young detectives Holmes has taken under his wing. Timothy Badger was once one of Holmes’ own Baker Street Irregulars and now employs his own legion of street urchins. The duo, in company with an enterprising young female journalist, pursues the scant clues left by Watson and end up deep into the complexities of an old case. An admirable addition to the Holmes Canon; recommended!

[Grove · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did wonder whether Jeri Westerson could keep this concept and series going - but credit to her, she has cracked it! Borrowing from another author's canon could be tricky, but here a new set of characters are put on stage. My only small criticism is that the story does not quite pass my 'plausibility test'. Hijacking a locomotive from Euston station and driving it to Buckinghamshire, even around 1900, is quite a stretch! If you like Sherlock Holmes, railways, and historical fiction generally, I would definitely give it a try.

[Melissa Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jeri Westerson's Sherlock Holmes take-off is a little silly and more than a little melodramatic, but fun all the same. A grown up Badger, one of Holmes' Baker Street Irregulars has teamed up with a new Watson, and with the support of Badger's mentor, have taken to detection. This is the third title in the series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Christopher Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audiobook of this story is the best - and a terrific Sherlock Holmes friends story. I love this book the best of this terrific series having a grown up Baker Street Irregular and a colleague Ben Watson as detectives starting their own agency. The story is terrific - with them trying to find a kidnapped Watson. There is wonderful dialog, a touch of romance - and most of all - all the characters are very likable - good honest people.

[Tori Bode · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of classic Sherlock Holmes will like this newest tale of Tim Badger (an original Holmes character) and Ben Watson (a black chemist turned detective). It's written in classic Holmes style, but with new energy. Worth a try is you liked the Sherlock Holmes tales.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timothy Badger was once one of Sherlock Holmes' Baker street irregulars. Now grown He has started his own detective agency with his partner Ben Watson. When Dr. Watson goes missing and Sherlock Holmes out of the country it's up to Timothy and Ben to find him. Good mystery.

[Librarian D.o.a.]

In the third Irregular Detective Mystery, Ben Watson and Timothy Badger race to discover who kidnapped John Watson, using clever clues left behind by Watson himself.

[D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A library find.
February 2026.
I love Sherlock Holmes mysteries and this one ( although Sherlock Holmes isn't in it) was intreging).
A fun, enjoyable read.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well crafted pastiche with good character development. The excellent attention to period detail aids for the best immersive reading.

Get this book if you need a fun story for pure escapism.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining but a little forgettable. Former Baker Street Irregular Timothy Badger and his partner in detection Benjamin Watson are engaging but not for one second did I believe they could solve 2 + 2 let alone the mystery of what had become of Dr John Watson. Luckily for them, they have Ellsie Littleton, a now poor upper-class lady trying to earn her living as a journalist. She's meant to be the one covering their story but really is leading the way somewhat!

Despite some reservations about this it's still very readable. It's kind of the literary version of watching something like Miss Scarlet and the Duke. A great and untaxing way to wile away a rainy afternoon.