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Marty Hudson Mystery #1
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Brash Blonde
From New York Times, USA Today and #1 bestselling ebook 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.
"One of the most anticipated of the fall releases happens to be one of THE BEST of the fall releases! Halliday and Rey have joined forces to create a SUPERLATIVE new cozy mystery series that will leave readers clamoring for more."
—Diane Morasco, Blogcritic Reviews
What critics are saying about Gemma Halliday's
"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
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.
"One of the most anticipated of the fall releases happens to be one of THE BEST of the fall releases! Halliday and Rey have joined forces to create a SUPERLATIVE new cozy mystery series that will leave readers clamoring for more."
—Diane Morasco, Blogcritic Reviews
What critics are saying about Gemma Halliday's
"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
213 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2016
321 people are currently reading
363 people want to read
About the author
Gemma Halliday
95 books1,892 followersGemma had a hard time figuring out what she wanted to be when she grew up. She worked as a film and television actress, a teddy bear importer, a department store administrator, a preschool teacher, a temporary tattoo artist, and a 900 number psychic, before finally selling her first book, Spying in High Heels, in 2005 and deciding to be a writer.
Since then, Gemma has written several mystery novels and been the recipient of numerous awards, including a National Reader's Choice award and three RITA nominations. Her books have hit both the USA Today and the New York Times Bestseller lists.
Gemma now makes her home in the San Francisco Bay area where she is hard at work on her next book.
Since then, Gemma has written several mystery novels and been the recipient of numerous awards, including a National Reader's Choice award and three RITA nominations. Her books have hit both the USA Today and the New York Times Bestseller lists.
Gemma now makes her home in the San Francisco Bay area where she is hard at work on her next book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
September 19, 2016
Oh my!
Let me start by saying, I was really looking forward to reading this book. I have read nearly everything, if not everything, Gemma has authored or co-authored and have been really happy to give it all nothing less than four stars. This book, however, didn't meet the standard I've become accustomed to from Gemma as an author. This not a negative review, it's simply my honest review after having read this book.
I felt like the storyline was contrived and the connection with the characters wasn't there. It had a very juvenile feel to it.
There were areas being drawn out and areas being rushed. I found myself skipping some of the filler. One of the characters is displaced because you can't figure out if he's weird or a psychopath trying to cause trouble. The character is written to try and lend some depth to the protagonist but falls extremely short.
With a book about a Sherlock Holmes, what else could the ME be named but Watson? There again, though, it feels forced as does the chemistry, or lack thereof.
I'm not going to tell you not to try it because you may very well like it much better than I did.
Let me start by saying, I was really looking forward to reading this book. I have read nearly everything, if not everything, Gemma has authored or co-authored and have been really happy to give it all nothing less than four stars. This book, however, didn't meet the standard I've become accustomed to from Gemma as an author. This not a negative review, it's simply my honest review after having read this book.
I felt like the storyline was contrived and the connection with the characters wasn't there. It had a very juvenile feel to it.
There were areas being drawn out and areas being rushed. I found myself skipping some of the filler. One of the characters is displaced because you can't figure out if he's weird or a psychopath trying to cause trouble. The character is written to try and lend some depth to the protagonist but falls extremely short.
With a book about a Sherlock Holmes, what else could the ME be named but Watson? There again, though, it feels forced as does the chemistry, or lack thereof.
I'm not going to tell you not to try it because you may very well like it much better than I did.
put-aside-for-now
September 20, 2016I'm abandoning this book. I really wanted to like it more than I actually do. I made it 40% through, but it's just not plausible for me. The main character is supposed to be filling in for Sherlock Holmes, but she's not even able to follow a chess game.
Sorry, I like my Sherlock Holmes to be clever, even mentally brilliant. Otherwise she should be someone else entirely.
Sorry, I like my Sherlock Holmes to be clever, even mentally brilliant. Otherwise she should be someone else entirely.
September 17, 2016
Not The Best
I didn't hate it, but I certainly didn't like it either. Maybe I felt the use of Sherlock Holmes was too flippant and dumbed down. In any event I just couldn't get caught up in the book. Such a bummer.
I didn't hate it, but I certainly didn't like it either. Maybe I felt the use of Sherlock Holmes was too flippant and dumbed down. In any event I just couldn't get caught up in the book. Such a bummer.
November 9, 2016
I do love a Holmes remake. Sherlock Holmes doesn't exist here, either as a fictional character or a real person, as he does in so many other stories. Marty and Irene make him up to explain their investigating to the cops (Lastrade) and coroner (Watson). The names are familiar, but only bear a passing resemblance to the originals.
This is a fun mystery. The aunt who was murdered was not a nice old lady. There were plenty of people who may have been happy to see her dead. As a mystery it was okay, plenty of clues and suspects. I did guess who the killer was, but that didn't make the mystery any less enjoyable.
Marty is our detective and Irene is her sidekick - her rich, smart sidekick. I like that this re-imaging puts the women in charge. Marty is observant and interested in a variety of topics. Irene is a bit over-enthusiastic, she's the one who kind of instigates the whole Holmes deception. They make a great team, they're clever, but in over their head - typical amateur detectives I guess.
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Brash Blonde is a funny, quick, lighthearted read. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
This is a fun mystery. The aunt who was murdered was not a nice old lady. There were plenty of people who may have been happy to see her dead. As a mystery it was okay, plenty of clues and suspects. I did guess who the killer was, but that didn't make the mystery any less enjoyable.
Marty is our detective and Irene is her sidekick - her rich, smart sidekick. I like that this re-imaging puts the women in charge. Marty is observant and interested in a variety of topics. Irene is a bit over-enthusiastic, she's the one who kind of instigates the whole Holmes deception. They make a great team, they're clever, but in over their head - typical amateur detectives I guess.
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Brash Blonde is a funny, quick, lighthearted read. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
September 27, 2016
I am determined to give this book a further chance, even if I was a little disappointed at how a brilliant concept was pretty much thrown away.
I would have liked to see this concept - that Sherlock Holmes was concocted by two women (Miss Hudson and Irene Adler) to be able to conduct investigations on their own - actually explored and not just used as a gimmick.
I didn't feel Sherlock Holmes most of the book (except at the start, where Martha's skills are shown and explained by her love of sneaking into uni classes). Instead, after a brilliant start the book faded into a typical "poor protagonist and much hotter and richer friend solve mysteries, and there is a hot love interest". Poor poor Doctor Watson, crammed in there just as eye candy, stripped of his amazing and problematic personality. He's just a doctor, he's into expensive food and classy joints and he's incredibly ripped and hot.
Yeah, he deserved better.
Still, the mystery itself isn't particularly interesting but it's a good start, and I am going to give this series a second chance.
I would have liked to see this concept - that Sherlock Holmes was concocted by two women (Miss Hudson and Irene Adler) to be able to conduct investigations on their own - actually explored and not just used as a gimmick.
I didn't feel Sherlock Holmes most of the book (except at the start, where Martha's skills are shown and explained by her love of sneaking into uni classes). Instead, after a brilliant start the book faded into a typical "poor protagonist and much hotter and richer friend solve mysteries, and there is a hot love interest". Poor poor Doctor Watson, crammed in there just as eye candy, stripped of his amazing and problematic personality. He's just a doctor, he's into expensive food and classy joints and he's incredibly ripped and hot.
Yeah, he deserved better.
Still, the mystery itself isn't particularly interesting but it's a good start, and I am going to give this series a second chance.
September 13, 2016
3.5/5.0
For a light, humorous romp of a mystery, this one is perfect. I had a few problems with the "intelligent" main male characters buying into "Sherlock Holmes is our boss" fish-tale, though. Also some of the situations stretched believability to snapping. Still, it's a romp, right? It doesn't have to be that believable. It doesn't have to be that deep, it's fun!
For a light, humorous romp of a mystery, this one is perfect. I had a few problems with the "intelligent" main male characters buying into "Sherlock Holmes is our boss" fish-tale, though. Also some of the situations stretched believability to snapping. Still, it's a romp, right? It doesn't have to be that believable. It doesn't have to be that deep, it's fun!
January 7, 2024
free ebook
she was living in a apt, had back rent due. couldnt afford college so she sat in a lot of classes while she worked in a coffee shop
she found out she had a aunt that died and left her the house. she didnt didnt know she had a aunt. she was a hoarder
she tried to convince the medical examiner (who was cute) and the police it was murder but they didnt listen
her and her girlfriend were trying to solve the case
it was the neighbor and he was going to kill her, the police showed up at the last minute and killed him
the friend found a way for them to be pi's and so she can keep the house and her aunts dog
i would read the rest of the series
she was living in a apt, had back rent due. couldnt afford college so she sat in a lot of classes while she worked in a coffee shop
she found out she had a aunt that died and left her the house. she didnt didnt know she had a aunt. she was a hoarder
she tried to convince the medical examiner (who was cute) and the police it was murder but they didnt listen
her and her girlfriend were trying to solve the case
it was the neighbor and he was going to kill her, the police showed up at the last minute and killed him
the friend found a way for them to be pi's and so she can keep the house and her aunts dog
i would read the rest of the series
November 21, 2020
Marty Hudson is left a run down house on 221 Baker street by a long lost aunt. Marty sifts through he aunts belongings & finds clues suggesting her aunt may have been murdered. With her savvy tech friend Irene Adler a fictitious Sherlock Holmes is invented who "investigates' the Chinese mob, pot dealers, a yoga instructor & other suspicious characters. Of course there's the handsome Dr John Watson, the dour detective Lestrade, & an unknown killer determined to do in Marty. Yes the Games Afoot!
June 29, 2017
Sherlock Holmes And The Case Of The Brash Blonde by Gemma Halliday and Kelly Rey is an entertaining read. This well-written book is loaded with fantastic, lovable characters. Marty's story is full of humor, mystery and suspense. I enjoyed reading this book and would happily read more from Gemma Halliday and Kelly Rey. Sherlock Holmes And The Case Of The Brash Blonde is book 1 of the Marty Hudson Mysteries but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
February 9, 2018
A delightful little mystery
In a world where Sherlock Holmes two women invent him. It is a bit like Remington Steele on TV, but with character names out of the Conon Doyle books. A woman dies and the niece finds out she has inherited a house from her previously unknown great aunt. What starts as a means to simply find out how the aunt died by inventing a private detective morphs into a murder case with a variety of suspects, motives, and a rather satisfying conclusion.
In a world where Sherlock Holmes two women invent him. It is a bit like Remington Steele on TV, but with character names out of the Conon Doyle books. A woman dies and the niece finds out she has inherited a house from her previously unknown great aunt. What starts as a means to simply find out how the aunt died by inventing a private detective morphs into a murder case with a variety of suspects, motives, and a rather satisfying conclusion.
December 15, 2018
This is the second book by Gemma Halliday that I've read. While I believe it's targetted to a younger audience, I loved it. I doubled over with laughter when the heroine interrogates a yoga instructor from the sixties and worries about twisting her pancreas. Omigosh, these ladies can write. The mystery is intricately woven with a heavy dose of red herrings. The characters jump off the page. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes witty, cozy mysteries.
September 25, 2020
I enjoyed this fun quirky mystery. I am giving it 4 stars but if 3.5 were available that would be closer to the correct score for me. I had a hard time with the whole Sherlock Holmes craziness. Being a huge fan of Sherlock anything this book was hard to believe that no one seemed to have ever heard of anything Sherlock. Oh well, that aside the book was a clean lite read and just what I needed during our crazy 2020 times.
March 16, 2021
I purchased this book based entirely on the title since I am a big Sherlock Homes fan. Although the book was an easy read and flowed fairly well, I was a bit disappointed with the writing style and complete lack of any mention of Sherlock Holmes other than making him out to be an unknown investigator and the name of other characters in the book being in line with those in Conan Doyle's books. I'll have to read the synopsis of books a little more closely in the future.
September 12, 2021
First impressions can be wrong.
Marty was down on her luck working as a barista at a college coffee shop. Behind on her rent and trying to dodge the guy in 2 B who kept hitting on her. She gets a cauldron a lawyer saying she has inherited a Victorian house from her great aunt Kate that she didn't know she had. When she questions how her aunt died she is ignored by the police and the ME.
Marty was down on her luck working as a barista at a college coffee shop. Behind on her rent and trying to dodge the guy in 2 B who kept hitting on her. She gets a cauldron a lawyer saying she has inherited a Victorian house from her great aunt Kate that she didn't know she had. When she questions how her aunt died she is ignored by the police and the ME.
September 22, 2025
Clever and loaded with interesting characters
I was skeptical when I started reading but I soon found myself reading each page and becoming more and more intrigued. Who unlikely friends come together to become super sleuths. It was an enjoyable short read and I look forward to finding more adventures of these two
I was skeptical when I started reading but I soon found myself reading each page and becoming more and more intrigued. Who unlikely friends come together to become super sleuths. It was an enjoyable short read and I look forward to finding more adventures of these two
October 5, 2018
This was a fun read from start to finish. Terrific main characters and plenty of entertaining side characters. A good twisty plot, a hunky medical examiner, lots of humor, and, if that wasn't enough, an adorable basset hound .❤ I will need to get the second book in this series ASAP.
November 21, 2019
OUT OF THE FRYING PAN AND INTO THE FIRE
Marty inherited a falling down house from a great-aunt she didn't know she had and it goes down from there. With a dash of mafiosos, indifferent cops, and a M.E. that's great to look at, this is a fun read.
Marty inherited a falling down house from a great-aunt she didn't know she had and it goes down from there. With a dash of mafiosos, indifferent cops, and a M.E. that's great to look at, this is a fun read.
October 6, 2020
Fun and funny take on a classic Sherlock Holmes situation
By rearranging the characters, adding a dash of attraction, and locating the whole setting in San Francisco instead of London, the authors have given us a perfectly marvelous cozy mystery. Read, enjoy!
By rearranging the characters, adding a dash of attraction, and locating the whole setting in San Francisco instead of London, the authors have given us a perfectly marvelous cozy mystery. Read, enjoy!
October 13, 2020
this was a fun book to read especially if you're a Sherlock Holmes fan. lots of references to books by Conan Doyle
really enjoyed this one - am 1/2 way through book 2. hopefully there will be more than 2 books!!!
really enjoyed this one - am 1/2 way through book 2. hopefully there will be more than 2 books!!!
October 30, 2020
That was a lot more fun that I expected. While there have been plenty of Sherlock Holmes reboots etc. This was a bit different. The story was well told with plenty of humor. The mystery was well done and the resolution satisfying.
March 5, 2021
This was lovely! Definitely a different twist on Sherlock Holmes, and it worked so well. The characters, the prose, the story-- everything was thoroughly enjoyable, and I'm already looking forward to reading the next book.
June 19, 2022
Outstanding
Oh my goodness I absolutely love this series. I am so glad I just found it now and can read the next two book without waiting. I can't wait to see what happens in book 2.
Oh my goodness I absolutely love this series. I am so glad I just found it now and can read the next two book without waiting. I can't wait to see what happens in book 2.
October 21, 2022
Great read!
Love this book! It was funny and entertaining. Light enough for a busy mom of 5 to read at night but not heavy enough for me to feel the need to forget to feed those 5 children because I dove so heavy into book land.
Love this book! It was funny and entertaining. Light enough for a busy mom of 5 to read at night but not heavy enough for me to feel the need to forget to feed those 5 children because I dove so heavy into book land.
December 30, 2017
I'm ready for book # 2!! I really liked the characters and the story line. I was guessing until the end. I can't wait to see what else Marty & Irene get into.
May 15, 2020
Really a 3 1/2. Not rocket science, but a solid cozy. Characters are pretty well established. I will seek out the second book in the series.
November 19, 2020
light, funny, clever, held my attention - just what I was looking for.
August 12, 2021
Loved it!
Marty and Irene are a hoot. Many laugh out loud moments in this one. I can't wait to see what trouble they get into in book 2.
Marty and Irene are a hoot. Many laugh out loud moments in this one. I can't wait to see what trouble they get into in book 2.
August 27, 2021
Fantastic cosy mystery, with just enough of everything.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews