Review of The Last Telegram of Mrs Hudson by Mattea Orr

Settle down, put on Young Sherlock or Enola Holmes and join Mrs Hudson as she embarks on the first of, what I can only imagine to be, many mysteries. Brimming with life, this book transports us into the intricate lives of the young Mrs Hudson and the formation of her (mostly) working relationship with Mrs Holmes.

Seeing the child version of Sherlock brought to life made me smile endlessly, however it was refreshing for him to be in a lesser role, as well as seeing a softer side to him as childhood plumps his cheeks. The leading ladies are fabulous, drawing us into endless danger as the plot thickens.

The queer undertones of the story are brilliantly subtle and have left me hoping for a further exploration of the tension that simmers between Katherine and Violet. The worldbuilding is fabulous and I could imagine myself joining these brave ladies on their journey of uncovering a dark and disturbing secret.

Published on 03.09.2026 by Head of Zeus

Reviewed by Rebecca