“Margaret Park Bridges takes an even more revisionist approach in her novel My Dear Watson. The detective’s secret is disclosed at the very start of the book, and it’ll do no harm to reveal it here: Sherlock Holmes was a woman. It’s not a new idea but it’s handled here with great skill and confidence, and it has a purpose, to account for much of Holmes’ personality as described by Dr. Watson.”

“After
a murder takes place, young Lucy disguises herself as Sherlock Holmes, master
detective, to solve the case. When Constance Moriarty, the actress daughter of
Holmes’ nemesis, sets her sights on marrying Dr. Watson, Holmes’ identity could
be revealed. Rosalyn Landor’s resonant British voice sounds believable as both
the masculine and the feminine Holmes. It’s perfect for the story, as told by
the real Holmes in his memoir. Landor’s passionate, willful voice for the
duplicitous Constance also stands out. Bridges’ tweak of the Holmes canon has
no surprises as the revelation of Holmes’ secret comes early. Still, it works
as both an adventure and a commentary on Victorian sexism.”

“I started this book after an evening out, thinking I would just read a page or two to help me sleep…two hours later I’d read all of it. Margaret Park Bridges knows how to give a reader a good time. Each page beckons you hypnotically toward the next. It’s suspense filled, interesting, fun and, indeed, funny to the point of farce on a couple of occasions.”