Hidden Fires
- 388 pages
- 14 hours of reading
On the eve of Newgate Prison's demolition, Watson observes Holmes leaving a sale with a beautiful stranger and a death mask of a woman executed for murdering her three children. Intrigued, Watson asks Holmes to share the story behind the mask, leading to a tale set in late December 1878. A young Holmes, living modestly on Montague Street, is immersed in his studies when he meets Violet Rose Turner, the mistress of Professor Moriarty and mother of his children. After a house fire claims the lives of Moriarty's children, initial assumptions of an accident are challenged by Miss Turner's strange behavior, prompting an investigation that uncovers poison in the children's systems and leads to her arrest. Despite Holmes's efforts to prove her innocence, each clue seems to implicate her further, and the trial culminates in her conviction. Only after her execution does Holmes discover a piece of evidence that ignites a blend of imagination and reality, revealing a deeper conspiracy. This narrative serves as a complex puzzle and Victorian thriller, shedding light on Holmes's background, his distrust of women, and key elements of his character, including his relationship with Wiggins and the acquisition of a priceless Stradivarius. Join Watson as Holmes recounts a pivotal tale that may have shaped his future.
