Tim Badger here. I was just looking round the Dean Street flat I share with me partner in crime-solving, Ben Watson, who always rises before me because he’s a thinking bloke, always trying to work out the puzzles I ain’t good at.

The thing of it is, I used to be one of Mister Sherlock Holmes’ Baker Street Irregular lads, those homeless chaps running a bit loose in London. We were young boys then, and he hired us to be his eyes and ears, and I took to it, even thinking that one day I could be a detective like the governor. And crikey if I didn’t do just that. With Ben, of course. A black bloke from Camden, I met him by chance one day, told him my scheme, and he was up for it.

And here we are in the jolly old year of 1895, combing London for the clues we need to solve those mysteries that come to our door.

‘Tim,’ said Ben, glancing up over his paper. ‘What are you on about?’

‘Just trying to make me speech right. For that ladies’ luncheon Miss Littleton set up for us.’

‘You can’t start out with that. You’ve got to tell them some of the crimes we’ve solved. Then let them ask about our past.’

‘Ah, Ben. Them rich people like hearing about the heroic Cockney lad that pulled himself out of the gutter to be all respectable.’

‘Utter tosh.’

‘It ain’t. You know that.’

Ben rolled his shoulders. ‘It’s just I don’t like talking about it.’

‘Why? You got nothing to be ashamed of. Same as me. Well…except for the pickpocketing. And housebreaking.’

‘You’re not ashamed of that. And it does come in useful.’

I smiled. Ben saw right through me, he did. ‘Well, what I’m saying is, all them different jobs you’ve had all seem to come in handy for detecting work. It’s as if Fate was making you do all them things; chemist’s assistant, fun fair performer, chimney sweep…’

Ben squirmed, but I could well tell he was proud of himself too. And should be. Without his self-taught scientific knowledge, we’d never have been able to solve the crimes we have done. He’s a miracle, is Ben.

‘You should talk about some of our exploits,’ said Ben, ‘the way your Ellsie Littleton writes them for the Daily Chronicle. That’s why they want you to talk.’

‘I wish you was coming with me, Ben. I don’t see why you won’t.’

‘All them chattering ladies. If your Miss Littleton hadn’t asked you, I doubt you would have agreed to it.’

Well, there he had me. Miss Littleton and I had an understanding, as they say. Even though she’s the daughter of a baronet and far above me, her having to work for a living as a reporter rather brought her down to our level. Ben and me, that is. And, well, she’s a bit of a crumpet, truth to tell, and we sort of…fell for each other in the course of our investigations. So I guess I don’t mind doing her a favour or two, especially if I get to spend the afternoon with her.

‘Just be sure you’ll be back in good time to help with this investigation.’

‘Don’t worry yourself, Ben, me lad. You know I won’t leave you in the lurch.’

‘See that you don’t.’

That’s Ben, all right. Always business with him. Well, we do have to get it right. Don’t want Mister Holmes to be disappointed in us. That’s the last thing I’d want. And so far, we haven’t yet, thank goodness!

THE MISPLACED PHYSICIAN – An Irregular Detective Mystery, Book 3
Genre: Historical Mystery (1890s)
Release: July 2025
Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Purchase Link

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 spin: 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.

About the author
Los Angeles native JERI WESTERSON writes a Tudor series the King’s Fool Mysteries, and a Sherlockian pastiche called An Irregular Detective Mystery. She wrote fifteen Crispin Guest Medieval Noir Mysteries, a series nominated 13 times for industry mystery awards. She also wrote several romantasy series and standalone historicals. 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), she’s a member of the LA Sherlockian Society, and a founding member of the SoCal chapter of the Historical Novel Society. See JeriWesterson.com for all her books.