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Is "Miss Scarlet and The Duke" Based on a Book?
If you’ve been watching Miss Scarlet and The Duke and wondering which dusty old novel inspired this feisty female detective, you’re not alone. With its sharp-witted heroine, simmering romantic tension, and a fog-drenched Victorian London setting, it feels like it must be adapted from some long-lost classic. But here’s the twist—Miss Scarlet and The Duke is not based on a book. Nope, not even a half-forgotten penny dreadful. The show is an original creation by writer and creator Rachael New, making it a fresh entry into the world of period crime dramas.
A Victorian Mystery, But Not From a Novel
Unlike other beloved detective series (Sherlock Holmes, Poirot, or even Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries), Miss Scarlet and The Duke wasn’t plucked from the pages of a novel. Instead, New crafted an entirely original story, weaving together historical inspirations with a thoroughly modern take on an independent female detective navigating a man’s world. So while you won’t find an old, leather-bound tome detailing Eliza Scarlet’s exploits, you will find a series that pays homage to the spirit of real-life Victorian women who dared to step into the world of sleuthing.
Real-Life Female Detectives? Oh Yes!
While Eliza Scarlet isn’t pulled directly from literature, she does have some roots in reality. In the Victorian era, the concept of female detectives wasn’t just fantasy—there were actual women who took on investigative roles, often working in private detection or even assisting the police with cases where a woman’s touch was deemed necessary (think undercover work, particularly in cases involving other women). These real-life pioneers inspired Eliza’s tenacity and determination, giving her character a sense of authenticity amidst the show’s fictional mysteries.
Elizabeth Bennet With a Magnifying Glass
Another key influence on Eliza Scarlet? None other than Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen’s beloved heroine is known for her intelligence, wit, and refusal to conform to societal expectations—traits that Eliza embodies in spades. Much like Lizzy sparring with Mr. Darcy, Eliza’s dynamic with the gruff but secretly soft-hearted Inspector William Wellington (The Duke, if you please) is filled with sharp banter and unresolved romantic tension. It’s this mix of intellect, independence, and undeniable chemistry that makes the show so captivating.
A Love Letter to the Detective Genre
Though Miss Scarlet and The Duke isn’t based on a specific novel, it definitely embraces the traditions of classic detective fiction. From shadowy alleys and mysterious clues to the ever-present tension between Eliza and The Duke, the show checks all the right boxes. Fans of historical mysteries—from The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King to The Agency series by Y.S. Lee—will likely find a lot to love in Eliza’s adventures, even if she’s not straight out of a book.
Where Does That Leave Us?
If you were hoping to track down the Miss Scarlet book series, I regret to inform you that no such thing exists. But all is not lost! The show’s original storytelling, rich character development, and historically inspired sleuthing make it feel like a novel come to life. Plus, if you’re craving more Victorian-era female detectives, plenty of books feature heroines who might remind you of Eliza Scarlet (I’m looking at you, Veronica Speedwell).
So, while Miss Scarlet and The Duke may not have a literary origin, it carries the heart and spirit of great detective fiction—wrapped up with a corset, a sharp tongue, and a whole lot of determination. And who knows? Maybe someday someone will turn it into a book. Until then, we’ll just have to keep watching (and rewatching) Eliza and The Duke solve crimes and engage in the slowest of slow burns.