The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King
- 4 stars
- laurie r- king
- mystery
- sherlock holmes
- book reviews
Title: The Beekeeper’s Apprentice (Mary Russell #1)
Author: Laurie R. King
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press 1994
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 347
Rating: 4/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Sub Genre - Mystery, Classic Whodunit; New Author; Library Loan; Eclectic - Historical Mystery
How I Got It: Library loan
In 1915, Sherlock Holmes is retired and quietly engaged in the study of honeybees when a young woman literally stumbles into him on the Sussex Downs. Fifteen years old, gawky, egotistical, and recently orphaned, the young Mary Russell displays an intellect to impress even Sherlock Holmes—and match him wit for wit. Under his reluctant tutelage, this very modern twentieth-century woman proves a deft protégée and a fitting partner for the Victorian detective. In their first case together, they must track down a kidnapped American senator’s daughter and confront a truly cunning adversary—a bomber who has set trip wires for the sleuths and who will stop at nothing to end their partnership.
A few weeks ago a friend invited me to see Laurie King speak at the local library. Turns out she’s a Bay Area native. She was funny and self-depreciating and insightful. I loved hearing her talk. Unfortunately, I couldn’t read any of her books before the talk. I received her first Mary Russell book from the library soon after. I am not disappointed at all. We get a classic Holmes style story starring Holmes and a refreshing newcomer. The books starts a bit slow, but really King’s easing us into the crazy adventures soon to come. The capers were entertaining and lots of fun. I think I will definitely be adding this series to be TBR lists.
Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes
- #0.5 Mary’s Christmas
- #1 The Beekeeper’s Apprentice
- #2 A Monstrous Regiment of Women
- #3 A Letter of Mary
- #4 The Moor
- #5 O Jerusalem
- #6 Justice Hall
- #7 The Game
- #8 Locked Rooms
- #9 The Language of Bees
- #10 The God of the Hive
- #10.5 Beekeeping for Beginners
- #11 Pirate King
- #12 Garment of Shadows
- #12.5 Mrs. Hudson’s Case
- #13 Dreaming Spies
- #13.5 The Marriage of Mary Russell
- #14 The Murder of Mary Russell
