Collection
Publication
Bantam (2013), Edition: Reprint, 304 pages
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Historical Fiction. HTML:NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Laurie R. King�s New York Times bestselling novels of suspense featuring Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes, comprise one of today�s most acclaimed mystery series. Now the couple is separated by a shocking circumstance in a perilous part of the world, each racing against time to prevent an explosive catastrophe that could clothe them both in shrouds. In a strange room in Morocco, Mary Russell is trying to solve a pressing mystery: Who am I? She has awakened with shadows in her mind, blood on her hands, and soldiers pounding on the door. Out in the hivelike streets, she discovers herself strangely adept in the skills of the underworld, escaping through alleys and rooftops, picking pockets and locks. She is clothed like a man, and armed only with her wits and a scrap of paper containing a mysterious Arabic phrase. Overhead, warplanes pass ominously north. Meanwhile, Holmes is pulled by two old friends and a distant relation into the growing war between France, Spain, and the Rif Revolt led by Emir Abd el-Krim�who may be a Robin Hood or a power mad tribesman. The shadows of war are drawing over the ancient city of Fez, and Holmes badly wants the wisdom and courage of his wife, whom he�s learned, to his horror, has gone missing. As Holmes searches for her, and Russell searches for herself, each tries to crack deadly parallel puzzles before it�s too late for them, for Africa, and for the peace of Europe. With the dazzling mix of period detail and contemporary pace that is her hallmark, Laurie R. King continues the stunningly suspenseful series that Lee Child called �the most sustained feat of imagination in mystery fiction today.� BONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from Laurie R. King's Bones of Paris. Praise for Garment of Shadows �As always, the relationship between Holmes and Russell is utterly understated yet traced with heat and light.��Booklist (starred review) �[A] taut tale . . . original and intriguing . . . This tantalizing glimpse into the life and times of a rapidly evolving Arabic society has remarkable resonance for our own uncertain times.��Publishers Weekly �Those new to the series are in for a treat.��Bookreporter.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Stewartry
Bless Netgalley's buttons, persistence paid off and I finally got approved. If only it hadn't taken me so long to get this review written … par for the course, lately.
The story is well set up, with an economy and elegance that should make lesser series writers weep. It is not long after Pirate
Amnesia, while a much-maligned plot device, is only a cliché because it's overused because it's so gosh darned much fun to read, and I imagine to write about. To pare down a character to her most basic elements, and to send her into a story armed only with her wits and the skills she discovers she has – it's a little like hitting a reset button in a game, retaining all the muscle memory and intelligence, but being left to wonder why exactly you have these abilities. It was fun to watch Mary try not only to deduce where she was and why as well as who, but to explain to herself why she knew how to pick a pocket and a lock. And her reunion with Holmes was everything that it should be.
It's a suspenseful read, a wonderful return to the sort of adventure Holmes and Russell shared in the beginning. Great fun.
(Wouldn't Holmes's origami go against the Islam strictures against graven images? "You shall not make unto you any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them." Oh dear. Ah well.)
The story is well set up, with an economy and elegance that should make lesser series writers weep. It is not long after Pirate
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King. Holmes doesn't know where Russell is. Russell doesn't know where Russell is, nor whom for the matter of that. The skills she has worked to acquire startle her as she discovers them – the slightly sarcastic explanation her hurting brain supplies to take all of them into account is thieving circus performer. But because of her skills, she is able to adapt to her situation and launch an investigation based on the things in her pockets. Amnesia, while a much-maligned plot device, is only a cliché because it's overused because it's so gosh darned much fun to read, and I imagine to write about. To pare down a character to her most basic elements, and to send her into a story armed only with her wits and the skills she discovers she has – it's a little like hitting a reset button in a game, retaining all the muscle memory and intelligence, but being left to wonder why exactly you have these abilities. It was fun to watch Mary try not only to deduce where she was and why as well as who, but to explain to herself why she knew how to pick a pocket and a lock. And her reunion with Holmes was everything that it should be.
It's a suspenseful read, a wonderful return to the sort of adventure Holmes and Russell shared in the beginning. Great fun.
(Wouldn't Holmes's origami go against the Islam strictures against graven images? "You shall not make unto you any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them." Oh dear. Ah well.)
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LibraryThing member flashflood42
I've liked all of the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes books except for this one. Set in Morocco, it has a convoluted plot that was hard to follow and far less of the atmosphere I have loved in the novels set in India and other countries. Perhaps if I knew more about Moroccan history, I would have
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understood the various factions better. Even having spent time in Morocco didn't help me much. Show Less
LibraryThing member NellieMc
It's better than the predecessor but certainly not as good as the first in the series. Still, you get Mary back as a detective and Sherlock working with her rather than largely absent, so what's not to enjoy.
LibraryThing member purlewe
Set in Fez, Morrocco, Mary Russell wakes after a terrible accident with amnesia. Sherlock is elsewhere and having his own adventures. When they do come together in this story she does not know him. This is a great premise. And I will admit, I think Laurie R King hits it out of the park again.
LibraryThing member onetiredmom
I love Laurie R. King's series about Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes! This wasn't necessarily my favorite in the series but I liked it. It was fun to get a taste of Morocco in the 1920's and to have Russell lose her memory was very fun, particularly when she finally meets up with Holmes. King's
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series is very intelligent and imaginatively written. Show Less
LibraryThing member jamespurcell
Another good episode in the series as Mary Russell continues her evolution into Jane Bond. Much intrigue and Lawrence-like traveling in the desert as the seeds for future Moroccan independence begin to germinate. The 1920's era in European politics continues to be a rich lode for Laurie King to
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mine. Long live, hopefully, Sherlock Holmes! Show Less
LibraryThing member Kathy89
This book was okay and I liked that there was more interaction between Mary and Sherlock but I skipped through lots of pages because of the unprounounceable names which was confusing for me. Also, Mary disguising herself as a man is old and tired. I did like the reawakening of Mary's memory from
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amnesia but can Mary and Sherlock please go home to England or back to San Francisco. Show Less
LibraryThing member BookAngel_a
After the lightheartedness of the previous book in the series, this book returns to the excitement, depth, and suspense that fans of the Mary Russell series have come to expect.
This book also picks up right where the last one left off. Russell is in Morocco finishing up a film for Fflytte Films. In
Russell is having problems of her own. She wakes up in mens' clothes, with blood on her hands and a bump on her head. She has no memory of what happened or even who she is. She discovers she has special skills but doesn't know why.
Of course, at the same time, political maneuvering is going on that will either prevent war or bring war to their area. Holmes is involved, and so is Russell, if she only knew.
To say anything more would be a spoiler. This book was fun, fast paced, suspenseful, and occasionally funny. I enjoyed every minute of it!
(I received this book via Amazon's Vine Program.)
This book also picks up right where the last one left off. Russell is in Morocco finishing up a film for Fflytte Films. In
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the meantime Holmes is off exploring Morocco and visiting a distant cousin. When he keeps his rendezvous with her, he finds out she has gone missing.Russell is having problems of her own. She wakes up in mens' clothes, with blood on her hands and a bump on her head. She has no memory of what happened or even who she is. She discovers she has special skills but doesn't know why.
Of course, at the same time, political maneuvering is going on that will either prevent war or bring war to their area. Holmes is involved, and so is Russell, if she only knew.
To say anything more would be a spoiler. This book was fun, fast paced, suspenseful, and occasionally funny. I enjoyed every minute of it!
(I received this book via Amazon's Vine Program.)
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LibraryThing member Beamis12
It is hard for me to find fault with any books of this series because I just love reading them. My daughter went to Morocco last year for 6 wks. and fell in love with the country and the people. This is the first book I have read set there and as usual King did a great job of making the reader see
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and feel this country. Loved the amnesiac part of the plot and as always love Sherlock and Mary, but I felt that at times the political turmoil of this country between France and Spain was gone over in such length that it almost became burdensome. Loved the action scenes and as always look forward to the next installment in this series. Show Less
LibraryThing member MrsLee
In a continuation from The Pirate King, this story follows Russell and Holmes as they are led into the intrigues of politics in Morocco. Holmes, becoming bored with the film crew, has taken off for a bit of a walkabout, but when he returns he finds that Russell is gone and no one knows where. While
I qualify this one as an outstanding mystery for me, because although I could pick out the villains in what I thought was going on, I found at the end that something else entirely was happening, and of course the clues had been there all along for the reader to see, but the author has the art of misdirection. Very satisfying and rare. Of course I love being with Holmes and Russell, and I thought their relationship very special in this volume. I also enjoyed the details of history and culture in Morocco.
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he begins his search for her, we know that she has awoken with amnesia in a place she doesn't know, in the disguise of a man.I qualify this one as an outstanding mystery for me, because although I could pick out the villains in what I thought was going on, I found at the end that something else entirely was happening, and of course the clues had been there all along for the reader to see, but the author has the art of misdirection. Very satisfying and rare. Of course I love being with Holmes and Russell, and I thought their relationship very special in this volume. I also enjoyed the details of history and culture in Morocco.
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LibraryThing member fuzzi
The latest Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes arrived at our public library, so I picked it up on Saturday, and proceeded to devour it in two sittings!
After the last few books seemed to be missing something, Laurie King is back on track with Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes in Garment of Shadows.
Russell
Injured and suffering from memory loss, Russell navigates the streets of a Moroccan town as Holmes works his way through the politics and intrigue of northern Africa in the early 1920s.
Not the best Russell/Holmes offering from Ms. King, but a very satisfying one.
After the last few books seemed to be missing something, Laurie King is back on track with Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes in Garment of Shadows.
Russell
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has finished filming a movie in the desert, but leaves the security of her tent to follow a small beckoning boy. She doesn't return...Injured and suffering from memory loss, Russell navigates the streets of a Moroccan town as Holmes works his way through the politics and intrigue of northern Africa in the early 1920s.
Not the best Russell/Holmes offering from Ms. King, but a very satisfying one.
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LibraryThing member dcoward
Quite a disappointment. I love the Mary Russell books, but found this was to be rambling with too many odd plot devices. Mary's amnesia in particular seemed to serve no real purpose. Still, a Laurie R. King novel is still going to be a cut above many other titles out there.
LibraryThing member crystalcarroll
King is an excellent writer and does an excellent job in conveying background. Per her usual, the background is redolent with the sense of Morocco.
As to the mystery, it's fairly standard and reuses a number of elements from previous books. Mystery, adventure, physical/emotional damage ensues. The
The story shares POV between Russell in her typical 1st person narrative, as well as parts that are in 3rd person Sherlock point of view. While useful for giving the reader more information, it's not quite as well used as in King's "Locked Rooms".
Also, although the characters are running around Morocco, the characters central to the mystery tend to be Europeans. Since Russell's views on colonialism are decidedly non-anachronistic (i.e., she discusses ideas such as good versus bad colonialism), this gives the book a very odd sense that made the excellent backdrop feel like, well, backdrop. Providing a little more agency to the existing characters from Morocco could have gone a long way to alleviating this problem.
The very end took a bit of a plot turn, which left me a little nonplussed. To describe it would be to spoil the story, but it does make me wonder if King is planning a shift in the series.
I enjoyed the story, but unlike some of the other books in the series, I don't see this as a book I'll return to time and again.
As to the mystery, it's fairly standard and reuses a number of elements from previous books. Mystery, adventure, physical/emotional damage ensues. The
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central amnesia premise was, okay, I love a good amnesia premise. Call me old school. There was also this rather interesting moment when I had to stop reading because I realized that the Sultan Moulay Ismaïl they were discussing was the same Sultan from the beginning of "The King of the Wind". Yes, I know, hardly the most famous thing about him, but one of those odd moments when books clicked edges together. There was also a recurring character who I did wonder if he was a King of the Wind homage, or if the mute child assistant was a coincidence.The story shares POV between Russell in her typical 1st person narrative, as well as parts that are in 3rd person Sherlock point of view. While useful for giving the reader more information, it's not quite as well used as in King's "Locked Rooms".
Also, although the characters are running around Morocco, the characters central to the mystery tend to be Europeans. Since Russell's views on colonialism are decidedly non-anachronistic (i.e., she discusses ideas such as good versus bad colonialism), this gives the book a very odd sense that made the excellent backdrop feel like, well, backdrop. Providing a little more agency to the existing characters from Morocco could have gone a long way to alleviating this problem.
The very end took a bit of a plot turn, which left me a little nonplussed. To describe it would be to spoil the story, but it does make me wonder if King is planning a shift in the series.
I enjoyed the story, but unlike some of the other books in the series, I don't see this as a book I'll return to time and again.
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LibraryThing member PamelaBarrett
Set in Morocco, this episode of the Mary Russell series begins where Pirate King left off. In it we re-meet 2 characters from O Jerusalem. Unfortunately for me it was the next book on my list to read, so I met Mahmoud and Ali for the 1st time in Garment of Shadows, even so it wasn’t a problem
Richly textured, mystery inside mysteries, Laurie King also gives us more insight into Sherlock and his family and she adds new interesting characters making this another great read. The time period sets it right on the brink of war, and she does her research to bring the tense conflicts into focus. Not knowing a lot about the history, I had a little trouble keeping the facts straight, still it reads well. I liked that this book brought another level to the Russell/Holmes relationship. 5 stars. Read through the Amazon Vine Program.
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because this book can stand on its own. In chapter one, Mary wakes up in a dark room, battered and bruised and suffering amnesia. When Sherlock discovers that Mary is missing, he begins an exhaustive search for her, while she escapes the dark room into the maze of an ancient city and tries to piece together what has happened to her. Dressed as a Moroccan man, and using her wits she survives this dangerous place until meeting up with Sherlock, whom she doesn’t recognize.Richly textured, mystery inside mysteries, Laurie King also gives us more insight into Sherlock and his family and she adds new interesting characters making this another great read. The time period sets it right on the brink of war, and she does her research to bring the tense conflicts into focus. Not knowing a lot about the history, I had a little trouble keeping the facts straight, still it reads well. I liked that this book brought another level to the Russell/Holmes relationship. 5 stars. Read through the Amazon Vine Program.
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LibraryThing member zoomball
This one just didn't do it for me. While I typically enjoy historical fiction in/around/between the two world wars, the politics of what was going on in Morocco then, as experienced by Russel & Holmes just wasn't very interesting to me. I just prefer them better in their local environs. The audio
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version was well done. Show Less
LibraryThing member GTTexas
It takes a little while for it to become obvious in which direction this story is heading, but then as usual the excitement builds and the mystery deepens and you've just got to read one more chapter! Certainly a good yarn that leaves you wanting even more.
LibraryThing member infjsarah
This was much better than Pirate King which was boring. Ali and Mahmoud are two of my favourite characters from the earlier books so it was great to have them back. And I learnt a little of Morocco's history - of which I knew nothing.
LibraryThing member DrLed
Synopsis: Russell walks out into the desert near Fez with a small child and disappears. Holmes must not only find Russell, but Mahmond without getting caught up in the Spanish, French, Bedouin, Moroccan conflicts. With the help of a young child, a plot is uncovered that will change the course of
Review: This is one of the better of King's books. The setting reflects the war that was brewing in the 1920s and sets the stage for the independence of Algeria and Morocco in the 1960s.
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the war and the progress of Britain.Review: This is one of the better of King's books. The setting reflects the war that was brewing in the 1920s and sets the stage for the independence of Algeria and Morocco in the 1960s.
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LibraryThing member cyderry
This latest addition to the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series picks up shortly after the end of Pirate King. Holmes has gone off on his own to explore leaving Mary to continue on with the film crew but upon his return he discovers that Mary is missing. Mary, in the meantime, has awoke in a
Their combined adventures and reunion are thoroughly entertaining and remind the reader of the earlier books where Holmes and Russell collaborated so well and why their unusual marriage works.
I love any book that these two are in together, however, the plot did seem a bit thin this time but there were a few surprises.
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strange place with amnesia.Their combined adventures and reunion are thoroughly entertaining and remind the reader of the earlier books where Holmes and Russell collaborated so well and why their unusual marriage works.
I love any book that these two are in together, however, the plot did seem a bit thin this time but there were a few surprises.
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LibraryThing member pmackey
Good read, but this late in the series I'm getting tired of the suspense. I'd like to see more mystery and less political intrigue.
LibraryThing member pussreboots
Garment of Shadows by Laurie R. King is the twelfth of the Mary Russell / Sherlock Holmes mystery series. It continues the plot left off at the close of The Pirate King.
It marks a return to the themes and characters of some of her earliest books — A Letter of Mary, The Moor, and O Jerusalem —
Here, the setting is Morocco so there's political unrest between Spain and France. The place is about to split apart at the seems and yet the emphasis is once again on the odd customs and language. Yes—it's a different place. Yes—there's aspects of the culture that might seem bizarre. Gotcha. Can we move on now?
That said, Garment of Shadows is less serious than its predecessors. It opens with a rather ridiculous situation — namely Mary with full on amnesia. If we take that some of the off the cuff silliness of the The Pirate King, has rubbed off on this book, then it's perfectly acceptable for Mary to have forgotten who she is, right?
Thankfully the amnesia is just the introduction. It's an excuse to separate Mary and Sherlock and give him a reason to be concerned about her. It also gives both of them (and us, the reader) a chance to re-examine their relationship and marriage.
Although the book is flawed and it did bring back characters / themes I had been glad to leave behind, I did enjoy the book once it got started.
It marks a return to the themes and characters of some of her earliest books — A Letter of Mary, The Moor, and O Jerusalem —
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namely British colonialism, Islam, and political uprising. The problem is that so much effort is always spent on how different Muslims are that there's very little time left for a plot or character development.Here, the setting is Morocco so there's political unrest between Spain and France. The place is about to split apart at the seems and yet the emphasis is once again on the odd customs and language. Yes—it's a different place. Yes—there's aspects of the culture that might seem bizarre. Gotcha. Can we move on now?
That said, Garment of Shadows is less serious than its predecessors. It opens with a rather ridiculous situation — namely Mary with full on amnesia. If we take that some of the off the cuff silliness of the The Pirate King, has rubbed off on this book, then it's perfectly acceptable for Mary to have forgotten who she is, right?
Thankfully the amnesia is just the introduction. It's an excuse to separate Mary and Sherlock and give him a reason to be concerned about her. It also gives both of them (and us, the reader) a chance to re-examine their relationship and marriage.
Although the book is flawed and it did bring back characters / themes I had been glad to leave behind, I did enjoy the book once it got started.
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LibraryThing member akswede
I liked this, I just didn't love it. It seemed low on the detection, high on the needless political details. More detection, please!
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
This is the twelfth book in the Mary Russell series, which gives Sherlock Holmes a romantic and professional partner--and it works. Well, almost always--I didn't like the book before this, The Pirate King much, and worried a tiny bit the series might have jumped the shark. The series truly is a
Thankfully this book sees King back in top form. I felt some trepidation at the end of the first chapter, when I learned the plot would feature amnesia--a device that screams melodrama and cliche. All I can say is soon I didn't mind it much--I think because of how it was used to good effect as part of the mystery trying to piece together what had happened. And while the book often splits Mary and Sherlock Holmes apart, I couldn't complain this time that there just was too little of him--and as usual, their times together were a highlight of the book. Plus, we get more of Ali and Mahmoud Hazr featured in O, Jerusalem and Justice Hall. What's not to love?
Well, that I only have a short story, "Beekeeping for Beginners," left to read of this series and then there won't be another Mary Russell book to read until early 2015.
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favorite of mine and usually hits the spot with its mix of Sherlock Holmes pastiche, mystery, and early 20th century historical fiction. I've grown to love Mary as a character in her own right. Thankfully this book sees King back in top form. I felt some trepidation at the end of the first chapter, when I learned the plot would feature amnesia--a device that screams melodrama and cliche. All I can say is soon I didn't mind it much--I think because of how it was used to good effect as part of the mystery trying to piece together what had happened. And while the book often splits Mary and Sherlock Holmes apart, I couldn't complain this time that there just was too little of him--and as usual, their times together were a highlight of the book. Plus, we get more of Ali and Mahmoud Hazr featured in O, Jerusalem and Justice Hall. What's not to love?
Well, that I only have a short story, "Beekeeping for Beginners," left to read of this series and then there won't be another Mary Russell book to read until early 2015.
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LibraryThing member karieh
I’ve loved many of the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes books…but I am hoping, if not yearning for the characters and the books to return to England . To London fog, proper tea time and razor sharp, brilliant banter between this woman ahead of her time and the legendary detective. These characters
I still like Laurie King’s writing style – she can set a stage incredibly well and transport the reader to places unknown and exotic to most.
“My nostrils were teased by the odours of frying onions and baking bread and the cloud of aromas from the spice merchants, in between being repelled by the miasma from butchers’ shops and malfunctioning sewers, entertained by the sharpened-pencil smell of fresh cedar and the musk of sandalwood, caught by the clean reek of fresh leather or the dark richness of roasting coffee beans, and educated by the contrasts of wet plaster with crushed mint, donkey’s droppings overlaid with fresh lavender.”
But the plot lines of the last two Russell/Holmes books have not held my interest the way the rest of the series has. In “Garment of Shadows”, in fact, I was hopelessly lost and just sort of hung on until the end, hoping something would eventually click into place for me. Even though I have read the entire series, the other characters have started to blur and become less than interesting.
I will continue to be a reader of this series, but not with the same enthusiasm that I once had. Russell and Holmes will surely return one day to their home and to resume the lives that so captivated Laurie King’s readers. At least I hope that is the case.
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are fascinating as they use their brilliant minds to surprise and astound the other characters and the readers who immerse themselves in their stories.I still like Laurie King’s writing style – she can set a stage incredibly well and transport the reader to places unknown and exotic to most.
“My nostrils were teased by the odours of frying onions and baking bread and the cloud of aromas from the spice merchants, in between being repelled by the miasma from butchers’ shops and malfunctioning sewers, entertained by the sharpened-pencil smell of fresh cedar and the musk of sandalwood, caught by the clean reek of fresh leather or the dark richness of roasting coffee beans, and educated by the contrasts of wet plaster with crushed mint, donkey’s droppings overlaid with fresh lavender.”
But the plot lines of the last two Russell/Holmes books have not held my interest the way the rest of the series has. In “Garment of Shadows”, in fact, I was hopelessly lost and just sort of hung on until the end, hoping something would eventually click into place for me. Even though I have read the entire series, the other characters have started to blur and become less than interesting.
I will continue to be a reader of this series, but not with the same enthusiasm that I once had. Russell and Holmes will surely return one day to their home and to resume the lives that so captivated Laurie King’s readers. At least I hope that is the case.
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LibraryThing member hoosgracie
Russell wakes up with no memory while Holmes searches for her. The story is based in Morocco. A very enjoyable audio.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2012
Physical description
304 p.; 5.16 inches
ISBN
055338676X / 9780553386769
Similar in this library
Pages
304