Collection
Publication
Bantam (2009), 448 pages
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Thriller. Historical Fiction. HTML:NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER �?� �??[Laurie R.] King enriches the Sherlockian legacy.�?��??The Boston Globe For Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes, returning to the Sussex coast after seven months abroad was especially sweet. There was even a mystery to solve�??the unexplained disappearance of an entire colony of bees from one of Holmes�??s beloved hives. But the anticipated sweetness of their homecoming is quickly tempered by a galling memory from the past. Mary had met Damian Adler only once before, when the surrealist painter had been charged with�??and exonerated from�??murder. Now the troubled young man is enlisting the Holmeses�?? help again, this time in a desperate search for his missing wife and child. Mary has often observed that there are many kinds of madness, and before this case yields its shattering solution she�??ll come into dangerous contact with a fair number of them. From suicides at Stonehenge to the dark secrets of a young woman�??s past on the streets of Shanghai, Mary will find herself on the trail of a killer more dangerous than any she�??s ever faced�??a killer Sherlock Holmes himself may be protecting for reasons near and dear to his heart. BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Laurie R. King's The God of the Hive … (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member cyderry
How ironic that Holmes and Russell return after a nearly a year to their home in Sussex at the same time that they return to us after a 4 year absence. Back at their beginnings, Russell is again the apprentice to Holmes as beekeeper. Missing bees, however, have to take second place, when confronted
Holmes must first reflect on this presence and then attend to the problem which brought the two together - the disappearance of Damian's wife, Yolanda with their 4 year old daughter, Estelle. Disappearing into the night as Holmes frequently does, Mary is left to undertake the bee mystery. Finding a resolution that she feels will satisfy her husband, she heads to London to assist Holmes using her brand of logic (the feminine side).
Throughout her time with Holmes, Mary Russell has observed the strangest human behavior but this case, due to the family relationships involved, has its own kind of madness to observe. Russell employs her own special talents in the area of religious cults while delving into the skeletons in the closet of the missing young woman from Shanghai. The trail she must follow leads her to the Children of the Light and eventually the darkness that she must shatter.
I was disappointed that Russell was still lacking a bit in her self-confidence when she first arrived back, but understand her gradual return to self as the story progressed. I was glad to see that Mycroft had a larger part in this story. I particularly approve of the way Russell's concerns for Holmes' feelings were conveyed throughout. The story after the initial development was fast-paced and kept the reader driving or should I say flying to the end.
I regret that we had to wait four years for Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes to return to us. This series never fails to educate, entertain, and excite. I'm glad that the next is scheduled for 2010. As soon as I know the title, it will be on my wishlist.
Show More
with the surprise appearance of Damian Adler, Holmes' son.Holmes must first reflect on this presence and then attend to the problem which brought the two together - the disappearance of Damian's wife, Yolanda with their 4 year old daughter, Estelle. Disappearing into the night as Holmes frequently does, Mary is left to undertake the bee mystery. Finding a resolution that she feels will satisfy her husband, she heads to London to assist Holmes using her brand of logic (the feminine side).
Throughout her time with Holmes, Mary Russell has observed the strangest human behavior but this case, due to the family relationships involved, has its own kind of madness to observe. Russell employs her own special talents in the area of religious cults while delving into the skeletons in the closet of the missing young woman from Shanghai. The trail she must follow leads her to the Children of the Light and eventually the darkness that she must shatter.
I was disappointed that Russell was still lacking a bit in her self-confidence when she first arrived back, but understand her gradual return to self as the story progressed. I was glad to see that Mycroft had a larger part in this story. I particularly approve of the way Russell's concerns for Holmes' feelings were conveyed throughout. The story after the initial development was fast-paced and kept the reader driving or should I say flying to the end.
I regret that we had to wait four years for Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes to return to us. This series never fails to educate, entertain, and excite. I'm glad that the next is scheduled for 2010. As soon as I know the title, it will be on my wishlist.
Show Less
LibraryThing member thetometraveller
The latest (ninth) adventure for Sherlock Holmes and his wife, Mary Russell, begins as they arrive at their home in Sussex after an absence of almost a year. The immediate problem of the missing bees from their farthest beehive means that they don't even get into the house before going to check on
When they get back to the house and even bigger surprise awaits. Sherlock's son Damian (his mother is Irene Adler!) is waiting on the doorstep with a problem. A big one. It seems his Chinese wife, Yolanda, and four year old daughter have gone missing from their London home.
Now, Holmes never knew he had a son until the boy was grown and his mother had died. And the one and only time that they met, Damian was hateful toward his father. They haven't spoken since. Of course, what can his father do but go and help? He is his father and the famous detective Sherlock Holmes, after all.
Mary is left home and tries to busy herself investigating the bee mystery. Eventually she is sucked into Damian's case and doing sleuthing on her own. With a mind nearly as fine as her husband's, Mary is the perfect partner for the logical Holmes.
I can't recommend this series highly enough, it has been a favorite of mine for many years. Writing does not get any better than the smart, snappy prose of Laurie R. King.
Show More
the hive.When they get back to the house and even bigger surprise awaits. Sherlock's son Damian (his mother is Irene Adler!) is waiting on the doorstep with a problem. A big one. It seems his Chinese wife, Yolanda, and four year old daughter have gone missing from their London home.
Now, Holmes never knew he had a son until the boy was grown and his mother had died. And the one and only time that they met, Damian was hateful toward his father. They haven't spoken since. Of course, what can his father do but go and help? He is his father and the famous detective Sherlock Holmes, after all.
Mary is left home and tries to busy herself investigating the bee mystery. Eventually she is sucked into Damian's case and doing sleuthing on her own. With a mind nearly as fine as her husband's, Mary is the perfect partner for the logical Holmes.
I can't recommend this series highly enough, it has been a favorite of mine for many years. Writing does not get any better than the smart, snappy prose of Laurie R. King.
Show Less
LibraryThing member thesmellofbooks
I rate this 3.5 with reservations. I was NOT PLEASED to reach the end of the book and discover it really wasn't over. There was a whole nother novel to get to the end of the mystery, yet it wasn't billed as Part One. NOT OKAY. Also not convinced by the "solution" to the minor mystery on the side.
Show More
That said, the story in this and its sequel (the perplexingly named The God of the Hive--I think she just needed a bee reference because of the first book) is well written on the whole and moves along at a satisfying pace. Not her best, but enjoyable. Show Less
LibraryThing member lilithcat
Although I am not ordinarily fond of books that take a well-known character of another author and place him (or her) in a situation that the originating author would have found ludicrous, it is nevertheless the case that I enjoy King's Mary Russell series, despite the fact that she has contrived to
Russell and Holmes have returned to Sussex following a lengthy sojourn abroad (the details of which are available in King's previous books). One of Holmes' bee colonies has been engaging in very odd swarming behavior, but more seriously, his estranged son, a brilliant Surrealist painter, appears to announce that his wife and young daughter have disappeared. Mary and Holmes proceed to investigate, with Holmes attempting to do so while keeping his relationship with Damian Adler secret. Yolanda Adler's background is a dubious one, to say the least. That, as well as Damian's past involvement with the law, former drug addiction and shell-shock (what we would call Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) from his war experiences, cause suspicion to fall upon him when his wife's body is found. It appears that her murder may be related to other odd murders that have been occurring.
Although this book was a compelling read, it was, ultimately, a bit unsatisfying. For one thing, I am a bit tired of mysterious cults, and I'm afraid we're going to get more of the one that King created for this book. More seriously, though, is the fact that too many threads were left hanging, too many questions remain unanswered.
So only a mild recommendation.
Show More
marry off Sherlock Holmes. That in itself is quite contrary to Holmes' nature as created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but, on top of that, she marries him off to a woman far younger than himself. And in this book, she has given him a son by Irene Adler (a/k/a "The Woman").Russell and Holmes have returned to Sussex following a lengthy sojourn abroad (the details of which are available in King's previous books). One of Holmes' bee colonies has been engaging in very odd swarming behavior, but more seriously, his estranged son, a brilliant Surrealist painter, appears to announce that his wife and young daughter have disappeared. Mary and Holmes proceed to investigate, with Holmes attempting to do so while keeping his relationship with Damian Adler secret. Yolanda Adler's background is a dubious one, to say the least. That, as well as Damian's past involvement with the law, former drug addiction and shell-shock (what we would call Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) from his war experiences, cause suspicion to fall upon him when his wife's body is found. It appears that her murder may be related to other odd murders that have been occurring.
Although this book was a compelling read, it was, ultimately, a bit unsatisfying. For one thing, I am a bit tired of mysterious cults, and I'm afraid we're going to get more of the one that King created for this book. More seriously, though, is the fact that too many threads were left hanging, too many questions remain unanswered.
So only a mild recommendation.
Show Less
LibraryThing member infjsarah
I enjoy the Mary Russell series but found this one a bit underwhelming. The murderer was obvious and the plot was the same as A letter of Mary.
But it whiled away a few lazy hours pleasantly.
But it whiled away a few lazy hours pleasantly.
LibraryThing member librarygirls
2009 entry in the popular series featuring Sherlock Holmes and his sleuthing wife Mary Russell. While not in the 'excellent' category as were Bee Keeper's Apprentice and Locked Rooms, this is an entertaining continuation of the story. This book contains a hunt for the missing wife and child of
Show More
Sherlock's son, born to 'The Woman' Irene Adler and keep secret from Holmes for more than 20 years. Show Less
LibraryThing member readinggeek451
Holmes and Russell return home from their trip around the world to find a hive gone mad--and his long-lost son. Damien has also been wandering but is now living in London with his wife and daughter. But his wife is missing.
A nicely intricate puzzle.
A nicely intricate puzzle.
LibraryThing member Joycepa
Ninth in the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series.
Back from San Francisco, Russell and Holmes arrive at their Sussex home to find a most unexpected visitor--Holmes’ son, Damian Adler, child of Holmes’ liaison with Irene Adler. Russell had met Holmes’ son once before, when Daimian, a surrealist
The premise of the book is not one of my favorite ones--the sudden appearance of an important person in the protagonist’s life who has never even been mentioned before. And for me, the initial part of the book is awkward, as King uses a different style to convey the relationship between Holmes and Damian. But the plot quickly develops and involves one of King’s favorite themes--religious cults.
Once past the initial part of the book, the story becomes ever more intriguing and the pace really picks up, until the denouement, which is a page-turner.
A change of pace for the series, and still excellent. Highly recommended.
Back from San Francisco, Russell and Holmes arrive at their Sussex home to find a most unexpected visitor--Holmes’ son, Damian Adler, child of Holmes’ liaison with Irene Adler. Russell had met Holmes’ son once before, when Daimian, a surrealist
Show More
painter of growing reputation, had been charged with murder; he was cleared of the charges. Now Damian, who has always been hostile to his father, is back with a plea--although an ambivalent one-- for help in finding his wife and daughter, who have disappeared.The premise of the book is not one of my favorite ones--the sudden appearance of an important person in the protagonist’s life who has never even been mentioned before. And for me, the initial part of the book is awkward, as King uses a different style to convey the relationship between Holmes and Damian. But the plot quickly develops and involves one of King’s favorite themes--religious cults.
Once past the initial part of the book, the story becomes ever more intriguing and the pace really picks up, until the denouement, which is a page-turner.
A change of pace for the series, and still excellent. Highly recommended.
Show Less
LibraryThing member reannon
Laurie King is one of my favorite writers. For one thing, she had the audacity to take a beloved character, Sherlock Holmes, and use him and make it work. But she isn't perfect. I wasn't fond of the The Game, the volume in this series set in India, and this one I didn't like as well as some of ther
However, it does present Holmes with a previously unknown son, his son by Irene Adler. The son suffered gruesomely in WWI and fell apart. Holmes and Russell learned of his existence in 1919, when he was still a drug addict, and then he disappeared and could not be found. Now, in 1924, he shows up again, an sober artist whose Chinese wife has disappeared. It begins to look as though she was involved with a dangerous religious nut.
Worth reading, but would recommend reading the other books in the series first.
Show More
others in the series. Perhaps I'm finding the villain who is part of an evil cult to be a bit cliched by now.However, it does present Holmes with a previously unknown son, his son by Irene Adler. The son suffered gruesomely in WWI and fell apart. Holmes and Russell learned of his existence in 1919, when he was still a drug addict, and then he disappeared and could not be found. Now, in 1924, he shows up again, an sober artist whose Chinese wife has disappeared. It begins to look as though she was involved with a dangerous religious nut.
Worth reading, but would recommend reading the other books in the series first.
Show Less
LibraryThing member MarkMeg
I kept reading and thinking that I had read it or something like it before, but could not find it on the list. I skipped a lot of pages. I just couldn't seem to get into it. The story about the bees was distracting rather than flowing into it.
LibraryThing member wortklauberlein
After a promising beginning, in which the recently returned couple find Holmes' estranged grown son on their Sussex doorstep and the mysterious abandonment of their hive by a swarm of bees, the novel winds down in endless pursuit of a killer.
Holmes and Russell are barely together, so their
That and the numerous other loose ends no doubt will be further entangled in the next book, since the last line in this notes the story will be continued.
The apiary thread and the historical cult phenomenon of the Golden Dawn give the book some of the heft readers expect from Laurie R. King but she seems to delve less deeply into religion than in previous Mary Russell novels, leaving this one feeling a bit lightweight.
Holmes and Russell are barely together, so their
Show More
relationship hardly develops, but could Russell be starting to think of offspring? That and the numerous other loose ends no doubt will be further entangled in the next book, since the last line in this notes the story will be continued.
The apiary thread and the historical cult phenomenon of the Golden Dawn give the book some of the heft readers expect from Laurie R. King but she seems to delve less deeply into religion than in previous Mary Russell novels, leaving this one feeling a bit lightweight.
Show Less
LibraryThing member NellieMc
I have all the Mary Russell books, and this is as good as most, although not among her best. I will confess to feeling a bit upset when the book didn't actually end--besides disappointed, it feels like a come on to get the next book; it would have been more honest to label this Volume 1. My second
Show More
complaint is that the Mary and Sherlock go their separate ways a great deal, and a lot of the fun of the books is the intellectual sparring between the two. However, this is still a series that shines above most in the genre for the quality of its writing and the development of a heck of a good yarn. Mary Russell continues to be a fascinating character and the alternative universe side of Holmes (and Mycroft) that she's developed is always fun to watch. And for those who've read the first book (The Beekeeper's Apprentice), it's great to have the bees back in the story, even for just a short part. Show Less
LibraryThing member tangential1
I have to say, I don't think I've been disappointed by any of the Mary Russell books and this new one is right in line. Another excellent read=)
There was an interesting paralleling to the last one (Locked Rooms). In LOCK, Russell is more than a little preoccupied with her past and her family and
Also, I saw a similarity between this new book and one of Ms. King's stand-alone novels, A Darker Place. DARK deals with alternative religions and cults, with a focus on alchemy and a little bit on mysticism. This new Russell moves in that direction as well. I'm not really sure what to say about it past that, just that I noticed the similarity. We've seen Russell tackle mysticism before in A Monstrous Regiment of Women, but the new religious movement discussed in this book was much more out there. Maybe because the stuff discussed in MREG was having to do with old religion and seemed more legitimate? And to that end, maybe this new book is more about charlatans and that's why I was reminded of DARK. I really find it interesting when LRK injects some of her academic interests into her novels; despite the fact that I have very little interest in religion, she always gives me plenty to think about.
Oddly, I think this is the first book I've ever read that had a "to be continued" ending that I wasn't scaling the walls over. It's not a cliff hanger or anything; more like she left the ending open to a point that we know where she has to be going with the next book, which she hasn't done before. Usually we get a nice clean finished story; there could be a next one, but there doesn't have to be. This one, there's very obviously some unresolved story that we're going to have to delve into in the next book.
There was an interesting paralleling to the last one (Locked Rooms). In LOCK, Russell is more than a little preoccupied with her past and her family and
Show More
Holmes is in the background noticing clues with his clear mind and waiting for Russell to come around to herself to help with the mystery. In this new one it's reversed; Holmes is visited by his past/family and Russell goes about the business of objectively collecting clues and moving forward with the case at hand. Not quite the same since Holmes is still very actively trying to solve the case, but I thought it was an interesting transition from the last book to this one.Also, I saw a similarity between this new book and one of Ms. King's stand-alone novels, A Darker Place. DARK deals with alternative religions and cults, with a focus on alchemy and a little bit on mysticism. This new Russell moves in that direction as well. I'm not really sure what to say about it past that, just that I noticed the similarity. We've seen Russell tackle mysticism before in A Monstrous Regiment of Women, but the new religious movement discussed in this book was much more out there. Maybe because the stuff discussed in MREG was having to do with old religion and seemed more legitimate? And to that end, maybe this new book is more about charlatans and that's why I was reminded of DARK. I really find it interesting when LRK injects some of her academic interests into her novels; despite the fact that I have very little interest in religion, she always gives me plenty to think about.
Oddly, I think this is the first book I've ever read that had a "to be continued" ending that I wasn't scaling the walls over. It's not a cliff hanger or anything; more like she left the ending open to a point that we know where she has to be going with the next book, which she hasn't done before. Usually we get a nice clean finished story; there could be a next one, but there doesn't have to be. This one, there's very obviously some unresolved story that we're going to have to delve into in the next book.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Philotera
Another in the Mary Russell series by Laurie King continues to delight. This appears to be the first of a two-parter. I admit that, having become a writer, I am now up to other writer's tricks and predicted about a third of the way through what was going to happen. I get a gold star because it
Mind you, I enjoyed the book tremendously. I have always enjoyed the characters. They are interesting people doing interesting things, and I'm happy to follow along with them. It was loads of fun. I rejoiced when I spotted it in the bookstore and snapped it up immediately, and was happy I did. Few series manage to hold their own for me all the way through. This one has, I'm pleased to say.
Show More
turned out pretty right. I believe this is not a lack on Ms. King's part, but simply that, as I have begun to work on more plotting of my own, I can see how the threads are likely to go together; which are the red herrings to discard so that the correct choice rises to the top.Mind you, I enjoyed the book tremendously. I have always enjoyed the characters. They are interesting people doing interesting things, and I'm happy to follow along with them. It was loads of fun. I rejoiced when I spotted it in the bookstore and snapped it up immediately, and was happy I did. Few series manage to hold their own for me all the way through. This one has, I'm pleased to say.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Nodosaurus
I enjoyed this book more than the previous ones. It felt more like an adventure book than a mystery.
In this volume, Damian Adler surfaces again, and requests Sherlock Holmes'es help in finding his missing wife and daughter. The disappearance gets complicated as we learn that his wife is involved
L'estrade gets invloved in the mystery, Sherlock and Mary seek assistance from Mycroft, and the adventure takes them through northern Scotland to the Orkeny Islands.
THe book is fun and fairly fast-paced. Unfortunately is the first of a two parter. Although many issues are not resolved in this volume, it doesn't leave you with as many questions as most continued stories.
In this volume, Damian Adler surfaces again, and requests Sherlock Holmes'es help in finding his missing wife and daughter. The disappearance gets complicated as we learn that his wife is involved
Show More
in a religious cult, and Damian is purported to be Sherlock Holmes'es son from an affair with Irene Adler. L'estrade gets invloved in the mystery, Sherlock and Mary seek assistance from Mycroft, and the adventure takes them through northern Scotland to the Orkeny Islands.
THe book is fun and fairly fast-paced. Unfortunately is the first of a two parter. Although many issues are not resolved in this volume, it doesn't leave you with as many questions as most continued stories.
Show Less
LibraryThing member FMRox
I was really excited to start this mystery series. Perhaps I began in the wrong place or the wrong format (audio). This was a very dreary reading of the novel by an unenthused narrator. The plot and chase dragged on for so long, I'm not sure I even remember the ending at this point. What a bore. I
Show More
don't think I will pick another is this series as I don't care for the plot of this novel or the main protagonist Mary Russell. Perhaps its a good read? Show Less
LibraryThing member dcoward
SPOILER! A very disappointing entry to this series. I usually love this author, and even recognize the quality of books of hers that I don't particularly like. I think that's why I rated this book so low, I wouldn't rank it as a two compared to other authors as a whole, but... the character of Mary
Show More
Russell seems weaker than ever, and rather obsessed with her husband's thoughts and feelings. Also, the plot moves at an excrutiatingly slow pace, and the characterizations are not up to this author's standards. Then...the book ends on a cliff hangar! Argh! Hopefully the next book will pick up! Show Less
LibraryThing member Kathy89
Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell return to Sussex from a trip around the world to find Damien Adler (Sherlock's son from a brief affair with Irene Addler) waiting for them. His wife and 4 yr old daughter are missing and he needs their help in locating them.
Sherlock and Mary work independently
Sherlock and Mary work independently
Show More
throughout most of the book and I would've like it better if they worked more closely and if the book had been edited some. I found it redundant in that Mary seemed to recap every move to Mycroft. Show Less
LibraryThing member JFlinders
a fascinating introduction to an intriguing series of mysteries featuring an older Sherlock Holmes and his new protegee, destined to be wife, Mary Russell. Holmes has met his match and found his heart opened in a way he could never have foreseen. This is the first of a ten book series and does a
Show More
magnificent job setting the era, the local, and the personalities for an engaging new look at Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Show Less
LibraryThing member GTTexas
The best Mary Russell story so far! Mary and Sherlock see plenty of action back in England, the plot is suitably thickened, and Mycroft even loses some weight! Loved it. One of a dozen or so I read on a Mediterranean cruise.
LibraryThing member nocto
The only thing wrong with this book is that when I got to the end of it - wondering how on earth the author was going to wrap it all up in what seemed to be a very small number of pages left to read - the last page said "to be continued" across it. So, I am very much looking forward to the next
Show More
Mary Russell adventure which I guess will be closely linked to this one. Show Less
LibraryThing member SandiLee
I started this book twice. On my first reading, I got about 20 pages in before I decided I really had to go back and reread the previous book. All of King's Russell mysteries are connected, but this is the first direct sequel.
King seems to have improved her skill with this installment. Russell's
King seems to have improved her skill with this installment. Russell's
Show More
world is richer, more detailed and includes more interesting side characters. The greenman character, Robert Goodman, was particularly memorably - a believable mortal character, he also strikes Mary as benevolent forest spirit, and seems to symbolize the simple, earthy way of life being suffocated by the after effects of WWI and industrialization. I also enjoyed the "lady doctor" who made a few brief but pleasing appearance in The Language of Bees. I hope to see her again in future installments. Show Less
LibraryThing member cajela
I'm a fan of Laurie King and her early 20th century Holmesian world, despite the rather large suspension of disbelief required for Mary Russell's relationship with Holmes. In this one, it turns out that Holmes and Irene Adler had a son - unknown to him until now. The son has now grown up and become
A sequence of murders ties into various mythic places, and only Mary's understanding of weird cults and religions can help! King writes very intelligent and complex fiction, set in well-researched and fascinating historical settings.
Show More
an artist, and his wife and child are missing - perhaps murdered? A sequence of murders ties into various mythic places, and only Mary's understanding of weird cults and religions can help! King writes very intelligent and complex fiction, set in well-researched and fascinating historical settings.
Show Less
LibraryThing member druidgirl
Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes are a couple made for each other. I always knew there was a child hidden somewhere. Sherlock and Irene Adler with a son. The author mixes many mysteries into one great novel but always leaving an opening for the next one. Mary is a strong intelligent woman with a
Show More
mind of her own and a great companion for Sherlock. She is a fine detective in her own right and coupled with Sherlock and sometimes the help of Mycroft Holmes. All in all the series keeps getting better. Once again the "Mystery is Afoot". Show Less
LibraryThing member mldavis2
This is #9 in the series of Mary Russell / Sherlock Holmes mysteries by Laurie King, and one of the best so far as I read them in chronological order. The setting is Scotland as Russell and Holmes follow a trail of Holmes' son Damien to a ritual sacrifice. King continues to develop the characters
Show More
and brings us to a page-turner ending. This is a series that grows on you and keeps the setting in the 1920's. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2009-04-28
Physical description
448 p.; 6.25 inches
ISBN
0553804545 / 9780553804546
Similar in this library
Pages
448