Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Bantam (2000), Edition: 1st THUS, Mass Market Paperback, 464 pages
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Thriller. Historical Fiction. HTML:At the close of the year 1918, forced to flee England's green and pleasant land, Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes enter British-occupied Palestine under the auspices of Holmes' enigmatic brother, Mycroft. "Gentlemen, we are at your service." Thus Holmes greets the two travel-grimed Arab figures who receive them in the orange groves fringing the Holy Land. Whatever role could the volatile Ali and the taciturn Mahmoud play in Mycroft's design for this land the British so recently wrested from the Turks? After passing a series of tests, Holmes and Russell learn their guides are engaged in a mission for His Majesty's Government, and disguise themselves as Bedouins�??Russell as the beardless youth "Amir"�??to join them in a stealthy reconnaissance through the dusty countryside. A recent rash of murders seems unrelated to the growing tensions between Jew, Moslem, and Christian, yet Holmes is adamant that he must reconstruct the most recent one in the desert gully where it occurred. His singular findings will lead him and Russell through labyrinthine bazaars, verminous inns, cliff-hung monasteries�??and into mortal danger. When her mentor's inquiries jeopardize his life, Russell fearlessly wields a pistol and even assays the arts of seduction to save him. Bruised and bloodied, the pair ascend to the jewellike city of Jerusalem, where they will at last meet their adversary, whose lust for savagery and power could reduce the city's most ancient and sacred place to rubble and ignite this tinderbox of a land.... Classically Holmesian yet enchantingly fresh, sinuously plotted, with colorful characters and a dazzling historic ambience, O Jerusalem sweeps readers ever onward in the thrill of t… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
I loved the first three Mary Russell novels, set early in the 20th Century, which give Sherlock Holmes a romantic and sleuthing partner. However, the fourth book, The Moor, was less than stellar. I feared that the series might have jumped the shark. However, a commentator on my review of that last
Almost immediately I could feel this one would be solid. Perhaps King herself felt she had lost her footing in the last book, because this one returns to an earlier time in the relationship between Russell and Holmes--set during an interlude in the events of the first book, The Beekeeper's Apprentice, in 1919 Palestine under the British Mandate, and I feel King has a gift for evoking the period and setting.
King seems to shine from what I've read when dealing with Biblical themes. She herself, like her heroine Russell, studied theology at the university level. Her second and third book dealt with such matters, and here the Jewish Russell finds herself in a land that has a lot of personal meaning for her. Holmes, irascible and brilliant, is pitch perfect.
Recently I was reading a much acclaimed hard-boiled detective novel, and realized that much of what I disliked about that genre is that the so-called detectives solve their problems with their fists rather than their brains. Now, it's is not as if this book doesn't provide action and suspense in plenty--both Holmes and Russell can take care of themselves in a fight--but what shines in both of them is intelligence, and I think that's a lot of why I do love this series. That I'm not expected to deal with protagonists (however engaging Stephanie Plum might be) who are too-stupid-to-live. This was a pleasure.
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book reassured me it was just the low point in the series and it picks itself right up in the next. And so it proved.Almost immediately I could feel this one would be solid. Perhaps King herself felt she had lost her footing in the last book, because this one returns to an earlier time in the relationship between Russell and Holmes--set during an interlude in the events of the first book, The Beekeeper's Apprentice, in 1919 Palestine under the British Mandate, and I feel King has a gift for evoking the period and setting.
King seems to shine from what I've read when dealing with Biblical themes. She herself, like her heroine Russell, studied theology at the university level. Her second and third book dealt with such matters, and here the Jewish Russell finds herself in a land that has a lot of personal meaning for her. Holmes, irascible and brilliant, is pitch perfect.
Recently I was reading a much acclaimed hard-boiled detective novel, and realized that much of what I disliked about that genre is that the so-called detectives solve their problems with their fists rather than their brains. Now, it's is not as if this book doesn't provide action and suspense in plenty--both Holmes and Russell can take care of themselves in a fight--but what shines in both of them is intelligence, and I think that's a lot of why I do love this series. That I'm not expected to deal with protagonists (however engaging Stephanie Plum might be) who are too-stupid-to-live. This was a pleasure.
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LibraryThing member Winterrain
Those who feel a great need to read a series in order will encounter some difficulty here, as this book, the fifth Mary Russell mystery that Laurie R. King wrote, is actually set just after the first one. I didn't realize this when I picked it up and, for a while, was rather confused, but in the
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end I loved it as much as the others. Though I loved the novelty of the great Sherlock Holmes married to a whip-smart woman half his age, Mary was a more dynamic character before she established a relationship with Holmes. Show Less
LibraryThing member sageness
Oh, I enjoyed this one a lot! It brought back college history classes from nearly twenty years ago and put a much more vivid spin on the Arab-Israeli conflict than the prof ever managed.
Unlike with The Moor, which had an actual disabled character (gasp!), the disability tag is used here for
I really am falling in love with crossdressing!Mary. And Holmes' nod to Ali and Mahmoud's relationship as being somewhat more and less than brotherly made me laugh and laugh. (The dry humor works for me, okay?)
Yeah, that was a satisfying adventure story. :)
Unlike with The Moor, which had an actual disabled character (gasp!), the disability tag is used here for
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debilitating injuries being largely ignored, thanks to stupendous levels of stoicism. Granted, Holmes age is showing significantly, which is awesome and an appreciated nod to plausibility. *g*I really am falling in love with crossdressing!Mary. And Holmes' nod to Ali and Mahmoud's relationship as being somewhat more and less than brotherly made me laugh and laugh. (The dry humor works for me, okay?)
Yeah, that was a satisfying adventure story. :)
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LibraryThing member barefootlibrarian
Mary Russell's fifth outing (which, actually takes place during the first, The Beekeeper's Apprentice between the 12th and 13th chapters, if I remember correctly) is a beautiful journey into the land of Mary's ancestors, and most importantly Jerusalem. Russell and Holmes flee England to recoup and
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draw out their antagonist in The Beekeeper's Apprentice, and by Russell's choosing wind up in the Middle East. They enter an uneasy working relationship with two of Mycroft's contacts there, the Hazr brothers (who themselves are of mysterious origin). The political climate is hazardous, and they find themselves on a cross country trek to stop an attack that could be crippling to the fledgling peace. The most enjoyable part of the story is the development in the relationship between Holmes and Russell, and even more so Russell coming into her own. The Hazr brothers are also great characters. If you're reading this series for the first time, I recommend you read this fifth and not after/during the first, but if you're re-reading, definitely read it during the beginning. Either way, make sure to read it! Show Less
LibraryThing member SandiLee
Maybe my favorite Mary Russell mystery, O Jerusalem takes Russell and Holmes to a temporary exile in Palestine while they gather their strength to face an enemy back home and meet the Hazr brothers, two of Mycroft's agents wandering the desert as scribes and spies. This feels like narrative King
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particularly enjoyed writing, something she put extra attention and care into. The descriptions of Palestine are perfectly lovely and the Hazr brothers perfectly entertaining. Show Less
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
Really interesting stuff about the city of Jerusalem and the cultural conditions of the time.
LibraryThing member Kathy89
A 19 yr old Mary Russell and her teacher/mentor, Sherlock Holmes travel to Jerusalem. Didn't really understand why they were there but it somehow had to do with Mycroft Holmes secret position in the government. Overly long and tedious. Listened to the audio and wouldn't have bothered to finish it
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if I were reading it. Show Less
LibraryThing member vegaheim
fifth in series, i think i might say this is my favourite one
LibraryThing member coffeebookperfect
Made my heart ache for Jerusalem! Well researched and presented.
Well written - I look forward to reading more from King.
Well written - I look forward to reading more from King.
LibraryThing member teckelvik
This is the fifth volume of the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series.
I found this book less satisfying than previous volumes, because it seemed oddly thin. The background and setting were well researched and felt authentic, but the central mystery was never fleshed out enough to seem worth
In a way, this makes sense. Russell and Holmes were in Palestine in route to somewhere else, and the entire adventure is alluded to in a previous volume as an interesting aside. They spend a lot of time going from place to place, hiding, experiencing Palestinian culture, but why, and who they are chasing, and what is the point are almost glossed in passing.
That said, these are fun people to spend so much time with, and I will continue to follow their adventures.
I found this book less satisfying than previous volumes, because it seemed oddly thin. The background and setting were well researched and felt authentic, but the central mystery was never fleshed out enough to seem worth
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pursuing.In a way, this makes sense. Russell and Holmes were in Palestine in route to somewhere else, and the entire adventure is alluded to in a previous volume as an interesting aside. They spend a lot of time going from place to place, hiding, experiencing Palestinian culture, but why, and who they are chasing, and what is the point are almost glossed in passing.
That said, these are fun people to spend so much time with, and I will continue to follow their adventures.
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LibraryThing member ruby1
"O Jerualem" takes place literally in the middle of King's first book in the series, "The Beekeeper's Apprentice." Faced with an implacable and seemingly omniscient foe, Russell and Holmes hie off to a place where they cannot be found--Palestine, right at the end of WWI. They perform some spy work
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for the King, linked with two Arab "cutthroats" who are also spies for the King. I'll tell you how good this book is. I am on my second copy, and it is threadbare and held together with scotch tape. I'll have to be acquiring another one soon. Laurie King's sense of place is without equal. Show Less
LibraryThing member krsball
Love this series. This book is full of action and intrigue.
LibraryThing member Joycepa
Fourth in order of publication in the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series, the story line actually fits into the latter part of the debut novel in the series, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice.
Holmes and the 19 year old Russell have fled for their lives from England to British-occupied Palestine, where
King does an absolutely superb job of depicting post World War I Palestine--the aftermath of the brilliant military campaign led by Sir Edmund Allenby that drove the Turks from their 400 year occupation of Palestine and Syria. Holmes, Russell, Ali, and Mahmoud travel nearly the entire length and breadth of Palestine in search of a mysterious killer. As they do so, they visit early Jewish settlements, Arab villages, Christian monasteries, and the Dead Sea, among other places. King is superb in painting the local color of each, especially Jerusalem, where she is so evocative that you feel as if you are right there, amid the dust, the smells, the Arabs, Jews, Christians, British, the holiest places of three religions.
This is my favorite book in what I consider one of the best police procedural/mystery series still going. King continues to provide Holmes and Russell with distinct, thoroughly believable and engaging personalities, and does not limit her excellent characterizations to just those two; Mahmoud and Ali are perfect and Allenby, whom they meet, comes across as real and vivid. Places, people events--all are imbued with an authenticity that is rarely seen in a series that is as wide-ranging in locale as this one is.
And the last sentence in the book deserves a place of its own as one of the best I have ever read in any novel no matter what its genre. It is perfect for that story.
I can not recommend this book highly enough, although I would urge that it be read at the appropriate place in The Beekeeper’s Apprentice for maximum enjoyment.
If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
may my right hand forget its skill.
May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth
if I do not remember you,
if I do not consider Jerusalem
my highest joy.
Psalm 137, Hebrew Testament
Holmes and the 19 year old Russell have fled for their lives from England to British-occupied Palestine, where
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in addition to buying time in order to deal with a lethal criminal genius, Holmes and Russell will also look into a little matter for Sherlock’s brother, Mycroft, who holds a powerful but shadowy post for the British Empire in what would later be called Intelligence. The two land clandestinely on the shores of Palestine to be met by two Arabs, Bedu, who are in Mycroft’s organization--basically, spies for the British. At first barely accepted by the Arabs--Mahmoud and his brother Ali--the two gain grudging acceptance, Russell disguising herself as an Arab youth, Holmes, in disguise, easily passing for an Arab since he is fluent (naturally) in Arabic. Following faint clues that only Holmes with his near-omniscience on every topic conceivable can unravel, they wind up in Jerusalem, where there are not one but two thrilling, page-turning climaxes, superbly written by King in her hallmark spare but evocative style.King does an absolutely superb job of depicting post World War I Palestine--the aftermath of the brilliant military campaign led by Sir Edmund Allenby that drove the Turks from their 400 year occupation of Palestine and Syria. Holmes, Russell, Ali, and Mahmoud travel nearly the entire length and breadth of Palestine in search of a mysterious killer. As they do so, they visit early Jewish settlements, Arab villages, Christian monasteries, and the Dead Sea, among other places. King is superb in painting the local color of each, especially Jerusalem, where she is so evocative that you feel as if you are right there, amid the dust, the smells, the Arabs, Jews, Christians, British, the holiest places of three religions.
This is my favorite book in what I consider one of the best police procedural/mystery series still going. King continues to provide Holmes and Russell with distinct, thoroughly believable and engaging personalities, and does not limit her excellent characterizations to just those two; Mahmoud and Ali are perfect and Allenby, whom they meet, comes across as real and vivid. Places, people events--all are imbued with an authenticity that is rarely seen in a series that is as wide-ranging in locale as this one is.
And the last sentence in the book deserves a place of its own as one of the best I have ever read in any novel no matter what its genre. It is perfect for that story.
I can not recommend this book highly enough, although I would urge that it be read at the appropriate place in The Beekeeper’s Apprentice for maximum enjoyment.
If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
may my right hand forget its skill.
May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth
if I do not remember you,
if I do not consider Jerusalem
my highest joy.
Psalm 137, Hebrew Testament
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LibraryThing member Cynara
A prime entry in King's Mary Russell series, O Jerusalem is a welcome return to the earlier stages of Russell's and Holmes' association.
I think this book marks an upswing in the series as a whole; while I adore The Beekeeper's Apprentice without limits, I find the middle of A Monstrous Regiment of
I share other reviewers' sneaking feeling that Mary-and-Holmes, though they are excellent as protagonists in a mystery series, have a less compelling relationship than Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell did before they wed. I've dismissed this feeling in the past, as I suspected myself of making Russell into my own Mary Sue, but the more I think about it, the more I agree with my initial impression. They're just cooler apart.
While I love Mary, particularly her take-no-prisoners youth, I am astonished by King's writing of Holmes. How does she manage to evoke him, not as Doyle did, but as I perceive him in my own mind?
I think this book marks an upswing in the series as a whole; while I adore The Beekeeper's Apprentice without limits, I find the middle of A Monstrous Regiment of
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Women dull, and the following two books not much better. (I should note that the series becomes extraordinarily good later on). I share other reviewers' sneaking feeling that Mary-and-Holmes, though they are excellent as protagonists in a mystery series, have a less compelling relationship than Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell did before they wed. I've dismissed this feeling in the past, as I suspected myself of making Russell into my own Mary Sue, but the more I think about it, the more I agree with my initial impression. They're just cooler apart.
While I love Mary, particularly her take-no-prisoners youth, I am astonished by King's writing of Holmes. How does she manage to evoke him, not as Doyle did, but as I perceive him in my own mind?
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LibraryThing member JBD1
My least favorite of the Russell/Holmes stories so far. While the setting is fascinating, the plot drags rather monotonously and since there's never really any doubt about what's going to happen, the book seems fairly pointless.
LibraryThing member Shutzie27
Anyone familiar with the Sherlock Holmes canon, or even just Christopher Morley's wonderful introduction to it, knows, one of Doyle's most delightfully infuriating tricks was to constantly open an adventure with a tantalizing hint of another one that never got written down.
Watson always had an
Of course, we Holmesians (or Sherlockians, since no one seems to bother with the distinction anymore, irritatingly) loved Holmes and Watson all the more for it.
King has taken a different tack in the fifth installment of the Mary Russell Sherlock Holmes pastiche series, giving us an entire volume dedicated to an adventure only alluded to in The Beekeeper's Apprentice.
And it is a treat.
Much like in The Moor, Holmes and Russell spend much of the book wandering in early 20th century Palestine, drawn into a mystery that, naturally, brings us a glimpse of T.E. Lawrence, Gen. Edmund "Bull" Allenby and two spies-cum-Bedouin guides.
Both of Holmes' and Russell's guides are well developed characters, fascinating in and of themselves and keep the story going even during long, rather dry stretches of travel. They are used as vehicles to explain Arabic and Bedoiun culture, but never cross into caricatures of themselves, a tricky feat that King pulls off exceedingly well.
Those who have studied Middle Eastern history or culture (I should admit here that I did, both before and during college, and of course afterwards to the extent I can) will appreciate King's discernment in what she chooses to highlight and use during the course of her novel.
The mystery itself was pretty good, though not great by mystery reader standards, laden with international intrigue and coated with a likely bitter resentment that stems from the fallout of World War I. There is a delightful, but subtle, reference to Moriarty (though he has nothing to do with adventure, of course) that readers of the Canon will appreciate.
Perhaps because there is a cluster of four characters this time, or perhaps because it pre-dates Russell and Holmes' marriage, or quite possibly because I have been fascinated with the Middle East long before current events threw it into our headlines daily, I found this to be an wonderful, immersive reading experience.
All of King's usual skill – character creation and development, historical research blended artfully into a fictitious story, sweeping settings and vivid landscapes – are present in this book.
I found Sherlock to be, as usual, as close to himself as can be expected in a pastiche and Russell's religious devotion and passion softens the edges of both their cold, analytical minds. The passage in which Russell describes seeing the Dome of the Rock for the first time from a hill above Jerusalem, as a Jewish woman, is truly beautiful. But at no point is she proselytizing, either.
I have always found Russell's interest and academic devotion to theology, and her sincere comfort in religion, to be a wonderfully balancing counterpoint to Holmes' sometimes icy, but crystalline clear, vision of the world. It is one of the things that keeps me reading the series and in this book I found that attribute shone brilliantly.
Another of King's talents this installment illustrates more than others, I think, is her ability to keep the reader in the story using realistic detail in her character's stream of consciousness. For example, Russell has to get used to eating while in a kneeling position and, due to all the walking they do in desert, gets badly blistered feet. King never forgets these facts but doesn't dwell on them unduly, either. It helps gives a sense of time.
Though Mycroft is hinted at, the reader is disappointed. Sigh. Although Caleb Carr did an impressive job with Mycroft in The Italian Secretary, I would like to see how King handles him.
Perhaps the next installment.
Watson always had an
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acceptable excuse for this, of course. There simply wasn't enough time, or the details of the case were too classified or the mystery involved persons so distinguished the tale simply could not be put to paper during Watson's lifetime. Or the case notes were locked in a vault in bank.Of course, we Holmesians (or Sherlockians, since no one seems to bother with the distinction anymore, irritatingly) loved Holmes and Watson all the more for it.
King has taken a different tack in the fifth installment of the Mary Russell Sherlock Holmes pastiche series, giving us an entire volume dedicated to an adventure only alluded to in The Beekeeper's Apprentice.
And it is a treat.
Much like in The Moor, Holmes and Russell spend much of the book wandering in early 20th century Palestine, drawn into a mystery that, naturally, brings us a glimpse of T.E. Lawrence, Gen. Edmund "Bull" Allenby and two spies-cum-Bedouin guides.
Both of Holmes' and Russell's guides are well developed characters, fascinating in and of themselves and keep the story going even during long, rather dry stretches of travel. They are used as vehicles to explain Arabic and Bedoiun culture, but never cross into caricatures of themselves, a tricky feat that King pulls off exceedingly well.
Those who have studied Middle Eastern history or culture (I should admit here that I did, both before and during college, and of course afterwards to the extent I can) will appreciate King's discernment in what she chooses to highlight and use during the course of her novel.
The mystery itself was pretty good, though not great by mystery reader standards, laden with international intrigue and coated with a likely bitter resentment that stems from the fallout of World War I. There is a delightful, but subtle, reference to Moriarty (though he has nothing to do with adventure, of course) that readers of the Canon will appreciate.
Perhaps because there is a cluster of four characters this time, or perhaps because it pre-dates Russell and Holmes' marriage, or quite possibly because I have been fascinated with the Middle East long before current events threw it into our headlines daily, I found this to be an wonderful, immersive reading experience.
All of King's usual skill – character creation and development, historical research blended artfully into a fictitious story, sweeping settings and vivid landscapes – are present in this book.
I found Sherlock to be, as usual, as close to himself as can be expected in a pastiche and Russell's religious devotion and passion softens the edges of both their cold, analytical minds. The passage in which Russell describes seeing the Dome of the Rock for the first time from a hill above Jerusalem, as a Jewish woman, is truly beautiful. But at no point is she proselytizing, either.
I have always found Russell's interest and academic devotion to theology, and her sincere comfort in religion, to be a wonderfully balancing counterpoint to Holmes' sometimes icy, but crystalline clear, vision of the world. It is one of the things that keeps me reading the series and in this book I found that attribute shone brilliantly.
Another of King's talents this installment illustrates more than others, I think, is her ability to keep the reader in the story using realistic detail in her character's stream of consciousness. For example, Russell has to get used to eating while in a kneeling position and, due to all the walking they do in desert, gets badly blistered feet. King never forgets these facts but doesn't dwell on them unduly, either. It helps gives a sense of time.
Though Mycroft is hinted at, the reader is disappointed. Sigh. Although Caleb Carr did an impressive job with Mycroft in The Italian Secretary, I would like to see how King handles him.
Perhaps the next installment.
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LibraryThing member KSPB
One of Laurie R. Kings wonderful re-imaginings of the latter life of Sherlock Holmes. Rich in excitement, detail, wonderful characters and fascinating historical context.
LibraryThing member mldavis2
Mary Russell and Holmes travel to Israel seeking to uncover a terrorist plot ending a string of murders. Although I love King's integration of Russell and Holmes, and the book ended in a page-turner, there were elements of this story that pushed credibility a bit for me. Nonetheless, I found it
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another good read for Sherlock Holmes fans who have run out of Doyle's work and need a fix, and Laurie King is doing the best job I've seen of maintaining the mystique of the great detective while giving it a breath of fresh air with a young assistant. 3½ stars. Show Less
LibraryThing member purlewe
Another Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes novel.
This one actually backtracks in the timeline to an earlier story. They had set off to Jerusalem to escape a foe, but their stories in Jerusalem were not told in that book. So we encounter 1918 Jerusalem, where General Allenby has just defeated the
I will say this is one of my most favorites next to the first in this series!
This one actually backtracks in the timeline to an earlier story. They had set off to Jerusalem to escape a foe, but their stories in Jerusalem were not told in that book. So we encounter 1918 Jerusalem, where General Allenby has just defeated the
Show More
Turks. Two English-Arabs spies take Holmes and Russell under their wing (albeit grudgingly). I will say this is one of my most favorites next to the first in this series!
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LibraryThing member Krumbs
Quite the epic plot! An enjoyable romp. Interesting to go back to when Mary was less sure of herself and less observant of details, as opposed to the confidant woman of just a few years later. I also like that, even among all the danger and such, she appreciates the architecture and history around
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her. Show Less
LibraryThing member Murphy-Jacobs
This is STILL my favorite book of the series, second only to the initial book. This is adventure and atmosphere, characters and plot, history and research, humor and tension -- everything, in fact, that I expect from a good mystery book.
LibraryThing member jlapac
This Holmes / Russell novel is set in Palestine and what is now Israel in about 1920. The story follows their adventures masquerading as Bedouin nomads and their efforts to save General Allenby, T. E. Lawrence and the Dome of the Rock. This book has an air of unbelieveability in it, so be sure to
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read the others before you read this one. I think this series is stronger than the individual novels, and the reader benefits from reading the books in order. Show Less
LibraryThing member Snukes
This was a really slow-starter. The slogging around in the desert while they proved themselves to the locals took well over half the book and wasn't at all exciting, and just barely interesting. The second half of the book was a fine little adventure, and I loved imagining the underparts of
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Jerusalem. It makes the archaeologist in me pine. Show Less
LibraryThing member jmoncton
I completely agree with Tara - this is my favorite Mary Russell (so far)! Set in Jerusalem this story revolves around a case where Mary and Holmes are trying to find a terrorist who is trying to create a conflict that will result in war in Jerusalem.
The interesting thing about this Mary Russell
The interesting thing about this Mary Russell
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series is that the story lines are just ok. There aren't huge plot twists or heart pounding action. But the books are so good. The descriptions of the places, and the character development makes these stories such an enjoyable read. I am sure in a few months I won't remember many of the specifics of the story, but the sense of place and the growing affection I have of the characters will stay with me. I rarely read all of a series. Working in a bookstore, it's important to be broad. But when I get a chance, I pick up one of these books just for the pure pleasure of a good story. Show Less
LibraryThing member Meredith47
This is the "missing story" which would be part of The Beekeeper's Apprentice if Laurie King had written it as a 600 page book. (Some of us would have liked that, but it might not have worked out so well for the publishing world.) In publishing terms, it's book number five in the series. Russell is
There are many terrific secondary characters here and you learn a lot about the history of Palestine in a painless fashion. It also can be argued that this is a lynch pin book for changes between Russell and Holmes. Warning: be very careful about which part of the book you start at 11 pm. There are two sections in which you will NOT be able to put it down!
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eighteen going on nineteen, and the apprenticeship with Holmes is evolving at a rapid pace. As usually happens for this pair, there was a major complication thrust upon them by a case. It was so bad this time they had to leave London to evade the grasp of the Master Criminal (see Beekeeper's for all this!). Russell chooses to have them go to Palestine where, naturally, there is a new villain who will destroy the Middle East if they don't catch him. This book introduces Mahmoud and Ali Hazr, who appear in two later books. The Hazrs are native to the Middle East, or...not; they move smoothly through the culture. Holmes comes very close to being killed and is rescued by combined efforts; he and Russell unravel the final mysteries.There are many terrific secondary characters here and you learn a lot about the history of Palestine in a painless fashion. It also can be argued that this is a lynch pin book for changes between Russell and Holmes. Warning: be very careful about which part of the book you start at 11 pm. There are two sections in which you will NOT be able to put it down!
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Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1999
Physical description
464 p.; 6.96 inches
ISBN
0553581058 / 9780553581058
Local notes
OCLC = 259
Google Books
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Google Books
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