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aoosterwyk's review against another edition
5.0
I think this has been my favorite in the series so far. Mary Russell shows her strength of body and will as a spy for England along with Holmes. They are working for Mycroft, trying to evade a villain in England who is trying to murder them, and end up confounding a plot to destroy Jerusalem. We get a view of Mary as scholar and Jew in this story that has only been touched upon in other books of this series.
The quotations at the beginning of chapters seemed more meaningful than in some of her other books and inspired a wish in me to pursue those sources.
The quotations at the beginning of chapters seemed more meaningful than in some of her other books and inspired a wish in me to pursue those sources.
melohpa's review against another edition
2.0
The fifth in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series, but it wasn't in chronological order of the four prior novels. Not sure the purpose the author had unless she had the idea for this book after publishing the other ones. It threw me off a little bit, but not enough to distract me from reading the book.
Unfortunately it was the slow pace of this one that made reading difficult; as if the author was trying to make the reader feel like they too were walking miles and miles and miles to Jerusalem. King has an MA in Old Testament Theology and her schooling certainly comes out in this book. Readers who are well versed in the Bible will appreciate the historical references in the Holy City.
Some of the characters I met here will appear in the next Russell/Sherlock book, and hopefully it will move alot faster - maybe they will have cars this time!
Unfortunately it was the slow pace of this one that made reading difficult; as if the author was trying to make the reader feel like they too were walking miles and miles and miles to Jerusalem. King has an MA in Old Testament Theology and her schooling certainly comes out in this book. Readers who are well versed in the Bible will appreciate the historical references in the Holy City.
Some of the characters I met here will appear in the next Russell/Sherlock book, and hopefully it will move alot faster - maybe they will have cars this time!
melissasbookshelf's review
3.0
This book took me awhile to get through. I loved the setting! It brought me back to my all too brief study abroad program in Israel and and surrounding countries. The customs and descriptions were spot on. The reason for the 3 was that the mystery was just not that compelling until about 2/3rds of the way through. It was convoluted and just wasn't as good as her other mysteries with the incomparable Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell.
So, for me, the setting is what made this book. Otherwise, the mystery was so so.
So, for me, the setting is what made this book. Otherwise, the mystery was so so.
kellerko's review against another edition
3.0
This book was out of order in the series which I found disturbing and confusing at times. Because it took place an earlier time the relationship between Mary Ann homes was quite different. Also Mary played a much more minor role in this book, particularly in the first 2/3 than any of the other books and she is my favorite part of the story typically. Despite that, it was a good and engaging story, full of action.
tonyriver's review against another edition
4.0
Another excellent book in this series. Mary Russell is a wonderful character and better foil for Holmes than Watson ever was! The story is set in Palestine after WW1 and of course potential terrorism was alive then as it is now.
The author writes in a literary style with lovely scene setting that allows you to see through the protagonists eyes.
I’ve loved all of this series so far...
The author writes in a literary style with lovely scene setting that allows you to see through the protagonists eyes.
I’ve loved all of this series so far...
nicoleankenmann's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook: 14hr 12m
I love so many of the Sherlock spin-offs and reimaginings, but I think the dynamic between Russell and Holmes presented in this series is my favourite. While I prefer the couple they grow into more than the pre-wedding duo they are in this book, I loved the new (and meticulously researched) setting and bold characters introduced in this instalment.
I love so many of the Sherlock spin-offs and reimaginings, but I think the dynamic between Russell and Holmes presented in this series is my favourite. While I prefer the couple they grow into more than the pre-wedding duo they are in this book, I loved the new (and meticulously researched) setting and bold characters introduced in this instalment.
amibunk's review against another edition
4.0
An author that can take a time and place I know very little about (Jerusalem after WWI) and explain it in such a manner that I forget that I know very little about it, is a very talented writer. Also, an author that can make an unathletic chunky stay-at-home mom from Indiana feel like a dusty, sunburnt, incognito, knife-throwing Mary Russell has amazing descriptive powers. Excellent work Laurie R. King, excellent work.
balletbookworm's review
4.0
Before I get into plot, I have to really say that I loved, LOVED the care and research taken with respect to the setting, detail, and atmosphere of World War I-era Palestine. I appreciated it very much and loved every word. Interesting plot, too, since it basically underlines issues still present nearly a century later.
That said, I had a great deal of trouble jumping back from the Mary and Holmes of [b:A Letter of Mary|93938|A Letter of Mary (Mary Russell, #3)|Laurie R. King|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1171265429s/93938.jpg|1799638] and [b:The Moor|184059|The Moor (Mary Russell, #4)|Laurie R. King|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347432460s/184059.jpg|177886], where they are married and that part of their partnership is addressed/settled, to an eighteen-year-old Mary and not-sure-what-to-do-with-her Holmes who literally skirts the issue of her being female/his attraction to her by dressing her as a boy during their sojurn in Palestine. This might be a book better read right after book #1, [b:The Beekeeper's Apprentice|91661|The Beekeeper's Apprentice (Mary Russell, #1)|Laurie R. King|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1298438298s/91661.jpg|891863], since no forward-looking allusions to their relationship are made in O Jerusalem, and it must be read before book #6, [b:Justice Hall|274400|Justice Hall (Mary Russell, #6)|Laurie R. King|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1173327564s/274400.jpg|2998251].
And I have one series-level complaint: whoever thought up the cover designs with "Mary" on them dressed in a bathrobe and holding Holmes's pipe really needs to actually read the books - far too provocative. I like the new paperback re-issues better.
That said, I had a great deal of trouble jumping back from the Mary and Holmes of [b:A Letter of Mary|93938|A Letter of Mary (Mary Russell, #3)|Laurie R. King|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1171265429s/93938.jpg|1799638] and [b:The Moor|184059|The Moor (Mary Russell, #4)|Laurie R. King|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347432460s/184059.jpg|177886], where they are married and that part of their partnership is addressed/settled, to an eighteen-year-old Mary and not-sure-what-to-do-with-her Holmes who literally skirts the issue of her being female/his attraction to her by dressing her as a boy during their sojurn in Palestine. This might be a book better read right after book #1, [b:The Beekeeper's Apprentice|91661|The Beekeeper's Apprentice (Mary Russell, #1)|Laurie R. King|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1298438298s/91661.jpg|891863], since no forward-looking allusions to their relationship are made in O Jerusalem, and it must be read before book #6, [b:Justice Hall|274400|Justice Hall (Mary Russell, #6)|Laurie R. King|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1173327564s/274400.jpg|2998251].
And I have one series-level complaint: whoever thought up the cover designs with "Mary" on them dressed in a bathrobe and holding Holmes's pipe really needs to actually read the books - far too provocative. I like the new paperback re-issues better.
mthorley23's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fantastic read! I enjoyed it from start to finish! My only wish would be that they had explained the how's and whys of the bad guys at the end. I know, I know, I watch too many simplistic mystery shows that explain everything. Anyway, it was well written and well paced and I loved the character development. King is a great writer!