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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!
hg_510's review against another edition
4.0
This book started of slow but got better with an interesting ending.
woomom's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book. I was ready for another Mary Russell book similar to "The Beekeeper's Apprentice". But it was not to be. I felt like the author was trying to give us so much information about Jerusalem and its customs and history, that the rest of the book was almost a subplot.
I was really hoping for a more fast-moving, thriller-type book and I didn't get it. It felt like a chore to pick this one up sometimes. I wanted a light, fun, fast-moving read and was not prepared for something so steeped in history and culture. To some I'm sure this book was very fascinating and enjoyable, but it wasn't for me.
I was really hoping for a more fast-moving, thriller-type book and I didn't get it. It felt like a chore to pick this one up sometimes. I wanted a light, fun, fast-moving read and was not prepared for something so steeped in history and culture. To some I'm sure this book was very fascinating and enjoyable, but it wasn't for me.
seeinghowitgoes's review against another edition
3.0
I wondered for a long time if I would ever come back to the Mary Russell series, they're a visual pleasure to read and the prose (if somewhat of a 1920's kickback with the ridiculousness of the run-on sentences) makes me want to roll around with contemplation and maybe go back for a second read.
The series placing of this novel is a strange one, despite being labeled the 5th in the series, chronologically it actually occurs just after the first book returning us to the relationship of the budding apprentice and master. It's a nice way to bring back some of the tension between the pair which to be honest was getting a little stale with their current married status.
Interesting to read but the novel concentrated a lot on the surrounds of Jerusalem than the mystery on hand, lovely to read but I struggled with the pacing.
The series placing of this novel is a strange one, despite being labeled the 5th in the series, chronologically it actually occurs just after the first book returning us to the relationship of the budding apprentice and master. It's a nice way to bring back some of the tension between the pair which to be honest was getting a little stale with their current married status.
Interesting to read but the novel concentrated a lot on the surrounds of Jerusalem than the mystery on hand, lovely to read but I struggled with the pacing.
bets_reads's review against another edition
2.0
I tried to read this book twice, on two separate occasions probably a year apart and I made it as far as page 57. I am going to be ok leaving this one out of my reading of the lrk series.
meganstreb's review against another edition
2.0
Maybe this felt slower because I listened to the audiobook, but it plodded along. Lots of desert, lots of description of clothing, but the mystery appeared in fits and starts.