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emilyatoz's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Kidnapping, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Drug abuse, Terminal illness, Blood, Car accident, and Death of parent
bookwyrmknits's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
I enjoyed this book, though not as much as I had hoped to. I’m not sure I will be continuing with the series; while I did enjoy the book, it also wasn’t quite what I had expected (or wanted) from the tone, and up until the last third or so of the book I didn’t really get to a “must pick this book back up” state. I may revisit more of the series at some point, but I’m not sure yet.
The plot was interesting, and it was a reminder to myself that I should trust my mystery book instincts more... I had a hunch about the whodunnit, but since the characters weren't considering that angle at all, I let myself forget about it.
I guess I just never got hooked on the characters as presented in this book. I didn't connect with Mary Russell in a way that compelled me to keep reading, and Holmes and Watson both felt close enough to their original versions that there was nothing "new" there for me to discover. (Perhaps in later books I would connect more with the characters, but that hasn't happened yet.)
The plot was interesting, and it was a reminder to myself that I should trust my mystery book instincts more... I had a hunch about the whodunnit, but since the characters weren't considering that angle at all, I let myself forget about it.
I guess I just never got hooked on the characters as presented in this book. I didn't connect with Mary Russell in a way that compelled me to keep reading, and Holmes and Watson both felt close enough to their original versions that there was nothing "new" there for me to discover. (Perhaps in later books I would connect more with the characters, but that hasn't happened yet.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Car accident, Death of parent, and Cultural appropriation
cj13's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, Dementia, Kidnapping, and Car accident
Moderate: Child death, Misogyny, and Death of parent
lisaarnsdorf's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Way too long! The first part of the novel, culminating in the kidnapping, was the perfect ending place, in my opinion. But the story kept going and the cat and mouse portion of the book was seemingly endless. I almost threw in the towel when Mary Russel and Sherlock Holmes took an unrelated trip to Israel. Mary starts the section by telling us she isn’t going to bore us with all the details, and then she bores us with all the details. There were no clues leading us to the culprit, so it seemed completely uninspired and random, and frankly, lazy. I do not plan to read any more of this series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Gun violence
aestass's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The story of Sherlock Holmes' apprentice Mary Russel after WWI. This story will appeal to adult readers of Enola Holmes. This book is engaging and sharp.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Xenophobia
runilareads's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Title: The Beekeeper's Apprentice
Author: Laurie R. King
Series: Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes, 1
Release Date: January 1994
Publisher: Bantam
Rating: 4 stars
Favourite character: Sherlock Holmes
Least favourite character: N/A (spoiler reasons)
Mini-Review: I enjoyed this, although I'd say it's definitely on the medium to slow side with pacing. The writing was beautiful and I loved the characters, but I did find certain parts to almost be reminiscent of grooming. Different times, but this was still written in the 90s so just be aware of that if you plan on reading it.
Fan Cast:
Mary Russell - Florence Pugh
Sherlock Holmes - Paul McGann
Dr. John Watson - Bradley Walsh
Mycroft Holmes - Joe McGann
Mrs. Hudson - Phoebe Nicholls
Inspector Lestrade - Ed Speleers
Patricia Donleavy - Tuppence Middleton
Author: Laurie R. King
Series: Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes, 1
Release Date: January 1994
Publisher: Bantam
Rating: 4 stars
Favourite character: Sherlock Holmes
Least favourite character: N/A (spoiler reasons)
Mini-Review: I enjoyed this, although I'd say it's definitely on the medium to slow side with pacing. The writing was beautiful and I loved the characters, but I did find certain parts to almost be reminiscent of grooming. Different times, but this was still written in the 90s so just be aware of that if you plan on reading it.
Fan Cast:
Mary Russell - Florence Pugh
Sherlock Holmes - Paul McGann
Dr. John Watson - Bradley Walsh
Mycroft Holmes - Joe McGann
Mrs. Hudson - Phoebe Nicholls
Inspector Lestrade - Ed Speleers
Patricia Donleavy - Tuppence Middleton
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Minor: Drug abuse and War
There's a few instances where the relationship between Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell could come off as groomingbrandilovesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Mary Russel spends much of her time with her nose in a book. She often reads while walking. This is how she literally stumbles upon Sherlock Holmes. He is taken in by her keen observation skills and her witty comebacks. They soon become friends. He mentors her and teaches her all the tricks of his trade. Before he knows it, she is solving mysteries at his side. Has he taught her enough to track down his most worthy opponent yet?
I am a HUGE fan of Sherlock and books based on his character and problem solving abilities. I LOVE that Laurie R. King continues Sherlock's stories but changes the narrator. Mary Russel is a fabulous new character.
The book is slow paced. There is a great deal of relationship building and getting to know the characters. The mysteries are complex . It was an excellent audio book. The narrator had distinct voices for each of the characters.
I would recommend The Beekeeper's Apprentice to anyone who loves Sherlock Holmes, loves mysteries, or loves strong female MCs.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I am a HUGE fan of Sherlock and books based on his character and problem solving abilities. I LOVE that Laurie R. King continues Sherlock's stories but changes the narrator. Mary Russel is a fabulous new character.
The book is slow paced. There is a great deal of relationship building and getting to know the characters. The mysteries are complex . It was an excellent audio book. The narrator had distinct voices for each of the characters.
I would recommend The Beekeeper's Apprentice to anyone who loves Sherlock Holmes, loves mysteries, or loves strong female MCs.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Death, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Kidnapping, Car accident, Murder, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
leahegood's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Summary
Mary Russel is an oprhaned young woman with a brilliant mind. Through a chance meeting, she becomes the apprentice, protige, and surrogate daughter of the now retired Sherlock Holmes. As she grows and proves her capabilities more and more, she learns that Holmes is not as retired as he seems, and becomes more and more deeply embroiled in the mysteries and adventures that define Holmes's life.
Thoughts
I am skipping a star rating for this story because it was far enough outside of my preferred genre and writing style that I simultaneously enjoyed it and couldn't wait for it to be done and over with. I expect readers of cozy mysteries and literary fiction would enjoy it throughourly as it was a good story and beautifully told, it just moved a bit too slowly for me. I read it to fulfil a prompt to read a book published in 1994.
I do love the idea of taking a well-known literary figure and continuing or expanding upon their story from a different viewpoint. The author imagines a girl that is enough Holmes's intellectual equal to strip away the hero worshipping tone of Watson, and someone with a daughter-like relationship to reveal a more tender side to the typically impreturbable persona. This was, for sure, my favorite element of the story.
I also quite enjoyed the elements of the story set in Oxford since I have a friend studying there and recognized many of the locations mentioned in the narrative.
Content
Romance: None, though a few eyebrows are raised by the friendship between Holmes and Russell.
Violence: Kidnapping and injuries from a bomb and gunshots mentioned. Nothing graphic.
Language: A few mild curses scattered throughout the narrative.
Religion: Holmes is generally dismissive of religion while Mary Russell takes interest in her Jewish roots and studies the Jewish religion at Oxford.
Mary Russel is an oprhaned young woman with a brilliant mind. Through a chance meeting, she becomes the apprentice, protige, and surrogate daughter of the now retired Sherlock Holmes. As she grows and proves her capabilities more and more, she learns that Holmes is not as retired as he seems, and becomes more and more deeply embroiled in the mysteries and adventures that define Holmes's life.
Thoughts
I am skipping a star rating for this story because it was far enough outside of my preferred genre and writing style that I simultaneously enjoyed it and couldn't wait for it to be done and over with. I expect readers of cozy mysteries and literary fiction would enjoy it throughourly as it was a good story and beautifully told, it just moved a bit too slowly for me. I read it to fulfil a prompt to read a book published in 1994.
I do love the idea of taking a well-known literary figure and continuing or expanding upon their story from a different viewpoint. The author imagines a girl that is enough Holmes's intellectual equal to strip away the hero worshipping tone of Watson, and someone with a daughter-like relationship to reveal a more tender side to the typically impreturbable persona. This was, for sure, my favorite element of the story.
I also quite enjoyed the elements of the story set in Oxford since I have a friend studying there and recognized many of the locations mentioned in the narrative.
Content
Romance: None, though a few eyebrows are raised by the friendship between Holmes and Russell.
Violence: Kidnapping and injuries from a bomb and gunshots mentioned. Nothing graphic.
Language: A few mild curses scattered throughout the narrative.
Religion: Holmes is generally dismissive of religion while Mary Russell takes interest in her Jewish roots and studies the Jewish religion at Oxford.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail
myworldtoread's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping and Death of parent
eamily's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Terminal illness, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Dementia, Medical trauma, and War