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alldaffer's review against another edition
3.0
The third novel in the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes Mystery series, this is the first novel where the couple is married throughout the book.
I just don't approve of the marriage. I do not believe that Sherlock Holmes, at the age of 60, would marry a 22 year old woman, regardless of how logical it would be. Laurie King also has never really provided any setup or background that would make it work for me.
Now I can imagine the two of them as partners, solving mysteries, and possibly even having illicit thoughts, but I just don't buy the romantic interest. Also, I believe that Holmes would have understood that he was taking advantage of Mary Russell's youthful feelings, and would not have allowed this to happen, regardless of his or her desire.
So that being said, as long as I ignore the marriage problems that arose at the end of A Monstrous Regiment of Women, I do like reading these mysteries, and found this one just as good as the first two. In fact, I believed Mary's feelings towards Colonel Edwards was much more realistic and believable than her supposed feelings towards Holmes.
One problem with this book is that it never really made sense to believe that the Colonel had anything to do with Dorothy Ruskin's death. The only theory about this had him upset about Dorothy's liberation, but he only found out that she was a woman the night of her death, and it would not have been possible to plan the killing that followed that quickly. So it didn't make sense for Mary to investigate him to any extent. Both her and Holmes should have focused their energy on the Sister and her family from the beginning, and that could have made a much more entertaining book, and may have helped the relationship along.
I do intend on reading the fourth book, have it already reserved at the library, and I am hoping that the marriage will grow on me, because I really like the rest of the book. Fortunately, the marriage scenes are few and brief.
I just don't approve of the marriage. I do not believe that Sherlock Holmes, at the age of 60, would marry a 22 year old woman, regardless of how logical it would be. Laurie King also has never really provided any setup or background that would make it work for me.
Now I can imagine the two of them as partners, solving mysteries, and possibly even having illicit thoughts, but I just don't buy the romantic interest. Also, I believe that Holmes would have understood that he was taking advantage of Mary Russell's youthful feelings, and would not have allowed this to happen, regardless of his or her desire.
So that being said, as long as I ignore the marriage problems that arose at the end of A Monstrous Regiment of Women, I do like reading these mysteries, and found this one just as good as the first two. In fact, I believed Mary's feelings towards Colonel Edwards was much more realistic and believable than her supposed feelings towards Holmes.
One problem with this book is that it never really made sense to believe that the Colonel had anything to do with Dorothy Ruskin's death. The only theory about this had him upset about Dorothy's liberation, but he only found out that she was a woman the night of her death, and it would not have been possible to plan the killing that followed that quickly. So it didn't make sense for Mary to investigate him to any extent. Both her and Holmes should have focused their energy on the Sister and her family from the beginning, and that could have made a much more entertaining book, and may have helped the relationship along.
I do intend on reading the fourth book, have it already reserved at the library, and I am hoping that the marriage will grow on me, because I really like the rest of the book. Fortunately, the marriage scenes are few and brief.
danamdecker's review against another edition
4.0
I am loving this series! Taking place in post-WWI England, the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes books are immensely readable.
mrsc24's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
julia_zbeth's review against another edition
I am sort of awed by the detail of her writing. She maintain characterization so consistently.
darkknightsrevenge's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite of the series so far. I love the chemistry between Mary and her husband, and how Sherlock is portrayed. Continuing on with the next booK!
tuesnxt's review against another edition
2.0
I stumbled through this story. I just couldn't get interested in the case in this book. I'm hoping that its just a personal choice and not a symptom of the series going downhill.
wwrawson's review against another edition
4.0
I adore Mary Russell and this series, so much that I'm on the verge of trying to make everyone I know read it. The fact that there is a holiday themed book in the series just makes me love it all the more, though I'll *try* to wait unit December to read it.
mudder17's review against another edition
5.0
These are books that can't be read a few pages at a time. Because once you get sucked in, you just don't want to leave! From an outsider's point of view, the relationship and Holmes may seem scandalous because he is so much older than she is. And this is talking about a time when men were often much older than their wives. And yet, I love their relationship because while there is definitely a physical attraction between the two of them, it is the meeting of the minds and respect of the person that makes their relationship so perfect. When they first meet in The Beekeeper's Apprentice, you think that they form a partnership (initially platonic) because she is just like him--she is the female version of Sherlock Holmes. But it's pretty apparent by the second book that Mary Russell is her own person--I think I read a blurb by the author that said that Mary Russell took on a life of her own and Sherlock Holmes adjusted and changed himself around her. And that's exactly what I'm finding. He is still very much himself, but perhaps more mature when it comes to relationships with other people. Either way, I'm loving this series!
badgers_unite's review against another edition
3.0
It was OK. [Caution: spoilers]
What I like: the characters, the general writing style and language; some great turns of phrase. I listened to this on CD and the reader gives a true performance. The accents and voices of the different characters is wonderful. I like the characters' back stories; Holmes, Miss Russell, Dr Watson, etc.
What I didn't like as much: the mystery; main plot line. This is the third in the series and the third I've listened to/read. The mystery just didn't grab me. In the end it seemed like a whole lot of trouble over a simple family feud and the leads that the main character (Mary) were following didn't pan out.
I'll probably read another one, but will give it a break for a while.
What I like: the characters, the general writing style and language; some great turns of phrase. I listened to this on CD and the reader gives a true performance. The accents and voices of the different characters is wonderful. I like the characters' back stories; Holmes, Miss Russell, Dr Watson, etc.
What I didn't like as much: the mystery; main plot line. This is the third in the series and the third I've listened to/read. The mystery just didn't grab me. In the end it seemed like a whole lot of trouble over a simple family feud and the leads that the main character (Mary) were following didn't pan out.
I'll probably read another one, but will give it a break for a while.