hgranger's review against another edition
4.0
Deleted my initial grumpy review after rereading the book. I’m not sure what happened but I really liked it the second time around and I didn’t actually see any of my initial complaints. So re-rating to four stars too.
naluju's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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
5.0
Loved it! Audio version excellent.
bargainsleuth's review against another edition
2.0
I just couldn't get into this book despite the fact that Laurie R. King's writing style is very good. As with the past several Russell/Holmes books, there is little interaction between Russell and Holmes. That was what made the first books in the series so attractive. I missed that. I think it's time to give up the series and find some other Holmes pastiche. Russell by herself is just not as interesting to me.
coops456's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful return to form for Russell and Holmes. The couple travel to Japan in the service of the Emperor, taking on a blackmailing English aristocrat alongside a young ninja. Loved it.
King clearly did an enormous amount of research on Japanese customs and culture, and she imparts it lightly without lecturing. Fascinating.
King clearly did an enormous amount of research on Japanese customs and culture, and she imparts it lightly without lecturing. Fascinating.
hoosgracie's review against another edition
4.0
I quite enjoyed this outing of Mary and Sherlock's. It was an interesting look into Japanese culture.
suzannalundale's review against another edition
5.0
Dark room, listening.
Story rich in character -
Migraine distraction.
Story rich in character -
Migraine distraction.
alisonb's review against another edition
3.0
3.25✨’s
Set in Japan, Mary and Holmes’ interactions with the culture and people were interesting and I liked the mystery.
Unfortunately, it lacked the tension that was so prevalent in the previous books. Also, at times Mary came across in an unflattering light, which I found disappointing.
Overall, this is still a decent installment in the series, just not my favorite.
Set in Japan, Mary and Holmes’ interactions with the culture and people were interesting and I liked the mystery.
Unfortunately, it lacked the tension that was so prevalent in the previous books. Also, at times Mary came across in an unflattering light, which I found disappointing.
Overall, this is still a decent installment in the series, just not my favorite.
author_d_r_oestreicher's review against another edition
4.0
Dreaming Spies by Laurie R King is a Sherlock Holmes mystery featuring his wife Mary Russell. Mary explains the story like this: “The entire case was about books…I reflected. Bashō’s poems, the Bard’s plays, a countess’s empty Bible.” While the mystery ends with a Watson-like explanation of the complex plot, much of the story is a 1924 travelogue of a steamer trip Bombay to Kobe and a visit to Japan. Well over half the book is gone before the mystery is revealed.
If you imagine you’d like both a historical visit to rural Japan and a Sherlock Holmes mystery, I’d recommend this book, as both parts are well written and interesting.
For my detailed report: https://1book42day.blogspot.com/2018/11/dreaming-spies-by-laurie-r-king.html
Check out https://amazon.com/shop/influencer-20171115075 for book recommendations.
If you imagine you’d like both a historical visit to rural Japan and a Sherlock Holmes mystery, I’d recommend this book, as both parts are well written and interesting.
For my detailed report: https://1book42day.blogspot.com/2018/11/dreaming-spies-by-laurie-r-king.html
Check out https://amazon.com/shop/influencer-20171115075 for book recommendations.
ajaggers324's review against another edition
5.0
Nice addition to the series. It is well researched and written. I enjoyed the intrigue and the characters.