The Twentieth-Anniversary Edition of the First Novel of the Acclaimed Mary Russell Series by Edgar Award–Winning Author Laurie R. King. An Agatha Award Best Novel Nominee • Named One of the Century’s Best 100 Mysteries by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association In 1915, Sherlock Holmes is retired and quietly engaged in the study of honeybees in Sussex when a young woman literally stumbles … in Sussex when a young woman literally stumbles onto him on the Sussex Downs. Fifteen years old, gawky, egotistical, and recently orphaned, the young Mary Russell displays an intellect to impress even Sherlock Holmes. Under his reluctant tutelage, this very modern, twentieth-century woman proves a deft protégée and a fitting partner for the Victorian detective. They are soon called to Wales to help Scotland Yard find the kidnapped daughter of an American senator, a case of international significance with clues that dip deep into Holmes’s past. Full of brilliant deduction, disguises, and danger, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, the first book of the Mary Russell–Sherlock Holmes mysteries, is “remarkably beguiling” (The Boston Globe).
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I adore Sherlock Holmes but am sad to know I’ve read all his plots. This new series is delightful and I willingly suspend disbelief for Sherlock’s “new life.”
Love it!
I think it must be about fifteen years since I read this for the first time and grew enchanted with Laurie R. King’s original character, Mary Russell, and her version of Sherlock Holmes and other principle Doyle characters. It was a delicious pleasure to settle back in and listen to the talented Jenny Sterlin voice these beloved characters and help me cast my mind back into this WWI and post-war era world.
The Beekeeper’s Apprentice begins when an amazing pair of individuals meet. Mary is but fifteen and impresses the retired Holmes who comes alive again when tutoring this quirky female in his craft. In the course of time, they share a case and Mary proves herself. Meanwhile, she attends Oxford reading theology and chemistry while Holmes consults on secret cases. But, an enemy arises set on wiping the pair of them off the map and the partnership must use all their wit and cunning.
I love this slow build introduction to a clever pair of unusual friends and partners. The development is amazing and it rang true both toward the Holmes’ world and to the times. Mary Russell is a shining delight and equal to Holmes in star power.
I’ve listened to Jenny Sterlin narrate before and felt she was a perfect fit for this story/series. She captures character and situation and nuances so well. I’m glad to see she does the whole series.
Because of course, I am pressing onward. This historical mystery series is one that I highly recommend.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially since I love anything Sherlock Holmes. The story is fun as it gives us the chance to know both Mary Russell and her new friend Sherlock Holmes in a way that is both realistic (as much as Sherlock can be) and relevant. Their friendship is beautiful and fresh in a way I haven’t seen in most books.
IF you enjoy Sherlock, then you’ll enjoy this book. It’s charming and a great mystery – actually several mysteries. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
A bit of a departure from the normal Sherlock Holmes stories, it was still an enjoyable read.
Great mystery with deep characters. The connections between them is very beloved. Seeing our heroine grow up, and become an endearing daredevil is special.
I loved The BeeKeeper’s Apprentice. I continued the series for a while. I especially love when Sherlock Holmes pulls a masquerading act. Soon I intend to pick up the series again.
I was looking for simple entertaining Who Done It audiobook to pass a some dull days of data entry and surprised myself by falling quite in love with this book. Apparently blunt logic and hard intelligence softened minutely by sarcasm and a dry humor is the way to my heart – something that probably surprises no one but me, come to think of it.
I could never get into the original Sherlock Holmes books by Doyle because I really didn’t like his writing style (though I really really tried and did finish some of his short stories), but I fell for King’s writing style right from the get go. It’s the same characters from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s era (with the exception of Mary, who has become a beloved new character), but some of the more prickly edges have been worn away by time and experience.
This book, for me, introduced Mary Russel and began her connection to Sherlock Holmes. What a wonderful
Pairing and this book lead me on the journey through all their subsequent books. Wonderful!
There are few books that have blown me away as The Beekeeper’s Apprentice. I’m a huge Sherlock Holmes fan, and was prepared to enjoy but not rave about this entry into an already large pool. It’s not just that the author developed an intriguing premise: the storytelling is phenomenal, all while keeping the feel of the original Conan Doyle stories. Now I’m a huge Mary Russell fan as well.
One of my all-time favorite books. A must for mystery lovers.
This Is a phenomenal series. Never boring, exciting, creative and entertaining. Sherlock has met his match! Highly recommend
I love all of this series, I want more of them!
Great series, don’t miss these books. Each one is great!
Excellent introduction to this series.
I doubt seriously I can put in words my take on this new, to me, take on an old friend from my younger days. Fresh, enlightening, funny! Holmes is new to me again. Like meeting an old school friend you thought long past. Hello friend, so damn good to see you again.
The author had me from the preface. I’m a long-time Sherlock Holmes fan. Read the Conan Doyle books. Loved the Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce radio series and movies. Read a number of second generation efforts. This is the best I can remember. Good characters, good story. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
This is a rare fantastic book. Extremely well-written, not only through the grace with which meaning is conveyed — via vivid reactions that never deviate from being authentic to the character — but also the multiple plots’ intricacies. Last year I re-read all the Conan Doyle Holmes stories and I’m telling you, this author masters the period’s voice and sensibilities but infuses it with even better storytelling. Don’t hate. Conan Doyle’s stories are often curiosities with resolutions that could never be foreseen by today’s reader and frankly probably eluded the contemporaneous audience. There’s just too much missing information. But that’s cool — as a gestalt, it’s very entertaining. But this writing is up one level, to where the fascinating sense of the era is modernized by an interesting mix of a somewhat androgynous brilliant female associate interacting with Holmes et al. as well as modernized by taut, detailed mysteries that actually are unfolded and solved with dash. I’m delighted.
Wonderful use of language. Retired Sherlock Holmes takes on an apprentice, Mary, who closely equals his observation skills. A fabulous read.
Except for Holmes’ age at the time I could actually have seen this plot work. The characters were intelligent , yes and Holmes, too although he did perforce take a bit of a backseat. Of al the overly touted Holmes series out there this is the most intelligent although maybe a bit slow for some. Plausable plot, no cliffhanger ending, believable characters.