NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell–Sherlock Holmes series weaves rich historical detail and provocative themes with intriguing characters and enthralling suspense. Russell and Holmes have become one of modern literature’s most beloved teams. But does this adventure end it all? Mary Russell is used to dark secrets—her own, and those of her famous partner and husband, … partner and husband, Sherlock Holmes. Trust is a thing slowly given, but over the course of a decade together, the two have forged an indissoluble bond.
And what of the other person to whom Mary Russell has opened her heart: the couple’s longtime housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson? Russell’s faith and affection are suddenly shattered when a man arrives on the doorstep claiming to be Mrs. Hudson’s son.
What Samuel Hudson tells Russell cannot possibly be true, yet she believes him—as surely as she believes the threat of the gun in his hand. In a devastating instant, everything changes. And when the scene is discovered—a pool of blood on the floor, the smell of gunpowder in the air—the most shocking revelation of all is that the grim clues point directly to Clara Hudson.
Or rather to Clarissa, the woman she was before Baker Street.
The key to Russell’s sacrifice lies in Mrs. Hudson’s past. To uncover the truth, a frantic Sherlock Holmes must put aside his anguish and push deep into his housekeeper’s secrets—to a time before her disguise was assumed, before her crimes were buried away.
There is death here, and murder, and trust betrayed.
And nothing will ever be the same.
Praise for The Murder of Mary Russell
“Leaping narrative energy has always been a hallmark of this series, and it reaches something of a peak in this latest volume. . . . The lean momentum of the story never falters. . . . It’s a stunning prolonged feat of storytelling, and it succeeds in making The Murder of Mary Russell the best installment so far in an excellent series.”—The Christian Science Monitor
“[A] sharp, inventive and rewarding series.”—The Seattle Times
“Delightful . . . a triumph of plotting . . . Fans, always hungry to know more personal details about King’s iteration of Sherlock Holmes and his world, will get a few more delicious tidbits this time around.”—Booklist (starred review)
more
Another very good Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes book by Laurie King.
Great book. Very close to Conan Doyle’s style. Very enjoyable.
Great series, lots of action and tie in to the backstory.
(What about Mrs Hudson???)
just wonderful, especially if you are a Holmes fan!!! Learn a lot about Mrs. Hudson!!
Another great King novel with Mar7y Russel, the wife of Sherlock Holmes. A fun read.
Love this series
A good read for fans of Conan Doyle. I won’t look at Mrs. Hudson the same way anymore.
One of the better Mary Russell stories in the latter part of the series. I was glad that more effort was put into the plot than some of the more recent stories. Loved the fleshing out of who Mres Hudson really was. It was original and clever.
Couldn’t put it down! Very imaginative! Hope it makes the BIG screen. Glad Sherlock is still around!
You will never look at the Sherlock Holmes or Mary the same. Wonderful book!
Written in the style of Holmes Himself but about himself,well done!
Have enjoyed all of Laurie King’s Holmes & Russell series. She has a way of drawing the reader into the story so I feel like I’m right there with the characters.
Holmes & Co. soldier on. I always thought Hudson was WAY too normal for that crew!
Classic Laurie R King. This newest Mary Russell story gives you the back story of one of the classic Holmsian characters along with page-turning action. Great read! And very fun!
Plot was good but somehow I found confusion in what was happening to who.
Entertaining..would I read it again? Probably not.
Excellent! A mystery that I had to read and could not solve as I read on.
I liked this so much, I got the whole series
Love Laurie King’s style of writing and her character development.
Enjoyable quick read, interesting twist of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s characters.