The Beekeeper's Apprentice (Mary Russell)
by Laurie R. King (Goodreads author!)
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Read in June, 2007
Sherlock Holmes pastiche/continuation/fanfic in which Holmes, retired to beekeeping in Sussex, is so impressed by the intelligence of 15-year-old feminist Mary 'Sue' Russell that he decides to take her on as his apprentice-detective. Wacky adventures ensue.
Okay. There were some good things about this book. King's prose is enjoyable enough, and her dialogue is suitably witty. The narrative is rather too episodic for my taste, but there are some nice atmospheric touches. And I like the idea of...more
Okay. There were some good things about this book. King's prose is enjoyable enough, and her dialogue is suitably witty. The narrative is rather too episodic for my taste, but there are some nice atmospheric touches. And I like the idea of...more
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
Fans of Sherlock Holmes and Female detectives
I am by no means the most devoted of Holme's fans, though i do find him a very influential character on many newer characters I truly could not live without. So to that end, I could say I would be far less happy, literarilly(sp?), if Holme's had never existed.
Having said that you shall know to take my enthusiasm for this novel with a grain of salt, for I am biased in favor of the subject matter. Sherlock Holmes AND a strong female detective. Its like Laurie R. King is the love child of Si...more
Having said that you shall know to take my enthusiasm for this novel with a grain of salt, for I am biased in favor of the subject matter. Sherlock Holmes AND a strong female detective. Its like Laurie R. King is the love child of Si...more
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Read in April, 2007
One of the things I love about series fiction is that point when several of the books been published when I can go back and immerse myself in the world of the series, reading through from the beginning to the latest book in the series -- or until I get worn out and have to stop and move on to something else. Last spring I read in quick succession "The beekeeper’s apprentice", "A monstrous regiment of women", "A letter of Mary", "The moor", "Justice...more
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This series (of which this book is the first) follows the exploits of a young woman called Mary Russell living in the earlier half of the twentieth century.
This books begins in 1915. Mary is an orphan living with her aunt, whom she doesn't get along with, in the English countryside. One day while wandering the Sussex Downs reading Virgil, she nearly steps on a man lying on the ground observing bees. His name is Sherlock Holmes.
King handles the inclusion of Holmes well, she even states ...more
This books begins in 1915. Mary is an orphan living with her aunt, whom she doesn't get along with, in the English countryside. One day while wandering the Sussex Downs reading Virgil, she nearly steps on a man lying on the ground observing bees. His name is Sherlock Holmes.
King handles the inclusion of Holmes well, she even states ...more
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Read in April, 2008
recommended to Jessica by:
Peggy
A witty, big-hearted book narrated by Sherlock Holmes's teenage apprentice-cum-partner, Mary Russell. It was a delight to be party to Russell and Holmes's verbal parrying and dry humor. Mary Russell is a heroine that would be hard not to love, with her unapologetic independence and rampant bookwormery.
The dialogue from both main characters is delicious. I love passages like this, after Mary asks Holmes if her presence is inconvenient (they do make an odd pair):
"To my considerable s...more
The dialogue from both main characters is delicious. I love passages like this, after Mary asks Holmes if her presence is inconvenient (they do make an odd pair):
"To my considerable s...more
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Read in August, 2006
Excellent read: I've never been happier to have waited for a book to ship from overseas. I was instantly hooked to the captivating narrative style - not to mention, the intriguing version of Sherlock Holmes' character in his later years.
Very true to the British mentality of the time, not to mention very true to Conan Doyle's description of both the people, the places, the attitudes and the characters. Watson and Mycroft vibrate to life as the pages turn. The main antagonist is salacious and cu...more
Very true to the British mentality of the time, not to mention very true to Conan Doyle's description of both the people, the places, the attitudes and the characters. Watson and Mycroft vibrate to life as the pages turn. The main antagonist is salacious and cu...more
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Read in May, 2008
recommended to Tricia by:
Dean Potter
I was stunned to find I enjoyed this book. At first, I was felt that the plot of a young 15-year-old woman partnering with Sherlock Holmes a little dubious, but King makes it plausible in just a chapter or two. Second, I tend to like mystery, but not necessarily married to suspense or crime. I like to be engaged in the story, but I don't necessarily need death or drama to sell me. What I would term a type of British cozy (although the author is from Cali), The Beekeeper's Apprentice is more abou...more
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Read in June, 2008
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Read in April, 2007
I have more than a few kinks when it comes to novels and entertainment. By far, my largest kink is for Detectives. I love detectives and mystery series. If it has a detective or a solving aspect to it, chances are I'll give it a change.
Mary Russell starts off as an intelligent young 15 year old girl who by chance, befriends the now middle aged Sherlock Holmes. Holmes, having moved away from London is now a beekeeper, trying to enjoy life in the countrylife. Perhaps sensing how bored each oth...more
Mary Russell starts off as an intelligent young 15 year old girl who by chance, befriends the now middle aged Sherlock Holmes. Holmes, having moved away from London is now a beekeeper, trying to enjoy life in the countrylife. Perhaps sensing how bored each oth...more
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Read in March, 2008
recommends it for:
mystery lovers, fans of empowered women characters
The premise is that a teenage girl meets the middle-aged, retired Sherlock Holmes (who has taken up beekeeping--thus the title) and they strike up first a friendship and then a partnership. They are a great twosome: both lonely, quirky, bristly geniuses. The first several chapters detail Mary Russell's coming of age; the next couple chapters describe some cases she and Holmes solve together; the last half of the novel is a page-turner of a mystery involving a brilliant villian who stalks, t...more
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Laurie King has come to be one of my favorite writers. I devour her books, waiting her to publish more. Her writing displays an intelligence that I thoroughly enjoy.
At the heart of her work is her Mary Russell series. I read all of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories as a young teen-ager, and have re-read many of them throughout the years. Laurie King's portrayal of Holmes is one of the most believable I have come across. She is able to sustain it through book after book. The ...more
At the heart of her work is her Mary Russell series. I read all of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories as a young teen-ager, and have re-read many of them throughout the years. Laurie King's portrayal of Holmes is one of the most believable I have come across. She is able to sustain it through book after book. The ...more
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Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
Sherlock Holmes Fans
I was hesitant to read this book, thinking it would difficult for any author to align with Conan Doyle's style, and any writer's attempt to illuminate Holmes' character would be met with my own criticism. But Laurie R. King pulls it off.
The story is about the peculiar friendship formed between Holmes(who has retired to a life of beekeeping in a small town outside of London), and the 15-year-old bookworm/genius Mary Russell. Holmes warms to Russell because he sees in her a cynicism and knack f...more
The story is about the peculiar friendship formed between Holmes(who has retired to a life of beekeeping in a small town outside of London), and the 15-year-old bookworm/genius Mary Russell. Holmes warms to Russell because he sees in her a cynicism and knack f...more
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Read in November, 2007
The first novel in a series based in the Sherlock Holmes universe with a young woman as the lead character who encounters Holmes (in his early fifties). Mary is 15 at the beginning of the book. She's almost 21 at the end I guess. I have mixed feelings about this series. Won't stop me from reading the next title since I like Mary but I really don't see Holmes and Mary as a romantic pair. Nope. I fear the whole romantic angle of the series will become more predominant as the series progresses. I l...more
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Laurie King rocks! I loved this mystery/intrigue series and always look for the latest "chapter" in the bookstore. This is the first book in the series, but you don't necessarily have to read them in order. King writes of London/Europe in the early days of the 20th century when a young woman named Mary Russell enters the life of Sherlock Holmes. King imagines a world in which Holmes takes on this young female prodigy as his apprentice, and we are taken along on the journey of her in...more
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Read in January, 2006
Wonderful book that is part FanFic and part love story of a gangling, ackwardly intelligent young woman and an irascible old bee keeper.
Neither are looking for each other when adolescent heiress Mary Russell literally trips over Sherlock Holmes while walking the Sussex Downs (where Conan Doyle abandoned him raising bees) and conjugating I believe a Latin grammar book. Holmes initial distaste for the girl becomes a grudging approval when Russell proves herself quick-witted and intelligent, a...more
Neither are looking for each other when adolescent heiress Mary Russell literally trips over Sherlock Holmes while walking the Sussex Downs (where Conan Doyle abandoned him raising bees) and conjugating I believe a Latin grammar book. Holmes initial distaste for the girl becomes a grudging approval when Russell proves herself quick-witted and intelligent, a...more
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I think I might have already said this about another book, but: this is my favourite book ever! :-)
Brilliantly written text, snappy dialogue, a very unique premise, and excellent storytelling make this entire series a pleasure to read. I have rationed them and save each book for a vacation or a special time - by doing so, I have made the series last maybe two years, but I'm almost done and will be sad to finish Locked Rooms.
The books take place in Sherlock Holmes' later years, after hi...more
Brilliantly written text, snappy dialogue, a very unique premise, and excellent storytelling make this entire series a pleasure to read. I have rationed them and save each book for a vacation or a special time - by doing so, I have made the series last maybe two years, but I'm almost done and will be sad to finish Locked Rooms.
The books take place in Sherlock Holmes' later years, after hi...more
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Read in August, 2008
This one started out strong for me and just steadily declined. I liked the setup and initial development of character, place and time. Even the development of Russell as a detective, tedious as it was, has it's place as an "origins" development within the larger context of an ongoing series. But somewhere along the way I just felt it turned into a police procedural with some token, clumsy stabs at action thrown in.
I can't say much was actually BAD about the novel. It was pleasa...more
I can't say much was actually BAD about the novel. It was pleasa...more
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Read in April, 2007
It's been a long time since I happened upon something so intellectually stimulating and engrossing. I usually find the good books through recommendations and word of mouth. This time I did a search at my library of books that have a history of having a lot of hold requests. I figured if a lot of people were asking for a book, it would probably be worth investigating. And that is how I found myself staying up until two o'clock in the morning, unable to turn the light off until I found out what ha...more
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recommends it for:
Anyone who loves Holmes or mystery/detective
I've always enjoyed Holmes - but now I love him. King stays completely true to Conan Doyle's characters - but adds depth and dimension to them that makes them more real and much more human.
Her perspective on Watson is fascinating. Watching Mary's initial irritation with the rather dull, plodding doctor transform into a genuine love and appreciation for the man's basic humanity and loyal friendship was a revelation. And of course Mary's evolving relationship with her maddening mentor is a...more
Her perspective on Watson is fascinating. Watching Mary's initial irritation with the rather dull, plodding doctor transform into a genuine love and appreciation for the man's basic humanity and loyal friendship was a revelation. And of course Mary's evolving relationship with her maddening mentor is a...more
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Read in March, 2008
Sherlock Holmes meets a teenaged girl, argues with her, and ends up making her an apprentice. The book is not as silly as I'm making it sound in this summary, but it's also not as good as the Amazon reviews claim. The central mystery is not impressive. The novel is entertaining, but overall I preferred Michael Dibdin's The Last Sherlock Holmes Mystery.
I'm amused that a minor character in Beekeeper's is named Jessica Simpson.
I enjoy Laurie R. King's writing style--which is a...more
I'm amused that a minor character in Beekeeper's is named Jessica Simpson.
I enjoy Laurie R. King's writing style--which is a...more
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book data (includes all editions)
avg rating (all editions): 4.22 (1539 ratings) avg rating (this edition): 4.23 (1241 ratings) number of reviews: 279popular shelves
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