false 104737 0006514944 9780006514947 1813 147 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171524254m/104737.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/104737.A_Monstrous_Regiment_of_Women 6760 Laurie R. King 22143 2569 3 0 true Tue Oct 13 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Wed Apr 08 22:25:22 -0700 2009 Wed Oct 14 15:39:56 -0700 2009
First, it lost a star because I don't care for polemic in the guise of fiction. The preachy feminist broadstrokes are a bit annoying at times, resembling lectures rather than entertainment. (Ease off on the hammer, please.)

Secondly, the mystery itself is inhibited by the insertion of the villain much too late in the story. There is no way to look back and have the thrill of saying, "Yeah! I could have/should have seen that coming all along--what a great twist!" When Mary suddenly starts referring to capital-H "Him", it's abrupt instead of intriguing. There is no clue given to the complicity of other members of Margery's organization, so when they are named it is parenthetical rather than revelatory.

I am not buying Mary's record-breaking recovery from her ordeal. Even she is not superhuman. She bounces back much too quickly and is off leaping tall buildings at a single bound, so to speak.

On a positive note, it is refreshing to see an author avoid the all-too-expected cheap shot against people of faith. Having Margery be evil would have been too easy. Making her complex instead--a dimensional personalty-is one of the book's strong points. I am overjoyed that Russell and Holmes have at last settled the question and confirmed their partnership.

All in all, AMRoW was enjoyable and a page-turner.I've been waiting a long time to get this book and am happy I can now get on with the rest of the series.]]>