THE BEEKEEPER’S APPRENTICE by Laurie R. King ~ A Book Review

THE BEEKEEPER’S APPRENTICE strains credulity. If I ever thought that someone as self-centered as Sherlock Holmes would ever take on an apprentice, I would naturally have assumed it to be a young man, as Holmes consistently feels uncomfortable in the presence of women, or, at least, treats them in a very patronizing manner.

But perhaps I was wrong about that. Taking her cue from Holmes’ evident admiration of Irene Adler, author Laurie R. King presents Holmes with a young lady whose mind is just as brilliant as his. The opening scene of THE BEEKEEPER’S APPRENTICE is priceless. There is Sherlock Holmes, world-famous detective (now retired) sitting on the ground ins some obscure corner of Sussex watching bees, when a young lady, her nose in a book, nearly steps on him.

Being British he merely clears his throat. 

She looks up, irritated. Why has his absorption with watching blue-spotted bees caused him to be in her way? 

How did you know that? he asks. 

It’s obvious, isn’t it? she replies impatiently. And proceeds to give an account of her reasoning in a way that matches Holmes’ own thought-processes.

Holmes is rarely flabbergasted. But this young person has surprised him. Like most smart people he is lonely, because he cannot find someone on his level to discuss things with. But this young person has just remedied that unfortunate situation. Of course Holmes believes her to be a young man as she is garbed in her late father’s clothe, her long hair hidden beneath a cap. So when she pulls off her cap, letting her fair hair stream down he is astounded.

And so begins their relationship, with 54-year-old Holmes acting as mentor to a 15-year-old spitfire of a girl.

This volume is a marvelous evocation of the 1910s, mostly through Ms. King’s adroit use of language. She never makes a mistake. There are no jarring anachronisms. Instead the reader can lean back and enjoy the banter between Holmes and his new friend.

But the book would not sing without the character of Mary Russell. She gives new life to Holmes, who was slowly dying of boredom (literally.) And as she grows older and becomes more poised and confident, she stands up to Holmes’ paternalistic instincts, insisting on being a partner in his endeavors. 

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