The Mary Russell Series Books 1-4: The Beekeeper's Apprentice; A Monstrous Regiment of Women; A Letter of Mary; The Moor: The Beekeeper's Apprentice; ... of Mary; The Moor

Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes #1-4

by Laurie R. King

Collected in one volume, the first four novels featuring the retired Sherlock Holmes and his disciple Mary Russell by New York Times-bestselling author Laurie R. King.
The Beekeeper's Apprentice
In 1915, Sherlock Holmes and his fifteen-year-old protege Mary Russell are 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.
A Monstrous Regiment of Women
It is 1921 and Mary Russell is on the verge of acquiring a sizable inheritance. Her attentions turn to the New Temple of God and its leader, a charismatic suffragette and a mystic. When four bluestockings from the Temple turn up dead shortly after changing their wills, could sins of a capital nature be afoot?
A Letter of Mary
It is 1923. Mary Russell Holmes and Sherlock Holmes are visited by an old friend, an archaeologist just returned from Palestine. She leaves in their protection an ancient, controversial manuscript. When their friend is suddenly killed in a tragic accident, Russell and Holmes find themselves on the trail of a fiendishly clever murderer.
The Moor
In the eerie wasteland of Dartmoor, Sherlock Holmes summons Mary Russell to aid the investigation of a death and some disturbing phenomena of a decidedly supernatural origin. There have been sightings of a spectral coach made of bones carrying a woman long-ago accused of murdering her husband--and of a hound with a single glowing eye. Returning to the scene of The Hound of the Baskervilles, Holmes and Russell investigate a mystery darker and more unforgiving than the moors themselves.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

1056 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 17, 2014

About the author

Edgar-winning mystery writer Laurie R. King writes series and standalone novels. Her official forum is
THE LRK VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB here on Goodreads--please join us for book-discussing fun.

King's 2018 novel, Island of the Mad, sees Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes travel from London's Bedlam to the glitter of Venice's Lido,where Young Things and the friends of Cole Porter pass Mussolini's Blackshirts in the streets. The Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series follows a brilliant young woman who becomes the student, then partner, of the great detective. [click here for an excerpt of the first in the series, The Beekeeper's Apprentice] The Stuyvesant and Grey series (Touchstone; The Bones of Paris) takes place in Europe between the Wars. The Kate Martinelli series follows an SFPD detective's cases on a female Rembrandt, a holy fool, and more. [Click for an excerpt of A Grave Talent]

King lives in northern California, which serves as backdrop for some of her books.

Please note that Laurie checks her Goodreads inbox intermittently, so it may take some time to receive a reply. A quicker response may be possible via email to info@laurierking.com.

Reviews

[Suzanne J.]

Sequels to The Beekeeper's Apprentice that continue to deliver a mysterious and fresh insight into the detective's private life and what it must have been like to live with him!

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurie King has crafted the perfect partner for Holmes. Mary Russell is a big, brilliant, and brave woman. Other then the heresey of giving Holmes a woman, she stays true to the spirit of Conon Doyle. She has maintained Holmes character as he was originally crafted and has an over Holmes fans. These stories are NOT cleverly plotted clues for the duo to deduct. They are adventure stories placed into historical travelogues. King paints the exotic scenes with description replete with details. The reader is immersed in the environment. When the adventure ends, the reader has enjoyed geography and history lessons as well as an adventure. This series is well worth reading.

[BOOK BOOKS]

MEME, DID YOU EVER READ THAT BOOK SERIES ABOUT THE AMERICAN GIRL WHO IS THE MOAST NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS EVER WHO MARRIES SHERLOCK HOLMES? PEOPLE ACTUALLY RECOMMENDED IT TO ME LIKE IT WAS A GOOD SERIES.

I KEPT MEANING TO READ THOSE BUT I NEVER QUITE MANAGED TO GET PAST THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE FIRST BOOK.

I READ THE FIRST ONE AND REGRETTED IT. LOL GOT GENUINELY OFFENDED ON BEHALF OF WATSON :D:

I LOVE THOSE, BUT THEY GOT ME AT AROUND AGE TWELVE OR THIRTEEN, WHICH WAS PRIME 'I'M NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS' AGE, AND NOW I STILL LIKE THEM OUT OF NOSTALGIA AND THE FACT THAT IT'S FUN HISTORICAL FICTION.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading The beekeeper;s apprentice and so quickly started the rest of the series (after reading Holmes; point of view!) This is SUCH a good series, and well worth a reread. I ususally read the previous before the next is published, but reading them in close order has been lovely. Such a great depth of character. Wonderful portrayals of London, England, points elsewhere!, emotions (however small ticks) and history. Reliving Oxford and the Bodleian, WWI, the Downs, the wit, wisdom and costume changes!

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not normally a reader who delves into mysteries or suspense, and I've tried to read Sherlock Holmes before thinking surely it was just a frame of mind I could get into... I couldn't do it then and I couldn't do it now. While I did finish this, I think it solidified that I shouldn't waste my time with the genre. The writing was decent, the storyline was fine, I'm just not interested. It's a classic case of " it's not you, it's me" and for ME, this was simply a 2*

[Janice McMillen]

Read Monstrous Regiment, not knowing this was a series! She is an engaging writer that has created an unlikely pairing between Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. These books are really interesting, and her story lines are extremely intricate. I'm hooked.

[Kammie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting twist of an old story.

[Madelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite banal. Fleeting moments of action are great, but they are so infrequent. You keep listening/reading hoping for much more.

[Melissa Hogenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adventures of Mary Russell, young protege of Sherlock Holmes, in Victorian London. Equal rights for women combined with the mystery of dying supporters of a charismatic woman suffragette.

[Lane Burday · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read most of these books and really enjoy them.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the first one for book club and then read the others. If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes, this is a more modern look at him even though it is set in the early 20th century. Expands his personality some. Quite enjoyable.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! One of my favorite book series!

[Mary Mittiga · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is well-written and thought-provoking. I just ordered the next one!

[William Stanwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

All provocative and delightfully erudite.

[Debbie Beeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and entertaining. Characters are well-developed.