The Beekeeper's Apprentice (Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes, #1) in Around the World in 80 Books

Aug 12, 2012 SarahC rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery

I did enjoy this Holmesian read, which attempts to look at the man and his more human side. Sure, it is about crime-solving and targets the famous man as the victim of a vendetta, but this is also about his relationship, in unique formation, with a young woman. I find this fascinating, but relationships are also the great mystery, aren't they? What a great parallel.

Author King promises us that the main female character will reflect the path of women during the post World War era in her dealings ...more

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Mar 15, 2020 Pam rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-books-read, crime-fiction, audio-book

AUTHOR King, Laurie R.
TITLE The Beekeeper's Apprentice
DATE READ 03/13/20
RATING 4/B
FIRST SENTENCE
GENRE/ PUB DATE/PUBLISHER / # OF Crime Fiction/1994/Recorded Books / 12 Discs
SERIES/STAND-ALONE #1Mary Russell
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2020 Reading Goal 40/120;
GROUP READ
TIME/PLACE 1914/UK
CHARACTERS Mary Russell/ beekeeper's apprentice to Sherlock Holme
COMMENTS I finally got around to this one! I loved reading some of her other series set in CA and am envious of hearing she lived in Northern/Central ...more

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Nov 22, 2011 mstan rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, american, src-winter-2011-12

I enjoyed King's writing in the first part of the book - the late 1800s style is something I find really comforting, and I think she managed to capture some of the essence of that period.

I found the mysteries confusing and rather pointless, though. Rather than intellectual exercises (which I associate with Holmes), they are action-adventure type things. Not so fun for me.

Most disturbing of all is the relationship between Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. Mary was 15 when she met Holmes, who must ...more

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Nov 26, 2013 Astrid Lim rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: series, historical-fiction, thriller-mystery, british

I am partial!! I like some parts of the book, but I don't like the part that especially leads to the romance of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. I mean, Mary as Holmes's pupil and successor seemed interesting enough (particularly because their age difference is pretty big: almost 30 years or so). But falling in love with a man twice your age? Uhmmm...not really my thing. But anyway. The mysteries in this book are pretty decent, the plot is fine, and the historical setting is ok. Oh, another poi ...more

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Jan 31, 2021 Julie rated it really liked it

Enchanting! I loved this foray into the life of Sherlock Holmes from the perspective of a young woman who became a friend and associate of his in his later years. Funny and fresh, I will definitely read more of Mary Russell’s adventures with Holmes. Was delightful on #audio too! This novel has been on my #TBR for nearly a decade!

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Sep 12, 2012 Windy rated it liked it

Set up as a follow-on series from Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. The parts of the book with action are very enjoyable although I got a bid bored by the in-fill and back-story parts. Well told with plenty of wit. ...more

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