Welcome and greetings!!

[Paula]

Just joined today. Read the Russell books through for the second time and am excited to begin the Maisie Dobbs book. I love good mysteries and just finished an interesting book by Thomas Steinbeck, In the Shadow of the Cypress. I teach 4th and 5th grade language arts and am excited to join your VBC to read and share with the "grown-ups"!

[PatF]

Welcome, Christine, Menzie, and Paula. We value your contributions in all the discussions and look forward to hearing about your favorite books.

[Richard]

Hi, I came to the group thru the LRK facebook page. I have never been a member of a book club prior to joining this club. My mother started me reading mysteries when I was a small child with an introduction to Sherlock Holmes. The gathering of facts and problem solving most likely influenced my career choice of Medical Laboratory Science. Early in my career I assisted on autopsies and performed forensic toxicology. I was on a few crime scenes when I was a volunteer FF/EMT in my 30's. I have read all of the Russell books and prefer Russell/Holmes to Watson/Holmes. I have never felt Watson was a strong character, more of sidekick status. The Bones of Paris will auto load to my Kindle when it is available. I will attempt to read it on my next cruise in October but, more likely will be rereading it on the cruise. LOL

[John]

Richard wrote: "Hi, I came to the group thru the LRK facebook page. I have never been a member of a book club prior to joining this club. My mother started me reading mysteries when I was a small child with an int..."

Welcome to the VBC, Richard! I think you will find us to be a group of avid readers who love talking about all things bookish, friendly and welcoming, and above all, enthusiastic in sharing our thoughts on all things Laurie! Once again, welcome!

[Ellen]

Hi Richard, I am intrigued by your comments on Watson/Holmes. I LOVE the Canon, but agree that Watson has often been portrayed as just the idiot sidekick. He really isn't that at all. That's one reason I really love both the BBC Holmes series with Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke (and one other Watson) as well as the current Cumberbatch/Freeman series. They have REAL Watsons and really bring the characters to life. Hope you enjoy them too. Does anyone know if a Maisie Dobbs series is in the works?

[Richard]

Ellen wrote: "Hi Richard, I am intrigued by your comments on Watson/Holmes. I LOVE the Canon, but agree that Watson has often been portrayed as just the idiot sidekick. He really isn't that at all. That's one..."

There is another one from 1955 I found on Hulu that was filmed in England where Watson is not such a dolt. The show is called The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. I can't remember the actors names. I still love Basil Rathbone as Sherlock.

[Erin]

Ellen wrote: "Does anyone know if a Maisie Dobbs series is in the works? "

I haven't heard anything about Maisie on tv, but that means absolutely zero. Something to ask Ms. Winspear at Bcon in September!

[Kathy]

Sorry to post on the Welcome page, but couldn't see an appropriate spot and I hope someone can answer my question. I was reading "Darker Place" on a road trip and must admit that at the end when Dulcie recognized Glen McCarthy as "Mr. York" I had no clue what I must have missed in my reading! Help me please, or perhaps this is a mysterious connection to ponder...

[John]

Kathy wrote: "Sorry to post on the Welcome page, but couldn't see an appropriate spot and I hope someone can answer my question. I was reading "Darker Place" on a road trip and must admit that at the end when Du..."

Hi, Kathy! First things first, the Chit Chat discussion forum would probably be the most appropriate place for your question, but as to your question...
Dulcie is in the dentist's waiting room while Ana has her broken bridgework looked at, and Glen is there posing as the medical deliveryman and introduces himself to Ana, in front of Dulcie, as Glen York. Dulcie has a great memory! Hope that is what you are looking for, Kathy!

John.

[Kathy]

Thank you!!! I do remember the dentist office (forgot the name Glen used!)

[Kathy]

Hello everyone! I'm so happy to have found this group. I went to LKR's Web site to see check out the virtual book club there, and I found my way here. I've read all the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes books and several others by Laurie. I've been a fan for years, so I look forward to talking with you all and seeing you at Bouchercon (my first one).

[Michie]

Hi, I'm Mich from Philippines. I'm new here.I love going to different places,photography,reading,blogging and digital scrapbooking.

http://michperez.blogspot.com
http://michbookblurb.blogspot.com

[Meredith]

I thought I would also pop my head up here to say hello! I have been a Very Serious Laurie King fan since 2004. It has led me to being a more active Sherlockian (again) and given me many happy times.

[Lesley]

Just wanted to say "hi". I have read quite a bit of LRK's books. Haven't worked my way through the Russell /Holmes series yet. Glad I found the VBC as work schedule often doesn't allow me to participate in the traditional book clubs. I am currently reading The Bones of Paris and Seven for a Secret.

[John]

Lesley wrote: "Just wanted to say "hi". I have read quite a bit of LRK's books. Haven't worked my way through the Russell /Holmes series yet. Glad I found the VBC as work schedule often doesn't allow me to parti..."

Welcome, Lesley! You are now in the midst of kindred spirits and we hope you enjoy browsing the different forums and feel comfortable participating!!

[Barb]

Hi, all- KarenB introduced me to Laurie R. King a few months ago and I'm slowly working my way through them. I've read the first four Mary Russells, Grave Talent and A Darker Place-- have enjoyed them all very much and am looking forward to the rest. I started Folly yesterday and am looking forward to the discussion- thought I should introduce myself here first!

[KarenB]

Hi Barb!! Welcome to the book club! I'm glad I got you here because you will be a welcome voice in our discussions.

[John]

BarbN wrote: "Hi, all- KarenB introduced me to Laurie R. King a few months ago and I'm slowly working my way through them. I've read the first four Mary Russells, Grave Talent and A Darker Place-- have enjoyed t..."

Hello Barb, and welcome to the VBC! Glad to have you join us and excited for you in anticipation of all the wonderful reading you have ahead! Welcome!

[Bardbooks]

Hello -- just started "The Beekeeper's Apprentice" yesterday. New to the series, enjoying so far.

[John]

Greetings, Barbara, and welcome to the Virtual Book Club. You have come to the right place for all things Laurie R. King! Feel free to roam throughout the site and post comments as the fancy strikes. Again, welcome!!

[Bardbooks]

Thanks, John. Hope to see some vibrant discussion!

[Kay]

Hi! I am new to this group - but I am really glad to find it. I have, in the last few years, become a great fan of the novels of Laurie R. King. I started with the Kate Martinelli series. Recently, having finished the last book in that series, I read Keeping Watch, A Darker Place and Folly. I thought they were all fantastic! Laurie King's range and ability to submerge herself in very different characters and then portray them most unforgettably, sets the bar very high. She is a literate and compelling storyteller. Currently, I am reading Touchstone. Here is one reader who is hoping for additions to the Kate Martinelli series and the Folly saga!

[KarenB]

Hi Kay! Welcome to the group! Browse around and find discussions - know that you can still comment on any discussion even if it's something we read ages ago. Often that will spark a new little discussion.

I'm intrigued to see that you got here via the Martinellis and stand-alones as it seems most here got started on Laurie King with her Russell series. John & Erin - you could do a poll on what was the first LRK book you read!

[Erin]

KarenB wrote: "John & Erin - you could do a poll on what was the first LRK book you read! "

That would be a fun poll! I can post something =) (Though, FYI to everyone, polls can be created by any member!)

[Kay]

Thanks for the welcome. Many apologies. I didn't realize you posted a reply. When I first joined Goodreads, I was swamped with mail. Now, I have the settings too restrictive...groan.

Not sure how I ran across the Kate Martinelli series. I tend to love mystery series. My favorites are Laurie R. King, Nevada Barr, Sara Patretsky, Michael Connelly, Preston/Child, Tana French, Henning Mankell...well there are quite a few great ones. Can you tell I am retired?

Btw, tomorrow is a big day in publishing: Quite a few new books are coming out on Tuesday. Thanks again for the welcome!

[Erin]

FYI: here's that poll!

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

[Meri]

Hello everyone! I'm Meri from Australia. I've only recently found Mary Russell through a book club read in another group. I loved the Beekeeper's apprentice so much I'm now reading the series. I'm currently reading The Language of Bees. Look forward to meeting more people who read Laurie King's books!

[Meri]

Hello everyone! I'm Meri from Australia. I've only recently found Mary Russell through a book club read in another group. I loved the Beekeeper's apprentice so much I'm now reading the series. I'm currently reading The Language of Bees. Look forward to meeting more people who read Laurie King's books!

[Merrily]

Meri wrote: "Hello everyone! I'm Meri from Australia. I've only recently found Mary Russell through a book club read in another group. I loved the Beekeeper's apprentice so much I'm now reading the series. I'm ..."

Hi, Meri, welcome, glad to have you here! Of course, we are all huge fans of the Russell books - I still remember the thrill I felt on my first read of BEEK. I read it the year it first came out, and I was practically lying at the bookstore door waiting for the sequel! (And just think, this was in the days before Amazon, fan websites, etc and so no such thing as instant gratification). Anyway, glad to meet you and hope to hear from you often!

[Laura]

Welcome Friend. So glad you joined us. It's a fun group. Just books and nice discussion. No Drama.

[Abigail]

Hi, everyone! I'm Abby from Florida. I tore through LRK's books when I stumbled upon Bee Keeper's Apprentice and I love them! I lost track for a while but now I'm happy that there are more books for me to go through, yay!

[Merrily]

Abigail wrote: "Hi, everyone! I'm Abby from Florida. I tore through LRK's books when I stumbled upon Bee Keeper's Apprentice and I love them! I lost track for a while but now I'm happy that there are more books fo..."

Hi Abby, welcome! If you lost track for awhile, you have the pleasure of several new books awaiting you, what fun! Happy reading and chime in on our discussions any time!

[Abigail]

Yes! I just started reading Dreaming Spies!!!

[Sabrina]

Abigail wrote: "Hi, everyone! I'm Abby from Florida. I tore through LRK's books when I stumbled upon Bee Keeper's Apprentice and I love them! I lost track for a while but now I'm happy that there are more books fo..."

So happy you joined us, Abigail! Dreaming Spies was great, and I hope you've seen the short stories too. Not to mention the newest out 'The Murder of Mary Russell'. So much great reading ahead of you. :) Welcome to the bookclub!

[Merrily]

Abigail wrote: "Yes! I just started reading Dreaming Spies!!!"

Excellent, it's a good'un!

[Abigail]

Finished! I did like it and enjoyed the twists.

Next up is the murder one, but I'm wait listed at the library.

[Merrily]

Abigail wrote: "Finished! I did like it and enjoyed the twists.

Next up is the murder one, but I'm wait listed at the library."

MURD is amazing, Abigail! It will really have you staying up late to see what happens -

[Abigail]

I hate waiting. :)

[Myra]

Hi Im Myra from Western Canada and I dont know why it took me so long to discover Ms. King's works.. So good to meet others who enjoy her style of writing and subject matterr!!!

[Merrily]

Myra wrote: "Hi Im Myra from Western Canada and I dont know why it took me so long to discover Ms. King's works.. So good to meet others who enjoy her style of writing and subject matterr!!!"

Happily it is never too late to discover a good writer, Myra, and you have the pleasure of being able to read all of the books in a binge, if you want to. Those of us who discovered her when "Beekeeper's Apprentice" came out had to wait patiently for a year or two for the next book to come out. Welcome, and do feel free to join in our discussions on the Virtual Book Club. This month we're talking about "The Murder of Mary Russell."

[Lisa]

Hello, I am from Vt and have been an avid mystery reader for several years now with a trend towards working my way through authors. Right now I am completely engrossed by Laurie King, Louise Penny and Ann Cleeves. I loved reading Murder of Mary Russell. It is so hard to wait for new books to come out and I find I grieve when the characters are changed and no longer written about or writers just stop writing or even more sadly die. I’m a spotty group member. 2 questions - can these comments on a topic run most recent to oldest? And what are the Kanons I see referred to on some topics and comments? Thanks for having me....
Lisa

[Merrily]

Hi Lisa, nice to hear from you. The three authors you listed are all great - I haven't read everything that Ann Cleeves has written, but I have read all of Louise Penny's, as well as Laurie's. May I also recommend Elly Griffiths, who writes a great series about an anthropologist who is a bone expert and who gets involved in mysteries (set in the north of England). They're great!
If you go to the very top of the thread, look on the right and you will see "date" and then a little "newest" - click on it and you can reverse the order of the feed to what you want.
Sherlockians refer to the original group of Sherlock Holmes stories and novels as the Canon, or the body of "authorized" stories to be studied. So, we Laurie King fans call her body of Holmes/Russell stories Kanon, or the "real" accounts around which we have our discussions (and base our fanfiction). Hope that helps, welcome!

[John]

Welcome, Lisa! Please feel free to interact with the group as is comfortable!
Regarding your questions:
The ordering of the comments in a thread can be set by you (the user) depending upon your device. On a pc, for example, you can set comments first to last, and vice versa. Not all devices have the same option, unfortunately. That is a Goodreads thing.
Regarding Kanon, this relates back to the Canon (Conan Doyle) of the Holmes world. To differentiate the world of Russell & Holmes the Laurie King novels are referred to as the Kanon (King).
Welcome once again, and I hope this helps.

John.

[KarenB]

Welcome Myra and Lisa! I hope you enjoy this group - it's a terrific place and has lead to a number of very good friendships in Real Life. Don't be afraid to ask "dumb" questions - we were all new once and since there are a lot of us who have been here for a long time we forget what that was like. This is one of the friendliest places on the internet.

[Merrily]

KarenB wrote: "Welcome Myra and Lisa! I hope you enjoy this group - it's a terrific place and has lead to a number of very good friendships in Real Life. Don't be afraid to ask "dumb" questions - we were all new ..."

What Karen said is true! A lot of us met for the first time online and have gone on to become friends in the Real World. Makes the mystery conferences we go to even more fun!

[Lisa]

Thanks for the Welcome and the explanation. I happen to love Elly Griffiths as well as the Peter May Shetland series. Historical, culturally based stories transport me.
Looking forward to being in this group!

[Merrily]

Lisa wrote: "Thanks for the Welcome and the explanation. I happen to love Elly Griffiths as well as the Peter May Shetland series. Historical, culturally based stories transport me.
Looking forward to being in ..."

Lisa, clearly we have similar reading tastes - I love Peter May also. Have you read his books set in Provence, with an ex-pat Scottish forensic scientist? Those are great also.

[Lisa]

Yes I have .... I enjoy all of his books. Thanks though!

[Sara]

I have been a fan of the Russell / Holmes series since The Beekeeper's Apprentice was first published. I now enjoy them on audio since I have a lengthy commute. While I have less favorite books in the series, I enjoy them all!

I also read the Maisie Dobbs series (Jacqueline Winspear), the Bess Crawford series (Charles Todd), the Lady Darby series (Anna Lee Huber), and love the Lord Peter Wimsey / Harriet Vane books by Dorothy Sayers. I guess you could say I go for a strong female main character in my historical mystery fiction.

[Merrily]

Sara wrote: "I have been a fan of the Russell / Holmes series since The Beekeeper's Apprentice was first published. I now enjoy them on audio since I have a lengthy commute. While I have less favorite books in ..."

A great list, Sara!