Title: The Beekeeper's Apprentice (Mary Russell #1)

Author: Laurie R. King

Publisher: St. Martin's Press 1994

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 347

Rating:  4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Sub Genre - Mystery, Classic Whodunit; New Author; Library Loan; Eclectic - Historical Mystery

How I Got It: Library loan

In 1915, Sherlock Holmes is retired and quietly engaged in the study of honeybees when a young woman literally stumbles into him on the Sussex Downs. Fifteen years old, gawky, egotistical, and recently orphaned, the young Mary Russell displays an intellect to impress even Sherlock Holmes--and match him wit for wit. Under his reluctant tutelage, this very modern twentieth-century woman proves a deft protégée and a fitting partner for the Victorian detective. In their first case together, they must track down a kidnapped American senator's daughter and confront a truly cunning adversary--a bomber who has set trip wires for the sleuths and who will stop at nothing to end their partnership.

A few weeks ago a friend invited me to see Laurie King speak at the local library.  Turns out she's a Bay Area native.  She was funny and self-depreciating and insightful.  I loved hearing her talk.  Unfortunately, I couldn't read any of her books before the talk.  I received her first Mary Russell book from the library soon after.  I am not disappointed at all.  We get a classic Holmes style story starring Holmes and a refreshing newcomer.   The books starts a bit slow, but really King's easing us into the crazy adventures soon to come.  The capers were entertaining and lots of fun.  I think I will definitely be adding this series to be TBR lists.

Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes

• #0.5 Mary's Christmas
• #1 The Beekeeper's Apprentice
• #2 A Monstrous Regiment of Women
• #3 A Letter of Mary
• #4 The Moor
• #5 O Jerusalem
• #6 Justice Hall
• #7 The Game
• #8 Locked Rooms
• #9 The Language of Bees
• #10 The God of the Hive
• #10.5 Beekeeping for Beginners
• #11 Pirate King
• #12 Garment of Shadows
• #12.5 Mrs. Hudson's Case
• #13 Dreaming Spies
• #13.5 The Marriage of Mary Russell
• #14 The Murder of Mary Russell