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REVIEW: Laurie R. King's THE MURDER OF MARY RUSSELL
Magdalena Johansson
March 28, 2016
"I can say without a doubt that
this is one of my favorite books in the series."
Reviewed by Magdalena Johansson
Suspense | Mystery Historical |
Historical
THE MURDER OF MARY RUSSELL is the fourteenth book in the Mary Russell and
Sherlock Holmes series, and I have read every single one of the books. This
series is actually one of my absolute favorites, and to say that I've been
waiting to read this book is an understatement. The title is very ominous, and I
had no idea what the book would be about. Except it seemed by the title that
Mary Russell would be murdered in this book? A horrifying idea, I thought. And I
started to read the book to see what Laurie R. King had put together this time.
I could hardly put THE MURDER OF MARY RUSSELL down. It was entrancing and
nerve-wracking good.
The story starts with Mary Russell getting a visitor at her and Sherlock's
home in Sussex. She is all alone in the house, and the visitor makes her feel
uncomfortable because there is just something about the visitor that unnerves
her. As the story progresses, the storyline shifts to Clarissa Hudson, or as we
are more familiar with her Mrs. Hudson. During the progress of the book, Mrs.
Hudson's childhood and adolescence years are revealed as goes between the later
half of the 1800-century and the storyline in 1925 with Mary Russell and her
visitor. The storylines will, later on, merge before the thrilling ending.
At first, I was a bit frustrated about going back in time since the storyline
in 1925 was the more intense one, but after a while, I really got hooked in
learning more about Mrs. Hudson. Mrs. Hudson has always been a woman in the
background, but in THE MURDER OF MARY RUSSELL, King put the focus on her. Yes,
Mary Russell and Sherlock also have big parts in this book, but King shows the
reader that this commonly housekeeper, who has been with Sherlock Holmes for
decades, is not who she seems to be. For Mary Russell it is a bit of a shock to
learn the woman she sees as a substitute mother has so many secrets.
THE MURDER OF MARY RUSSELL is a thrilling book. I can say without a doubt
this is one of my favorite books in the series. The story is strong and
fascinating, and there are so many poignant scenes I would love to tell you
about, but I don't want to spoil the story for you.
You can probably read it as a stand-alone, but I recommend starting from the
beginning with the first book; THE BEEKEEPER'S APPRENTICE if you really want to
be able to enjoy this book. I think the effect will be stronger on a reader if
the person in question has read at least one previous book.
THE MURDER OF MARY RUSSELL will appeal to readers of historical mysteries,
and if you like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes books then you
should definitely read this one!
Laurie R. King’s bestselling Mary Russell–Sherlock Holmes
series weaves rich historical detail and provocative
themes with intriguing characters and enthralling
suspense. Russell and Holmes have become one of modern
literature’s most beloved teams. But does this adventure
end it all? Mary Russell is used to dark secrets—her own, and those
of her famous partner and husband, Sherlock Holmes. Trust
is a thing slowly given, but over the course of a decade
together, the two have forged an indissoluble bond. And what of the other
person to whom Mary Russell has
opened her heart: the couple’s longtime housekeeper, Mrs.
Hudson? Russell’s faith and affection are suddenly
shattered when a man arrives on the doorstep claiming to
be Mrs. Hudson’s son. What Samuel Hudson tells Russell cannot possibly be
true,
yet she believes him—as surely as she believes the threat
of the gun in his hand. In a devastating instant,
everything changes. And when the scene is discovered—a
pool of blood on the floor, the smell of gunpowder in the
air—the most shocking revelation of all is that the grim
clues point directly to Clara Hudson. Or rather to Clarissa, the woman she
was before Baker
Street. The key to Russell’s sacrifice lies in Mrs. Hudson’s
past. To uncover the truth, a frantic Sherlock Holmes
must put aside his anguish and push deep into his
housekeeper’s secrets—to a time before her disguise was
assumed, before her crimes were buried away. There is death here, and
murder, and trust betrayed. And nothing will ever be the same.
Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes series
Comments
1 comment posted.
Re: REVIEW: Laurie R. King's THE MURDER OF MARY RUSSELL
This is the first time I have heard of this series. A must add
to my reading. I enjoy the movies and books about Sherlock
Holmes. I did go to the Sherlock Holmes Pub many years ago in
London. Thank you for the great review.
(Leona Olson 8:49am March 30, 2016)
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