The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King
Published by Picador, an imprint of Macmillan
An incredibly bright young woman, it was perhaps the happiest accident in Mary Russell’s life when she nearly trod directly upon a lounging and retired Sherlock Holmes in the hills near her home. Impressed by her quick wit and powers of observation, Sherlock welcomes the young orphan into his home and his life and, as she grows, takes her to be his partner and intellectual equal in a way that Watson never was. The first in the Mary Russell series, “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice” covers approximately the first four years in the Sherlock Holmes-Mary Russell partnership.
Laurie R. King gave me warm fuzzies beginning with the prologue of “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice,” wherein she wrote a note to the reader asserting that she had received a chest in the mail containing a pile of manuscripts from, ostensibly, a woman named Mary Russell, who she could not track down. King goes on to say that she was so taken by the story within that she did little more than clean up the spelling and grammar and slap the work with a more appealing title, and then publish it for the anonymous Ms. Russell. This fits perfectly into the grand tradition of Sherlockians, many of whom dogmatically assert that Holmes was a real man, and Conan Doyle only Watson’s literary agent (whether they actually believe this I am unsure, but it is an amusing, if baffling device). Thus, this forward by King sets her series up to be a real continuation of Conan Doyle’s beloved work. King is also quite smart about how she sets up Mary and Holmes’ world. From the beginning, the characters make note of some of the literary license which Watson took with Holmes’ adventures, thus assuring that any deviation on King’s part from Conan Doyle’s canon is explained away ahead of time.
“The Beekeeper’s Apprentice” is a highly engaging Sherlockian pastiche. Mary Russell humanized the famous detective, who was already somewhat mellowed by his partial retirement, making for a much more likable Holmes than in many of Conan Doyle’s later stories. The beginning of a lengthy series such as this requires a great deal of characterization and set up, but King did a great job providing this while still keeping the story moving.
I really enjoyed “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice” and am looking forward to continuing the series. Recommended.
Buy this book from:
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Amazon.*
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Yay! I’m so glad you liked it! I just finished the second of the series and can’t wait for more!
I just picked up a collection of Sherlock Holmes stories and I’m fascinated at how there is such a resurgence of his character in fiction today. I must catch up and see what I’m missing.
Carrie at Books and Movies had these books as some of her favorites this year. What a clever premise!! I can see why you got the warm and fuzzies.
Sounds like a fascinating series. I’ve added this book to my TBR list for the upcoming year.
I get warm fuzzies whenever someone else becomes a Rusell/Holmes devotee - great review!
I really enjoyed this book as well. Nice review!
This is one of my favorite books. Thanks for the review!
I’m not very far into this series, but I really like these books! I’m glad you enjoyed this one.
I liked this one, too, and I don’t consider myself a Sherlock fan. The books just keeping better and better!
So happy you’re enjoying this series, it is one of my favorites!
This sounds like really good fun!
I have one of the later novels and keep wondering if it requires me to read this first one. What do you think?
Hmm, you probably don’t have to read the first one, but it would probably help.
I remember wanting to read this one before I even realized Sherlock Holmes was involved or that it was first in a series. Thanks for reminding me about it!
This series is probably my favorite discovery of 2010! I loooooove the interplay between Russell and Holmes which only gets better as the books go on… and the mysteries get better too! I’ve managed to read the first 3 books in the series this year and can’t wait to read more (though I am trying to pace myself).
Oh good, so glad to know that the series just gets better.
I’ve had this series on my radar screen for several months now. Your review makes me want to read them even more!
I know I’m REALLY late with this, but I’m so glad you enjoyed this book! The rest of the series is quite good as well. Of course, there are some books that are better than others but on the whole it is a fantastic series!
Better late than never, right? =)