Rating: 
Summary: A great read
Review: OK. If you like Sherlock Holmes, you may hate this book. I found the original Holmes a little tedious, to be honest, too much of a know-it-all, too much of a brain without a personlaity. Laurie King makes the man come alive, rounds him out, gives him a heart as well as a brain, and pairs him up with a partner forty years his junior, half-American, and female to boot. The combination is electric.I couldn't put this book down, which is odd, considering that it's by no means perfect. It has no plot to speak of (unless you consider the deepening complexity of the relationship between Holmes and Russell a plot, which I did). Rather, the story is episodic, with a couple of loose threads pulling it all together. It spans five years, from 1915 to 1920, and there are at least three mysteries, if not four, that the couple solve. The narrative voice is strong, and Russell's character is fully developed, but at times there are annoying lapses of tone, vocabulary or diction - Russell will write things that no young woman of her background and upbringing in 1915 would write. What makes this book, and what made me not only read it as slowly as I could, not wanting to finish it and have to put it down, is the characterization of the lead couple. In addition, it's as much an adventure story as it is a mystery, rife with wonderful disguises, romps across countrysides, travel halfway around the world and back, prisoners, bombs, chloroform and car accidents, little dogs and big dogs, diabolical murderers and petty theives. It reminded me of Tintin - and as with Tintin, I didn't believe a word of it, and was hooked. I loved this book, despite the fact that when it was over I couldn't really say what happened (other than the fact that Holmes meet Russell and taught her how to be an amateur sleuth), and despite the fact that every now and then Russell would say something infuriatingly late twentieth-century and I'd cringe. I'm recommending this to all my mystery-loving friends.
Rating: 
Summary: WoW! My favorite book!
Review: This is my favorite book. I really mean it. I have only had two favorite books... Ever. And this is one of them. The prose in this book is stunning! I love the flavor and the language. This is an alternate Sherlock Holmes book. People who found the original stories by Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle a little dry will not be able to say the same about this book. Although Holmes is a main character in the book he is not the main character. The protagonist is a young woman named Mary Russell haunted by the death of her family and by the intelligence that sets her apart from normal people. When this young woman stumbles, "literally," across an ageing Sherlock Holmes her life is changed forever. Surprised by her discerning eye he takes her on as an apprentice and trains her in the ways of the detective. The book's climax occurs when an enemy of Holms tries to kill everyone important to him, including Mary Russell. What happens? Who dies? You have to read the book to find out. But I can tell you this; if you do not like the first page of the book then don't bother reading it.
Rating:
Summary: "Its a Good Read!"
Review: I am ashamed to admit that I bought this book several years ago and only recently picked it up to read. What a waste of years! This is a delightful read. Engaging characterizations, great heroine and thank God, a wonderful treatment of Holmes.
I'm scouring the internet now for anything else she has written.
Rating:
Summary: The Game's Afoot
Review: After the death of her family, Mary Russell, a fifteen year-old, moves to a farm with her "evil" aunt. In one of her walks around the area she meets the famous Sherlock Holmes, who is retired and dedicates his hours to the study of bees. Right from the start the two main characters in the book match their wits and Holmes is surprised by the potential he sees in this young woman. He then decides to tutor her and introduce her to the art of investigative work. In the next few years, they go through a few cases and Mary goes away to Oxford to continue her studies; but at one point they are faced with a more dangerous opponent, who wants to kill not only Holmes, but also Mary; even Dr. Watson and Mycroft are in danger. If you want to know the rest, you better read the book! In my opinion the author does a very good job in maintaining the particular characteristics that define the characters in Arthur Conan Doyle's books, especially in the case of Sherlock Holmes. It is amazing how you feel that the deductive work is done by exactly the same detective you knew from the past, and with the added benefit of a fresh mind assisting him! I was very pleased to see the ingenious way in which Laurie King connected this new series with the Conan Doyle's work. She concocted a story about her receiving the manuscripts of the different stories in the series some time ago, and that she is merely the editor. The manuscripts were of course written by the enchanting Mary Russell. Finally, let me tell you that, since I am an avid chess player, I thoroughly enjoyed the way in which Holmes uses a chess game with Mary to explain the strategy he was planning to utilize in one of their cases. I will definitely continue reading the books in this series, and if you haven't started yet, I recommend you do it now!
Rating:
Summary: Sherlock Holmes Meets Nancy Drew ;-}
Review: I must admit, when I decided to read some of the pastiche Sherlock Holmes stories, this was near the bottom of the list. A 15-year old young lady proves to be the match for the Great Detective? But I had the opportunity to listen to the audio book of A Letter of Mary. That convinced me I had to go back to the beginning of the Laurie King books and find out how the Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell partnership started. I was immediately struck by how much Mary Russell reminded me of my other favorite sleuth, Nancy Drew. She's way too smart for her own age, doesn't really have a parental figure to keep her from running around the country solving murders, can reason her way out of a dangerous situation. The great thing about Mary Russell that makes her very DIFFERENT from Nancy Drew is that she is NOT perfect. In fact, I think I identified with her because we seem very similar, right down to the gangly height and myopia. Russell also has an Old Soul, partly because of the tragedy that was forced upon her, which does make one older than their chronological years. While reading this book, I wanted to protect Mary, but at the same time, admired her determination and spunk. I couldn't help but enjoy reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: The Game's Afoot...
Review: Where do I begin with this book? I am a fantasy lover, pure and simple, and have been since I was 12. My school librarian, taking a step to push me towards "new age classics," refused to allow me to check out any more books until I had read this one. Grudgingly, I took it home, and was completely enveloped in the characters and the story. I came back the next day begging for more, read through the entire Mary Russell series, and continued on the rest of the Sherlockian Canon. My life, which had very little direction before then, became focused on crime solving, and my life is better for it. But to the book. It will engross you before you even realize what has happened. Ms. King is a master with a literary paintbrush unsurpassed by any other author I have been exposed to. She brings her characters to life, gives them personality, and hooks you. If you consider this a down, then this is not the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Of This Genre
Review: This is simply my favorite Sherlock Holmes-ish book (and among my favorite among all books). I recommend it without reservation.
Rating:
Summary: The Lost Years of Sherlock Holmes
Review: A very cunningly written book, that leaves you wondering if your reading the memoirs of an intelligent young lady, who meets a elusive beekeeper. He is Sherlock Holmes in retirement, and is so impressed by her mind, he'll never tell her though, he makes her his apprentice in investigating. Over several books she becomes as good as and perhaps better then the great Sherlock Holmes, himself.
Rating:
Summary: The beginning of a great series!
Review: In his retirement, Sherlock Holmes becomes acquainted with Mary Russell, a very unconventional 15-year-old whose mind is a match for his. He begins to train her in the art of deductive reasoning, and they have many adventures together. It is the start of a partnership that grows and matures as the series progresses (this is the first book in the series). Ms. King has done a wonderful job of giving us a very believable Holmes in his later years, and Mary Russell is a perfect match for him. A well-written book, and great start to a continuing series that I hope will flourish for some time!
Rating:
Summary: charming pastiche of the century's favorite detective
Review: I have been a fan of Sherlock Holmes for a long time and have enjoyed the parodies written by other authors also. I'd have to say that this first in the series by Laurie King is exceptionally good. Holmes has retired to Sussex to keep bees and one day he meets Mary Russell, a lonely and unhappy teenager, wandering the hills. He is immediately surprised by her intellect and the two strike up an unusual but satisfying friendship. Eventually, and inevitably, they solve some mysteries together. Ms. King is a fine writer, and the story and characters (including Watson, Mycroft, Mrs. Hudson and Lestrade) are quite fun, with Mary acting as the narrator. Wouldn't it be nice for Holmes to have this humanizing friendship! Delightful read, and essential for open-minded Holmes fans.
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